As the six-week parenting course drew to an end, Hilary Harlan realized that she and other members of the group weren’t ready to stop talking.

“Getting to know different parents through that Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) was pretty awesome,” said Harlan, who has a 4-year-old son with developmental disabilities. “So when we got to the end, we were like, um, guys? Could we keep getting together?”

Phone numbers were exchanged, plans made, and a new, family-led support group for parents of children with disabilities and delays picked up where the course at the Franklin County DD Early Childhood Learning Community left off.

The aim of the bi-weekly support meetings is to help parents and caregivers find community, feel less isolated, and share resources, knowledge and ideas.

“We learn so much from each other as parents—it might be people at work, where you go to church, people you meet in the grocery line,” Harlan said. “But what happens when your child is different?”

Beth Warner, a Franklin County DD social worker, said it’s wonderful to see parents support each other. “I bring a lot of resources, but it really is their group,” she said. “A lot of times parents of kids with disabilities feel like they don’t have anyone to talk to, or someone who understands what they’re going through. They feel safe there. There’s empathy.”

The group meets on February 5 and February 19 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Whetstone branch library, 3909 N. High St. Meetings are every other Thursday. Email [email protected] or [email protected] for more information.