O N T H E COV ER
The Supportive Parent Action Network (SPAN) program is part of Beyond Ability Inc., a non-profit within the All About Ability program. The All About Ability Program serves Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties and provides Independent Living Skills and Support services to young adults who are diagnosed with mild to moderate Autism Spectrum and Developmental Disorders. The Napa SPAN group meets on the Second Saturday of each month for discussion, support and collaboration on meaningful and complex topics that are specific to the challenges of adult children with developmental disabilities. Topics of special interest have included Housing, Special Needs Trusts, ABLE Accounts, Vocational Services, Supplemental Security Income and Community Resources. A sampling of other topics that have been explored include Learned Helplessness, Social Skills Training, Self-Care for Parents, Building Community, Emergency Preparedness, Empowering Ability topics, Mental Health and Covid19, Medication Management, and Vacation Blues. In addition to the monthly Parent Support Group meetings, the families also meet on the last Sunday of each month at Fuller Park for picnics and recreational activities. This activity has been a great way for the families to informally socialize, build cohesion and create community.
The Parent Support Group keeps in close contact throughout each month to share information and resources, provide support or to address concerns. Having a network of parents who understands the challenges and successes of raising a disabled adult child has been a lifeline to many parents in the group. Often parents comment that being part of a supportive group makes them feel less alone and more empowered. For about 6 months, a subset of the parent group formed a Housing Committee and explored intentional housing options in Napa. Unfortunately, the current cost of housing in Napa is a major obstacle in creating such a project at this time. It’s important to note that there are a few successful programs in Napa that have created intentional housing, however, the monthly costs are exorbitant! Although the Housing Committee is currently on “pause”, exploring and researching alternative options continues to be ongoing. The most frequent issue and concern that is raised by parents with disabled adult children is, “Who will be there for my son or daughter, when I am no longer able or I have passed away?” It’s extremely difficult to plan for your adult child’s future when YOU will not be there! As a parent, you try to make a rock solid plan and try to foresee all possible challenges, scenarios and difficulties that may confront your son or daughter in the future. As we all know, you cannot predict the future! Often, parents feel stuck and overwhelmed with such a daunting and heart-wrenching task, mainly because there are so few options and the options that do exist are legally complicated, emotionally laden and very expensive.
743 Wilson Street, Napa | 10
napavalleymarketplace.com
September 2021
707.294.3184