Starting and Sustaining Genetic Support Groups - Softcover

This book is a guide to genetic support groups--what they are, how to begin one, how to keep an existing group operating and successful. Because a support group may be started, run, and joined by genetics professionals or laypeople, the text contains information usable by a range of readers.

The book opens with a brief discussion of why people seek self-help organizations in general and genetic support groups in particular. The bulk of the text then explains how to organize a genetic support group (getting started, finding a leader), how to sustain the group (developing educational materials and newsletters, conducting a meeting, fund-raising), and how to organize peer support training programs. The authors present examples of existing groups' experiences, sample budgets and news releases, tables and checklists, and other specific information to guide readers.