Family Support Network: October 2026 Meetings and Workshops
Smart Start Teams meetings
Smart Start Teams are county-based advisory groups made up of local service providers and parents working together to make sure that a strong network of early care and education services is available for all families. The Smart Start Teams also serve as the Local Interagency Coordinating Councils that work to ensure that families have information about early intervention services.
Here is a list of the meetings happening in October.
Cherokee County - Oct 07 | 1 PM | Join Meeting Here
Catholic Charities, Nurse Family Partnership
Clay County - Oct 01 | 10:30 AM | Join Meeting Here
Catholic Charities
Graham County - Oct 08 | 9:30 AM | Join Meeting Here
Catholic Charities, Nurse Family Partnership
Haywood County - Oct 21 | 10:30 AM | Join Meeting Here
Vaya Health
Jackson County - October 14 | 12:00 PM | Join Meeting Here
Vaya Health, Appalachian Mountain Health Center, Catholic Charities
Macon County - Oct 22 | 12:30 PM | Join Meeting Here
Catholic Charities, Nurse Family Partnership
Swain County - Oct 13 | 10:00 AM | Join Meeting Here
Vaya Health, Nurse Family Partnership
Cherokee Children's Coalition - Oct 28 | Lunch 11:30 AM | Meeting 12:00 PM. This month's meeting will be held at Cherokee Central Schools Administration
Qualla Boundary Public Library
Caregiver connections
Family Support Network Caregiver Connections is a support group for caregivers raising a child with special needs which can be physical, behavioral, or medical as well as foster, adoptive or kinship families.
Attendees can join in person or virtually.
October Meetings
Macon Autism / FSN Support Group
Oct 07 | 9:30 AM | Macon County Public Library
Family Support Network of Region A is collaborating with the Autism Society of NC to bring this support group to you. This support group is for all families, not just those raising a child with autism. Join us in person or virtually to learn about family support services available through Vaya Health.
Cherokee / Clay Autism / FSN Support Group Oct 01 | 6:00 PM | Regional A Partnership for Children - Murphy
Family Support Network of Region A is collaborating with the Autism Society of NC to bring this support group to you. This support group is for all families, not just those raising a child with autism. Join us in person or virtually to learn about family support services available through Vaya Health.
Haywood / FSN Support Group
Oct 15 | 6:00 PM | Regional A Partnership for Children - Waynesville
Family Support Network of Region A is collaborating with the Autism Society of NC to bring this support group to you. This support group is for all families, not just those raising a child with autism. Join us in person or virtually to learn more about available family support services.
EBCI IDD/Autism Community Support Group Oct 14 | 5:00 PM | Qualla Head Start
This is an in-person meeting. No virtual option available.
Join this month's support group to hear about the services provided by Youth Villages, including intensive in-home programs Intercept® and Multisystemic Therapy (MST), as well as LifeSet and High Fidelity Wraparound program models. This support group is for all families, not just those raising a child with autism.
Jackson Autism / FSN Support Group
Oct 17 | 9:00 AM | Children’s Developmental Services Agency
Family Support Network of Region A is collaborating with the Autism Society of NC to bring this support group to you. This support group is for all families, not just those raising a child with autism. Join us in person or virtually to learn more about available family support services.
Registration For Caregiver Meetings
RSVP Deadline: Two days prior to the meeting.
Please RSVP by email to Jody L. Miller at jmiller@rapc.org and note whether you plan to attend virtually or in-person.
Link to join virtually will be sent after RSVP is received.
Upcoming Events & Workshops
The 2026 Salvation Army Angel Tree
Need assistance in providing toys for your children this Christmas? The Angel Tree is here to help families in Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain Counties for those children 12 and under.
Medicaid Update
Did you know that there will be work requirements for some individuals receiving Medicaid starting January 1, 2027? Are you concerned about the upcoming changes and if they will affect you and your family? New laws are changing the rules for NC Medicaid.
Oct 05 - 6 to 7 pm - Waynesville
Oct 12 - 6 to 7 pm - Murphy
Oct 24 - 9 to 10:30 am - Sylva
Storytelling: Flexing Your Power
Oct 10 | Sylva
9 to 9:30 am - continental breakfast
9:30 am to 12 pm - workshop
Family Stories Month in November is a time to share your life experiences. Your stories help shape laws and programs at local, state, and federal levels. Join the Family Support Network of Region A and Andrea Clark from the Positive Childhood Alliance of NC to learn how to use your voice.
Parent Mentor Training
Are you willing to offer support to another family by sharing your experience with them? Join us in Sylva for Parent Mentor Orientation Training. This workshop is for caregivers who have experience navigating systems and understand the unique experience of raising a child with a disability, mental health challenge, or special healthcare needs.
Part 1 Oct 22 - 6 to 7:30 pm
Part 2 Oct 29 - 6 to 7:30 pm
Regional Resources & Support
Here is a PDF of additional support from organizations throughout our region.
For questions or more information about Family Support Network, please reach out to Jody Miller at jmiller@rapc.org.
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