History of the family support group now called EFECT
In 1992, Yong Meador and Jody Arnold had just given birth to children with life impairing developmental disabilities at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City within a few days of one another. Yong saw Jody crying and in despair so she reached out to Jodi to comfort and support her. A strong friendship grew between the moms and they began calling and visiting to discuss topics from medical to educational issues. This friendship inspired Jodi to support other parents with children with disabilities. Jodi was always encouraging other moms of children with disabilities by calling them regularly and keeping up with the latest research such as diet, supplements, and therapies to help children with disabilities. It was Jodi's strength and endurance that helped struggling parents to persevere.
The support group began to be called the "Mom's Group" meeting every few months and by 1997 began to include a few dads of children with disabilities. In 1997 the group became known as "Families Supporting Families". There was no other group of parents like this in the area and more families began searching for help and answers. Due to the demand, some concerned families wanted an organized non-profit organization in early 2001 to include workshops and a Board of Directors. Parents whose children were just getting diagnosed with a disability wanted to meet on a regular basis to exchange information. This spawned a natural progression for the formation of EFECT (Encouraging Families with Exceptional Children Together) in May 2001. We have learned that parents are the best resources of information. The 1992 grassroots support group grew from two moms to serving 1000's of families since EFECT's inception.
EFECT strongly desired to expand and continue the success of the group founded by Jodi and Yong. EFECT took off quickly in May 2001. A 12 member Board of Directors was formed composed of parents of children with developmental disabilities which make this group unique n comparison to other Boards. The Board led the direction and began the State and Federal 501(c)(3) non-profit status process. Heidi Harmon was elected the first president of EFECT from May 2001 through May 2002, followed by Tracy Simmons and Monica Shonkwiler in 2006. Yong Meador, the co-founder, became EFECT's first treasurer.
This is an umbrella group of all disabilities, not just focused on one disability. All services provided by EFECT are at no cost to the families and anyone (parents, friends, and family members) is welcome to attend. In May 2001, the first bi-monthly EFECT Newsletter was printed in unison with an EFECT frequently updated website, online listserv, free workshops and social/networking meetings. EFECT hosts workshops on a variety of topics to increase knowledge of supports and services in the community. Some parents are not able to attend regular functions but are able to share, ask questions or just vent via the online listserv at their home. Monthly gatherings/socials are helpful for families to come together to share information in a comfortable environment with others who understand their situation.
EFECT has had numerous events over the years such as: Expo/Resources, a Spring Birthday Party Picnic, a swim party over the summer, a Fall Costume BBQ Party, and our big annual Holiday Party Gala in December. The Expo brings agencies together so parents can "shop around" in one place and become well informed about a variety of services. We have sold EFECT T-shirts with our logo since 2002 and this summer we began selling EFECT Sweatshirts. During the 4th of July 2003, EFECT ran a concession stand at the Kansas Speedway. A Silent Auction was incorporated into our holiday party in 2002 and 2003 to allow parents to shop at affordable pricing. Together in partnership with the Metropolitan Council on Developmental Disabilities, we have hosted three Annual Double D's (Developmental Disabilities) Golf Tournaments, one in 2004, 2005, and 2006. EFECT is not attached to any political affiliation by strongly supports everyone's right to vote to make a difference in the lives of their children by supplying opportunities to meet candidates and ask them questions about disability topics by helping and supporting the Legislative Open Houses. In March of every year we attend Advocacy Day in Jefferson City where we encourage people to go speak to their legislatures and make their needs known. EFECT encourages parents to attend monthly Partners in Policymaking Program by the Missouri Council on Developmental Disabilities to become a stronger advocate for themselves and others. The events we have had in the past such as a birthday party, swim party, night at the movies, fall BBQ, monthly networking meetings and our Holiday Party are pure social events that get all of families together to relax and feel at home. This past year in June 2006, EFECT had it's first Autism and Special Needs Family Conference at the Hilton Garden Inn Conference Center located in Independence, Missouri. It was a big success with our families and we plan to offer another one next year. The conference offered a variety of speakers on numerous topics such as special needs trust, social security, Medicaid, microboard, nutrition, music therapy, speech therapy, ABA, sensory integration, legal issues and much more.
Future Plans of EFECT
EFECT has expanded their database from 10 families in 2001 to over 1200 families currently. Predominantly most of the families reside in and around the Kansas City Area, but there are families from Wichita, KS to St. Joseph to St. Louis thanks to our website and listserv. Advertisements in the newsletter help pay for the printing and distribution of our bimonthly newsletter reaching 1400 families currently. Monies earned from fundraising pay for the workshops that include refreshments, snacks, facilities, conference material, storage unit, holiday party and much more. In the future, EFECT would like to rent or own a building to meet and socialize, a place to have our board meetings, and provide a safe area for childcare, a library, computer access, offices, storage for our supplies, a kitchen plus a room to accommodate speakers and out-of-town visitors. We also want to establish EFECT Chapters throughout the state. A grant committee is needed to get underway and more organized fundraising strategies to enable us to hire a few paid staff to help even more families.
EFECT would like to continue to have a large holiday party every year in December and a bi-yearly conference in the Spring to help educate families. EFECT would also like to continue to have networking meetings monthly for families to meet other families. EFECT would like to keep the monthly newsletter going out to as many families as possible to get them information about services, conferences, workshops, events, therapy etc in their community. EFECT would like to have scholarships to help families attend conferences or help them with some special needs they might need for their family.
Everyone is strapped fro time and energy, but it is even harder for parents with disabilities. To enable EFECT to expand we are seeking more support and recognition from the community.
Our Mission Statement
EFECT is a 501(c)(3) non-for-profit organization, which was created by parents for parents. Our mission is to empower families of children with disabilities by providing education, information, encouragement, support and pathways to services.
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