Rutgers’ Mom2Mom helpline offers peer support for caregivers of special needs children in New Jersey
NEW JERSEY — For caregivers of children with special needs, support can be difficult to find. A Rutgers University program aims to bridge that gap by connecting families with trained peers who share similar experiences.
The Mom2Mom Peer Support Helpline, operated 24/7 by Rutgers University Behavioral Healthcare in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Human Services, provides free assistance to residents caring for children with special needs.
For Union County resident Beth Giannobile, the helpline became a lifeline during a challenging time. Years later, she now works as a peer support specialist, helping others navigate similar circumstances.
“Calling Mom2Mom left me feeling less isolated,” Giannobile said. “I didn’t choose to care for a child with special needs, though I was a willing caregiver. Being able to speak with someone made the burden a bit lighter.”
Established in 2010 and based in Piscataway, the program is staffed by trained specialists who have personal experience caring for individuals with special needs. The helpline receives about 19,000 contacts annually from parents, grandparents and other caregivers across the state.
“When someone reaches out to us, they’ll get to speak with a person who has been on a similar journey,” Giannobile said. “We know their hearts may be broken – they may just have received a crushing diagnosis – so our initial emphasis is on being uplifting and supportive. We’ll remind them that they matter, that they’re important.”
Giannobile said reaching out for help can be a difficult first step.
“It takes a lot of courage – so good for them,” she said. “A mom is a child’s first caseworker, and they know when it’s time to seek help. We’ll laugh and we’ll cry with them – it starts off with emotional support.”
Callers are matched with peer specialists based on shared experiences when possible, helping to build ongoing relationships and provide consistent support.
“We may not get a perfect fit – we’ll be looking for at least a degree of shared challenges or experiences,” said Matthew Buragina, program manager. “That can be sufficient for beginning to establish a relationship. And ultimately, that’s what we want, so the caller will feel comfortable engaging with us regularly to discuss how things are going in their life and the life of the person they care for.”
Peer specialists also help connect callers with resources for issues such as housing, government services and caregiving challenges.
“These are people facing a roller coaster of emotions,” said Antoinette Evans, a peer support specialist. “The initial contact is critical, and you never know what will prompt someone to seek help. One of the biggest triggers is a child reaching adolescence. Naturally, that’s a difficult time for all children.”
In addition to one-on-one support, the program offers virtual support groups and participates in community outreach events.
“When someone calls the helpline, it’s pretty much certain that a lot is going on in their life,” said Irena Guberman, director of call center operations for Mom2Mom. “They may be struggling with governmental systems, with housing concerns, or with a hands-on care issue. They may be feeling isolated and in need of ways to meet people. Fortunately, our peers are extremely resourceful. They embrace the role of finding effective solutions.”
The Mom2Mom helpline is available to New Jersey residents at 877-914-6662, with a separate line for adult caregiving support.
