The San Diego Down Syndrome Association offers monthly meetings, new-parent information, family events, and “Coffee & Conversation” get-togethers. For information, please call (619) 594-7416 or (610) 276-4494

Other Support Groups

Fathers Groups

San Diego Fathers Support Group through the Men’s Legal Center of San Diego. Held the last Wednesday of every month from 7-9pm, downtown San Diego. Call (619) 234-3838.

Encinitas Father Resource Center – call (760) 634-3237.

The Father’s Group – call (858) 558-0700.

Coalition of Parents’ Support – call (619) 465-2677.

Emotional Behaviors

SOS (Supporting Others Successfully) – Focus on emotional behavior problems. Meets 3rd Wednesdays at Grossmont Hospital, at 6:30 pm. Call Janet Light (619) 465-2288.

Grandparents

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren – Meets bi-monthly in Bonsall. For information call Linda Borst at (760) 728-0206.

Grief

The Elizabeth Hospice -- There are a variety of programs and groups available; please call for information specific to your needs. In North County, call (760) 737-2050. San Diego Hospice call (619) 688-1600.

Hearing Impairment

Deaf Community Services -- provides referral services for support groups to parents who have children with hearing impairment. Please call (619) 398-2441.

Signs of Silence Group for Teens -- For information call (760) 744-1325.

Military Families

Birth and Beyond Years – Support program for military families that have children with special needs. Monthly meetings feature speakers and support. For information, please call (619) 532-8156.

Exceptional Family Member Program – Offers quarterly meetings and outings for families who have a child with a disability. Please call CJ at (760) 725-5363 or Linda at (760) 763-0868.

Special Education and Information Referral -- call Deborah at EFMP Office at (858) 577-6751.

Non-Disability Specific Support Groups

Coffee and Conversation – Exceptional Family Resource Center offers support and friendship for parents with young children who have disabilities. For information, call (619) 594-7416.

Coffee and Parent-to Parent – for moms of children with disabilities or moms who have lost a child, please call (760) 757-4313.

East County Children’s Disability Council – Focuses on children with physical, developmental and emotional disabilities, ages 0-22. Please call (619) 465-2288.

Parent Advocates Seeking Solutions – Parents of children ages 15 and over with special needs meets 3rd Thursdays from 7-9 at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, located at 16275 Pomerado Rd., Poway. Please call Beverly at (858) 748-2594.

VISTA Parent Information Meetings, birth to five – Meets on specific Monday evenings. Call Christine Kidwell at (760) 489-5536 to get on the mailing list, for more information and/or to suggest topics. Limited childcare available by advance reservation.

RANCHO BERNARDO Parent Information Meetings, birth to teens – Meets specific Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8:00. For more information call Margot Morpeth at (760) 489-5536. Limited childcare available by advance reservation. Topics planned based on parent-participant requests.

SAN MARCOS Parent Information Meetings, birth to five – Meets on specific Tuesday mornings. Call Christine Kidwell at (760) 489-5536 to get on the mailing list, for more information or to suggest topics.

Parent Support – Meets in San Marcos for families of young children with special needs. Childcare is available by reservation only. Please call (760) 510-3994.

Parent Support Group – Meets Thursday mornings in Chula Vista. Phone Mary Sebastyn at (858) 569-5370.

Parents of Children 0-5 Years with Special Needs – “Baby & Me,” “Toddler & Me,” and “Let’s Talk,” group meetings offered by the Alcott Infant Program at two locations: Alcott Elementary School, 4680 Hidalgo Ave., San Diego, (858) 272-9641 on Wednesdays from 9:30-11:30am, and City Heights Wellness Center, 440 Wightman St., San Diego, (619) 321-2920 on Thursdays from 10:00-11:30am.

The bilingual group (English/Spanish) meets on Wednesdays from 9:30-11:00am. For more information, please visit the Alcott Infant Program web site or call Monique Lovett or Nancy Deutsch at (858) 272-9641.

Coalition of Advocates for Special Learners (CASL) – Meets 3rd Thursdays at 7:00 pm in Temecula. Call Janet Lochman at (909) 676-2914.

Sibling Support

United Cerebral Palsy Support Group for children ages 8-12 who have siblings with any disability. The groups offer an emotionally safe forum for these children to share the joys and challenges inherent in having a brother or sister with a disability. Please call (858) 571-7803, ext. 316.

Spanish Support Groups

Spanish Parent Support Group meets the 1st Friday of the month from 6:30-8:00pm in San Marcos. Please call Irene at (760) 736-6313.

Spanish Support Group for Parents of Children, birth to five – meets 1st and 3rd Fridays from 9:30-11:00am at the Boys and Girls Club of National City. Call Laura (619) 498-8171 or Tessie (619) 409-3127.

Spanish Support Group for Parents of children more than five years old meets 2nd and 4th Fridays from 9:30-11:00am at the Public Health Center, 690 Oxford Street, Chula Vista. Call Laura (619) 498-8171 or Tessie (619) 594-7391.

Spanish-Speaking Group focusing on IEPs – Meets 1st Thursdays at 6:30pm in El Cajon. Call Maria Beam at (619) 588-4173.

Trisomies Support Group

Support of Fetal Trisomies (S.O.F.T.) – Information and grief support offered via telephone throughout San Diego County. Please call (800) 716-7638.

Vision Impairment

Braille Foundation – Offers support group designed for family and friends of visually impaired people. Please call (858) 452-1111.