The Start of the Circle of Care Special Needs Online Community
In July 2020, Attorney Annette Hines and Special Needs Companies created a private Facebook group, Circle of Care, with the goal of providing resources and supports to special needs individuals, parents, caretakers, teachers, and advocates. Since then, the community has grown to nearly 1,000 members, yet the community interconnectedness she hoped to see has not materialized. Rather than open dialogue and interactions between members of the group, Hines observes mostly one-way communication with people sharing information and resources, but not engaging in meaningful discussions.
During the height of the Covid pandemic, Hines and other professionals would host Facebook live events in the group to share about their special needs journey or answer questions related to the disability including, what issues to consider for disabled children when one retires. However, as in-person events resumed during late 2021 and people spent less time on Facebook, participation in the Facebook group decreased. Hines realized that a new platform was needed to provide the sense of community and consistent source for authoritative, reliable advice and resources she hoped to provide those in the disability world. “People will seek out the community that serves them. There is no one way to do community,” Hines argues. The key is to create something meaningful that provides value.
Announcing a New Circle of Care Hosted on a Unique Platform
This November in an effort to provide something more meaningful for those in the disability world, Special Needs Companies is relocating the Circle of Care Online Community to a new dedicated space on Mighty Networks. The new special needs online community platform will streamline interactions and focus on what truly matters – supporting one another in this incredible journey. Hines is collaborating with Eric Jorgensen, the founder of True North Disability Planning, to launch Circle of Care on the new platform. Read or listen to their discussion about community in the Parenting Impossible episode, “Building a Supportive Community: The Power of Connection in Special Needs Parenting.”
This group serves to bring together members of the disability community – parents, siblings, caretakers, advocates to share stories, provide support, ask questions, and hear exclusive information from Hines about helpful resources and practices for preparing your loved ones for life’s uncertainty. “The best part,” notes Hines, is that “this space is exclusively ours – branded under our identity, with its own URL, and free from any distractions.”
Member Benefits and Improvements in the New Circle of Care Platform
People can join the Circle of Care on the new platform for free and participate in discussions and some events without charge such as “Ask Me Anything Friday,” when Hines will feature a live Q&A session for individuals to ask any types of questions they have related to the disability world. The platform also invites service representatives to engage in sincere Q&As, moving beyond sales pitches to provide meaningful insights to the community.
The new Circle of Care will also feature paid support, courses, and coaching. Members will have opportunities for:
- Connecting with others by location, interests, and specific topics based on personal interest.
- Engaging in dedicated “mastermind” groups to foster deeper connections with fellow members.
- Accessing new online workshops and courses tailored to your needs.
- Participating in recurring live events and soon, in-person gatherings.
Within the larger community of Circle of Care, individual spaces or smaller communities are being developed for parents, caregivers or others with children in different age levels. “That’s what I’m excited about,” explains Jorgensen. Members will be able to go in and out of communities based on their child’s age and stage of life. “So maybe you have a child who just had a diagnosis. You can go into the birth through five-year-old community, for example, and ask questions and get feedback from other parents. And you’re not trying to find which Facebook group matches your child’s age and stage. It’s just easier because it’s all in one place within the greater Circle of Care community.
Members Choose Their Level of Engagement in the Community
The new Circle of Care special needs online community offers a plethora of resources designed to make member experience enjoyable and meaningful. Members can decide how often and how much they engage in the community, discussions, and events. Optimal features include:
- The ability to comment and engage in discussions directly from the Dashboard
- Toolkits and resource materials available for consumption at any time, allowing members to engage at their own pace.
- The choice of a preferred mode of meeting: public, off-the-record, one-on-one, or group circles. There are ample opportunities for meaningful connections.
The potential of a community-based platform lies in its ability to allow users to personalize their experiences, connect on a deeper level, and access vital resources.
Join Us in the New Circle of Care and Share Your Feedback
Join us in the new Circle of Care platform to experience the joy of our close-knit community where we encourage, support, and learn from each other. Share your insights, foster greater inclusion, and make meaningful connections. Together, we can make a difference. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to be part of something special! Please share your comments about the start of this new Circle of Care platform or what you want to see in an online community with Special Needs Companies or Special Needs Law Group via our Contact online form.