CSUN To Host Resource Fair for Children with Special Needs

  • Dancers put on a performance for attendees at last year's Family Focus Special Needs Resource Fair. Photo provided by the Family Focus Resource and Empowerment Center.

  • Parents help their daughter play the drums during the 2014 Family Focus Special Needs Resource Fair. Photo provided by the Family Focus Resource and Empowerment Center.

The Family Focus Resource and Empowerment Center at California State University, Northridge will host its third-annual Family Focus Special Needs Resource Fair on Saturday, Oct. 17.

The fair, one of the largest of its kind in Southern California, will have more than 75 exhibitors that offer a variety of resources for various ages, abilities and needs. The free event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Northridge Center at the University Student Union, located on the east side of campus off Zelzah Avenue.

“CSUN has a lot of great programs that benefit these families, and the Family Focus Resource Center has great relationships with many service providers,” said Victoria Berrey, program manager for the Family Focus Resource and Empowerment Center.

Since the first event in 2013, the number of exhibitors has grown from 60 to 75, resulting in the event reaching maximum capacity, Berrey said.

“The reason [the resource fair] has grown is because there are many families in the San Fernando Valley who have a child with special needs, and they are hungry for information. We love connecting families to resources.” Berrey said.

Some of the 75 vendors include Access, Child Development Institute, CSUN DEAF Project, Children’s Hospital, LEAP, My Special Needs Connection and Jump Around.

The Family Focus Resource Center helps strengthen families who are raising children with special needs, through education, advocacy and family support services. A photo booth, free vision screenings, haircuts, entertainment, food trucks and much more will be available for attendees at the resource fair.

Event sponsors include CSUN’s Michael D. Eisner College of Education, North Los Angeles County Regional Center, The Childcare Resource Centerl, Newman Aaronson Vanaman, We Rock the Spectrum, CSUN’s Institute for Community Health and Wellbeing, and Over the Rainbow Children and Adults Hair Salon.

For more information about the Special Needs Resource Fair and for a full list of the exhibitors, call the Family Focus Resource and Empowerment Center at (818) 677-6854 or visit the Family Focus Resource and Empowerment Center website.

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