Special Needs Parenting Support at SJV
Everyone is Welcome!
Our Special Needs Support Group is a new and growing ministry at St. John Vianney Catholic Church. Our meetings see a range of individuals and families who love and care for someone with special needs. Special Needs Support Group meetings offer information and support to families and parents while childcare is provided. Our meetings are bilingual (English and Spanish) and cover many helpful topics. Topics have included: after high school care, IEPs, newly diagnosed individuals, school system support, wills and trusts, and Mass with special needs little ones. Typically, we offer a theme to start our meetings and work our way to a question-and-answer session with the professional presenter on the agenda that night. And of course, the knowledge and support of fellow parents is absolutely invaluable. All are welcome to attend our meetings. We are excited to meet you!
"My Mass Book" is available in Amanda's Office!
Jenny has written a book about Mass at St. John Vianney just for our Special Needs children. Each page will walk your child through Mass from start to finish. Come by if you would like one!
Our next meeting will is Monday, May 19 at 7pm!
Childcare will be provided.
The next meeting for families with disabilities will be on Monday, May 19 at 7:00pm. We will be looking over different curriculums, begin planning a Special Needs Mass, and also scheduling and planning our first St. John Vianney Special Needs Bowling Night. We invite anyone with a family member who has special needs to participate and share their ideas for the parish. Childcare will be provided. If you have any questions, please email Jenny Rupert at jennyrupert@gmail.com.
Did you miss our March meeting?
We began our March meeting with an introduction to simple American Sign Language. To see our handouts, click here.
At this meeting, we were delighted to hear from our Archdiocesan Director of Disabilities, Maggie Rousseau. She spoke about what she does as Director of Disabilities, her experience with the special needs community, summer camps, and religious IEPs. She gave our group so many ideas and resources! If you have been on the fence about joining the Special Needs Support Group, now is the time! It is an exciting time for our support group and we need your input and feedback! Email Jenny with your ideas and insights: jennyrupert@gmail.com
Did you miss our February meeting?
In February, the Special Needs Support Group heard about post-graduation employment with longtime parishioner, Guy Catton. Guy is a retired special education teacher and a wealth of knowledge! During this meeting, we discussed special needs vocational program requirements and timelines for students with disabilities regarding vocations. If you have questions about our February meeting, or if you would like a copy of the agenda, please email Jenny: jennyrupert@gmail.com
Did you miss our December meeting?
In December, the Special Needs Support Group had a fantastic conversation with Frank Moran. Frank has guided his own adult daughter through many programs for those with special needs. Frank talked about waivers for adults with disabilities, adult day programs, and the Special Olympics. If you would like to see our agenda for the December meeting, click below.
Upcoming Training Opportunities in Our Community
The Georgia Department of Education is collaborating with Emory Autism Center to provide parents and teachers with virtual learning opportunities. There will be a total of 15 learning opportunities.
See the schedule here: Emory + DOE Learning
Caring Connections
Monthly meetings (August - May) for parents and caregivers of loved ones with special needs to meet others and share fears, joys, and resources with open arms and open hearts.
Villa Rica Library
869 Dallas Hwy.
Villa Rica, GA 30180
First Wednesday of every month:
9:30am - 11:30am
and
Third Thursday of every month:
5:00pm - 6:30pm
Helpful Links
We find and talk about quite a few resources during our Special Needs Support meetings. Here are a few helpful links.
Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities: gcdd.org
Guardianship: GeorgiaLegalAid.org
New season begins saturday, April 5!
DC Challengers
Special Needs Baseball Team
The Douglas County Challengers are a baseball team of children with special needs that are physically and/or mentally challenged. The children range in age from 5 - 21 years. Although they play in Douglas County, the players are not limited to living within Douglas County.
The Challengers play every Saturday morning during the spring and fall seasons. Spring season is April, May, and June and fall season is September and October. The games are played at Beulah Ruritan Park: 3655 McKown Road in Douglasville. Games begin at 10am and usually last until about noon.
Registration is not limited to a particular time as children will be accepted at any time during either spring or fall seasons. The parents are not required to pay a registration fee. The Challenger team is funded by sponsors in order to provide uniforms and necessities, even the trophies are donated so there is no cost to the family of the players.
We also welcome volunteers who would like to come and be "buddies" to some of the children on the field or to simply sit in the stands and cheer for these children.
Come see us in the spring!
Simply come by to join. No registration necessary!
Do you have questions?
Do you have questions about our Special Needs Ministry? Jenny is happy to help!
We need your help!
We need individuals who are willing to walk with our Special Needs Community here are St. John Vianney. We especially need remarkable people who will sit with our children and their siblings while parents attend our meetings. We also need volunteers who are willing to walk with our special needs middle school and high school students during youth ministry. Could you be that person? Contact Amanda if you are willing to help!
