Celebrating Families with Special Needs
In honoring the inherent dignity of every person, the Church can play a unique role in uplifting families where one or more person has special needs. The Catholic faithful are increasingly answering the call to advance the full and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in the Church and broader society. To learn more about how our local parishes and Catholic Schools are partnering with individuals with disabilities and their families, please see the diocesan Special Needs webpage.
Resources for Families
- Frequently used acronyms, abbreviations and jargon within the special needs’ community may be daunting at first. This cheat sheet of terms will better help parents/caregivers to advocate during school meetings and medical appointments.
- Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego connects families and individuals with disabilities to resources, services and opportunities while encouraging an inclusive community and enhancing quality of life. Their Flourishing Families annual resource guide offers a comprehensive overview of programs, services and opportunities throughout San Diego and Imperial Valley.
- Exceptional Family Resource Center (EFRC) has been empowering families with of people with disabilities -across their lifespans- with support. We connect families to services and resources that would be appropriate for their family’s needs. EFRC is driven by parent peer support and much of the staff is also parents of children or adult children with disabilities.
- San Diego Regional Center (SDRC) serves as a to people with developmental disabilities in San Diego and Imperial Counties. Some of the SDRC’s key goals include: enhancing the quality of individuals’ daily living experiences, increasing the number of clients integrated into employment, etc. Learn more about their services and assessments for eligibility.
- Autism Society San Diego connects people to the resources they need through education, advocacy, support, information and referral and community programming. Autism Society offers support groups throughout the county.
- The Arc of San Diego is one of the largest providers of services to children and adults with disabilities in San Diego County. Their programs include parent/infant interventions, independent living skills and vocational training, as well as camps and recreational activities.
Pastoral Resources
- National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD) collaborates with parishes/dioceses, clergy, individuals, families/caregivers, catholic schools and other stakeholders to promote meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in Church an in society. They advocate in areas such as mental illness, intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, deafness/hearing loss, blindness/vision loss and physical disability.
- Open Hearts Ministry at Sacred Heart, Coronado seeks an inclusive approach in supporting and serving those with special needs and their families, and in ensuring that everyone experiences the most fundamental truth of God’s love for them.
- Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities (USCCB) “The Church continues to affirm the dignity of every human being, and to grow in knowledge and understanding of the gifts and needs of her members who live with disabilities. Likewise, the Church recognizes that every parish community includes members with disabilities, and earnestly desires their active participation. All members of the Body of Christ are uniquely called by God by virtue of their Baptism.”
- For upcoming sensory-friendly masses around the diocese, please contact the Office for Evangelization & Catechetical Ministry.
- Catholic disability ministry is personal to me. Here’s where it is thriving today-and where it still needs to grow by Delaney Coyne (America magazine)
- Spiritually Able by David & Mercedes Rizzo is part memoir and part explainer for any parent seeking to help the faith of their special needs’ child to flourish. Full of helpful suggestions and personal anecdotes, Spiritually Able invites all into the welcoming embrace of the Church. Faith, Family, and Children with Special Needs serves as a similar reflective and practical purpose.
Contact Information
Staff
- Director: John Prust
- Associate Director: Janelle Peregoy
- Associate Director: Wendy Baez