Ongoing Community Support Groups

Ongoing Community Support Groups for Youth & Parents

All these support groups are open to newcomers, and they are free, except where noted. No diagnosis is required to participate. Participants are typically given the opportunity to share their story, experience support, and glean guidance (as desired) from group members regarding both community and school resources. Confidentiality is to be respected.

Support Groups for Youth

ASNV Autism Social Group for high school students and young adults meets on the 1st Saturday monthly noon-1 pm. Contact Nicci Dowd at autismsoclub@gmail.com. Join meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87204681036?pwd=dlEvRWltZjlZdXZtN1g1Wll4SGRJZz09; Meeting ID: 872 0468 1036; Passcode: 276691

ASNV Teen Time for youth, age 13-19 with ASD, meets virtually Saturdays, 11 am to noon. Contact: info@asnv.org Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9466001682; Meeting ID: 946 600 1682; One tap mobile at (301) 715-8592

Escape Room Book Club (with hybrid-media) for neurodiverse teens, ages 12-18, to connect with their peers, meets monthly on the 4th Thu. At 4:30 pm at Brambleton Library, Brambleton. Contact: austin.ferraro@loudoun.gov for current books 571-258-3998

Heads Up and Talk It Out — Teen and Parent Recovery Groups

These are concurrent virtual groups for teens (ages 14-17) who are working through emotional, mental health or substance use challenges and their parents every Thursday 6-7 pm. Info: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/community-services-board/recovery/heads-up-talk-it-out

People First for Young Adults is a social and self-advocacy group for youth with disabilities ages 14-26. It meets monthly on the 2nd Tuesday, 6:30-8:00 pm. Contact: email Diane.Monnig@thearcofnova.org

S.L.A.M. (Share, Learn, Aspire, Mentor) for ages 16-24, meets the 3rd Thursday monthly, 6-8 pm. Contact: Melvin mroy@umfs.org

Youth MOVE, for ages 14-29, meets the 2nd & 4th Thursday monthly at 6:30 pm. This facilitated group is for teens with mental health concerns. Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdXeiGDRnqHnPu6fqHBBylQ-1tBB6WtP_9d-goW5pDxJj0TBw/viewform

Youth Empowerment Transition Council, for youth with disabilities ages 14-22, meets on the 2nd Monday of the month to advise PEATC and build advocacy and leadership skills. Contact: kwormley@peatc.org

Stronger Together meets 6:30-8:00 pm on Tuesdays, Sep. 6 to Oct. 25. This peer support group for youth ages 14-22 is facilitated by professionals. Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stronger-together-youth-support-group-fall-2022-tickets-381091534037

Support Groups for Parents

AAC Parent Group meets occasionally on Saturdays. Contact: Amanda amandam@skillbuildersllc.com or 703-941-7757 ext. 316

African American Culturally Focused Virtual Parent Café meets Thursdays, 6:00-7:30 pm. Register at least 24 hours in advance by email BuildingStrongerFamilies@fairfaxcounty.gov or 703-324-7720

Alpha Moms This support group for adoptive parents meets monthly in McLean. Contact: robin4brady@gmail.com

Arlington Epilepsy Support Group, a list-serve, can be accessed at ARLepilepsy@googlegroups.com

Autism Dads meets one evening monthly. Contact: George Buzby at 571-419-1257 or gbuzby@aol.com

Autism Society of NoVA Support Group meets on the 2nd Saturday of the month, 1:00-2:30 pm via Zoom. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9466001682; Meeting ID: 946 600 1682; One tap mobile (301) 715-8592

Business Networking Event for Special Needs Parents

Alternate Fridays, May 29 and following, 9:00-10:30 am Via Zoom. Connect with fellow special needs parents and business owners, build your referral network, and share best practices. Contact: https://thearcofloudoun.org/networking/

Cafés Virtuales Para Padres: Miércoles de 7:00-8:30 pm. Regístrese con al menos 24 horas de anticipación: BuildingStrongerFamilies@fairfaxcounty.gov o 703-324-7720

CHADD: Children & Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Alexandria CHADD Parent Support Group 4th Mon. of each month at 6:30 pm. Contact: Susan, ADHDParentMountVernon@gmail.com or call 303-903-9972.
West Fairfax/Burke CHADD Parent Support Group 1st & 3rd Thur. of each month at 8:00 pm Contact: Cathy, ocgreulich@aol.com

CSB Family Support Group at Gatlan Center 2nd and 4th Wed. of each month 6:00-7:30 pm via Zoom Contact: Samar.Chwairy@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-799-2882.

D.A.D.S. Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome 3rd Tue. each month, 7-9 pm via Zoom. Contact: George gbuzby@aol.com or call 703- 545-6089.

Dr. Dan’s Support Group for Parents Raising Challenging Children meets via Zoom on Mondays, 1-2 pm, Register: http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07eh2rnzqrk9vdghmb/a0179kbgrhnj1/questions

Embark in the DC Metro Parent Support Group is for parents of children and youth with mental health challenges. It meets virtually on alternate Thursdays, noon-1 pm. Register: https://www.embarkbh.com/event/dc-metro-virtual-parent-support-group/

Fairfax Juvenile Court Parent Support for problems including runaway behavior, truancy, alcohol/drug abuse, and serious behavioral problems at home, at school, or in the community. Sign up for a phone consultation at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0a44abab29abf85-juvenile

Family F.I.R.S.T. Fridays Autism Support Group meets on the 1st Friday monthly, noon-12:45 at Gum Spring Library 24600 Millstream Dr. Stone Ridge

Family Recovery & Support Group meets weekly via Zoom on Mondays 6:30-7:30 pm for family and friends of those receiving CSB services for addictions. Contact: Natalie.Holmes@fairfaxcounty.gov www.fairfaxcounty.gov/community-services-board/recovery/family-support-virtual-group

Formed Families Together hosts monthly peer support groups for adoptive, kinship, and foster caregivers and parents. Virtual support group meets the 1st Sunday evening monthly. In-Person support group meets the 3rd Wednesday evening monthly. Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/formed-families-together-support-groups-tickets-147657582805

Foster the Family Support Group for foster and adoptive moms meets the 3rd Monday of each month, 6:30-8:00 pm in Falls Church. Childcare is provided. Register: https://www.fosterthefamilydc.org/supportgroups

Grupo de Chat para Padres: Unete a nuestro nuevo GRUPO DE CHAT mediante la aplicación de WhatsApp y podras mantenerte al tanto de todo lo que PEATC Latino esta haciendo. Entra al GRUPO: https://bit.ly/2VoU2vw (Chat Group for Latino Parents: Join our new CHAT GROUP through the WhatsApp application and you will be able to keep up to date with everything that PEATC Latino is doing.)

Grupo de Educación y Apoyo a Padres en Española se reúne el cuarto sábado de cada mes, de 10 a 11 am en Zoom en https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9466001682 ID de reunión: 946 600 1682

Heads Up and Talk It Out — Teen and Parent Recovery Groups

Kinship Café meets online 6:30-8:00 pm the 2nd Wednesday of the month for those raising the children of relatives and friends. To attend, call 703-324-7720 or email BuildingStrongerFamilies@fairfaxcounty.gov .

Let's Talk Transitions meets monthly on the 4th Wednesday at 7 pm to discuss their autistic teen's post-high school plans.

Military Families Support Group meets ßon the 2nd Sat. monthly at 2-3 pm for military families of all disabled dependents. Access: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9466001682#success OR Email director@asnv.org for details

NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness builds better lives for affected families. Arlington Parent Support Group meets two Sundays a month at 7:00-8:30 pm. Contact: Michelle Best mczero@yahoo.com

NAMI Family Support Group meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays on Zoom for parents of children living with mental health challenges including ADHD, ASD, etc. https://zoom.us/j/94509229914

NAMI Parent & Caregiver Support Group meets on the 4th Thursday monthly. Email namicva.org or call 804-285-1749

NOVA Adopt Friends Parent Peer Support Group for adoptive parents meets on the 3rd Thursdays monthly 6:00-7:30 pm. Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/5687947368

OCD Family Support Group meets the 1st Mon. of each month, 7:30 pm. Contact: ela.mike@verizon.net or call 202-215-5859

Parent Café (for all Fairfax County parents and guardians) meets via Zoom in English on Mon., 7:45-9:15 pm, and en español, miércoles, 7:00-8:30 pm. Register at least 24 hours in advance by email BuildingStrongerFamilies@fairfaxcounty.gov or 703-324-7720

Parents in a Pandemic is for families of children or young adults with developmental and/or behavioral challenges. They meet twice monthly, 5:30-6:30 pm on Wednesdays. Register: https://thearcofnova.org/november-december-dates-for-virtual-parent-support-group-meetings/

Parents of Autistic Children (POAC-NOVA) Parent Support Group meets on Saturdays occasionally. Contact: Brianne Russel-Morris administrator@poac-nova.org .

Parents of Autistic Teens meets some Sat. of each month. Contact: Maria Dubuc 703-970-3676 or Admin@ASNV.org

REACH Parent Support Group meets monthly to support parents of individuals with developmental disabilities who also have mental health or behavioral issues. Contact: Dr. Pourmand mojgan.pourmand@eastersealsucp.com health

Virginia Family Network Book Club for parents and caregivers of children living with mental health challenges meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 7 pm. Contact Nicole Anjum at nanjum@namivirginia.org .

Virginia Family Network Parent Meetup is on the 1st and 3rd Fridays at 8 pm for parents/caregivers of children with mental health challenges. Contact Nicole Anjum at nanjum@namivirginia.org .