Workshop for grandparents of special needs kids set for January 23

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A free informational workshop and interactive session, Grandparenting Kids with Special Needs, will be held Saturday, January 23 from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Glenwood State Bank, 2221 South Broadway, Alexandria.

Check-in and continental breakfast starts at 9 a.m.

The presentation is sponsored by The Windmill Project with funding from the Alexandria Area Community Foundation and in cooperation with PACER Center and Minnesota Kinship Caregivers Association.

Featured speakers include:

•Pam Telleen, co-chair of a grandparent-to-grandparent support group in Bloomington.

•Rianne Leaf, director of programs for PACER Center.

Other presenters include Crystal A. Petersen, coordinator of the Relatives as Parents Program; Julie Zuehlke, certified in autism spectrum disorders and grandmother of a special needs child; and Gail Kulp, director of The Windmill Project and parent of a special needs child.

The format for the workshop includes:

•Ideas to help build meaningful and positive relationships with special needs grandchildren.

•Open discussion and time to “share and compare” personal experiences and challenges.

•Opportunities to ask questions.

•Information about resources

The event is free and open to anyone interested in the topics. Registration should be done prior to attending by mail to The Windmill Project, 1205 Birch Ave., Alexandria MN 56308 or via e-mail to: windmill04@embarqmail.com.

For additional details, call (320) 763-9228 or 763-7789.

Tags: local news, special needs, the windmill project, news, alexandria, workshop, grandparents