Empowering Parents, Building Workforce, Strengthening Community Services

Parent Advocacy and Support Program

By connecting families with Certified Peer Advocates, Mendo LEAP reduces system overwhelm, builds family confidence, and strengthens coordination across services.

You’re not alone

Parenting is hard. We know how heavy it can feel, how many decisions you carry, and how lonely it can be trying to figure it all out on your own.
The good news is—you don’t have to do this alone anymore.

Parenting in a rural community

Parenting in a rural community comes with its own unique challenges. Resources can be limited, services may be far away, and support systems are often harder to access.

Families are often left navigating long waitlists, traveling for appointments, and trying to piece together information from multiple systems—all while managing the day-to-day realities of raising a family.

For many parents, it’s not just about finding support—it’s about figuring out where to even begin.

Our commitment to rural families

At Mendo LEAP, we believe that where you live should never determine the level of support you receive.

We are deeply committed to strengthening support for families in rural communities by creating local solutions that are accessible, culturally responsive, and built around real-life needs.

Our goal is to reduce isolation, increase access to services, and ensure that families feel supported, informed, and confident as they navigate the systems around them.

The power of peer support

One of the most powerful forms of support comes from someone who has been there before.

A Peer Support Advocate is a parent or caregiver with lived experience navigating complex systems—someone who understands not just the logistics, but the emotions, challenges, and decisions that come with it.

Peer advocates provide guidance, encouragement, and practical support to help families:

• understand available services
• prepare for important meetings
• organize information and next steps
• build confidence in advocating for their children, their family and themselves.

This model transforms lived experience into meaningful support—helping families feel less alone while building stronger, more connected communities.

Introducing the 2026 Cohort

While this program is designed to support all parents, the 2026 cohort will focus on families navigating developmental disabilities—where systems are often more complex, and support can be harder to access.

This first cohort represents an important step in building a local workforce of trained Peer Support Advocates who can walk alongside families and help bridge the gap between services and real-life needs.

We are excited to begin this work and to continue growing a program that supports families while strengthening systems of care in our region.

How the program works

Our Peer Advocacy Program is designed to be simple, supportive, and centered around each family’s unique needs.

Step 1: Referral or Interest
Families may be referred through a partner agency or reach out directly to learn more about the program.

Step 2: Intake & Understanding Needs
We take time to understand the family’s goals, challenges, and the systems they are navigating.

Step 3: Thoughtful Matching
Families are matched with a trained Peer Support Advocate based on experience, certification level, and compatibility.

Step 4: Ongoing Advocacy Support
Peer Advocates provide guidance, encouragement, and practical support such as:

  • preparing for meetings

  • organizing information and next steps

  • helping families understand their options

  • offering peer-based mentorship

Step 5: Growth & Independence
Over time, families build confidence, knowledge, and skills—so they can advocate more independently while still knowing support is available when needed.

This model ensures families are not just supported in the moment, but strengthened for the long term.

Our current partner agency is Redwood
Coast Regional Center. Please contact your Service Coordinator about receiving peer parent support!

Become a peer support advocate

If you’ve walked this path before, your experience matters—and it can make a difference for another family.

The Mendo LEAP Peer Advocate Certification Program provides a pathway for parents and caregivers to turn their lived experience into meaningful, paid work supporting others in the community.

As a Peer Support Advocate, you will:

  • support families navigating complex systems

  • provide encouragement and practical guidance

  • help reduce isolation for other parents

  • become part of a growing, community-based workforce

No formal background is required—just lived experience, a willingness to learn, and a desire to support others.

Selected applicants will complete a structured training program and receive ongoing support, supervision, and professional development.

2026 Cohort – Now Accepting Applications

We are excited to announce that applications are now open for our first Peer Support Advocate cohort.

Over the past year, Mendo LEAP has been working in partnership with Redwood Coast Regional Center to build and develop this program. We are proud to now begin accepting applications for the first group of trained Parent Peer Advocates serving our region.

This initial cohort will focus on supporting families navigating developmental disabilities, helping build a strong foundation for long-term community impact.

🗓 Application Deadline: March 31
📋 Apply Here: Follow Google Form Link Here!

Spots are limited for this first cohort. We are looking for individuals who are ready to grow, learn, and support other families in a meaningful way.

Join us in supporting parents

We believe every parent deserves support—no matter their circumstances.

While our 2026 cohort focuses on families navigating developmental disabilities, this is just the beginning. Our vision is to expand this model to support all parents across our community.

This includes parents who may be:

  • rebuilding after involvement with the justice system

  • navigating reunification or custody transitions

  • going through separation or divorce

  • raising children with complex health needs

  • new or young parents learning as they go

  • or simply in need of guidance, connection, and support

If you are passionate about supporting parents—whether as an individual, organization, or community group—we invite you to be part of what we are building.

Mendo LEAP provides the training, structure, and support needed to grow peer-based programs that meet families where they are.

📩 Interested in helping expand peer support for parents in our region or building a cohort for your specific parent community? Contact us by emailing advocate@mendoleap.com

Why are we doing this?

Because we’ve lived it

We’ve been the parents navigating uncertainty, searching for answers, and carrying more than most people see. We understand how hard it can be.

Because we care

We believe no parent should feel alone in this. Every family deserves support, connection, and someone who truly understands.

Because we can

We have the tools, the experience, and the drive to make lasting change for our community.