Harriet Redman Executive Director Established in 1998 as a 501(c) 3 tax exempt organization. Dedicated to the interests of brothers and sisters of people with special needs. Sally Randa Adult Sibling Coordinator

FVSSN Mission To create the opportunity for individuals who have brothers and sisters with special needs to thrive throughout their unique lifelong journey.

To create the opportunity for individuals who have brothers and sisters with special needs to thrive throughout their unique lifelong journey.

Needs of Siblings INFORMATION about their sibling OPEN COMMUNICATION RECOGNITION of their role QUALITY TIME with parents CONTACT WITH OTHER SIBLINGS AND SUPPORT WAYS TO COPE with stressful events, unexpected disruptions to family plans, and extra responsibilities UNDERSTANDING for their altered lives, their pressures and acknowledgement of the difference in their families TRAINING to help care for, teach and play with their sibling. COUNSELLING if necessary, to share feelings and resolve issues.

INFORMATION about their sibling

OPEN COMMUNICATION

RECOGNITION of their role

QUALITY TIME with parents

CONTACT WITH OTHER SIBLINGS AND SUPPORT

WAYS TO COPE with stressful events, unexpected disruptions to family plans, and extra responsibilities

UNDERSTANDING for their altered lives, their pressures and acknowledgement of the difference in their families

TRAINING to help care for, teach and play with their sibling.

COUNSELLING if necessary, to share feelings and resolve issues.

What does the Fox Valley Sibling Support Network do? Provides information on sibling issues Provides training for FVSSN Sibshop facilitators and other interested individuals Plans and operates Sibshops, Sib Camps, Adult Sibling conferences and other sibling events for children, teens and adults

Provides information on sibling issues

Provides training for FVSSN Sibshop facilitators and other interested individuals

Plans and operates Sibshops, Sib Camps, Adult Sibling conferences and other sibling events for children, teens and adults

FVSSN Programs for people who have siblings with disabilities For children - Sibshops ages 6-12 - SibDays of Summer ages 6-12 - Sib Camp A ges 10-15 For adults - Future is now! - wi adult sibling conference - Social activities

Siblings have the longest bond with their brother or sister with disabilities. Siblings experience most of the same concerns and joys that parents experience. 60% of siblings of people with intellectual disabilities expect to oversee their care as adults. (Krauss, 1996) As more people with disabilities outlive their parents and demand for services increases faster than funding, the responsibility of their care often falls to siblings.

Siblings have the longest bond with their brother or sister with disabilities.

Siblings experience most of the same concerns and joys that parents experience.

60% of siblings of people with intellectual disabilities expect to oversee their care as adults. (Krauss, 1996)

As more people with disabilities outlive their parents and demand for services increases faster than funding, the responsibility of their care often falls to siblings.

Key Benefits of FVSSN programs Children become advocates for themselves and their brothers and sisters. Children feel pride in themselves and their siblings. As adults, siblings feel better prepared to make decisions, seek support and have positive attitudes toward their roles.

Children become advocates for themselves and their brothers and sisters.

Children feel pride in themselves and their siblings.

As adults, siblings feel better prepared to make decisions, seek support and have positive attitudes toward their roles.

A 2005 survey of Sibshop graduates (ages 18-34) conducted by the University of Washington reports: 90% said Sibshops had a positive effect on the feelings they had for their siblings; 2/3 said Sibshops taught them coping strategies 75% said Sibshop affected their adult lives 94% said they would recommend Sibshops to others

A 2005 survey of Sibshop graduates (ages 18-34) conducted by the University of Washington reports:

90% said Sibshops had a positive effect on the feelings they had for their siblings;

2/3 said Sibshops taught them coping strategies

75% said Sibshop affected their adult lives

94% said they would recommend Sibshops to others

For More Information www.FVSSN.org Email: [email_address] (920) 968-1742 For information about the national Sibling Support Project, visit: www.siblingsupport.org

www.FVSSN.org

Email: [email_address]

(920) 968-1742