Parent to Parent Laura Carfi

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Regional Coordinator: Laura Carfi
Office location: Taconic DDSO, 26 Center Circle Building 59 Room B46, Wassaic, NY 12591

Laura can be contacted at :
1-877-225-4322 or 845-877-0654, Fax: 518-359-2151
and by email p2ptaconic@optimum.net

Regional web page: www.parenttoparentnys.org/Regional/taconic.html

Counties served: Dutchess, Ulster, Putnam, Columbia, Greene

When did you begin work with Parent to Parent? March 2000

About me and my family:

I am a single mother of three beautiful children. As well as working for Parent to Parent NYS, I am also an on-going Service Coordinator for Early Intervention in Dutchess County. My oldest daughter, Brianna is 20 and is working on her CNA certificate while doing Residential Habilitation/Respite for families with children with special needs. My son, Shayne (who has Down syndrome) is 16 and attends his local school in a fully included and mainstreamed setting/classroom and does well both academically and socially. He loves horseback riding and participating in school choir. He is in 8th grade and was nominated by his peers for the yearbook as “friendliest student”. My youngest daughter Emily, is 11 and an honor student. She is well rounded and gets along with all her peers. We are blessed with a beautiful home in the country and enjoy the outdoors and nature.

What characterizes me that I would like to make sure other people know about me and remember me by?

I am an outgoing and friendly person who loves to get to know all people. I enjoy sharing my story and journey with other families as well as listening to theirs. I am an excellent advocate for my son regarding his educational needs and I am more than willing to share ideas, tools, and strategies with other families to help them also. My role as Regional Coordinator at Parent to Parent allows me to connect with families and assist them in with information they are looking for and I thoroughly enjoy my position.

Did you contact Parent to Parent looking for support?

I was made aware of a position at Parent to Parent through another organization and contacted the Lead Coordinator to apply. At that time, I was connected to a coordinator and parent and learned about the wonderful benefits of Parent to Parent NYS.

What happens when a parent speaks with another parent and receives support from another parent?

When one parent makes a connection with another parent the information shared is invaluable to them. Knowing there is another parent who “understands” and “gets it” makes a difference in the feelings of isolation that can sometime come along with raising a child with a disability. I believe that it gives a parent a sense of peace and awareness that they are not alone and there are supports out there to help them on their journey.

How does the opportunity to connect with other parents benefit families?

Families can learn important tools, strategies, and information from another family. Sharing stories and ideas is a great way to understand the process more and help with the “day to day” responsibilities of raising a child with special needs.

What qualities do I look for when recruiting a support parent? (Support parents are part of the parent to parent network and have made the offer to provide support to another parent).

Support parents should be good listeners and be available to give the parent who is looking for support their full attention at the time of their conversation.

What kind of information, referrals, or community connections are families looking for?

Families look for support groups, educational advocacy information and support, workshops, local sports opportunities, and summer time activities/camps.

Have you ever had a bizarre or off the charts comment or statement made to you by someone regarding your child?

When my son was a toddler…a woman asked me “Did you drink a lot during your pregnancy”? After that…she received (from me) a long verbal explanation on how Down syndrome occurs in pregnancy and she was happy to have had it explained to her.

Was there a time when someone went above and beyond all expectations to help you with your child?

Over the years there have been different people who have gone above and beyond for my son and me. When other people did not believe “he could do it”, Shayne’s preschool teacher helped me advocate for full inclusion for Kindergarten. I have had a few fantastic teacher assistants over the years who have helped facilitate his school day. Most recently Shayne’s Middle School Principal has been assisting me to help his transition to High School and writing a good IEP. My mother has been the BEST supporter of my son and has helped me from day one to accept and enjoy his life which I have and will continue to do.

Is there anything else you would like to say about Parent to Parent of NYS or your work?

I have enjoyed working for Parent to Parent for ten years now. It has given me opportunities to help other families while at the same time offered me learning experiences that have helped me with raising my son, Shayne. I have developed a friendship with the other parent and parent to parent coordinators throughout NYS and enjoy their knowledge and friendship.

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