USA Parent to Parent
About USA Parent to Parent
USA Parent to Parent helps families of individuals with disabilities and special health care needs find trained peer support that feels personal, not procedural. Through its national network, it connects parents with other parents, then backs that connection with training, tools, and specialized groups for families with different languages, cultures, and support needs. For donors, the appeal is clear, this is the infrastructure that helps families reach steady emotional support when they need it most.
What sets USA Parent to Parent apart is the way it serves as a national backbone for local Parent to Parent programs. It supports trained Support Parents, shares research and resources, and makes room for specialized communities, including fathers, Black and Brown families, Spanish-speaking families, and Indigenous communities.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
National network support and technical assistance
Supports a national network of Parent to Parent programs with hands-on support, training, technical assistance, and high quality tools and resources.
One-to-one peer emotional support
Connects families with trained Support Parents for peer-to-peer emotional support and mentoring.
Find Parent to Parent near you
Helps families locate local Parent to Parent Alliance Member organizations and connect with nearby support.
Specialized support groups
Offers specialized groups for Black & Brown families, P2P en español, Indigenous Talking Circle, and fathers.
Research and evidence-based practice
Develops and shares research on parent-to-parent support through literature reviews, research articles, and a research committee.
Leadership Institute
Hosts a national conference for Parent to Parent leaders and staff to share best and promising practices.
Families Leading the Way to Possibilities
Provides a parent-built resource guide for families navigating transition to adulthood, career planning, support circles, and service systems.
Member resources
Provides Alliance Members with resources such as the Parent to Parent Handbook, webinar recordings, social media tools, and netiquette guidance.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
Our mission is to support a national network of Parent to Parent programs to ensure access to quality emotional support for families of individuals with disabilities and/or special health care needs.
Who they serve
Parents and families of individuals with disabilities and/or special health care needs, along with the Parent to Parent programs that serve them.
Their impact
- 38 member organizations
- 7,998+ trained volunteer support parents
- 11,849+ one-to-one matches annually
How your donation helps
- Supporting access, quality, and leadership in parent-to-parent support across the country
- Funding research and research-informed practices
- Maintaining training, technical assistance, tools, and resources for the network
- Sustaining national peer support connections for families
Our story
The Parent to Parent movement grew from grassroots efforts between 1971 and 2002. In 2003, USA Parent to Parent became the central organization helping hold that growing national network together.
Need help?
How someone in need can access USA Parent to Parent’s services.
Families can find a local Parent to Parent organization by selecting their state on the map at the Parent to Parent near you page. Alliance Member organizations provide information and one-to-one emotional support, and families without a local organization are directed to contact a neighboring state organization.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
No parent should feel alone. Ever.
Support parents play an very important role in the lives of parents of children with special needs.
The breadth of topics and leadership among the members is fantastic; it is a good reminder that there is much knowledge and skills among our membership.
Events
Leadership Institute
biennialA national conference focused on the challenges of running a Parent to Parent program and sharing best and promising practices.
Support Parent Summit
annualA virtual gathering for Support Parents from Alliance Member States across the country.
Coffee Talk
monthlyA virtual conversation series for Parent to Parent organizations.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles USA Parent to Parent has shared.
Volunteer opportunities
- Support Parent volunteer
- Research Committee member
- Father Engagement task force volunteer
- Black & Brown Cultural Engagement Task Force volunteer
- P2P en español task force volunteer
- Indigenous Talking Circle volunteer
Recognition & press
Press & mentions
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
What is a Support Parent?
A Support Parent is a trained volunteer parent who offers one-to-one emotional support and peer guidance to another parent.
What specialized support groups are available?
The organization offers support groups and task forces for Black & Brown families, P2P en español, Indigenous Talking Circle, and fathers.
What kinds of Spanish-language resources are available?
Spanish resources include help with mental health and emotional well-being, autism and developmental disabilities, babies and early childhood development, parenting and family support, health care and financial supports, and rights, advocacy, and supported decision-making.
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