Parents Night Out

This respite/recreation program offers fun and entertainment to children with disabilities and their siblings. Children participate in recreational and craft activities while their parents enjoy an evening out. Qualified providers care for up to 20 children on one Saturday each month from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. or 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This service is offered on a first come first served basis with registration starting 30 days prior to the Parents Night Out date. Cost for this care is $2.50 per hour per family for Arc members and $5.00 for non-members.

Respite Care

Looking for a sitter with whom you feel comfortable leaving your child? It can be difficult. The respite care program interviews, checks references, and trains providers to care for children with special needs. Any family residing in Prince William County, Manassas, or Manassas Park who has a family member with special needs, including developmental delays and physical disabilities, is eligible to participate. Grants from Prince William County Promoting Safe & Stable Families enable us to assist all families with payment of the respite care fee.

NOTE: To ensure the safety and highest quality care for your family member, we cannot serve any client who is a threat to himself or others. We must also require that the family member be free from communicable disease.

Autism Group

The Arc facilitates an Autism Parent Support Group that meets on the 4th Tuesday of each month from 7-9 PM. This parent-run group offers support, education, and social opportunities for families who have children (of any age) on the Autism spectrum. Child care is available. Call our main office or email for more information.

Educational Opportunities

Workshops

Several times a year, topics of interest to families are presented. Recent workshops have included "Safety Considerations for Parents of Children with Autism and Other Cognitive Disabilities" and "Psychotropic Medications." Check out our Upcoming Events page to see the workshops we have planned in the months to come!

Annual Conference

Each year, The Arc of Greater Prince William/INSIGHT, Inc., sponsors the Circle of Support Conference. On November 6, 2010, Dr. Patrick Schwarz, our keynote speaker, spoke on "From Disability to Possibility," and also presented two workshops. Over 600 people attended this event with a record number of exhibitors, vendors, and workshops.