I have received a lot of questions in regards to what the Michigan Alliance for Families (MAF) is and how it pertains to the support group. MAF is a resource that the group and/or parents can utilize as needed. MAF does not sponsor, run, nor coordinate the support group; the support group is completely voluntary and parent run.
Kathleen Helppi (the original founder of the support group) and I were working together as the group leaders for a while. Kathleen has since taken on the role of Parent Mentor with the MAF and she is no longer going to be a group leader.
Elizabeth (Liz) Leach was the previous MAF Parent Mentor and unfortunate life circumstances have taken her out of the area. Liz had a special place in her heart for the support group and she took it upon herself to coordinate many of the groups up until she had to leave. I’m now finding that this has created a great deal of confusion for some parents and professionals. Thus, Kathleen is stepping away from the support group as a leader while she is working for MAF. She will be attending meetings as a parent/professional and offering her support and resources to the group as needed.
As stated above, the group is parent run. I listen to the questions that parents have and take suggestions to help determine the needs of the group. If anyone would ever like to lead a meeting, host a speaker/presentation, plan an event, or have ideas for future meetings, I encourage you to talk with me. This group is for parents and I want all the parents to have and feel ownership of the group.
I hope that this post clears up any confusion. If you’d like more information about MAF, you can contact Kathleen Helppi at: jahelppi@mtu.edu and/or visit the MAF homepage at: http://www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/
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