Parent to Parent was awarded several grants by local foundations to expand and maintain its outreach efforts to communities across Vermont. The John LeClair Foundation contributed specifically for the "Check it Out" bookmarks with additional help from the The Kelsey Trust, the Lintilhac Foundation, and The Agnes M. Lindsay Trust.

The Bookmark and Bibliography
The bookmark features recommended reading on special needs topics such as specific diagnoses, family relationships, coping, inspiration, and advocacy. Seven titles (also listed below) are listed on the bookmark, which represent current, best-selling books, primarily for parents (there is also one title for juveniles). Recommendations came from Parent to Parent staff, families, professionals, participants of support groups, local organizations, publishers, and book vendors. Over 50 titles were recommended. Final selections were determined by the availability of the book (in print vs out of print), year of publication, and cost. Titles not listed on the bookmark have been listed on a corresponding bibliography.Click for it here in Microsoft Excel format.

Community Outreach
As part of the Initiative, community outreach includes distribution of the bookmarks (and bibliographies) to pediatric practices, libraries, and bookstores across the state. All materials are available free of charge to these sites. There are 40 pediatric practices (representing 107 pediatricians), approximately 190 public libraries, and over 36 bookstores (mostly independent bookstores). Pediatric practices with 3 or more practitioners will receive 100 bookmarks, pediatric practices with 2 or fewer practitioners will receive 75 bookmarks, public libraries will receive 50 bookmarks, independent bookstores will receive 50 bookmarks, and major chain bookstores will receive 100 bookmarks. 10 bookmarks for school libraries; most likely to be used by special educators and librarians.
 

The Top 7 Recommended Reading for Families with Children with Special Needs:

Inspirational
*Heartsongs by Mattie J.T. Stepanek

Inspirational
*You Will Dream New Dreams: Inspiring Personal Stories by Parents of Children with Disabilities
by Stanley D. Klein and Kim Schive

General Coping/Siblings
*Views From Our Shoes: Growing Up With A Brother or Sister With Special Needs
by Donald J. Meyer (Ed.)

Advocacy
From Emotions to Advocacy - The Special Education Survival Guide
by Peter and Pamela Wright

ADHD
Taking Charge of ADHD, Revised Ed.
by Russell A. Barkley

Autism
*Thinking in Pictures: And Other Reports from My Life with Autism
by Temple Grandin

Heart Conditions
The Heart of a Child: What Families Need to Know about Heart Disorders in Children
by Neill, Clark & Clark

*4 of these books are also available in recorded format/cassette from the Special Services Unit of the Vermont Department of Libraries:

Thinking in Pictures: And Other Reports from My Life with Autism

Views From Our Shoes: Growing Up With A Brother or Sister With Special Needs

Heartsongs

You Will Dream New Dreams: Inspiring Personal Stories by Parents of Childrenwith Disabilities.