“Bonnie, one of Parent Network’s family support specialist, has been incredible with my family the last few months. She has done so many things: attend care coordination meetings, attend an OPWDD denial review (which we then got approved for waiver services!), so many informal district meetings, and also formal CSE meetings. I literally don’t know what I would do without her. She’s always willing to pick up the phone when I call even if it’s just to talk. Having her with me at meetings is such a comfort. Even if she doesn’t say a whole lot, just knowing she’s helping the process and giving me support is immeasurable. Im so grateful and my family is better off because of her. As someone who has been in the positions I have been, I can tell you, she is such a gift. Thank you for listening and please know this comes from a place of true gratitude.”
– Emily T. 

“Parent Network has changed my life for the better! Your class on Autism taught me how to better understand my child’s autism and how to navigate my child’s life as well in assisting with his behaviors. I truly was unaware and did not understand how my son’s brain was able to process his thoughts and feelings, until I completed your parenting class on Autism. I truly appreciate the information and resources that you have provided me with in my search for assistance.”
– Anonymous

“I wanted to try to understand what to expect, what to do, what not to do, any and everything I needed to know and that’s when I found Parent Network. I was amazed at the number of trainings and resources available online that related to autism. The moment you open Parent Network’s website, you realize this is the one-stop-shop for resources, support, and programs related to all disabilities. Parent Network is the 411 service for the disability community. This is exactly what I needed in that moment to even begin to understand what my life journey was intended to be.”
– Whitney W. 

“As a parent, one of the worst feelings is helplessness. I reached this point recently with my daughter’s school district. I knew what was best for my daughter and I had her doctors backing. The school district was refusing to provide the services she needed. Parent Network of WNY helped me more than I ever expected. From the very first call I made to them, they listened and took me seriously. They sprang into action and helped me make a plan. They set me up with the appropriate state agencies to speak with. Within a week of speaking to them my problem was solved and my daughter was receiving the services I knew she deserved. I am so thankful for the Parent Network of WNY for helping me when I needed it the most!”
– Amy C. 

“I learned how to be a better parent and to teach my kids in a positive way to respect me and to help out with chores and homework without any arguing. We value each other and how we relate to daily routines in a whole new way. I can’t tell you how wonderful it is as a mom to NOT be the “yeller” anymore. Thank you Joe Clem and Parent Network for this life changing class.”
– Lisa B. Attended Nurtured Heart Approach

“I am a mom of 3 children, 2 which have autism, & I can honestly say that this is not an easy lifestyle to navigate. There are days filled with questions, uncertainty, advocacy, & exhaustion—but also love & resilience. Through it all, I thank God for organizations like Parent Network. PN has been a true lifeline for families like mine. The support they provide goes far beyond information—it is understanding, guidance, & community. From their support groups to their 1:1 support, they meet families where they are and remind us that we are not alone. Their help with OPWDD navigation has been invaluable, especially in a system that can feel overwhelming & confusing. The special education based workshops & CPSE/CSE meeting preparation have empowered me to walk into IEP meetings informed, confident, & ready to advocate for my children’s needs. What truly sets PN apart is their staff, many of whom have lived experience caring for or loving someone with a disability. That lived experience matters. It creates trust, compassion, and a safe space where parents & caregivers can turn when extra support is needed, without fear of judgment. PN is more than an organization. It is a community and a source of strength. I am deeply grateful for all they do to support families like mine.“
– Tammy N. 

“The Parent Leadership program has really helped me network and create a friend and family bond with other parents who have children with disabilities.”
– Michelle Horn

“The classes gave me knowledge and courage to be an advocate for my daughter. She’s doing very well. She’s living in a group home, working three days a week at Cantalician Workshop and going to day-hab two days a week.”
– Anonymous

“I signed up for the Parent Leadership series because I wanted to continue to help advocate for my son as well as help other parents to learn how to advocate for their children as well.”
– Ebony Davis-Martin

“From here on out as a direct result of this leadership program I have decided to go to D’Youville and get my masters in dietetics so that I can officially tell people how to change their lifestyle through nutrition by becoming a registered dietician.”
– Shakira Martin

“Thank you. The [information] forms are just what we need and will allow us the opportunity to be an equal partner with the CSE team in advocating for their daughter’s future. You have to love the people at Parent Network, a great community resource that is ready to facilitate and help whatever the need is. As a parent of a child with disabilities and as an advocate you are always my first resource.”
– A Parent Advocate

“It’s just amazing to see all this passion that has been displayed for the things that we want to see happen in the WNY area that affect the disabilities community.”
– Latoya Ranselle

“My wife, is a part of a virtual woman’s bible study group. She recently sent a Parent Network newsletter via email to a woman in the group who lives in Costa Rica. The woman has a son with a disability and she reported back to my wife that she really connected to one of the links provided in the newsletter and it was an  extremely helpful resource to have.”
– A Parent Advocate

“As a professional who serves individuals and families of children and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities I/DD, I cannot speak highly enough to the value of Parent Network’s support and assistance to families in our communities. I regularly partner with PNWNY, on projects related to support, advocacy, and education. We recently collaborated on a family support webinar: Reopening Schools, and How to Best Advocate for Your Student with Special Needs During the Pandemic. Their team is quick to share resources and information that benefit those whom we mutually serve. PNWNY is a staple of the special needs service community.”
– Alan Venesky

“The invaluable expertise and assistance of Jara and Parent Network of WNY played a crucial role in turning around my daughter’s year at school. She asked all the right questions, gave helpful advice, and pointed out things I wouldn’t have thought of on my own. Navigating challenging situations with a disabled child and their school is stressful and can be overwhelming. I was terrified to do the “wrong” thing and negatively impact her school experience. Thanks to Jara and Parent Network of WNY, my daughter is in the right classroom, and her IEP better protects her needs moving forward.”
– Diana M. 

“I have attended over 15 workshops and believe me it has made a difference. I feel now that I can advocate for my son and he can advocate for himself. If I did not attend these workshops, I do not know what I would have done to assist my son in his education. He is now doing great in school and at home.

I am so grateful for the Parent Network organization as a CSE parent member, along with my husband, we share the good news with every parent that we come in contact with and the importance of getting involved and learning as much as you can.”
– Dr. Pamela A.

“Thank you Parent Network. You are an incredible support and resource for parents.”
– Rosemary A.

“Parent Network provided an immense amount of support and helped us during a stressful time. With being under so much stress and having anxiety with not knowing how to help our son, they stepped up and helped relieve that stress by helping us 1-on-1 and being our support system while meeting with the school and our son’s teachers to help advocate for what our son needed to succeed and thrive in the classroom. Thanks to Parent Network, our life has changed for the better and now our son is happy and doing better in school. They ultimately helped us understand our son better, his needs, and how to advocate for those needs.”
– Anonymous 

“I thought ‘you know everything to this point with my daughter has seemed to be a fight with the school’ and maybe through participation in this project I can learn how to fight with a little more tact, and perhaps not be so adversarial, and luckily I found that.  One of the biggest things I found in participating was to fight with passion but not emotion and you seem to get a little bit further with the things you’re trying to advocate for your child.”
– Jennifer Mazur