Center for Exceptional Families

For information and referral call:
973-408-9229

Individual, marital and family counseling available by appointment

The Center for Exceptional Families is operated under the auspices of The Kairos Institute, a non-profit 501(C)(3) organization. Funding is through foundation grants, private donations and fees for service. Fees are moderate, a sliding scale and scholarships are available, and most insurance plans are accepted.

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CENTER FOR
EXCEPTIONAL
FAMILIES

Serving Families of Children with Disabilities, Autism, and/or Chronic Illness

Having a family member with developmental disabilities or chronic illness poses many challenges to marriage and family life. The Center for Exceptional Families helps families meet some of these challenges. The Center for Exceptional Families is a resource for families with a child, adolescent or adult with a developmental disability.

The family is at the center of this not-for-profit organization. The mission of the Center for Exceptional Families is to provide services and counseling to support the resilience of the family.

FAMILIES CAN EXPECT:

Continuity

Privacy - Services are available in a private, confidential place, complementary to services from a school, clinic or agency.

Experience - Services are provided by licensed, professional counseling staff with experience and training in family life and exceptionality.

COUNSELING SERVICES

stress

plus

distress

A cognitive/behavioral approach to brief, problem-focused counseling can help the family, couple or individual.

Exceptional family members gain a lot of experience with problem solving. Counseling services at the Center are designed to use this strength.

COUNSELING - SUPPORT GROUPS

Counseling support groups provide connections with other exceptional family members to

alleviate feeling alone and isolated
enhance problem solving
increase knowledge
exchange information and ideas

For Parents:

Early intervention and preschool years
Surviving adolescence
For Fathers Only
Transition and Adult Living
Marriage Support Programs

For Siblings:

Sibling groups, ages 6 to adult
Summer sib days, ages 7-14
Issues in the future for teen and adult siblings

For Extended Family:

Quarterly groups for grandparents, aunts, uncles and special others

All groups are regularly available, time limited and structured, and led by qualified staff.

A RESOURCE FOR PROFESSIONALS

The Center for Exceptional Families is a resource for professionals in the mental health, education and medical communities:

as a referral resource for the exceptional families with whom they are involved; and
as participants in the educational programs about exceptionality and family life offered by the Center

Educational programs are offered at schools, consortiums, graduate schools, professional organizations, or hospital grand rounds. The Center’s professional staff, parent/professional instruction teams, as well as recognized experts may be part of the training team.

PENNY VENNARD, MSW, LCSW - DIRECTOR

Ms. Vennard brings 20 years of experience as a family therapist in private practice and has provided support services to exceptional families at a school for students with multiple disabilities. Parents of exceptional children have worked with her in the development of this new resource. A Parent/Professional Advisory Council and the Board of Trustees of The Kairos Institute provide support and guidance to the Center for Exceptional Families.

CONTACT THE CENTER

The Center for Exceptional Families has locations in:

Madison, New Jersey

Randolph, New Jersey

Summit, New Jersey (planned)

For information and referral:
Call: 973-408-9229
Fax: 973 377 8509

The Center for Exceptional Families
107 Green Avenue
Madison, NJ 07940