Who we are

Founded in 2002, Allegany Arc's Parent and Family Support Network (PFSN) is an organization of families dedicated to providing support, education, and advocacy for children and their families with mental illness, emotional disturbances, developmental disabilities, and behavioral differences. The PFSN seeks to strengthen and preserve families and reduce family isolation by building competent systems of care through advocacy, education, training, and increased public awareness. The PFSN also conducts community outreach and develops relationships with schools, mental health providers, and other community based organizations with which families are involved in order to increase awareness of mental health, developmental disabilities and promote family support services.

Parents/guardians in Allegany County have been aware of the need for continued support for families of special needs individuals for some time. The PFSN offers parents a unique option in the realm of support. Meetings are held once a month (2nd Monday) and are more than an outlet to vent; every meeting has an educational piece as well as a time of sharing. Each meeting is facilitated by a parent and offers a professional / presenter sharing information and/or training at each meeting. Our goal is to bring attendees informational trainings and connect them with local resources that will empower them to become a vehicle of change.