Programs and Services - Family Support

The social worker at the Delta Gamma Center has counseled us numerous times, provided us with a shoulder to cry on when discussing difficulties with our son. As a compassionate counselor, she listened to our problems and offered possible solutions. She not only did her job, she left a lasting impression on our lives.

FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES - Available to Families of Children of All Ages

The Delta Gamma Center supports children with visual impairments by supporting their families. Family members can chose from among the support services offered or can request specific services to address their unique concerns. The staff works to strengthen families by assisting them in learning about their child, their child's unique strengths and needs, the resources available in the community to help them meet those needs and the skills and information necessary to access them.

Each child and each family has unique needs. Therefore, families are encouraged to choose among the services offered and to request services that they feel will best meet their needs. Services are provided upon request in the home, the community, or the Center. Individual services can also be provided by phone or email. Click here if you wish to be added to our mailing list.

Individual Family Supports:

The Delta Gamma Center staff is here to answer your questions. The staff welcomes the opportunity to provide short-term counseling, share information with family members, and assist in finding resources in the community that could be helpful to you and your child.

Parent Support Groups and Family Activities:

Parents of children of any age are welcome to choose from among informational meetings and/or to participate in fun family activities at the Center and in the community, regardless of whether they participate in other programs through the Center. Some meetings focus on topics of expressed interest, some provide opportunities for parents to share information, insights and concerns, and others involve fun activities for the whole family. Childcare is provided during the meetings upon request.

Family Weekend Retreat:

Once a year, the Center offers families the opportunity to come together for a weekend of education and recreation. Childcare is provided while parents attend a one-day conference. Parents can choose from among the topics addressed. The weekend also provides families an opportunity to connect and learn from each other and to enjoy recreational activities with their families.

Parent-to-Parent Program:

Any parent of a child with a visual impairment has the option of being matched with a support parent through our parent-to-parent hotline. Support parents are trained volunteers who have agreed to listen and share information about their first-hand experiences raising a child with a visual impairment. To the extent possible, support parents are selected according to similarity of diagnosis and/or experience dealing with expressed issues of concern. To request a parent match contact:

Debbie Chapuis, Family Support Services Coordinator
(314) 776-1300 ext. 101 or (800) 651-0818
dchapuis@dgckids.org

Special Groups for Extended Family Members:

All family members are impacted by the birth of a child and a child with visual impairments is no exception. In turn, all family members can have an impact on that child. The staff strives to ensure that the impact is positive by providing support services to parents, children and extended family members.

• Siblings: We hold special meetings for brothers and sisters (ages four through seven, and ages eight and up) to provide them with opportunities to meet other children in similar situations, get their questions answered, be acknowledged as important family members, and have fun.
• Grandparents: Grandparents often have their own questions and concerns about their grandchildren and their children. Our grandparent meetings provide them with opportunities to meet other grandparents of children with visual impairments, get their questions answered, express their concerns, and share their joys.
• School-age Children with Visual Impairments: The Delta Gamma Center hosts regular meetings for children with visual impairments (ages three to six, ages six to twelve, and ages thirteen through high school) who want to meet with other children with visual impairments. They are provided with opportunities to talk about common issues of concern, problem-solve, meet adults in the community with visual impairments and try some fun and challenging community activities.

Toy Loan Program:

Families of children birth to three who receive services through the Center, are welcome to join our Toy Loan Program. The program provides an opportunity for families and children to try a variety of developmental toys, switches, and computer programs. It gives families an opportunity to try particular items before making a decision about purchasing them and gives children a chance to work to master specific skills.

Lending Library:

The Center maintains a small library of books, videos, and other resources for families. You are welcome to come in to browse and check-out materials, to call for recommendations, or (Click here for Resources).

To learn more about any of the services available at the Delta Gamma Center, call (314) 776-1300 or email info@dgckids.org.