DDD Virtual Lunch and Learn: The Power of Family-to-Family Support
The Division of Developmental Disabilities is hosting Virtual Lunch and Learn Sessions the 3rd Wednesday of each month.
Next Session:
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Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
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Topic: Stronger Together - The Power of Family-to-Family Support : Empowering Families
Through Shared Experiences, Connection, and Advocacy.
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Presenters: Christopher Tiffany, Executive Director, Encircle Families (formerly Raising Special Kids). Christopher Tiffany is the Executive Director of Encircle Families, Arizona's federally designated Parent Training and Information Center and Family-to-Family Health Information Center. With more than 20 years of experience supporting families of individuals with disabilities, Chris brings both professional expertise and personal perspective as the parent of a son with developmental disabilities. His work focuses on family-centered practices, systems navigation, and strengthening partnerships between families and the professionals who support them.
Nannette Salasek, LBSW, BHP, Healthcare Systems Administrator, Encircle Families, Habla Español. Nannette is a dedicated advocate for families of children with disabilities, drawing on both her professional experience as a healthcare systems administrator at Encircle Families and her personal journey as a mother of six. After several of her children faced medical and behavioral challenges, Nannette gained firsthand insight into the complex systems families must navigate. She brings that understanding to her work, guiding others through state and federal programs and collaborating with a staff of parents who share similar lived experiences. In addition to her role at Encircle Families, she serves on the Family Faculty and Executive Patient Experience committees at Phoenix Children’s, helping ensure families’ voices are heard. Compassionate and collaborative, Nannette is committed to reminding families that they are never alone on their journey.
Session Description: Family-to-family support has a long history of helping parents and caregivers navigate challenges, build confidence, and advocate for their loved ones. Today, Family Support is also a covered behavioral health service in Arizona, recognizing the important role of lived experience in strengthening family engagement and supporting positive outcomes. But what does Family Support look like in practice, why is it effective, and how can professionals recognize when a family might benefit from this service?
This session will explore the foundations of family-to-family support, its evolution into a recognized behavioral health service, and its role within Arizona's system of care. Participants will learn how trained Family Support Partners use lived experience to provide guidance, encouragement, practical resources, and connections to community supports. Through real-world examples and insights from Encircle Families' more than four decades of providing family support, the presentation will demonstrate how Family Support complements clinical and other professional services, strengthens family engagement, and helps families develop the skills and confidence to navigate complex systems. Participants will also learn to recognize situations in which Family Support may be beneficial and how to help families access this important service.
Space is limited so interested Behavioral Health Providers, Qualified Vendors, and Division Employees should register as soon as possible.
- A confirmation email will be sent to the email address registered with the option to add the event as a calendar listing on the user’s default calendar application. Users who experience a delay in receiving the email should check their spam folder for the email.
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