How We Came To Be

The "Parents Helping Parents" and the "For Sibs Only" support groups were formed in November 2001, by Sylvia Miller, at that time a mother of three elementary school children.  Realizing the need for parent involvement, and the strength to be found in peer support and networking, she shared her vision with the administration at  Maplewood Elementary school in Marion County, Florida--the elementary school attended by her two young sons with autism--and with their approval and support, she pulled together parents and siblings of special needs children.  These two programs became known as the "Maplewood Family Support Program".

    With hopes of similar programs starting throughout Marion County, Ms. Miller extended the invitation to other schools and was quickly joined by parents representing Exceptional Student Education (ESE)  and Regular Education from several local schools.  The first year was a tremendous success, bringing together parents, siblings and family members of children with special needs from Marion, Alachua and Citrus Counties.  

In September 2002, in an effort to extend a "helping hand" and do more to assist special needs families not only across the state, but those relocating to the Florida area, Ms. Miller formed "Parents Helping Parents of Florida, Inc. (a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization).

"When the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail."

                       -- Turkish Proverb

Parents Helping Parents of Florida, Inc. (PHPF)...

            ...Gives you more than one tool.

Our Mission: Encouraging parent involvement by raising parent awareness.

Why We Came To Be

   Meeting the demands of family life and helping each member equally can be a difficult thing for any family structure.  In families where there are children with exceptionalities, the demands can be very different, and oftentimes more overwhelming.  Though family and friends try in all earnest to assist and give their support, "special" families still feel lonely and isolated and thus are more likely to feel stressed and helpless, which leads to their becoming "uninvolved".  

[FrontPage Image Map Component]To fulfill its mission, PHPF creates an arena for socializing and networking with peers to share experiences and valuable tips that help make us better parents and advocates in situations that, more often than not, are found to be very challenging.  PHPF provides direction to vital resources and services and sorts through the maze of available information creating easily accessible references.  PHPF disseminates invaluable information and hosts forums and conferences that bring professionals and experts in the areas of diverse disabilities to inform and educate parents in areas of interest on a need to know basis.  And last, but by no means least, PHPF bridges the gap between home and school by teaching parents about the educational system and how to become effective advocates for their children.

Who We Are

    A small group of dedicated parent volunteers who, through networking, continue to develop a working relationship with service and resource organizations nationwide to make your search for assistance and answers a little bit simpler.