The Free Clinic of Simi Valley and Southern California Kaiser Permanente will provide a monthly support group for children with Type 1 diabetes, ages 6 to 12, and their families.

The support group meets the fourth Tuesday of every month from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. at New Heart Foursquare Church, 4200 Township in Simi Valley.

The first meeting will be Oct. 28. The group will not meet in December.

The program is funded by a grant from Kaiser.

"This is a place for parents and their families to connect, learn, discuss, and process the difficulties of the disease with each other and with the help of mental health professionals," said Fred Bauermeister, executive director for the Free Clinic. "There is nothing more important to know you're not alone."

The group also provides a place for children living with diabetes, and their siblings, to meet other children and where they can participate in fun activities that will help them cope and thrive living with this disease, Bauermeister said.

There is no charge, but donations are appreciated.

For more information, call Kristy Schadt at (805) 578-2425, or Adriana Trujillo at the Free Clinic of Simi Valley at (805) 5223733, ext. 33, or e-mail adriana.sv@sbcglobal.net.