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Support Groups
Support for individuals and families can be crucial but may be difficult to find. We have provided a list of places to contact and find out either the local chapter information that can direct you to your local support group or direct chapter numbers. Please contact us to inform us about other groups! 
Maryland Resources
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Hero: Health Education and Resource Organization Phone: (410) 685-1180 (888) 694-4399 (help line) Provides local support group information Rafiki Youth Group/HOPE Support Center Baltimore City Phone: (410) 225-2698 For youth with HIV/AIDS Anxiety Disorders Anxiety Disorders Association of America Provides local support group information as well as referrals to local practitioners Asthma & Allergies Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America, Maryland Chapter Phone: (410) 653-2880 (800) 727-9333 Provides local support group information Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) & Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) ADHD Support Group - St. Mary's County 301-475-6603 X1802 email: Christina_bishop@co.saint-marys.md.us Families and professionals working with children with ADHD are welcome to participate. This group is not currently meeting, but if interested please contact. Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) Support group for parents of children with attention deficit disorder/hyperactivity. There are many local chapters that can provide local support and information. Jewish Social Services of Metropolitan Washington Phone: (301) 990-6880 Provides social skills and therapy support groups for children Autism, Asperger Syndrome & Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) Autism Society of AmericaLocal Chapters will provide support group information Autistic Children's Support Group of Worcester County Contact: Wendy Debulo (410) 352-9959 Families of Children with Autism Support Group (FOCAS) (410) 857-1596 email: focascc@yahoo.com FOCAS meets from January to June and September to November. Meetings are held on the third Thursday in the spring and fall from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at CHANGE, Inc in Westminster. Unless otherwise indicated, monthly meetings are open to all families of children with autism and those who serve them and generally feature a speakers and/or the sharing of relevant information. Free childcare provided by trained respite workers at meeting when arranged in advance by 3 PM on Tuesday before the meeting. The group also offers resource lists, guest speakers, and social gatherings. Families for Intensive Autism Treatment (FIAT) 301-419-8037 PO Box 341643 Bethesda, MD 20827-1643 This statewide group meets the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at Holy Cross Hospital, Auditorium I, in Silver Spring. Through a Family NET Works support grant, FIAT will conduct an outreach campaign to families throughout the state regarding the benefits of intensive Applied Behavioral Analysis programs for young children with autism. Lower Eastern Shore Autism Support Group This is a newly formed group supported through a Family NET Works grant. For information on meeting times and location call: Lyndwina Diemel at (410) 860-0916. Maryland Asperger Advocacy and Support Group Contact: Gayle Blum Phone 410-429-5321 This group was a previous recipient of a Family NET Works Support Grant. Please call for times and locations of meetings. Maryland Asperger Syndrome and HFA Parents Support Group O.A.S.I.S (Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support) Provides local, national, and online support group information Bereavement Stella Maris Hospice Center for Grief & Loss Phone: (410) 252-4500 ext. 7291 Call for further information Hospice of Maryland Private and group support services available Mercy Medical Center office of Pastoral Care Phone: (410) 332-9127 Community resource on bereavement and grief St. Agnes Hospice Center for Bereavement Care Program available specifically for families who have lost a child. St. Joseph's Hospital-Jordan Center Social Work Department Phone: (410) 337-1684 For ages 50 or older, six week sessions. Sinai Hospital, Widowed Persons Service Phone: (410) 601-5018 For ages 50 or older Blind/Partially Sighted Maryland School for the Blind Phone: (410)-444-5000 ext. 299 Provides biweekly support group meetings National Federation of the Blind Phone: (410) 379-6130 Provides local contact information within the State of Maryland Cerebral Palsy United Cerebral Palsy Local Chapters will provide support group information Cerebral Palsy Support Group of Howard County Phone; (410) 992-4599 Dan Dotson Meets the last Thursday of the month. Cystic Fibrosis Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Maryland Chapter Phone: (800) 731-2873 (410) 771-9000 Provides local chapter information Local Chapters will provide support group information Deaf and Deaf-Blind American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Phone/TTY: (800) 638-8225 Phone/TTY: (301) 897-8682 Provides local chapter information Local Chapters will provide support group information Maryland School for Deaf-Blind Phone: (410) 480-4500 TTY: (410) 480-4501 Provides in-home support for parents of infants or toddlers and referral to other resources Developmental Disabilities The Arc of Maryland Phone: (410) 571-9320(Annapolis) (410) 974-6139(Baltimore)
Differently Abled Families Supported through a Family NET Works grant, this cross-disability group of families meets recreationally and socially at the Howard County YMCA. FIELD of Harford County Future Independence & Education for Learning Disabilities Phone: (410) 939-5629; (410) 838-1154; (410) 879-0727 FIELD was established in 1993 for young adults who have been diagnosed with developmental disablities. The group provides socialization as well as educational opportunities to promote independent living. FIELD provides parents and guardians of members with a network to exchange information and resources. Membership open to young adults age 18 and older. Local Chapters will provide support group information Self help for individuals with Developmental Disabilities Family Service Foundation Prince George's County Phone: (301) 459-2121, ext. 32 The Family Service Foundation sponsors a support group for adults with developmental disabilities. The group meets on Tuesdays at 7p.m. Call for further information. Office of Consumer Advocates, Inc. Hagerstown, Maryland Phone: (301) 790-5054 Call for further information Down Syndrome Andrews Area Parents of Down Syndrome (PODS) Phone: (301) 918-8256 Call for further information Anne Arundel Parents of Children with Down Syndrome Phone: (410) 349-0195 Call for further information Chesapeake Down Syndrome Parent Support Group Phone: (410) 321-5434 Call for further information Down Syndrome Resource Network of Howard County Phone: (410) 730-4266 Call for further information Eastern Shore Down Syndrome Parent Support Group Contact: Kim Spotts (410) 860-9496 kdwspotts@aol.com This is a newly formed group and a recipient of a grant from the Family NET Works project. Family Resource Information Education Network for Down Syndrome Contact: Lorena Zecher (301) 834-6848 L719zecher@aol.com Located in Frederick County, this support group is a recipient of a grant from the Family NET Works project. Pee-Wee PODS/Fredrick County Phone: (301) 865-3912 Call for further information Emotional/Behavioral Disturbances and Mental Illness ABIL/Social Phobias/Montgomery County Phone: (301) 874-2462 Call for further information Affective Disorders Support Group (800) 515-0044 For persons diagnosed with depression or manic depression & their families. Meets the 2nd Tuesday and 4th Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm. Alliance for Mentally Ill Children and Adolescents Phone: (301) 229-7811 Provides forum for parents to meet on a regular basis The Bipolar Child Provides local support group information Coping and Caring Support Group First and third Thursday of every month Location: Owen Brown Library, Cradle Rock Way, Columbia, MD. Sponsored by: Maryland Coalition of Families for Children's Mental Health and Coping and Caring. This is a new support group for families of children with emotional and behavioral challenges. For more information contact (410)730-8267. Depression and Related Affective Disorders Association (DRADA) Phone: (410) 955-4647 (Baltimore) Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area: (202) 955-5800 Oakland: (303) 359-0808 Provides local support group information Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health (FFCMH) Local Affiliates will provide local support group information: Harford County Family Network Alliance Contact: Harford County Family Systems Reform Intitiative (410) 638-3166 Offers support and information to families who have a child or adolescent who has mental health needs. Meets on the third Tuesday of each month, 7 P.M. Maryland Coalition Families for Children's Mental Health Phone: (410) 730-8267 Maryland National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) Phone Statewide: (410) 467-7100 Provides local support group information National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association Phone: (800) 82-NDMDA Baltimore Chapter: (410) 955-4647 Capital Area Chapter: (703) 987-3017, ext. 50 Provides local support group information The Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation, Inc. Phone: (410) 820-7529 Provides local support group information On Our Own Statewide: (410) 646-0262 or (800) 704-0262 Provides local support group information Psychiatric Support Group Phone: (410) 553-8070 Meets 4th Wednesday from 6:30-8pm at North Arundel Hospital. Recover, Inc. (410) 254-1000. A self-help group which offers techniques to banish anxieties and fears. Feeding Disorders The Feeding Table Phone: (410) 326-1012 (410) 326-1746 Provides support for parents of children with feeding concerns F.R.I.E.N.D.S. - Feeding Related Issues & Eating Disorders Support Group (410) 544-3759 kmcnally@erols.com This is a support group for parents of children who have been identified as having feeding issues/disorders. The group offers support, guidance, information and speakers at its monthly meetings held the last Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Groups meets at the Severna Park Branch Library in Anne Arundel County. General Maryland Information Abilities Network (formerly the Epilepsy Foundation) Phone: (800) 492-2523 Provides local support information within the State of Maryland and sponsors the Real Approaches to Parenting support group. RAP supports parents in their effort to improve parenting skills. They meet the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. For further information contact Leslie Coleman at the 410-828-7700 or 1-800-492-2523. In the Company of Mothers (ICOM) Phone: (410) 957-3577 (Becky Kuhn-Sykes) (410) 632-0843 (Debbie DiPaolo) In the Company of Mothers is a networking/support group for families which include children with special needs. This group meets on a monthly basis, opening their homes to each other to share experiences, educate themselves on issues related to raising children with disabilities and exchanging resources. Maryland Family Support Network Phone: (800) 535-0182 The Family Support Network offers support to families receiving early intervention services. In addition to providing information about available programs and services, the Family Support Network helps families by: linking them to other families that may share similar experiences; offering specialized workshops and seminars; and establishing Family-to-Family Support Networks to help meet needs in local communities. Partners for Success Resource Centers for Families and Schools The Division of Special Education Maryland State Department of Education Phone: (800) 535-0182 The centers are located throughout Maryland. These centers provide information and referrals, training for families including programs for siblings and a variety of workshops and seminars for families and educators. Hearing Impaired Self Help for Hard of Hearing People (SHHH) Phone: (410) 879-7092 TTY: (410) 879-7092 A local and national organization that provides support and education to people who have a hearing loss. Greater Baltimore Parents Association for Hearing Impaired Children Baltimore County Phone: (410) 788-0131 Call for further information regarding support groups Support Group for Parents of Hearing Impaired Children Howard County Phone: (410) 992-459 Email: mhowley@comcast.net Call for further information regarding support groups Juvenile Diabetes/Diabetes Maryland Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation Phone: (410) 823-0073 Fax: (410) 823-0073 Email: Maryland@jdrf.org The Maryland Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) provides valuable information about diabetes to people with diabetes, their families and the general community. They also hold a variety of successful events to raise much-needed funds for diabetes research. Diabetes Insipidus Foundation, Inc. Phone: (410) 247-3953 Provides local support group information Kidney Disease National Kidney Foundation Phone: (410) 494-8545 Provides local support group information Learning Disabilities CHADD Phone: (800)233-4050; (301) 306-7070 CHADD is a nonprofit organization that provides information and support regarding Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Learning Disability Association of Maryland, Inc. (LDA-MD) Phone:(800) 673-6777 or (410) 337-3702 Provides local chapter information Local Chapters will provide local support group information Olney Exceptional K.I.D.S. 301/924-4824 Olney Exceptional K.I.D.S. (Kids in Dynamic Situations) is a support group for families that include children with learning and developmental disabilities. The group meets on the third Thursday evening of every month at the Olney Community Library, 3500 Olney-Laytonsville Rd. to share experiences and develop knowledge on issues related to raising children with special needs. Parents Helping Parents Phone: (301) 933-1076 Email: ldamc@ldamc.org Sponsored by the Learning Disabilities Association of Montgomery County -- understanding & advocating for your child. Monthly meetings at Davis Library, 6400 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, MD. Mondays, beginning Sept. 30, 2002. 7:00. All welcome! Military Families Exceptional Family Member Program Phone: (301) 677-5590 For Military families based at Ft. Meade Muscular Dystrophy Muscular Dystrophy Association of Maryland Parent Support Group Phone: (410) 494-7072 (888) 484-7072 Provides parent support group Multiple Sclerosis Southern Branch of the Multiple Sclerosis of Maryland Phone: (410) 527-1770 or (301) 884-4001 This office offers five support groups. National Disabled Students Union National Disabled Students Union (NDSU) Parent to Parent MUMS, National Parent-to-Parent Network email: mums@netnet.net Phone: 877-336-5333 This organization keeps a database and connects parents with children with similar diagnosis, life situations, or conditions. Parent to Parent - Howard County A division of the Abilities Network. This program matches parents of special needs children to other parents of special needs children for support. They train "mentor" parents and match them to parents who have newly diagnosed children, or just have decided they need support. Periodic training sessions held. For more information contact: parenttoparent@att.net or 443-562-4772 Parent to Parent of Prince Georges County This organization keeps a database and connects parents with children with similar diagnosis, life situations, or conditions within Prince Georges County Maryland. For more information email: info@thearcofpgc.org Rare and Chronic Disorders Maryland Angelman Syndrome Foundation, Inc. Phone: (410) 467-6015 (Baltimore) Provides local support group information Genetic Alliance Phone: (800) 336-GENE (Help line) (202) 966-5557 Provides local support group contact information International Klinefelter Syndrome Support Organization Phone: (916) 773-1449 Provides local support group information International Rett Syndrome Association Phone: (301) 649-7231 (Maryland Representative) Provides local support group information Klinefelter Syndrome Support Group Hotline Phone: (888) 718-9309 Provides local support group information Mid-Atlantic Velo-Cardio-Facial Syndrome Support Group Phone: (410) 522-2131 (410) 356-2003 Provides local support group information Fragile X Syndrome Resource Group Phone: 410-775-7290 Provides local support group information National Tay-Sachs and Allied Disease Association, Inc. Phone: (800) 906-8723 (617) 277-4463 Provides on-line support group information Noonan Syndrome Support Group, Inc. Phone: (888) 686-2224 (410) 374-5245 (Upperco) Provides local support group information The National Organization for Rare Disorders Phone:(800) 999-6673 (203) 746-6518 Provides access to a rare disease database that will link to national organizations Prader-Willi Syndrome Association of MD, VA, and DC National Office: (800) 926-4797 Provides local referrals and support group information Tay-Sachs Association of Maryland, Inc. Phone: (410) 484-9047 Provides local support group information United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (UMDF) Phone: 412.793.8077 - Fax 412.793.6477 E-mail: info@umdf.org United Leukodystrophy Foundation Phone: (815) 895-3211 Seizure Disorders Epilepsy Foundation/Abilities Network
Sickle Cell Disease Sickle Cell Disease Association, Maryland Chapter Phone: (410) 383-2214 Provides local support group information Speech and Language American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Phone/TTY: (800) 638-8225 Phone/TTY: (301) 897-8682 Provides local chapter information Cleft Lip/Palate Parent Support Group Phone: (202) 884-2157 Sponsored by the Cranial Facial Clinic of Children's Hospital of Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Stuttering Support Group Further information available by following the link Spina Bifida Chesapeake-Potomac Spina Bifida Association, Inc. Phone: (888) 733-0988 Provides local support group information Spina Bifida Association of Maryland Phone: (410) 671-0047 (Abingdon) Provides local support group information Stroke American Heart Association Maryland Phone: (410) 685-7074 Eastern Shore: (410) 778-2327 Washington County: (301) 739-1022 Provides local support group information American Stroke Foundation One to One Friend Program Phone: (913) 649-1776 Stroke survivors are matched for similarities in the one to one friend program. Follow up phone calls are made to give support and understanding from a personal point of view. Our Foundation volunteers are all stroke survivors and caregivers; they have gone through the experience of stroke and have strength to share from their experience. Call if you would like to participate in the one to one friend program. Tourette Syndrome Tourette Syndrome Association of Greater Washington Phone: (800) 237-0717 (301) 681-4133 (410) 486-4107 (Baltimore Liaison) Provides local support group information Traumatic Brain Injury Brain Injury Association of Maryland Phone: (800) 221-6443 or (410) 448-2924 Provides local support group information Brain Injury Support Group Baltimore Phone: (410) 448-6303 or (410) 448-6300 Kernan Hospital (410) 225-8258 Maryland General Call for further information Calvert County Brain Injury Support Group Contact: Diane Phone: (410) 586-1482 or (410) 535-5467 Meets the second Tuesday of each month Chesapeake Rehabilitation Support Group Eastern Shore Phone: (800) 938-4600 Call for further information Development Services Group, Inc. Brain Injury Group Support (BIGS) Howard County Phone: (410) 381-7171 Call for further information Fredrick Head Injury Support Group Phone: (301) 694-8452 or (301) 698-3137 Meeting time: 3rd Thursday of every month, 7 P.M. Location: Trinity United Methodist Church, West Patrick Street off of Rt. 15. Additional social gatherings held once a month. Call for further information. Head Injury Support Group Prince George's County Phone: (301) 618-2790 Meeting time: 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, 7 P.M. Location: Prince George's Hospital Center, Case Management Conference Center, 3rd Floor. Call for further information. Headway Support Group Washington County Phone: (301) 790-8150 or (301) 790-8382 Meeting time: 1st Tuesday of each month, 7 P.M. Location: Robinwood Medical Center, Suite 102. Call for further information. RETURN! Brain Injury Support Group Baltimore County Phone: (410) 601-6080 Meeting time: 4th Tuesday of every month, 7 P.M. Location: Sinai Hospital, Schoeneman Building. Call for further information. Support Group for Survivors and Families Anne Arundel County Phone: (410) 280-8600 Call for further information Upper Chesapeake Support Group Harford County Phone: (410) 399-4748 Call for further information |
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