παρέα, a group of friends.

In Greek, a parea is the people you spend your time with. The friends at the long dinner, the ones who show up without being asked twice.

That's the job. When a young adult with a disability leaves pediatric care, the doctors, school services, benefits and coverage all change within a few years. Parea is a care team that stays with them through it and keeps track of every open loop until it's closed.

Parea was founded by Antigone, with co-founder Brad Thompson.

[Founder bios pending]

We're starting in New Jersey with young adults leaving pediatric care, first those with sickle cell disease and neuromuscular conditions like muscular dystrophy and SMA, and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through the agencies that already support them. Members come to us through NJ FamilyCare health plans, Support Coordination agencies and children's hospitals, or join directly. The plan is to grow state by state from there.