Sibling Support Project

The Sibling Support Project (SSP) is an organization dedicated to creating statewide systems of peer support and education programs for brothers and sisters of children with special needs throughout the United States. Established in 1990, SSP provides training, demonstrations, and technical assistance on creating programs specifically for brothers and sisters; works to increase the awareness of sibling issues and concerns through presentations to family members and service providers; and disseminates educational materials. Such materials include brochures and a newsletter. The SSP promotes peer support for young brothers and sisters by providing training on the Sibshop model. The goals of the Sibshop model are to provide brothers and sisters with an opportunity to discuss common concerns with other siblings; to provide brothers and sisters with an opportunity to learn how others handle situations commonly experienced by siblings of children with special needs; to provide brothers and sisters with an opportunity to learn more about the implications of their siblings’ special needs; and to provide parents and service providers with opportunities to learn more about common concerns of brothers and sisters.