The Family Resource Center (FRC) at EPU is a place for parents of children with disabilities. The FRC provides parents and the community with many services:
Parent to parent support groups 
The FRC provides support groups for any and all parents, grandparents, and foster parents who have concerns about the development of their children from birth to school age and into adulthood.
The support groups are staffed by Family Resource Specialists who are also parents of children with disabilities. EPU believes powerful and unique support comes from staff members who also have children with disabilities.
Support Groups are held in Fresno, Selma and Firebaugh. Groups are offered in English, Spanish and Hmong. Individual support is also given through home visits, phone and email.
There is no cost to attend a Support Group. Childcare may be available upon request. For more information on joining a group call EPU at 559/229-2000.
EPU has groups for teenagers and young adults with disabilities.
Group members come together in a casual setting to hang out,
make new friends, and learn new skills.
For dates and times of Fresno group...call 559/229-2000 or email Bobbie
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EPU provides
support and information to families when they have a child in
the hospital with a disability or long-term special health care
need.
Our Family Resource Specialist staff members are on site Tuesday
through Friday for four hours a day. If you would like to have an EPU staff member visit please call at 229-2000.
Advocacy
The FRC has specially trained advocates on staff to help parents
advocate the educational, social, recreational, and medical
needs of their children. EPU advocates help parents obtain the
services their children need to thrive. Parents may call the EPU
at any time to find out if an advocate can help.
More about Advocacy...
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FRC staff hosts workshops and trainings on many topics such as
Individual Education Plans (IEP), ADD/ADHD and many more for
parents, professionals and any community member who is
interested. There is no cost.
More about Workshops and
Trainings...
The FRC Library contains book, articles and videotapes on various topics related to parenting children with disabilities.
Materials are available in English and Spanish. Computers are
available to parents who wish to use the Internet. Help with the
Internet is available upon request.
EPU seeks opportunities for families to share their personal stories with professional and student groups. This promotes understanding and fosters effective communication between families and the professionals. EPU also sets up information booths at health fairs to promote community awareness.
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FRC staff participates in decision-making committees at the
Local, State and National levels to support families and provide
them with the latest information. EPU offers assistance to
parents who would like to participate in committees and advisory
groups.
How to donate to EPU...
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Question: Is there a fee for using Family
Resource Center services?
Answer: There is no cost for services to
families.
Question: How can I get in touch with the
FRC?
Answer: The FRC at EPU is open Monday through
Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Our phone number is
559/229-2000. If you call after hours, please leave a message
and someone will return your call.
Question: How can I get help for my child?
Answer: The staff at the FRC will help you
locate local resources that will benefit your child and family.
Question: What is a parent-to-parent support
group?
Answer: Support groups are for family members
of children with disabilities or special health care needs. A
trained EPU staff member who is also the parent of a special
needs child facilitates each group. Groups are held in English,
Spanish, and Hmong.
Question: What kinds of support groups are
available?
Answer: The majority of support groups are not
disability specific; although disabilities are different the
emotions experienced by families are similar
Question: How can I join a support group?
Answer: You can join a support group by
calling EPU and talking to someone in the FRC or you can contact
us by email.
Question: I don't live in your area. How
can I find a Family Resource Center near me?
Answer: Department
of Developmental Services/ Central Directory of Early
Intervention Resources
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