South Sound Parent to Parent History
Our History
The Parent to Parent Support Program of Thurston County was organized in 1987 by a group of parents of children
with disabling conditions and professionals who work with these families. The group recognized that while there
were numerous services available to treat the children’s needs, there was no single service available to assist the
families in adjusting to the extra demands of parenting a child with a disability or chronic illness. The group also
recognized that parents of children with developmental disabilities or chronic illnesses could be a tremendous help
to each other. Parents of children with a disability or illness can offer each other something that other types of
support cannot --- shared experiences. They are the only ones who truly understand what it feels like to have a
child born with or develop a disability or illness.
The Parent to Parent Support Program of Thurston County was organized to develop and maintain a support and
information system in Thurston County for parents and guardians of children with all types of disabilities or chronic
illnesses. As part of a statewide network of programs, Parent to Parent of Thurston County offers emotional
support, information and understanding to parents or guardians upon request.
Seeing that the program was indeed needed, the agency began to extend its services in 1993 to include a book and
video lending library and an equipment loan program. In 1997, a toy lending library was established. These three
libraries increased the resources available to support the special needs of children and their developmental
progress and are unique in the Thurston County area. In 1999, the agency became the Lead Agency for the State
of Washington Infant and Toddler Intervention Program (ITEIP). Under that program, Family Resources
Coordinators serve children with disabilities age birth to three years old throughout Thurston County. This early
intervention program offers families an experienced coordinator to assist them as they connect to appropriate
community and early intervention services.
In 2006, Parent to Parent Support Program celebrated 20 years of successfully supporting families in Thurston
County. In 2007, Parent to Parent of Thurston County began supporting families living in Mason County. To
welcome the many families and community members in Mason County, our organization adopted the name South
Sound Parent to Parent (SSP2P). We are very pleased to be "The Connection" for families of children and adults
with special needs living in the south Puget Sound region. All of us at South Sound Parent to Parent want to thank
the many individuals and organizations that helped us to connect with families in our community.
The Parent to Parent Support Program of Thurston County was organized in 1987 by a group of parents of children
with disabling conditions and professionals who work with these families. The group recognized that while there
were numerous services available to treat the children’s needs, there was no single service available to assist the
families in adjusting to the extra demands of parenting a child with a disability or chronic illness. The group also
recognized that parents of children with developmental disabilities or chronic illnesses could be a tremendous help
to each other. Parents of children with a disability or illness can offer each other something that other types of
support cannot --- shared experiences. They are the only ones who truly understand what it feels like to have a
child born with or develop a disability or illness.
The Parent to Parent Support Program of Thurston County was organized to develop and maintain a support and
information system in Thurston County for parents and guardians of children with all types of disabilities or chronic
illnesses. As part of a statewide network of programs, Parent to Parent of Thurston County offers emotional
support, information and understanding to parents or guardians upon request.
Seeing that the program was indeed needed, the agency began to extend its services in 1993 to include a book and
video lending library and an equipment loan program. In 1997, a toy lending library was established. These three
libraries increased the resources available to support the special needs of children and their developmental
progress and are unique in the Thurston County area. In 1999, the agency became the Lead Agency for the State
of Washington Infant and Toddler Intervention Program (ITEIP). Under that program, Family Resources
Coordinators serve children with disabilities age birth to three years old throughout Thurston County. This early
intervention program offers families an experienced coordinator to assist them as they connect to appropriate
community and early intervention services.
In 2006, Parent to Parent Support Program celebrated 20 years of successfully supporting families in Thurston
County. In 2007, Parent to Parent of Thurston County began supporting families living in Mason County. To
welcome the many families and community members in Mason County, our organization adopted the name South
Sound Parent to Parent (SSP2P). We are very pleased to be "The Connection" for families of children and adults
with special needs living in the south Puget Sound region. All of us at South Sound Parent to Parent want to thank
the many individuals and organizations that helped us to connect with families in our community.
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