Family Health Forums provide a space for the families and caregivers of people with intellectual disabilities to engage with health professionals, community leaders and social service providers. The Forums introduce new families to Special Olympics and services provided through Healthy Athletes, Young Athletes and other community-based programs for people with intellectual disabilities. Families also have the opportunity to discuss shared challenges and how best to overcome them — with a special focus on bettering access to health care, education and inclusive activities.

Stay tuned for information on upcoming Family Health Forums.

Since March 2020, we’ve worked to keep our community healthy, connected and motivated virtually. Special Olympics NorCal has hosted more than 1,000 hours of programs and activities… and the fun won’t stop!

Even post pandemic, we’re continuing our virtual programming in a limited capacity to provide more opportunities for athletes to stay active and have fun with friends. Sign up for the Health & Wellness @ Home newsletter to stay up-to-date on classes, events, health tips and more.

Learn more about our Virtual Programs

Special Olympics athletes are trained as Health Messengers to encourage healthy behaviors for their fellow athletes and advocate for inclusive healthcare outside of the organization.

In one study, 56% of medical students in the United States reported that graduates were “not competent” to treat people with intellectual disabilities (ID).* We partner with Stanford Medicine, John Muir Health, University of the Pacific and other notable institutions to connect athletes with doctors and students. The goal is for our athletes to teach the healthcare professionals/students about treating people with ID in order to build a more inclusive care system for everyone.

Visit our Athlete Leadership Program page to learn more about becoming a Health Messenger.