A new family support group has formed in the Maple Valley community to support children with disabilities and their families in the area.

In addition to providing resources, information and helpful discussion topics, Tahoma Special Needs Group offers families, who might otherwise feel alienated or alone, the opportunity to meet others from the community who face many of the same struggles.

Tahoma Special Needs Group meets the last Wednesday of each month in the Shadow Lake Elementary School’s library at 6:00 p.m. The next support meeting is Wednesday, May 27.

Although chartered through the PTA, the Tahoma Special Needs Group is open to all families from any school, and membership is not required.

With over 1,200 students with disabilities in Tahoma School District, there is a strong need for support. Tahoma Special Needs Group’s mission is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.

The next support meeting will focus on helping families to better understand Individualized Education Plans (IEP). We will have a guest speaker from Partnerships for Action. Voices for Empowerment. (PAVE).

For more information about the next meeting or to RSVP, please email tahomaspecialneedsgroup@gmail.com.

To learn more about Tahoma Special Needs Group visit www.tahomaspecialneedsgroup.com.