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Are You the Dad or Male Caregiver
of Special Needs Children?

WADADS serves all male caregivers of children with special needs - mental health, behavioral, or emotional concerns, across Washington State.

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The WADADS Mission Is to educate and support the empowerment of Dads and their families raising children and youth with emotional, behavioral, and mental health issues, and inform the social systems that serve them.

What We Offer; WADADS has grown into a statewide organization, with many opportunities for men to become involved in helping their children with emotional, behavioral, or mental health issues, and helping advocate for positive change in Washington.

WADADS offers a Training Institute, that provides workshops on a variety of topics, including:

  • Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)
  • Parenting Skills
  • De-escalation
  • Collaborative Problem Solving (Based on "The Explosive Child")
  • Ending Isolation and Stigma
  • Parents Empowering Parents
  • Mental Health First Aid
  • Wraparound and High Fidelity Wraparound
  • Crisis Intervention Training (for Law Enforcement Agencies)

In addition, we offer Two Training Retreats a year with a variety of speakers and information to help in the care of our special needs children. These weekends are a great way to relax, and make common bonds with other Dads from across the state who are experiencing similar situations in their own home, their careers, and in personal relationships.

WADADS is currently building a Statewide Dads Support Group System. We have also implemented a "Buddy System" to support dads that reside in close proximity to one another.

WADADS is ever vigilant when it comes to legislation that affects the choices of our kids, as well as the choices of parents. Currently we are working, with many other groups and agencies, to modify the "Age of Consent for Mental Health Services". To keep up on all things legislative, please visit our Legislative Center, to stay as informed as possible.

wadads spring retreat 2009

WADADS Spring Retreat 2009



WADADS Site Blog See all the latest changes/updates to the site
Check out all of the changes to our site since your last visit. By checking here first, you can see what has changed and when, so you may want to bookmark this page in your browser's "favorites" list.

Calendar of Events, Stay Up With All of the WaDads Activities
WaDads Calendar of Events, Make Sure You Don't Miss Anything

The WADADS History - Here's an Overview
The WADADS History from 2005 to present...

Join WADADS as a Member, or as a Board of Directors Member
Join WADADS through a free membership, or apply to become a Board member

WADADS Testimonials About Our Semi-Annual Retreats
WADADS Testimonials About Retreats, Workshops, and More

Dads Support Groups, Get Help Raising Your Child with Special Needs
Dads Support Groups Can Offer Assistance, Ideas, and Tips for Raising Your Challenging Child

Looking for County Resource Lists? Here They Are...
County Resource Lists for Parents of Special Needs Kids

WADADS Retreats, A Time to Connect, Educate, and Relax
WADADS Retreats Provide Support, Education, and Connections

WADADS Trainings Cover a Variety of Topics
WADADS Trainings Include IEPs, Right Response, Parenting Skills, and More

Regional Support Network, Find Yours Now.
Regional Support Network, Here's the Complete List for Washington State.

Your Consumer Rights, What you Need to Know as a Mental Health Consumer
Your Consumer Rights, as Guaranteed by Washington State law

DSHS Resources and Programs List for Washington State
DSHS Resources - See the Programs are Available for Your Child and Family

Kinship Care Information for Washington State
Kinship Care, Find Kinship Navigators, Support Groups, and Kinship Resources for Washington State

Ombuds Services are in Place to Resolve Consumer Complaints and Grievances
Ombuds Services Get Resolution With Mental Health Service Complaints

WADADS Legislative Center - The Latest on Children's Mental Health Issues
WADADS Legislative Center, Stay Informed About Pending and Recent Legislation

WADADS Privacy Policy
The WADADS Privacy Policy, We Are Serious About Your Privacy

WADADS Brochures Now Available Online
Need Some WADADS Brochures to Hand Out? Get Them Here

Staff Site
Staff and Board page

The WADADS News, Here are all Back Issues
The WADADS News, Sign up for our Free Newsletter

Contact WADADS with Your Question or Comment
Contact WADADS by Submitting The Appropriate Form


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