Abilities Unlimited of Fort Smith, Inc. is a non-profit organization serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities since the early 1960’s. The beginning of the organization was the accumulative effort of several civic minded citizens and families who had vested interest in the welfare of individuals with disabilities. Making it possible for individuals to receive services in the communities where they lived. The organization is committed to providing services that cultivate long-term individual growth. The Day Program at Abilities Unlimited of Fort Smith, Inc. is a place of life-long learning.  Everyday, Monday through Friday, our client’s participate in life skill training.

Ability KC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that serves areas in the states of Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, and Nebraska. Ability KC’s primary services include outpatient medical rehabilitation, therapeutic preschool, and employment services.

Our mission is to build brighter futures for children and adults with disabilities by providing educational, vocational, and therapeutic services. We do this by:

• Providing excellent results-driven services.
• Maintaining a highly trained and effective professional staff dedicated to serving individuals with disabilities.
• Offering programs that reflect a respectful, compassionate commitment to individuals served and their families and support providers.
• Presenting educational treatment of individuals served by creating clear, concise communications regarding impact and the outcomes of our programs.
• Maintaining financial viability.

Ability360 is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation.  Through its comprehensive programs, Ability360 touches the lives of individuals with disabilities and addresses the disability concerns of their family members, co-workers and employers.

Mission Statement

Ability360 offers and promotes programs designed to empower people with disabilities to take personal responsibility so that they may achieve or continue independent lifestyles within the community.

Ability360 is one of five Centers for Independent Living in Arizona, and the largest Center in the state. Ability360 advocates personal responsibility – by, and for, people with disabilities – as a means to independence.  Programs are designed to help consumers achieve self-sufficiency. In addition to the five core service areas, Ability360 provides and promotes numerous other programs and services that help consumers achieve an independent lifestyle.

Ability360 Programs and Services:

• Individual & Systems Advocacy
• Information & Referral
• Employment Services
• ADA Services
• Counsel
• Empowering Youth in Transition
• Home Modifications
• Social and Recreational Opportunities
• Home Care Services
• Sports, Fitness, and Health & Wellness Programs

Access Services provides behavioral health services, children & family services, and intellectual disability and autism services for 14 counties in eastern Pennsylvania. Our mission is to empower and serve people in need of specialized supports by providing innovative services that improve their ability to live fulfilling lives in the community.

Achieva advocates for, empowers, and supports people with disabilities and their families throughout their lives.

Programs & Services

• Employment: Supported employment uses person-centered tools to help people secure and keep a job in a field they desire to work in while offering benefits counseling to ensure vital government benefits are maintained.
• Housing: Achieva provides customized living options based on the needs and wishes of the person with a disability and their family. Whether you are looking for support in your current home, living arrangements with a group of roommates, or a home of your own, Achieva can help.
• Early Intervention: If you are concerned about your child’s development or you have been asked to select a provider for early intervention services, choose Achieva. Achieva Early Intervention has supported thousands of families for over 45 years as a trusted leader serving Allegheny County, Washington County, and Westmoreland County.
• Money Matters: Whether you’re looking to protect your assets, seek financial assistance through a grant program or plan for the future.
• Family Support: With 70 years of experience, and employees who understand the needs of families, Achieva offers a variety of services to make your life just a bit easier.

The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is a trusted source of information where people of all ages, abilities, and income levels- and their caregivers- can go to obtain assistance in planning for their future long-term service and support needs. The ADRC is designed to empower older adults and persons with disabilities to make informed choices about their services and supports. Staff at the ADRC provide objective information and assistance to help people access private or publicly funded service programs.

ADRC serves the entire state in providing people of all incomes and ages with information on the full range of long-term support options. ADRC provides individual personalized options counseling services through local community options specialists who can meet with you to help you sort through your options and connect you to services based on your own preferences, strengths and values.

If you have questions about aging or living with a disability, your local aging and disability resource center (ADRC) can help. The ADRC provides information on a variety of programs and services. That includes long-term care options. The ADRC also helps people apply for programs and benefits, including publicly funded long-term care.

The ADRC connects you with resources, including:

• Adaptive equipment.
• Caregiver support.
• Dementia care services.
• Health, nutrition, and home-delivery meal programs.
• Housekeeping and chore services.
• Housing options.
• In-home personal care and nursing.
• Long-term care programs.
• Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security.
• Safety updates to the home.
• Transportation.
• Wellness programs.

Find your local office here: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/adrc/consumer/index.htm

The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Central Wisconsin promotes choice and independence through personalized education, advocacy, and access to services that prevent, delay, and lessen the impacts of aging and disabilities in the lives of adults. We are widely recognized as the preferred choice for initial contact and early access to information and resources that prevent, delay and lessen the impacts of aging and disabilities in the lives of adults. Our regional resource center promotes easy access to innovative ADRC services so that our consumers participate in the community as they desire, and live with dignity, respect, health, and purpose. Services include lending medical equipment, resource specialist to assist with diagnoses and transitions, support groups and classes, and assistance with understanding of Medicare service benefits.

Services:

Meals for Seniors: https://www.adrc-cw.org/services/meals-for-seniors/

Benefits for Seniors with Disabilities: https://www.adrc-cw.org/services/benefits-for-seniors-and-adults-with-disabilities/

Community Resources for Seniors and Adults with Disabilities: https://www.adrc-cw.org/services/community-resources-seniors-adults-disabilities/

Dementia Support Services: https://www.adrc-cw.org/services/dementia-support-services/

Support for Caregivers: https://www.adrc-cw.org/services/support-for-caregivers/

Classes for Healthy Living: https://www.adrc-cw.org/classes-events/

Equipment Lending: https://www.adrc-cw.org/services/equipment-lending/

The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Central Wisconsin promotes choice and independence through personalized education, advocacy, and access to services that prevent, delay, and lessen the impacts of aging and disabilities in the lives of adults. We are widely recognized as the preferred choice for initial contact and early access to information and resources that prevent, delay and lessen the impacts of aging and disabilities in the lives of adults. Our regional resource center promotes easy access to innovative ADRC services so that our consumers participate in the community as they desire, and live with dignity, respect, health, and purpose. Services include lending medical equipment, resource specialist to assist with diagnoses and transitions, support groups and classes, and assistance with understanding of Medicare service benefits.

Services:

Meals for Seniors: https://www.adrc-cw.org/services/meals-for-seniors/

Benefits for Seniors with Disabilities: https://www.adrc-cw.org/services/benefits-for-seniors-and-adults-with-disabilities/

Community Resources for Seniors and Adults with Disabilities: https://www.adrc-cw.org/services/community-resources-seniors-adults-disabilities/

Dementia Support Services: https://www.adrc-cw.org/services/dementia-support-services/

Support for Caregivers: https://www.adrc-cw.org/services/support-for-caregivers/

Classes for Healthy Living: https://www.adrc-cw.org/classes-events/

Equipment Lending: https://www.adrc-cw.org/services/equipment-lending/

The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Central Wisconsin promotes choice and independence through personalized education, advocacy, and access to services that prevent, delay, and lessen the impacts of aging and disabilities in the lives of adults. We are widely recognized as the preferred choice for initial contact and early access to information and resources that prevent, delay and lessen the impacts of aging and disabilities in the lives of adults. Our regional resource center promotes easy access to innovative ADRC services so that our consumers participate in the community as they desire, and live with dignity, respect, health, and purpose. Services include lending medical equipment, resource specialist to assist with diagnoses and transitions, support groups and classes, and assistance with understanding of Medicare service benefits.

Services:

Meals for Seniors: https://www.adrc-cw.org/services/meals-for-seniors/

Benefits for Seniors with Disabilities: https://www.adrc-cw.org/services/benefits-for-seniors-and-adults-with-disabilities/

Community Resources for Seniors and Adults with Disabilities: https://www.adrc-cw.org/services/community-resources-seniors-adults-disabilities/

Dementia Support Services: https://www.adrc-cw.org/services/dementia-support-services/

Support for Caregivers: https://www.adrc-cw.org/services/support-for-caregivers/

Classes for Healthy Living: https://www.adrc-cw.org/classes-events/

Equipment Lending: https://www.adrc-cw.org/services/equipment-lending/

The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Central Wisconsin promotes choice and independence through personalized education, advocacy, and access to services that prevent, delay, and lessen the impacts of aging and disabilities in the lives of adults. We are widely recognized as the preferred choice for initial contact and early access to information and resources that prevent, delay and lessen the impacts of aging and disabilities in the lives of adults. Our regional resource center promotes easy access to innovative ADRC services so that our consumers participate in the community as they desire, and live with dignity, respect, health, and purpose. Services include lending medical equipment, resource specialist to assist with diagnoses and transitions, support groups and classes, and assistance with understanding of Medicare service benefits.

Services:

Meals for Seniors: https://www.adrc-cw.org/services/meals-for-seniors/

Benefits for Seniors with Disabilities: https://www.adrc-cw.org/services/benefits-for-seniors-and-adults-with-disabilities/

Community Resources for Seniors and Adults with Disabilities: https://www.adrc-cw.org/services/community-resources-seniors-adults-disabilities/

Dementia Support Services: https://www.adrc-cw.org/services/dementia-support-services/

Support for Caregivers: https://www.adrc-cw.org/services/support-for-caregivers/

Classes for Healthy Living: https://www.adrc-cw.org/classes-events/

Equipment Lending: https://www.adrc-cw.org/services/equipment-lending/

The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Central Wisconsin promotes choice and independence through personalized education, advocacy, and access to services that prevent, delay, and lessen the impacts of aging and disabilities in the lives of adults. We are widely recognized as the preferred choice for initial contact and early access to information and resources that prevent, delay and lessen the impacts of aging and disabilities in the lives of adults. Our regional resource center promotes easy access to innovative ADRC services so that our consumers participate in the community as they desire, and live with dignity, respect, health, and purpose. Services include lending medical equipment, resource specialist to assist with diagnoses and transitions, support groups and classes, and assistance with understanding of Medicare service benefits.

Services:

Meals for Seniors: https://www.adrc-cw.org/services/meals-for-seniors/

Benefits for Seniors with Disabilities: https://www.adrc-cw.org/services/benefits-for-seniors-and-adults-with-disabilities/

Community Resources for Seniors and Adults with Disabilities: https://www.adrc-cw.org/services/community-resources-seniors-adults-disabilities/

Dementia Support Services: https://www.adrc-cw.org/services/dementia-support-services/

Support for Caregivers: https://www.adrc-cw.org/services/support-for-caregivers/

Classes for Healthy Living: https://www.adrc-cw.org/classes-events/

Equipment Lending: https://www.adrc-cw.org/services/equipment-lending/

The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Central Wisconsin (ADRC-CW) works to provide peace of mind and quality of life to individuals and families through information and access to resources.

We serve Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, and Wood counties.

Services

• Meals for Seniors
• Benefits for Seniors and Adults with Disabilities
• Community Resources for Seniors and Adults with Disabilities
• Caregiver Support and Education
• Classes for Healthy Living
• Equipment Lending

AHEDD is a private, non-profit organization that provides employment services throughout Pennsylvania to people with disabilities. The individuals we serve include youth in transition from school-to-work and adults who are looking for employment in the community. Participants in AHEDD’s services benefit from a customized plan of service that can include: skill assessments; career exploration and development; self-directed job search; job placement; work site support/training; and/or consultation on benefits management issues by Community Work Incentive Coordinators (CWICs). The critical work that we do helps people gain greater independence, become productive and contributing members of their community and meet the diversity and labor force needs of businesses.

ACCA is a non-profit agency that has served the Fairbanks community since 1946. It began with a grassroots community effort to assist people needing orthopedic referrals and equipment as well as speech therapy. The agency was known as ‘Alaska Crippled Children and Adults’ and was associated with the Easter Seals Society. In 1998, the agency adopted a new name, ‘Alaska Center for Children and Adults’. Over the years, programs for individuals with disabilities has expanded to support many areas of the state of Alaska.

Our Mission

To assist in improving the lives of people with disabilities and their families by providing quality diagnostic, therapeutic, educational and referral services in conjunction with other community providers without regard to ability to pay.

Programs

• Connections DDRC: assists individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families with accessing services through the State of Alaska Developmental Disabilities (DD) Programs.
• FASD Community Evaluation & Service: the FASD Diagnostic Team serves children experiencing difficulties related to prenatal exposure to alcohol. Services include screening and multidisciplinary evaluations leading to diagnosis and recommendations for intervention.
• Family Wellness: the Family Wellness program identifies social, emotional, and parent/child relationship concerns prior to age 8 and aims to provide early support to build positive relationships. ACCA provides screening, evaluation, developmental guidance, and community referrals to support children in the context of their family relationships. Services are provided by an Infant Mental Health Endorsed Developmental Specialist.
• Infant Learning Program: ACCA’s Infant Learning Program (ILP) provides early intervention services to children birth to three years who experience a developmental delay or disability, with a focus on supporting and strengthening the whole family.
• Loan Closet: adaptive mobility equipment is available for loan to community members. A deposit is required, but is refundable if equipment is returned within 3 months. After 3 months, the deposit will become a donation to ACCA. All equipment rentals include a $5, non-refundable cleaning fee.

Founded in 1921, the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is a national non-profit organization that creates a world of no limits for people who are blind and low vision. AFB mobilizes leaders, advances understanding, and champions impactful policies and practices using research and data. 

The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) works with local organizations and private providers to support people who have developmental disabilities and their families in living, learning, and working in their communities. APD identifies the service needs of people with developmental disabilities, and those individuals may receive social, medical, behavioral, residential, and/or therapeutic services. 

The agency serves more than 60,000 Floridians with the following disabilities: 

• People severely impaired by autism
• Cerebral palsy
• Spina bifida
• Intellectual disabilities
• Down syndrome
• Prader-Willi syndrome
• Phelan-McDermid syndrome
• Children age 3-5 who are at a high risk of a developmental disability

What services does ADP provide?

ADP provides:

• Medicaid HCBS Waiver through iBudget Florida
• Placement in an intermediate care facility for those with developmental disabilities
• Supported employment services
• Supported living services
• Consumed Direct Care Plus (CDC+)
• IFS (Individuals and Family Supports) funding for non-waiver customer expenses

Apraxia Kids is the leading nonprofit that strengthens the support systems in the lives of children with apraxia of speech. Since our inception in 2000, Apraxia Kids has provided support to tens of thousands of families and professionals.

For more than 40 years, Pennsylvania’s 52 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) have served the Commonwealth’s 67 counties by providing information about resources and service providers, assessing needs for service, making referrals to case managers, and linking to services. These local agencies provide vital services, programs and information to millions of older Pennsylvanians and their caregivers, including legal services, home-delivered meals, health promotion and disease prevention, transportation, public benefits counseling, senior centers and in-home services.

The Area Agency on Aging of Broward County (AAABC) plans, develops, coordinates, and evaluates programs; funds services; and is the prime advocate for residents of Broward County, Florida, 60 years of age or older.  The AAA also operates the Aging and Disability Resource Center which is your one-stop source of information regarding services in Broward County, Florida, for seniors, persons with disabilities, ages 18 and over, their families, and caregivers.

Participants must be 60 years of age or older for most programs except for the grandparent’s program which is eligible to seniors age 55 and older. In addition, the Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative program requires a medical diagnosis of dementia and the age criteria is 18 and older.

Our Programs 

We offer a wide range of services and resources to assist seniors in Broward County ages 60 years of age and older, and adults with disabilities age 18 and above. From meal assistance, health and wellness, to transportation services, we provide information regarding services in Broward County available for seniors.

Programs and Services Include:

• Meals and food assistance
• Health and wellness class
• Caregiver support
• Home assistance
• Legal services
• Medicare counseling/SHINE
• Senior centers
• Transportation services
• ConnectingWithU
• Alzheimer’s disease services
• Senior technology programs

Who We Serve

• Arizona residents who are unable to read standard print due to blindness or low vision.
• Those who find it hard to hold or handle a print book.
• Individuals who have a perceptual or reading disability.
• Schools
• Libraries, nursing homes, hospitals, or other institutions serving such people

What We Provide 

• Lending library: including audio books and magazines; movies with audio descriptions; and Braille books and magazines by postage free mail
• Loan of special equipment to play audio books
• Audio and Braille book downloads
• Access to NFB-NEWSLINE and over 300 newspapers and magazines by phone and online

If you have a physical disability, the state-funded Act 150 program may be available to you to continue to live in your home and community with support and services. Eligibility is based on a level of care assessment, a financial eligibility determination and program eligibility.

To be eligible for Act 150 Services, you must:

• Be a resident of Pennsylvania.
• Meet the level of care needs for a Skilled Nursing Facility.
• Be between eighteen (18) and fifty-nine (59) years of age.
• Be capable of a) hiring, firing, and supervising attendant care worker(s); b) managing your own financial affairs; and c) managing your own legal affairs.
• Be capable of directing your own care.
• Have a medically determinable physical impairment that is expected to last of a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) calendar months or that may result in death.
• Proceed through the eligibility process for the Medicaid (MA) program and be determined financially ineligible.
• To take advantage of the Act 150 Program, you may be assessed a minimal co-payment. This co-payment is based on your income and will not the more than the total cost of services.

Services that may be available to you include:

• Personal Assistance Services
• Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)
• Service Coordination

AZ Links is Arizona’s Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), created to help Arizona Seniors, People with Disabilities, Caregivers and Family Members locate resources and services that meet their needs.

We are a community-based, not-for-profit agency providing services for individuals in Western Arkansas who have mental & developmental disabilities & related conditions. Our mission is supporting individuals with disabilities and behavioral health needs to meet their life goals. Currently, the agency touches over 1,000 men, women, and children with developmental disabilities and behavioral health needs on a daily basis in Arkansas with a wide range of services and programs. Contact us for enrollment information about an of the services & programs at Bost.

Role & Responsibilities

Brief description of the California Department of Education.

The Needy Fund’s first mission was to provide holiday meals to the neediest families on Cape Cod. Now, the Needy Fund provides the residents of Cape Cod and the Islands with financial assistance for a range of basic human needs when they fall on tough times. The Needy Fund is here to help families and individuals through cancer, car accidents, family deaths, job loss, temporary and permanent disabilities, serious childhood illnesses, fire, spousal abandonment and many other urgent situations all year long. The Needy Fund is a community partner. Sometimes, the crisis is too big for one agency to handle. We network and partner with many local agencies to get people through the toughest of times. The Needy Fund is open year round, Monday through Friday.

Financial assistance programs include housing, utilities, food, medical, transportation, moving, camps, and holiday. Those helped by the Needy Fund do not receive cash. Payments are made directly to vendors through a voucher system. More than 4,000 individuals receive assistance from the Needy Fund each year.

The Center for Accessible Living (CAL) is an independent living center (ILC) serving the Louisville, Bowling Green, and Murray, Kentucky areas. CAL offers give independent living services: information and referral, independent living skills training, peer support, individuals and systems advocacy, and transition (including school-to-work transition and transition from nursing homes). It provides these services through grants from the federal Administration on Community Living and the Kentucky Department for Aging and Independent Living. In addition to these services, CAL also provides ramp-building services, employment services, housing coordination, sign-language interpreting, among others. CAL serves all disabilities and ages.

The Center is the only agency in Wisconsin specializing in services for persons who are totally deaf and blind or who have varying degrees of dual sensory loss. The agency’s mission is to provide services needed to minimize the devastating effects of a combined vision and hearing loss upon the individual and family. The Center is able to offer the support and skills training needed to assist clients to live independent productive lives.

The Center for Deaf-Blind Persons serves youths and adults who are:

• deaf and losing vision,
• blind and losing hearing,
• losing both hearing and vision simultaneously
• totally deaf and blind.

Geographically, this agency serves primarily Southeastern Wisconsin. Should the Center’s expertise be requested to serve other parts of Wisconsin, arrangements are made.

For more than 80 years, the Centers for Independence has strengthened communities by fostering hope and helping people advance their total health.  CFI is dedicated to assisting people of all ages and abilities achieve their fullest level of independence through a supportive environment that fosters hope. CFI’s unmatched breadth of disability support services and resources tallow others to find value in themselves and see a path forward.

Who We Serve: 

The Centers for Independence assists people of all abilities, ages, and socioeconomic standing. CFI’s vast array of services and programs are based on community needs and are offered to every client, patient, and consumer who seeks them. In many cases, CFI brings solutions to people who might not find assistance anywhere else.

What We Do: 

The Centers for Independence integrates health care and social services. CFI’s commitment to total health with a trauma-informed care approach results in a framework of wellness that improves lives, families, and communities. CFI’s programs, which are committed to helping people maintain control and choice over their care, serve people who need:

• mental health and substance-abuse treatment and care
• job-training and placement services
• rehabilitative help following a brain injury or neurological condition
• day programming and activities to fully engage in life
• in-home personal care services
• assistance managing finances and employment for long-term care needs
• medical day care services and education for children with complex medical conditions
• early education programming and therapies

Charlie’s Closet is a medical equipment clearinghouse. Our mission is to make medical equipment available to anyone who needs it (regardless of age or income), keeping usable equipment from going to the landfill. We accept donations of gently used equipment; clean it, check it for safety, and make it available to anyone requesting it.

The durable medical equipment that we provide ranges from canes, walkers, and commodes to wheelchairs and hospital beds. We also have soft goods available such as adult diapers and washable or disposable bed pads. There is a nominal fee of $1 per item, but monetary donations are always welcome.

Our primary focus is on the Guilford community because much of our annual funding comes from our local faith groups, the town of Guilford, and the Guilford Community Fund, but we provide equipment and accept donations from clients in communities up and down the shoreline.

The Children’s Developmental Disabilities Program provides a system of care that has a wide array of home and community based services for children including intervention and support services. The system emphasizes evidence-based treatment methods, community integration, and family empowerment.

To determine eligibility, please apply for both Medicaid and the Children with Disabilities Program at the same time. In order to be eligible for the Children with Disabilities Program, your child must meet the following criteria:

• Live in Idaho
• Be under the age of 18 (for children turning 18, services extend through the end of their birthday month)
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
• Have a disability diagnosis under the Social Security Act
• Be assessed to have functional impairments that qualify for the Children with Disabilities Program

Application Steps:

Step 1:  Apply for Medicaid

Step 2:  Apply for the Children’s with Disabilities Program

Step 3:  Complete an interview with a independent assessor provider

After Application Submission:

The independent assessment provider will send you a notice informing you of your child’s eligibility. If your child is eligible, you will be assigned a case Mmanager. Once assigned, you will be contacted to schedule a family-centered planning meeting and develop your child’s plan of service.

Founded in 1978, CTD is the largest and oldest member-driven cross-disability organization in the state. “Cross-disability” refers to all types of disabilities and different functional needs, rather than a particular disability or subset of disabilities. CTD envisions a future where all Texans with all disabilities may work, live, learn, play, and participate fully in the community of their choice.

We focus on governmental advocacy, public awareness activities, and professional disability consulting to make Texas a leader in disability-related public policy and culture.

Founded in 1978, CTD is the largest and oldest member-driven cross-disability organization in the state. “Cross-disability” refers to all types of disabilities and different functional needs, rather than a particular disability or subset of disabilities. CTD envisions a future where all Texans with all disabilities may work, live, learn, play, and participate fully in the community of their choice.

We focus on governmental advocacy, public awareness activities, and professional disability consulting to make Texas a leader in disability-related public policy and culture.

It is our mission to create systemic change in the Commonwealth of Kentucky empowering people with developmental disabilities to achieve full citizenship and inclusion in the community through advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change.

We envision communities that fully engage, support & provide equal opportunity for every person to be valued and contributing member in their community.

We are governed and agree with the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DD Act) that:

“Disability is a natural part of the human experience​​​ that does not diminish the right of individuals with developmental disabilities to live independently, to exert control and choice over their own lives, and to fully participate in and contribute to their communities through full integration and inclusion in the economic, political, social, cultural, and educational mainstream of United States society.”

All Council meetings are open to the public in accordance with the Kentucky Open Meetings Law. For a zoom link email [email protected]

Communicare is one of fourteen community Kentucky mental health centers providing behavioral health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse services in the Lincoln Trail ADD District. This district includes the counties of Breckinridge, Grayson, Hardin, LaRue, Marion, Meade, Nelson and Washington.

Comprehend, Inc.’s mission is to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities by advocating for and providing behavioral healthcare services in a welcoming and caring environment.

No one will be denied access to services due to inability to pay, sliding fee scale available.

Programs and services:

• Addiction services
• Children’s services
• Clinical services
• Community support
• Crisis services
• IDD services
• Supported employment
• The regional prevention center
• Sweet creations
• Another man’s treasure
• The wardrobe

The purpose of the Paratransit Application is to determine eligibility for Connecticut complementary ADA Paratransit service. If you have a disability that prevents you from using the public transit bus service in Connecticut, you may be eligible for ADA Paratransit service. ADA Paratransit is a shared ride, advanced reservation, origin-to-destination service for persons with disabilities who are unable to use the public bus service because of their disability.

To apply for ADA Paratransit eligibility, fill out this form online or contact the regional ADA Paratransit service provider .

Connecticut Family Support Network (CTFSN) provides direct support to individuals and families in their homes and communities by sharing information and resources that empower people to make their voices heard and to become their own best advocate.

Supporting families and individuals has been the sole mission of CTFSN since its inception. To meet the needs of families raising children and adult family members with intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities or special healthcare needs in Connecticut, CTFSN staff provide information and resources to families and help them connect with services. CTFSN aims to ensure the best outcomes for the family member with special needs and the family as a whole.

CTFSN is a statewide organization and its staff work and live in the communities they serve. All staff members are parents, family members, or caregivers to a person with special needs.

The mission of the Developmental Disabilities Council of Oklahoma (DDCO) is to advance communities where everyone has the opportunity to live, learn, work, and play where they choose. The Council builds partnerships to change systems to improve services, resources, and supports for Oklahomans with developmental disabilities and their families.

What does DDCO do?

Provide information and technical assistance to legislators, policymakers, and state agencies, private organizations, and advocates.

Provide assistance to individuals and  organizations to support individuals with developmental disabilities and family members to participate on advocacy boards and attend conferences.

Participate in work groups, task forces, and coalitions that affect policy making at the state and federal levels.

Fund leadership and advocacy training for advocates and field professionals.

Fund work performed by council staff or other entities that will:

• Identify individuals and their families who may need services or supports,
• Foster inter-agency collaboration and coordination resulting in improved service or support,
• Reduce or eliminate barriers to services; or redesign systems of support to better meet individual needs,
• Inform policymakers on the results of its work, policy design, best and promising practices, or other findings that may inform future policy decisions, or
• Create model projects or programs demonstrating new approaches to serving Oklahoman’s with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Our mission is to help individuals with developmental disabilities and their families help themselves to lead safer, healthier, more independent and productive lives.

Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) serves persons ages 3 and up who have a primary diagnosis of intellectual disabilities.  Persons served may also have other developmental disabilities in addition to intellectual disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, etc.

Services Available

• Architectural Modifications
• Employment and Adult Day Programs
• Family Support Assistance Program
• Guardianship
• Home and Community Living
• Professional Services
• Respite
• Home and Community Based Waiveres

Developmental Enrichment Centers (DEC) are a faith-based, non-profit organization licensed and contracted with Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DES/DDD). Together, our dedicated staff brings over 50 years of combined experience working on behalf of children and adults with developmental disabilities such as Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, and Cognitive Delay.

Funding is provided in part through our contract with the state. Additional support is offered through the generosity of individuals, local businesses, and corporate grants. DEC is recognized as an Arizona Charitable Organization serving the working poor and contributions made to DEC are eligible for the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit.

DEC is committed to meet the social, emotional, and physical needs of each individual served by DEC through both center and home-based services. Recognizing the unique abilities of our clients, both young and elderly, and the challenges they face, we anticipate an expansion of comprehensive services to include residential services, graduated levels of support for medically fragile individuals, in-house therapy, job skills training, and job placement services.

The administration and employees of DEC encourage one another to develop within themselves a core set of values. These values, known as the “fruits of the spirit,” are found in Galatians 5:22 and serve as foundational Christian life principles. Exhibition of these nine attributes is the measure we use to assess all employees.

With a desire to make a difference within the community we serve, our staff is committed to the following: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

The Diagnostic Center, Southern California provides high-quality, individualized services to special education students, their families, and school districts.

Services are provided by expert, transdisciplinary teams of diagnostic professionals that may include educational specialists, speech-language specialists, school psychologists, clinical psychologists, motor specialists, and pediatricians who address the unique educational needs of Southern California’s most difficult-to-serve students enrolled in special education programs.

The Diagnostic Center, Southern California is one of three regional assessment centers operated by the State Special Schools and Services Division of the California Department of Education. The Centers provide assessment, training, and technical assistance to all Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) in California. Each of the three Centers serves a specific geographic region in the state: Southern California-Los Angeles, Northern California- Fremont, Central California-Fresno.

Our services include:

• Comprehensive, state-of-the-art assessment and educational planning services to assist local school districts in determining the needs of their most complex students;
• On-site technical assistance and consultation in program and instructional design based on the unique needs of each student;
• Professional development opportunities for teachers, administrators, and special education staff, including presentations at national, statewide, and local conferences and workshops, provided by specialists with “hands-on” experience;
• Family education opportunities, including consultation, referral, and resource information.

There is no cost for assessment services; however, requests for services must be generated by the local school district.

Disability Pride PA promotes more visibility and cultivates the pride felt within our community as we advocate for an inclusive world. Disability Pride PA imagines a world where every disabled person feels pride through self awareness, their identity, and their community at large. Disability Pride PA is dedicated to serving every disability. We continue to audit programs to ensure they represent all experiences and do not fall into a narrow understanding of what disability means. We are currently on a journey to address disability communities that are overlook, not represented, and/or misrepresented. We ensure that the people who we serve are informing our practices.

Objectives;

1. Produce Disability Pride events and support others efforts throughout the state, county, and around the world.
2. Teach disability access and inclusion through workshops, presentations, and events year round.
3. Offer products and services to business/organizations to be more inclusive.
4. Provide opportunities for disabled people to intern/work with Disability Pride PA and provide resources for accessible workplaces.
5. Provide secondary education scholarships for disabled students.
6. Support disabled artists through workshops, events, material scholarships, and as a networking resource.
7. Support our local disability/senior populations through community service.
8. Develop and implement programs and services about disability pride, arts, culture, and advocacy.

Disability Rights Florida was founded in 1977 as the state’s designated Protection and Advocacy system for individuals with disabilities in the State of Florida. The Protection and Advocacy system exists to ensure the safety, wellbeing, and success of people with disabilities. Disability Rights Florida advocates, educates, investigates, and litigates to protect and advance the rights, dignity, equal opportunities, self-determination and choices for all people with disabilities.

Disability Rights Florida is a nonprofit organization that provides legal advocacy and rights protection for adults and children with a wide range of disabilities. Our staff attorneys, advocates and investigators address civil rights violations, abuse and neglect, and discrimination specifically in these areas:

• Disputes involving Medicaid eligibility including Protected Medicaid, Home and Community Based Services Waivers, and Medicare Savings Programs.
• Discrimination in housing, architectural barriers, service animals, transportation, and access to public and private programs and services.
• Abuse, neglect, and rights violations in an institution, prison, or jail.
• Rights to a least restrictive environment, privacy choice, dignity, and other basic human and civil rights.
• Barriers to a free and appropriate education, K-12 special education, transition services, and post-secondary education.
• Access to mental health and support services that provide individualized treatment including adults and students with psychiatric disabilities.
• Employment accommodations, as well as accessing, maintaining or regaining employment, and vocational rehabilitation.
• Rights to effective and accessible communication like American Sign Language and accessible print and electronic information.
• Access to services that will enable veterans with service-related injuries a successful transition to civilian life.
• Investigation of stolen or misused funds, exploitation, or neglect by representative payees.
• Voting registration, vote casting, and accessible polling places.
• Access to assistive technology and devices such as communication devices and power wheelchairs.
• Supported decision-making as an alternative to guardianship.

All services are free and confidential.

Disability Rights Maryland (DRM), a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is Maryland’s designated Protection & Advocacy agency (formerly known as “Maryland Disability Law Center”). DRM is federally mandated to advance the civil rights of people with disabilities. We provide free legal services to Marylanders of any age with all types of disabilities (developmental, intellectual, psychiatric, physical, sensory, learning, traumatic brain injury), who live in facilities, in the community or who are homeless.

Eligibility 

Disability Rights Maryland (DRM) may represent Maryland residents who have a disability and a legal issue within the scope of our Advocacy Services Plan. Contact our intake office at 410-727-6352 ext. 0 (ask for “intake”), Monday through Friday, between 9 AM and 5 PM to learn if we can assist you.

DRM represents children and adults of all ages with:

• psychiatric disabilities
• developmental disabilities
• sensory disabilities
• learning disabilities
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

We represent people with disabilities who:

• live in institutions
• live in the community
• are homeless

Disability Rights North Carolina is a legal advocacy agency that fights for the rights of people with disabilities in North Carolina. We handle cases involving discrimination, abuse and other rights violations. All of our services are at no cost to North Carolinians with disabilities. We are a private, independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit and a member of the National Disability Rights Network.

Disability Rights Ohio is a non-profit corporation with a mission to advocate for the human, civil and legal rights of people with disabilities in Ohio.

Since October 2012, Disability Rights Ohio has served as Ohio’s Protection and Advocacy (P&A) system and Client Assistance Program (CAP). It is governed by a Board of Directors, primarily consisting of people with disabilities and family members of people with disabilities.

Disability Rights Ohio is designated under federal law as the system to protect and advocate the rights of people with disabilities and as the Client Assistance Program under the Rehabilitation Act. The mission of Disability Rights Ohio is to advocate for the human, civil, and legal rights of people with disabilities in Ohio.

Disability Rights Ohio provides legal advocacy and rights protection to a wide range of people with disabilities. This includes assisting individuals with problems such as abuse, neglect, discrimination, access to assistive technology devices, special education, housing, employment, voting, community integration, and rights protection issues within the juvenile and criminal justice systems.

Disability Rights Ohio administers the following programs:

• PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY FOR ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY (PAAT)
• CLIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CAP)
• PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (PADD)
• PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY FOR VOTING ACCESSIBILITY (PAVA)
• PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY FOR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS (PAIR)
• PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS (PAIMI)
• PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY FOR BENEFICIARIES OF SOCIAL SECURITY (PABSS)
• PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY (PATBI)
• VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT (VOCA)
• STRENGTHENING PROTECTIONS FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFICIARIES ACT
• WORK INCENTIVES PLANNING AND ASSISTANCE (WIPA)

Programs: https://www.disabilityrightsohio.org/programs

Resource Center: https://www.disabilityrightsohio.org/resource-centers

Disability Rights Pennsylvania (DRP) protects and advocates for rights of people with disabilities so that they may live the lives they choose, free from abuse, neglect, discrimination, and segregation.

DRP helps people with disabilities in many areas such as abuse and neglect, access to community services, discrimination, ADA compliance issues, education, assistive technology, voting access, and access to Medical Assistance services. We help people with developmental disabilities, physical and sensory disabilities, brain injury, and people in mental health recovery.

The help can include information, referral to other organizations, advocacy and legal action. DRP also provides assistance on legal issues to attorneys and others and provides education and training on a variety of issues to consumers, families, advocates, and professionals.

The Donated Dental Services (DDS) program provides free, comprehensive dental treatment to our country’s most vulnerable peopel with disabilities or who are elderly or medically fragile. In addition, we support many veterans through our DDS program. These are people who cannot afford necessary treatment and cannot get public aid. The program operates through a volunteer network for 15,000 dentists and 4,400 dentals labs aross the United States.

Applicants must have no means to afford dental care and must meet ONE of the following criteria:

• Over 65 years of age
• Permanently disabled
• Need medically necessary dental care

Veterans who meet the qualifications can apply to the program even if their county is closed.

Easter Seals Cardinal Hill is driven by a tireless passion to champion people of all ages, ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability or life challenge, has the opportunity to live, learn, work, and play in our communities.

On national, state, and local levels, Easter Seals offers help, hope, and answers to adults, children, and their families living with special needs.

Easter Seals Cardinal Hill Services:

• Adaptive recreation
• Adult day health
• Creative beginnings child development center
• HorseAbility
• Pediatric therapy

For nearly 100 years, Easterseals has been the indispensable resource for people and families living with disabilities. Throughout all life’s moments – from the extraordinary to the ordinary and everything in between – Easterseals is here to help people and families realize and reach for their full potential.

Across the nation, we remove physical, cultural, attitudinal, and legal obstacles so people with disabilities have every opportunity to live meaningful and productive lives, on their own terms. We exist to provide the best services and opportunities for people with disabilities in communities nationwide.

Easterseals serves people and families who face a wide range of disabilities, including physical emotional, intellectual, social and educational.

Our mission is to enhance the lives of children, adults, and families in an environment that promotes independence, dignity, and respect.

Services: 

• Behavioral Health Services
• Early Intervention
• Early Learning Center
• Katie Beckett Program
• Personal Assistance
• Community Supported Living
• Workforce Development

Family Connection of South Carolina changes the lives of families with children who have a disability or special healthcare need by making connections, raising awareness, and promoting inclusion.

At Family Connection, we offer a variety of programs and services to address your questions and concerns on complex healthcare, mental health, and educational systems you must navigate.

Current Programs and Services: 

1. Project Breathe Easy: This free and confidential home visitation program provides emotional and information support to parents who have children with asthma.
2. Healthcare Connection: Our healthcare team offers assistance with Medicaid, TEFRA, appeals, and managed care information.
3. Education Partners: Family Engagement Managers empower parents with tools, training, and support to help them understand and navigate the educational system.
4. Parents as Teachers: A unique home-school visitation partnership for parents of young children.
5. Parent to Parent Support: Trained parent volunteers provide emotional support and information based on the child’s disability or special healthcare concern.
6. NICU Support: Our NICU parent navigators provide bedside support to parents who have or recently had a child in the NICU.

Family Voices is a national family-led organization of families and friends of children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) and disabilities. We connect a network of family organizations across the United States that provide support to families of CYSHCN. We promote partnership with families at all levels of health care–individual and policy decision-making levels—in order to improve health care services and policies for children.

The Foundation for Blind Children was founded in 1952 by parents of blind children who wanted services for their blind children in Phoenix, instead of having to send them to the State Institution for the Blind in Tucson. The Foundation for Blind Children serves the blind and visually impaired of all ages, from birth to currently 102 years old. As the only agency of its kind in Arizona, the Foundation for Blind Children is an essential resource to families and children with blindness or low vision.

With three Valley locations (East Valley, West Valley and Central Phoenix), we strive to serve as “the” community’s resource for blind, visually impaired, and multi-handicapped children, adults, and their families.

Four Rivers Behavioral Health is a private, not-for-profit agency providing comprehensive, integrated mental health, substance abuse and developmental disability services to promote the health and quality of life for consumers in Ballard, Calloway, Carlisle, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Livingston, Marshall, and McCracken counties.

Resources for All Ages in the state of Alabama

The Hart-Supported Living program is for Kentuckians with disabilities to request grants so they can live in, contribute to, and participate in their communities. Any Kentuckian with a disability recognized under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is eligible to apply for a Hart-Supported Living grant. The program is administered through the Department for Aging and Independent Living (DAIL). Supported Living allows people with all disabilities to request funds for a broad category of highly flexible, individualized services, combined with natural unpaid or other eligible paid supports. Funded grants may include, but are not limited to, homemaker services, personal care services, in home training and home management support, start-up grants, transportation, home modifications, adaptive and therapeutic equipment. Grants may be one-time, i.e., bathroom modification or ongoing or both. The Funding Teams will look at other sources you have applied to for possible assistance.

HELP Foundation empowers individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through residential, day support, vocational, and summer education programs to choose services and opportunities as respected and valued members of the community.

HELP supports pathways that give every individual the chance to thrive and reach their full ability, contributing to a vibrant, inclusive community.

Services:

• Adult Day Support: Transportation Available
• Employment Services
• Residential Services
• Summer Program (ESY)
• Transportation
• Vocational Programs

Helping Our Women (HOW) is a resource center for women living with chronic or life threatening conditions. We serve the Outer Cape community from Provincetown to Eastham.

HOW wants to help. To ease the stress of everyday life, HOW provides support services to women in need, so they can focus on wellness and well-being. Women with a chronic health condition who reside in Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro or Provincetown are eligible to receive support. We do not discriminate on the basis of income, marital status, age, race, ethnicity, religion or immigration status.

For more information on programs: https://helpingourwomen.org/our-programs/

To request help from HOW: https://helpingourwomen.org/get-help/#forms

The Iowa Home and Community Based (HCBS) programs are Medicaid programs where the federal government has set aside or “waived” rules. This gives you more choices about how and where you receive services. It is for people with disabilities and older Iowans who need services. These services may allow you to stay in your home. You must be eligible for Medicaid and also meet the requirements of the program you are applying for and/or receiving. An assessment will be done to determine if you meet the criteria of being in need of nursing facility, skilled nursing facility level of care, hospital level of care, or being in need of care in an intermediate care facility for persons with intellectual disabilities.

Iowa currently has seven HCBS Waivers in the Waiver Program that provides service funding and individualized supports to maintain eligible members in their own homes or communities who would otherwise require care in a medical institution.

The Seven HCBS Waivers:

1. Health and Disability (HD) Waiver
2. AID/HIV (AH) Waiver
3. Elderly (E) Waiver
4. Intellectual Disability (ID) Waiver
5. Brain Injury (BI) Waiver
6. Physical Disability (PD) Waiver
7. Children’s Mental Health (CMH) Waiver

Community Supports Waiver services are provided based on identified needs of the person and the appropriateness of the service to meet the need. A list of enrolled and qualified providers of Community Supports Waiver services can be located at the DDSN website.

To participate in the Community Supports Waiver, a person must: 

• Be diagnosed with an Intellectual or a Related Disability.
• Be eligible to receive Medicaid or already qualify for Medicaid.
• Require the degree of care that would be provided in an ICF/IID; therefore, meet ICF/IID Level of Care criteria.
• Be given the option of receiving services in his/her home and community or in an ICF/IID.
• Have needs that can be met by the Community Supports Waiver.
• Be allocated a waiver slot.
• Be informed of the alternatives covered by the Community Supports Waiver, choose to receive Community Supports Waiver services, and choose among qualified providers.
• Maintain services within the individual cost limit.

Applying for Community Supports Waiver Services

• Contact your assigned Case Manager/Early Interventionist (CM/EI). If you are not receiving Case Management or Early Intervention, contact DDSN at 1-800-289-7012 to apply for services.
• Inform your CM/EI or DDSN that you wish to apply for the Community Supports Waiver. They will work with you to gather the information needed to complete the application.
• You will receive a written response from DDSN regarding your Community Supports Waiver application.

The following services are available through the Community Supports Waiver: 

• Behavior Support Services
• In-Home Support
• Environmental Modification
• Private Vehicle Modification
• Respite Services
• Assistive Technology and Appliances
• Personal Emergency Response System
• Support Center Services
• Waiver Case Management
• Adult Day Health Care Services
• Adult Day Health Care-Nursing Services
• Day Activity
• Career Preparation
• Community Services
• Employment Services
• Incontinence Supplies
• Personal Care Services (I and II)

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is a state-federal program whose goal is to assist people with disabilities prepare for, secure, retain or regain employment.

What VR Programs are offered?

Vocational Rehabilitation’s primary goal is employment. Vocational Rehabilitation provides individualized vocational guidance and counseling as well as other services to assist people with disabilities to make informed choices concerning their careers so that they can become successfully employed

Mental Health

Vocational Rehabilitation works closely with the Department of Health and Welfare’s Mental Health Program to provide services to individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. Services are provided utilizing a team approach and are focused on assisting the mental health clientele to work in the community. Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams and Case Management Teams have been established around the state and VR has placed counselors with these teams to address employment issues.

Public Offenders

Vocational Rehabilitation is proactive in assisting inmates with disabilities to transition into the community by developing a program to concentrate on this clientele. Utilizing a team approach, counselors work collaboratively with the client, the Department of Probation and Parole and medical or psychological experts to re-introduce the individual to the workforce. The Division has gained a level of expertise that has resulted in a high success rate of individuals securing and maintaining employment, a savings in institutional costs and an overall net gain to the community.

Students with Disabilities

Vocational Rehabilitation works with students with disabilities who require assistance to transition from school to employment. Vocational Rehabilitation maintains relationships with schools throughout the state to serve students needing this assistance. Any student can apply directly for services without referral from the school. These individuals must meet the VR eligibility criteria.

Services for Individuals with Disabilities

The Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation’s program goal is to place Idahoans with disabilities into the workforce by securing and maintaining productive employment. IDVR can provide the services required to assist you to go to work and can assist you in locating suitable employment. Only services that you need to reach employment will be provided.

Services to individuals may include:

• Vocational guidance and counseling for adjustment to disability.
• Vocational exploration and planning for entry or re-entry into the workforce.
• Assessment to determine vocational strengths and weaknesses to plan for services required to reach the employment outcome.
• Training for those who need a career change because of disability. Such training can involve higher education, on the job training, vocational-technical training, etc.
• Tools and licenses can be provided, if needed, to enter a specific trade or profession.
• Medical assistance can be provided, if needed, to secure or maintain employment and is part of a comprehensive rehabilitation plan.
• Job development and placement involves you and your Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor working together to secure employment.
• Rehabilitation Technology can be provided to assist you in preparation for placement on the job site.
• Follow-along can be extremely important to ensure that your job is successful. Such follow-along can assist in resolving any job problems that may occur.

Services to Businesses & Professional Organizations

The Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation offers an array of services to assist you in employing individuals with disabilities so that you can maintain a qualified, productive and diverse work environment. VR is interested in assisting you to be as profitable as possible by providing cost-effective assistance when issues arise.

Some of the services available to organizations include:

• Accessibility Issues: VR can refer you to people who can assess the conditions which may create barriers to serving your clientele or employing your workforce. They can make recommendations for overcoming these barriers.
• Job Placement Resource: VR identifies community job opportunities and assists employees with disabilities to enter or re-enter the workforce.
• Qualified Job Applicant Referrals: VR provides training and counseling to thousands of individuals each year, preparing them for a myriad of jobs. VR counselors match the skills and abilities of potential employees to the specific requirements of your jobs. Qualified applicants are pre-screened to reduce your costs associated with recruitment and hiring.
• On the Job Training: VR can reimburse you for additional training time that may be needed at your place of employment to assist referred individuals with learning the specific tasks of a particular job.
• Job Coaching Services: Some employees need more individualized training than others. In these instances, VR can contract with job coaches to assist in getting your employees up to speed with specific job tasks.
• Consultation on Disability Issues: Vocational Rehabilitation professionals are available to meet with you and your staff to answer your questions concerning employing people with disabilities including:
  “How can I integrate people with disabilities into my organization?”
  “How do I work with a person who has a disability?”
  “What does it cost to hire a person with a disability?”

Cost of Services:

Because people are expected to contribute to the cost of their vocational rehabilitation program to the extent possible, you may be responsible for some costs of your rehabilitation plan. This will be based upon your individual financial need. However, no one is ever turned away because of inability to pay.

Idaho Home Choice (IHC) is a program to help people transition from an institution into home-and community-based living (e.g. home or apartment).

Available IHC Services

• Transition managers to help you relocate.
• Up to $2,000 to help pay for household furnishings, household goods and supplies, moving expenses, and utility or security deposits.
• Waiver benefits and services including home modifications.
• Medicaid State Plan benefits

Eligibility 

To participate in the Idaho Home Choice Program, the individual must:

• Have lived for at least sixty consecutive days in a nursing facility or intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities
• Be a resident of Idaho
• Be Medicaid eligible at the time of discharge
• Qualify for either the Aged and Disabled or Developmental Disability waivers
• Move to a “qualified residence”

Application: https://publicdocuments.dhw.idaho.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=9717&dbid=0&repo=PUBLIC-DOCUMENTS&cr=1

Founded in 1985, Idaho Parents Unlimited, Inc. (IPUL) is a statewide organization which houses the Idaho Parent Training and Information Center, the Family to Family Health Information Center, Idaho Family Voices and IPUL Arts. Idaho Parents Unlimited, Inc. envisions inclusive and accessible communities, services, education, and opportunities for children and youth with disabilities and/or unique and special healthcare needs. Idaho Parents Unlimited works with parents, family members, and caregivers of children and youth with disabilities and special health care needs and the professionals who are a part of their lives. While our office is in Boise, we work statewide using technology, and we frequently travel to all regions of the state throughout the year. We assist families who have children of any diagnosis from birth to age 26.

What we do:

• Provide individual assistance to families through calls, emails, and in-person meetings
• Provide options that you may have to resolve any individual issues
• Present monthly training workshops and webinars on a variety of topics
• Provide special request workshops at community events and/or conferences as well as for parent or professional groups
• Advocate for systems, programs, policies, and rules that have an impact on Idaho families
• Provide effective advocacy training and information for families and youth to best advocate for themselves.
• Provide Parent Leadership Development training annually to build on a growing list of parent mentors who can amplify our work across the state.
• Provide scholarships to parents to attend conferences or events related to your child’s disability.
• Provide arts education through our in-school/community center residencies and Work of Art Programs
• Listen and provide support

What we do NOT do:

• Advocate on behalf of an individual child or family
• Attend IEP meetings
• Tell you what you should do
• Provide legal assistance
• Endorse or promote specialty care providers, legal services, or schools/districts
• Provide general parenting training (ie: court ordered classes)
• Provide 24-hour crisis services (we are not a crisis agency)
• Provide routinely scheduled art classes

Independence First is Metro Milwaukee’s first resource for people with disabilities.

They offer more than 40 programs and workshops and services of all kinds, and for various age groups. Independence First provides programs on disability awareness, independent living skills, and recreation. They work with individuals and families for whatever someone needs to successfully live in the community, helping with resources from assistive technology to home modification to personal care or supportive home care services.

Independence First also provides programming, whether it’s art classes or cooking classes, peer support, and even adaptive video gaming. More than 50% of their staff, managers, and Board have disabilities themselves and this peer-approach leads to excellent outcomes.

Services include benefits counseling and Personal Care Support. They advocate for change and inclusivity, and help people who want to stay or move into an independent living situation in their own home instead of institutions.

Independence First is Metro Milwaukee’s first resource for people with disabilities.

They offer more than 40 programs and workshops and services of all kinds, and for various age groups. Independence First provides programs on disability awareness, independent living skills, and recreation. They work with individuals and families for whatever someone needs to successfully live in the community, helping with resources from assistive technology to home modification to personal care or supportive home care services.

Independence First also provides programming, whether it’s art classes or cooking classes, peer support, and even adaptive video gaming. More than 50% of their staff, managers, and Board have disabilities themselves and this peer-approach leads to excellent outcomes.

Services include benefits counseling and Personal Care Support. They advocate for change and inclusivity, and help people who want to stay or move into an independent living situation in their own home instead of institutions.

At Independence Place we have one goal—empowering people with disabilities to live life to the fullest. We are advocates, partners, and facilitators. We come alongside individuals of all ages and disabilities to teach skills that build toward self-directed achievement of independence and community inclusion. As a consumer-driven, community-based Center for Independent Living (CIL), our non-residential organization provides the following independent living services: information and referral systems and individual advocacy, peer support and mentoring, independent living skills training, and transition and diversion services. We believe equal opportunities and rights are for everyone.

The Older Blind Independent Living Program provides a variety of services including skills training, orientation and mobility, assistive devices and techniques for household organization in the home communities of Kansans who are age 55 or older and who experience blindness or visual impairments.

The mission of Woodward Resource Center (WRC) is to prepare and support individuals to live in the community of their choice. Discharge planning begins at admission. Individuals with intellectual disabilities and other related disabilities from throughout the state of Iowa are eligible. There are specific eligibility requirements for each type of service.

Services provided:

• Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability (ICF/ID) Residential Services
• Daily Supported Community Living (SCL)
• Community Outreach Services
• Consultations and Training
• Time-Limited Assessments
• Behavioral Health Services
• Physical Nutrition Management Team
• Autism Services

At Jewish Family & Career Services, we are guided by our Jewish values to ensure all in Greater Louisville live with dignity and purpose. Since 1908, we have served individuals and families of all faiths and backgrounds with a client-centered and compassionate approach.

We take our mission to expand possibilities for each person and every family to meet life’s challenges with confidence seriously at JFCS. Our dedicated professional staff provide services in the areas of Career Services, Counseling Services, Family Strengthening, Jewish Life, Klein Older Adult Services, and JFCS Navigate.

Family Stability Services

• Career Coaching & Counseling
• Emergency Assistance
• Financial Literacy & Coaching
• Individual, Couple & Family Counseling
• The Sonny & Janet Meyer Food Pantry
• Workshops

Klein Older Adults Services

• Care Coordination
• Counseling
• Family Caregiver Support
• Grandparents Raising Children
• Long-Term Care Planning
• PALS Transportation Service
• Senior Concierge Homecare
• Support Groups

Clinical Services 

• Individual, Couple, and Family Counseling
• Parent Coaching
• Personal Coaching
• Psychiatric Medication Assessment & Management
• Support Groups

Career & Economic Opportunity Services 

• Assessment & Exploration
• Counseling & Coaching
• Pre-Employment Transition Services
• Re-credentialing & Career Laddering
• Resource Coordination
• Vocational Evaluation
• Workshops
• Business Marketing Assistance
• Business Training & Consulting
• Education & Credit Building
• Microlending for Underserved Entrepreneurs

The Kansas School for the Deaf is a state-funded school serving deaf and hard-of-hearing students ages 3 to 21. The school provides early childhood (ages 3-4), elementary, secondary, and post-secondary (ages 18 – 21) education. Students have the option to live at home or in dorms, depending on the distance from their house, and are provided with a number of programs and activities. The school provides a number of other support services, including audiology, counseling, speech-language, physical and occupational therapies, and other nutritional and health services. More information on the admissions process can be found at this link.

Tennessee’s Katie Beckett program is for children under the age of 18 with disabilities or complex medical needs. This program is for children who are not Medicaid eligible because of their parent’s income or assets. This program has two parts, A and B, and will provide services and/or help pay for medical care that private insurance does not cover.

Katie Beckett Part A

• Part A helps children in Tennessee with the most significant disabilities or complex medical needs.
• A child must meet “institutional” level of care. That means they would qualify to receive care in a medical institution like a hospital or nursing home but want care at home.
• Children in Part A receive full Medicaid Benefits and also can get up to $15,000 in nonmedical services called home and community-based services.
• A child must have private insurance, and a premium may be required based on the family’s income.

Katie Beckett Part B

• Part B is for children in Tennessee who have disabilities and complex medical needs who do not qualify for care in a medical institution. They meet “at risk” level of care. Children who qualify for Part A can also receive Part B if there is no slot available in A.
• Children in Part B do not receive Medicaid. Families get up to $10,000 a year in services to care for their child.
• Families can spend the money in Part B in any or all of 5 different ways: a card to pay for medical expenses, paying for a child’s private insurance premium, getting paid back for certain services including non-traditional therapies, hiring your own staff to provide respite and supportive home care or having a community provider for services.

The application will start with a self-referral online at TennCare Connect. To begin a self-referral, you must create a TennCare Connect account. You can find the TennCare Connect site and instructions on how to create an account here: https://tenncareconnect.tn.gov/services/homepage

West Tennessee Regional Office: (866) 372-5709
Middle Tennessee Regional Office: (800) 654-4839
East Tennessee Regional Office: (888) 531-9876

Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency (KIPDA) provides regional planning, review and technical services in the areas of public administration, social services and transportation as well as community ridesharing programs. KIPDA also coordinates services for persons 60 years of age and over. KIPDA is designated by the Kentucky State Clearinghouse as the regional review agency for virtually all applications for federal and/or state funds made by organizations or governments within the state of Kentucky.

Social Services

KIPDA Social Service’s overarching goal is to support community members to remain and thrive within their communities. With this goal, KIPDA partners with community providers to implement programs to support members in their homes. These services include; Senior Nutrition (Meals on Wheels), Caregiver Services, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Senior Centers, Health Promotion activities, In-home services, State Health Insurance Assistance, and Medicaid Services. In addition, KIPDA provides community planning services as they relate to aging in place.

Community and Economic Development

KIPDA maintains a Community and Economic Development (CED) Division that provides technical assistance to governmental members of the seven Kentucky Counties.

Transportation 

KIPDA serves as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Louisville/Jefferson County KY-IN urbanized area and is also responsible for the Regional Transportation Council (RTC). The MPO consists of Jefferson, Bullitt, and Oldham counties in Kentucky, and Clark and Floyd Counties in Indiana. Our Regional Transportation Council consists of Shelby, Spencer, Henry, and Trimble counties in Kentucky.

The Kentucky Assistive Technology Loan Corporation (KATLC) offers low interest loans for qualified applicants with disabilities who need assistive technology.

Working with its lending partner, KATLC can provide loans for modified vehicles, hearing aids, adapted computers, mobility devices, augmentative communication devices or any other type of equipment or home modification that will improve the quality of life or increase the independence of Kentuckians with disabilities. The above list is not a comprehensive list of assistive technology devices considered by KATLC. If you have questions about a specific device please contact the program.​

Established by state statute in 1996, KATLC is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors, four of whom must have disabilities, that review all applications. KATLC made its first loan in the summer of 2000 and now has provided more than $10 million in loans to Kentuckians with disabilities to enable them to obtain the assistive technology they need, making it one of the most active assistive technology alternative financing programs in the nation.

The Kentucky Guardianship Association (KGA) is a non-profit membership organization with the goal of improving adult guardianship in Kentucky. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in adult guardianship. We seek to improve guardianship by developing training for persons appointed to serve as guardian of an adult with a disability, training for persons seeking to be appointed as guardian, attorneys representing alleged incapacitated persons, and professionals including social workers, psychologists, and medical personnel, appointed to interdisciplinary evaluation teams for the purpose of evaluating the capacity of adults responding to a petition for appointment of a guardian or conservator.

The KGA was founded on the principle of improving the practice of adult guardianship in Kentucky by promoting practices that protect the Constitutional rights and autonomy of persons with disabilities.

We hold regular meetings and trainings in Kentucky about topics related to guardianship.

Kentucky Protection and Advocacy is the designated protection and advocacy system in Kentucky. Kentucky Protection and Advocacy is an independent state agency that protects and promotes the rights of Kentuckians with disabilities through information and referral, technical assistance, education and training, and legal advocacy.

Who can call Kentucky Protection and Advocacy?

Anyone can call Kentucky Protection and Advocacy. You do not have to be receiving disability benefits or be a U.S. citizen to receive assistance.

What happens when I call Kentucky Protection and Advocacy?

You will be contact by an advocate or attorney who will contact you within three (3) business days from the time you contacted our office. After hearing about your situation, the advocate or attorney will either 1) advise you on how to solve the problem you’re calling about, or  2) refer you to a person or agency who can further assist you, or 3) refer your situation onto a Kentucky Protection and Advocacy attorney supervisor to decide if Kentucky Protection and Advocacy and represent you.

When should I call Kentucky Protection and Advocacy?

You should call Kentucky Protection and Advocacy when you:

• Feel like you are not being treated fairly because of your disability
• Have trouble accessing goods/services needed to help with your disability
• Have trouble with Special Education in public schools
• Feel like you are not being treated fairly in a psychiatric hospital
• Want to know what your protected rights are in certain situations
• Want to know how to be an advocate for yourself
• Have received denial for a requested accommodation
• Want to know how to protect your rights
• Want to know more about voting and polling place accessibility
• Want information on employment and keeping Social Security benefits
• Have issues regarding Medicaid Waivers
• Have questions about guardianship of adults with disabilities
• Have questions about services that may be available to you
• Have questions about a situation and don’t know where else to turn

Kentucky Protection and Advocacy is not able to assist with the following issues or areas: 

• Non-disability civil rights cases
• Divorce
• Child custody
• Getting certain benefits: Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits
• Criminal cases (we can provide technical assistance to you and your attorney, though)

The Bluegrass Area Agency on Aging and Independent Living (BGAAAIL) promotes and provides for the development of community based systems of care which include: planning, access and delivery of services, coordination of activities and programs, and advocacy on behalf of and education for older persons, disabled individuals and caregivers in the communities of the Bluegrass region. Our vision is to maintain or improve quality of life and enable older persons, disabled individuals and caregivers to thrive in their chosen environment with mutual respect, dignity, and self-determination.

The BGAAAIL supports programs and services to individuals in Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Estill, Fayette, Franklin, Garrard, Harrison, Jessamine, Lincoln, Madison, Mercer, Nicholas, Powell, Scott, and Woodford Counties.

Programs 

• Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC)
• Caregiver Support Programs
• Health Promotion Program
• Medicaid Waiver Programs
• Homecare Program
• Nursing Home Ombudsman
• Senior Centers
• The Kentucky State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)

Kentucky Transitions helps people move out of nursing facilities or institutions and into their own homes. The Department for Medicaid Services developed the program in 2008 with a Money Follows the Person demonstration grant from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Kentucky Transitions has helped more than 750 people leave institutional care.

Who Can Benefit?

• Are elderly, physically disabled, have a mental illness or an acquired brain injury.
• Currently reside in a nursing facility and have been there at least 60 days. There are some exclusions. A transition coordinator can discuss the exclusions with you.
• Have the ability to live in the community with support and services.
• Meet existing Medicaid eligibility requirements and are receiving Medicaid-paid services at least one day prior to being referred to Kentucky Transitions.

How It Works 

A Kentucky Transitions transition coordinator will help you make a plan to move into your own home. This includes figuring out your medical, personal care, and social needs and how best to meet them. Kentucky Transitions works with state and community agencies around the commonwealth to identify resources for you. You also are eligible to receive services through Kentucky Medicaid Home and Community Based waiver or Acquired Brain Injury Long-Term Care waiver once you are living on your own. Kentucky Transitions can help you find safe, decent, affordable housing.

Getting Started 

If you are interested in moving out of a nursing facility or institution, email Kentucky Transitions ([email protected]) or call (502) 564-0330 or toll-free (877) 564-0330.

Since 1958, Kids Center for Pediatric Therapies is a non-profit outpatient pediatric therapy center with two locations in Louisville, KY. We provide a variety of therapies to children with developmental disabilities or delays, regardless of a family’s financial situation.

Kids Center provides specialized pediatric therapy services in a child, and family-friendly, outpatient center. We take a holistic approach, using multidisciplinary collaboration for the best overall outcome and ability of our patients. Our overarching goal is to improve participation in home and community to achieve maximum quality of life. All of our therapists have experience in pediatrics and pursue continuing education to improve knowledge and stay up-to-date with new interventions and technology. Each child is evaluated to determine their specific strengths and challenges and to develop a plan of care to best help them reach their maximum potential.

Services: 

• Physical therapy
• Speech language therapy
• Behavioral health therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Feeding and nutrition therapy
• Intensives therapy
• Specialized clinics

Latham Centers was founded in 1970 to provide residential care, education, and treatment for children ages 8–22. We serve intellectually disabled girls and boys with special needs as well as children and adults with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) whether you live nearby in Massachusetts, in New York, or elsewhere. The programs at Latham Centers provide PWS education and personalized care that can make all the difference for your loved one.

Residential Living 

Students live on our Brewster campus or near campus. Residential staff provides 24-hour care and supervision in a therapeutic and structured environment. Students build confidence and have many opportunities for increased independence as they learn the skills that will help them live as active participants in their communities.

Individual Care & Adaptable Programs 

Our multidisciplinary professional team develops a comprehensive Individual Educational Program (IEP) for each student. These plans are based on a thorough review of the student’s medical, social, and family history, and on assessments of the student’s medical, psychological, educational, and vocational needs. Plans are updated quarterly based on the student’s progress and changing needs.

Educational and Vocational Programs 

Our students learn in small classes, with one-on-one tutoring and counseling. Our program and facilities are geared towards helping students develop job skills, learn to work and live together, explore the world, and love all kinds of learning. Our vocational specialists act as job coaches as they help students learn job skills and find employment.

Medical and Social Services 

Our extensive team includes doctors, nurses, clinical psychologists, social workers, physical therapists, special education teachers, and residential and vocational counselors. Our integrated services include individual and group counseling, family casework, art, and recreation therapy.

The Children’s Program 

Latham Centers’ Children’s Program offers educational, vocational, residential, social, clinical, and therapeutic resources. With a low student-to-staff ratio, our separate academic and residential faculty includes licensed teachers and speech, physical, and occupational therapists. Students are able to learn and grow in a multi-sensory environment with technology utilized throughout the school and residential programs. Our instructional methods and therapeutic approaches are researched and validated with social skills and pragmatics integrated into all aspects of the programs. Our master’s level clinicians serve as liaisons from home to school residences.

We organize a wide range of after school and weekend activities so that students have real-life opportunities for the generalization of skills both on- and off-campus. These include sports and vocational opportunities. With comprehensive health care services, Latham Centers is a safe, supportive, structured environment in which to learn and grow.

Latham Centers is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We are approved as a private Chapter 766 special needs school by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, and we are licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services and the Department of Early Education and Care, and nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation.

When in-state options are not available, Latham Centers has been approved to admit students from: 

• California
• Illinois
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• New Jersey
• New York
• Washington, D.C.

We continue to accept students from states that do not have a formal approval process. Recent students have hailed from Alaska, Ohio, and Virginia.

The Developmental Disabilities Administration’s Low Intensity Support Services (LISS) Program serves children living at home with their family and adults with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities living in their own home in the community who are not receiving any support services from the DDA. The LISS program’s goal is to ensure that children and adults with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities live happy, healthy, independent lives while being integrated into their communities across their lifespan.  Below are just a few highlights:

• It is flexible to meet the needs of children as they grow and adults as they mature across their lifespan.  And;
• Provides up to $2000 to assist eligible children and adults with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities with purchasing eligible services and/or items to address their needs. And;
• Enhances or improves the quality of life, for eligible children and adults with developmental and /or intellectual disabilities as well as promotes independence and community integration.

The LISS Program’s Random Selection Application is now electronic and can be accessed in two locations on the DDA’s website.

LISS Program Providers

Maryland Community Connection
Attn: LISS Unit
4401 Nicole Drive, Lanham, Maryland 20706
Phone: 301-583-8880/Toll free: 877-622-6688
Website: https://bit.ly/LISSMCC
Counties served: Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester

Penn-Mar Human Services
Attn: LISS Unit
310 Old Freeland Road, Freeland, Maryland 21053
Phone: Toll free: 877-282-8202/TTY: 711/Fax: 410-357-4767
Website: http://www.penn-mar.org/liss
Counties served: Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard and Washington

Founded more than 130 years ago, Lunalilo Home’s vision is to be a nurturing and vibrant kauhale for all kūpuna. In fulfillment of the trust of King William Charles Lunalilo, the sixth reigning monarch of Hawai’i, our mission is to perpetuate the legacy of King William Charles Lunalilo to honor, tend to, and protect the well-being of elders. We strive to provide loving and compassionate services for kūpuna that preserve dignity and independence in a comfortable, secure and supportive environment. Services include residential care, respite care, adult day care, and meals-to-go.

Lunalilo Home admits persons of Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian ancestry, while maintaining its commitment to subsidize Native Hawaiians who are unable to pay for their residence at its adult Residential Care home, to the extent allowed by available funds or financing.

Lunalilo Home is a private organization that is not funded by any state or federal programs. We do not directly bill Medicare or Medicaid for any of the services we provide; however, our residents may utilize Medicare and Medicaid as well as other health insurance for their medical needs.

The Michelle P. Waiver (MPW) is part of Kentucky’s 1915(c) HCBS Medicaid waiver program. MPW provides assistance to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities to help them live in the community as independently as possible.

MPW offers a variety of services to support each participant’s goals and preferences. Services include but are not limited to:

• Behavioral Supports
• Day Training
• Environmental and Minor Home Adaptation
• Personal Care
• Respite

Eligibility

You may qualify for MPW services if you:

• Have an intellectual or developmental disability.
• Would be admitted to an intermediate care facility for individuals with an intellectual disability (ICF-IID) or a nursing facility if you did not have waiver services.
• Require a protected environment while learning living skills, gaining educational experiences, and developing an awareness of your environment.
• Meet the financial qualifications for Medicaid. There are special financial qualifications applied to the MPW program. Read the Medicaid Waiver Services Fact Sheet for details.

Apply

If you are interested in applying for MPW services, you must first obtain financial eligibility for Medicaid. You can apply for Medicaid online using Kynect, by calling the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) at (855) 306-8959 or in-person at a DCBS office. There are some documents that are helpful to have when applying. The Medicaid Waiver Services Fact Sheet lists those documents.

Once you are ready to apply for MPW services​​​​​, you can complete your application online using Kynect or in-person at an Aging and Disability Resource Center or a Community Mental Health Center.

Currently, there is a waiting list for MPW services and supports. Placement on the waiting list is determined by the date your completed application is received.

For most children, communication development and learning occur through vision and hearing. Because deaf-blindness limits access to auditory and visual information, children who are deaf-blind require educational services individualized to their own learning styles and abilities. Most also have one or more additional disabilities or medical conditions, further intensifying educational support needs.

In recognition of the complexity of the disability, the U.S. Congress has authorized programs for children who are deaf-blind as part of education legislation since the late 1960s. The National Center on Deaf-Blindness (NCDB) and state deaf-blind projects are the most current programs—funded under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

NCDB and the state deaf-blind projects exist to help increase the knowledge and skills of educators and families who work with children who are deaf-blind and create sustainable services through systems change.

Most of NCDB’s services are aligned with four national initiatives designed to address key needs of children with deaf-blindness, their families, and service providers.

Technical Assistance

NCDB’s technical assistance (TA) refers to a variety of activities, such as information, training, consultation, and coaching designed to support state deaf-blind projects as they work with practitioners, agencies, and families to address the intense educational needs of children who are deaf-blind.

Information Services 

Our information services involve both information dissemination and product development to serve two key purposes:

1. Resources and tools that support state deaf-blind project activities
2. Information about deaf-blindness and high-quality instructional practices for families and practitioners

These are made available via this website and through library services provided in collaboration with Perkins School for the Blind.

National Child Count 

NCDB compiles data about children with deaf-blindness collected by state deaf-blind projects and publishes an annual report. The report provides valuable information to inform the design and delivery of TA, research needs, and personnel training.

Anyone may request crisis or emergency services in North Carolina for mental health, substance abuse, intellectual and developmental disabilities issues.

• If you have a medical or a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
• If you need to contact the police, request a Crisis Intervention Team officer.
• If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis call or text 988 or chat at www.988lifeline.org.

The North Carolina Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Help Line is a free information and referral  source for caregivers of and professionals who work with children and youth who have or are at risk for chronic physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional conditions, needing health services beyond the care that a child typically needs.

We offer support on a range of topics such as:

• Services available under government and community programs;
• Resources to help pay for medications, equipment/supplies, adaptive devices, utilities or food;
• Available health care and dental providers;
• Information on how to find services when relocating to and within North Carolina;
• Health care transitions, guardianship and alternatives to guardianship.

The Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing works to ensure that all Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind North Carolinians have the ability to communicate their needs and to receive information easily and effectively in all aspects of their lives, especially their health and well-being.

Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Assistance:

• Assistive Technology for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Communication Access in Real-time Translation (CART) Captioning
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services
• Deaf-Blind Services
• Domestic Violence Support and Resources
• Emergency Preparedness and Public Safety for the Def and the Hard of Hearing
• Medicaid Communication Access Service
• Regional Centers for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing
• Relay Service Operators
• Sign Language Interpreters
• Technical Assistance for Agencies and Businesses
• Telecommunications Access for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Telehealth Resources

Services are offered through the DHHS Regional Centers. Click on this link for specific locations and contact information:  https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/services-deaf-and-hard-hearing/regional-centers-deaf-and-hard-hearing

NAC’s mission is to provide innovative high quality services in support of birth, foster, and adoptive families caring primarily for medically complex children. NAC’s mission includes children with severe physical, emotional, and behavioral challenges and developmental disabilities.

NAC’s services enable children to remain in or to be returned to their families whenever possible or to be adopted by loving families. Working primarily with children whose birth families live in poverty, NAC’s continuum of services ensures that children’s physical, social, educational, recreational, medical, and mental healthcare needs are met. By supporting families NAC prevents lengthy stays in foster care, hospitals, or other institutions. NAC builds on family strengths, provides opportunities, and assists all family members in reaching for and achieving their potential.

Services 

1. Family Support
2. Medical and Mental Health
3. Foster Care & Adoption
4. Education & Youth Development

New Jersey Relay and CapTel are no-cost services to enable people who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, or have a Speech Disability to make and receive phone calls.

Services 

• Relay services
• Captioned telephone
• Relay conference captioning
• Speech disabled services

New Vista serves children and adults in 17 Central Kentucky counties with services in mental health, substance use, intellectual and developmental disabilities and primary care. Individuals and families receive services at the most convenient location for them. New Vista has four anchor centers that provide a full range of services in Boyle, Fayette, Madison and Scott counties. The anchor centers are surrounded by satellite offices in neighboring counties.

North Carolina Families United is the Statewide Family Network and the State Chapter of the National Federation of Families. NC Families United is a family support and advocacy organization for children and youth with mental health and/or intellectual and developmental diagnoses.

What We Do 

Helping the Community 

• Link families to State and community partners for the purpose of improving the lives of children, youth, and families with emotional, behavioral, or mental health needs.

Reinforcing our Commitment

• Focus active attention on the unique strengths and needs of these children and their families by educating and advising policymakers, service providers, other advocacy organizations.

One Step at a Time 

• Actively promote policies and procedures that serve the best interests of these children, youth, and their families through work with State and local officials. Actively promote, model, and adhere to the values and principles of System of Care.

The North Carolina Early Intervention Section (NCEI) is a part of the N.C. Division of Child and Family Well-Being. It is the lead agency for the N.C. Infant-Toddler Program (ITP). The Infant-Toddler Program provides supports and services for families and their children, birth to three who have special needs. Research shows that this time period is critical. It offers a window of opportunity to make a positive difference in how a child develops and learns. Sixteen Children’s Developmental Services Agencies (CDSAs) across North Carolina work with local service providers to help families help their children succeed.

We offer: 

• Service coordination
• Physical, occupational, and speech-language therapies
• Family support
• Special instruction
• Assistive technology
• Other services

We serve:

Children aged zero to three with certain levels of developmental delay or established conditions, and their families, are eligible for the ITP. No family is denied services because of the inability to pay.

The Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Program will collaborate with national, state and community-based partners to link children to appropriate services, close service gaps, reduce duplication and develop policies to better serve families.

The Northeast Regional Center serves the counties of Brown, Calumet, Door, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano, Sheboygan, Waupaca, Waushara and Winnebago.

We provide families with:

• Condition specific information.
• Up-to-date information and resources in the community, state and nation.
• Problem-solving strategies.
• Health benefits/insurance assistance.
• Finding doctors and dental care.
• Tips on communicating with schools.
• Transition planning resources and consultation.
• Parent-to-parent support and more.

The Northern Regional Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) is a resource for families with children (0-22) who have any type of disability or need help finding a diagnosis.

We also offer parent support with loans from our resource library, scholarships to training and conferences, peer support from staff with lived experiences, and referrals to our statewide Parent-to-Parent support network. The Northern Regional Center office is located in Wausau, Wisconsin and supports 15 counties and 6 tribes. Staff are available to help problem-solve, provide information or make referrals to community, state, and national resources. We regularly travel in the area so can drop off resources, meet for coffee, or host a training in your home community.

Educational support can be found at this link: https://northernregionalcenter.org/information-resources/your-childs-education/

Medical Providers/Physicians can make direct referrals using this form available in English and Spanish: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/forms/f0/f01238.pdf

The Ocean State Center for Independent Living is a non-residential, consumer-driven, community-based, cross-disability, non-profit organization. OSCIL was established in 1988 to provide a range of independent living services to enhance, through self-direction, the quality of life for persons with disability and to promote integration into the community. OSCIL is governed by an active Board of Directors comprised largely of persons having disabilities, who play a major role in setting policy and programming.

Our core services include advocacy, peer support, independent living skills training, information & referral, and transition services.

Main Office: 1944 Warwick Avenue, Warwick, RI 02889

Oscil North: 175 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860

Post Road: 1800 Post Road, Warwick, RI 02886

​​​​​​​​​​​​The Office for Children with Special Health Care Needs (OCSHCN) provides comprehensive care to children and youth with special health care needs who:

• are KY residents
• are younger than 21
• meet medical eligibility
• meet financial eligibility

Services 

The OCSHCN can provide the following services for children with special health care needs through on-site clinics, satellite clinics, or financial assistance:

• Medical services
• Therapy services
• Financial assistance for treatment regarding asthma, cystic fibrosis, rheumatology, or spina bifida
• Hearing loss services
•  Support services regarding transportation, foreign language interpretation, or transitioning services

OCSHCN does not cover primary medical care. All services must be authorized in advance by your care coordinator.

Early Intervention (EI) is a statewide system that provides coordinated early intervention services to parents of eligible children under the age of three with developmental delays or disabilities. EI is grounded in the philosophy that young children learn best from familiar people in familiar settings. Every family served in EI will have a local EI team that consists of a service coordinator, service providers, and your family. Your team works with you in your home or other places you and your family spend time to develop a coordinated plan called an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). You and your team will work through your IFSP plan to use your existing supports and resources—and build upon them—to learn to enhance your child’s learning and development.

All children are unique and develop at their own pace, but there are general milestones that are helpful to understanding your child’s development.

Click here to access free developmental and monitoring screening tools

Ohio EI is a part of the Help Me Grow program, which provides home visits for prevention and education as well as early intervention services for children that qualify. Making a referral to Help Me Grow is the first and easy step for parents who have questions or concerns about their infant or child. One referral to Help Me Grow opens the door to many programs that support families including Early Intervention, Home Visiting, Moms and Babies First, and the WIC Program.

Click Here to Make a Referral to Help Me Grow

The Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) expands opportunities for employment, independent life and economic self-sufficiency by helping Oklahomans with disabilities bridge barriers to success in the workplace, school and at home.

DRS is comprised of five program divisions; Vocational Rehabilitation, Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Disability Determination, Oklahoma School for the Blind and Oklahoma School for the Deaf. These divisions operate dozens of programs that help Oklahomans lead more independent and productive lives.

• Vocational Rehabilitation : Employment services for people with any disability, except blindness.
• Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Employment and independent living services for people who are blind, visually impaired.
• Disability Determination Services: Determines medical eligibility for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
• Oklahoma School for the Deaf: Educational programs for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Oklahoma School for the Blind: Educational programs for children who are blind or visually impaired.

The Oklahoma Parents Center (OPC) specializes in special education support for people with disabilities from birth to age 26 and their families. We have been providing services to Oklahoma parents and family members of children with disabilities, young adults with disabilities, and the professionals who serve them since 2000!

Navigating through the special education process can be overwhelming and complex.  You don’t have to go it alone!  The OPC staff is here to equip you with the tools you need to understand the system, work with service providers and schools, and advocate for your student or yourself.

Our goal is to give you the knowledge, skills, support, and tools you need to be the best advocate you can be!  In order to accomplish this, the OPC offers services in three (3) key areas:

1. Individualized Assistance
2. Trainings
3. Information and Resources

Our mission is to provide dynamic programs and services to individuals who have intellectual disabilities and their families, so they may achieve their goals and become fully participating members of our community.

Our Programs: 

• Life Skills
• Employment
• Culinary Training
• Recreation Performing and Fine Arts
• Recreation Health and Fitness
• Recreation Socialization and Respite Activities
• Family Support

Since 1963, the PA Elks Home Service Program has been helping to improve the quality of life for thousands of children and adults through Pennsylvania. We provide support and advocacy services to individuals of any age who have developmental disability.

Services are provided: 

• By a nurse and/or service coordinator
• Without discrimination
• To Pennsylvania residents
• At no charge
• In the person’s home environment

Some ways the Elks Home Service Program can help: 

• Provide in-home service coordination services
• Advocate for an individual’s legal and human rights
• Provide information regarding resources and services available
• Assess needs and help to access equipment
• Advocate for appropriate educational services
• Assist with finding activities within the community
• Offer instruction regarding home care
• Provide emotional support
• Help with vocational goals
• Assist with residential options
• Provide referrals to appropriate agencies in the community
• Interpret clinical findings and act as a liaison between healthcare providers

Who is Eligible

An individual of any age who has a developmental disability. This is a disability that is manifested before the person reaches 22 years of age. It may result in physical or mental delays or in a combination of both. Services can continue through a person’s lifetime if needed.

Making a Referral

Referrals can be made by health care professionals, school personnel, community agencies, family members or friends. Permission must first be obtained from the individual or family.

PACT: Helping Children with Special Needs began as a demonstration project at the University of Maryland Hospital, Department of Pediatrics in 1978. Funded by Maryland Children’s Medical Services, it was one of Maryland’s first early intervention programs for infants and toddlers who were are high risk for or who had identified developmental delays.

At PACT, we strongly believe that parents, families and caregivers should play an integral role in their children’s treatment and care. We are committed to working closely with you and other caregivers to provide you with information and training on how you can best foster your child’s developmental progress. We are also aware that many parents are struggling with the multiple challenges of raising children with special needs while, at the same time, meeting the needs of other family members. All of our programs offer counseling, information and assistance in obtaining services for you and your child and assistance in helping your child transition to other programs when they leave PACT.

PACT Programs 

• World of Care: specialized child care center designed to meet the individual needs of children who have medical conditions requiring daily nursing care and children with developmental disabilities who require multiple therapies (physical, occupational, or speech/language).
• Pre-K Classroom: as a part of World of Care, PACT offers a free Pre-K program for children ages 4 and 5 with special healthcare needs and living in Central Maryland.
• Therapeutic Nursery: specialized child care services and Early Head Start program for children under the age of three and their families who are currently living in homeless shelters. The program focuses on mental health interventions to promote parent child attachment and enhance stability in the family.

The PEAL Center is an organization of parents/family members of children with disabilities and special health care needs and persons with disabilities who educate and guide:

• Families of children and youth, ages birth to 26, who have disabilities and/or special health care needs.
• Professionals and others who work with children and youth who have disabilities and/or special health car needs.
• Youth and young adults up to age 26 who have disabilities and/or special health care needs.

The mission of the PEAL Center is to educate and empower families to ensure that children, youth, and young adults with disabilities and special health care needs lead rich, active lives as full members of their schools and communities. The PEAL Center serves families across Pennsylvania with offices in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

Our mission is to empower families as advocates and partners in improving education and health outcomes for children with disabilities and special healthcare needs with a commitment to diversity and equity.

One-on-One Support

PPMD offers families individualized support from someone who knows what it means to have a child with a disability or a special healthcare need. Our team has firsthand knowledge of the special education and healthcare process.  Please contact us with questions to receive support as it relates to your specific family needs.

Training

PPMD offers a variety of interactive trainings for parents and professionals. The trainings provide a combination of information and resources through the use of hands-on activities. PPMD facilitates training opportunities that allow parents and professionals to connect with others with similar experiences.

Referrals

PPMD is here to help. If you are unable to locate resources or information on our website, please contact us for further assistance or a referral to the receive support specific to the needs of your child.

Information

PPMD offers information and resources to support families of children with disabilities and special healthcare needs. Please contact us for information specific to your child needs.

Our mission is to connect and empower families, children, and youth living with disabilities or special healthcare needs through support, education, and advocacy.

PATH Offers many programs and services to families of children with special needs: 

• One-to-one, personal support, and information by phone with our health information specialists and parent support staff.
• Support and information to moms-to-be on bed-rest, parents of premature babies, and parents of babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
• Support, outreach, and resources to families in need of genetic information.
• Support and information on specific disabilities, including but not limited to Autism, Down syndrome, Cystic Fibrosis, Sickle Cell, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, ADHD, and learning disabilities, to help families better understand their child’s healthcare and overall needs.
• Help understanding how to navigate the healthcare system, including applying for insurance and finding medical specialists/providers in your area.
• Information and assistance applying for programs and services that may be available to children with special needs and their families in the state of Connecticut, including Birth to 3, DDS, SSI, Section 8 housing.
• Help learning how to advocate for your child with special needs, both in a medical and educational settings.
• Help understanding your child’s educational evaluations and Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and 504 plans.
• Trainings and webinars to help parents become their child’s best advocate.
• Trainings for both parents and professionals on cultural and linguistic competency.
• Educational support and advocacy. PATH is often able to assist families with educational support in the school setting, attending PPT/IEP and 504 meetings. Our goal is to help parents become better advocates for their children. We ask that parents who use this educational advocacy support participate in at least two parenting trainings with our organization. In the event that we are unable to provide educational advocacy services, parents will be provided with a list of special education attorneys in the state of Connecticut.

Penfield Children’s Center creates a positive start in life for infants and children, many of whom have developmental delays or disabilities, by providing early education, health services, and family Our professional and caring staff include speech pathologists, physical and occupational therapists, special education teachers, nurses and certified nursing assistants, social workers, and early education and child care professionals.

The Pennsylvania Client Assistance Program (CAP) is the federally designated statewide advocate for individuals with disabilities seeking services from the office of vocational rehabilitation, community rehabilitation programs, centers for independent living and other programs of projects funded under Title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

If you have a question or concern about OVR services, CAP can help. CAP is a federally mandated program that provides assistance and advocacy to applicants for and recipients of OVR services. CAP is not part of OVR and its services are provided at no cost to the client.

The Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, or OVR, provides vocational rehabilitation services to help persons with disabilities prepare for, obtain or maintain employment. OVR provides services to eligible individuals with disabilities, both directly and through a network of approved vendors. Services are provided on an individualized basis. The OVR counselor, during face-to-face interviews, assists customers in selecting their choice of vocational goals, services, and service providers.

Types of Vocational Rehabilitation Services 

OVR provides a wide range of services to eligible applicants. Some services can help you overcome or lessen your disability; others can directly help you prepare for a career. The services you receive will be arranged to meet your individual needs. Not everyone will need every service. OVR services include:

• Diagnostic Services
• Vocational Evaluation
• Counseling
• Training
• Restoration Services
• Placement Assistance
• Assistive Technology
• Support Services

A nonprofit, cross-disability, consumer-controlled organization, the mission of the Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council is to use our collective power and legal mandate to develop and secure public policies that ensure civil rights and expand options for all people with disabilities in all aspects of life.

The PA SILC works to promote the philosophy of Independent Living and to monitor, review, evaluate, and maintain a State Plan for Independent Living.

Centers for Independent Living are community-based, cross-disability, non-profit organizations that are designed and operated by people with disabilities. CILs are unique in that they operate according to a strict philosophy of consumer control, wherein people with all types of disabilities directly govern and staff the organization.

Centers for Independent Living were created to be run by and for people with disabilities, and offer support, advocacy, and information on empowerment in the attainment of independence from a peer viewpoint, a perspective that was hitherto excluded from participation in the discussion and execution of ‘services for the disabled.

There are 17 CILs in Pennsylvania and the PA SILC works to promote and strength these Centers.

Find a CIL by County: https://pasilc.org/independent-living/find-a-cil-by-county/

Pervasive Parenting Center is a not-for-profit organization made up of families, local educators, community leaders, and health-care professionals. We strive to provide a better life for the families in eastern Oklahoma who are coping with disabilities because we work and live with those same issues every day.

Our mission is to provide assistance to families in eastern Oklahoma affected by autism and other disabilities. 100% of the proceeds from donations go to help bring resources to families in the eastern Oklahoma area coping with disabilities. We have used the funds to help bring conferences, trainings, and other events to LeFlore, Sequoyah, and Haskell counties.

In rural eastern Oklahoma the resources for families coping with disabilities are limited. This tends to leave parents unaware of what is available. The Pervasive Parenting Center helps provide families with a place to find answers to questions about what is available to them. We also assist in applying for and receiving those resources. This is achieved through networking with existing state and federal programs.

We help offer local schools, organizations, communities, and businesses training to help provide people with disabilities a better life. By providing workshops and continuing education courses we can help inform people in rural areas about subjects ranging from inclusion in the classroom, people first language, emergency personnel training, sexuality, and assistive technology.

We also work with families in schools to help them understand their rights, and advocate to make sure they are receiving the services they need. This includes advocating in Individual Education Program (IEP) Meetings.

Pilot Parents of Southern Arizona is committed to providing encouragement and support to families who have children with special needs so that their children can reach their maximum potential within the family and society. All of our programs and services are offered free of charge without regard of the child’s disabilities, age, family income, qualifying conditions or other eligibility factors.

Available services include:

• Advocacy Training (Partners in Leadership)- a leadership training program for parents of children with disabilities and for young adults with disabilities who want to further themselves as self-advocates.
• Sibshop is a workshop providing information to siblings of children with special needs based on a national model developed by Don Meyer.

Walk-in Clinics:

Marshalltown Medical Clinic

412 E Church Street
Marshalltown, IA 50158
(641) 753-4021

Project CARAT (Coordinating & Assisting the Reuse of Assistive Technology) enables underserved individuals with disabilities throughout Kentucky by collecting, refurbishing and redistributing assistive technology (AT) and durable medical equipment (DME) through a collaborative network of partners.

Our inventory of equipment changes daily. If we do not have items you need, please check back often. Things we always need include shower benches, bedside commodes, manual wheelchairs, etc. If you have any of these items to donate contact us today! To search for items we currently have available, visit the KY AT Locator website or contact the CARAT site nearest you.

Link to request equipment: https://www.katsnet.org/request-items/

Protect TX Fragile Kids (PTFK) is a grass-roots, non-profit organization (501(c)(4)) founded and run by parents of medically fragile Texas children.  Our stated mission is:

(a) To give a voice to Texas’ most fragile citizens; (b) To inform, educate, and support families of children with disabilities; (c) To fight for what is right for children with special medical needs and disabilities; (d) To champion public policy which supports and protects the well-being of children with disabilities and complex medical needs; (e) To monitor existing and proposed legislation impacting children with disabilities; (f) To empower families with children who have disabilities and complex medical needs to connect with elected officials in order to promote understanding of this life.

We are dedicated to advocating, educating, and informing families and elected officials alike about what it is like to provide a hospital-level of care in the home, and live with a child who has significant medical needs and requires constant care and medical intervention to stay alive. Above all, we are dedicated to advocating on behalf of the best interests of vulnerable, sick little Texans, who have no voice and desperately need someone to speak on their behalf and defend their interests. If the State of Texas is truly committed to a culture of life, then appropriate care for our state’s sickest kids must be a priority. Morally, financially and politically,  it is in the best interests of the state of Texas to protect their most fragile little citizens.

Raising Special Kids exists to improve the lives of children with the full range of disabilities, from birth to age 26, by providing support, training, information and individual assistance so families can become effective advocates for their children.

Raising Special Kids began in 1979 as a grass-roots effort of families, professionals, and community leaders determined to provide support and information for parents of children with disabilities and special health care needs. Today, Raising Special Kids serves as Arizona’s Family-to-Family Health Information Center, and as Arizona’s Parent Training and Information Center. Helping parents access information about health care, community resources, and support services so they can make informed decisions regarding their children’s care has been our mission from the beginning. We support thousands of Arizona families each year through our programs and services.

Supports for Community Living (SCL) is a home and community based wavier under the Kentucky Medicaid program and was developed for Kentucky residents as an alternative to institutional care for an individual with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. REACH of Louisville provides host homes, day training, and related support services. Services include residential support (adult foster care/family home provider), REACH Adult Training Program (RAP) and Respite Services. SCL is a home and community based waiver under the Kentucky Medicaid program. SCL allows the person to remain an active member of the community.

Who is Eligible? 

Individuals with a diagnosis of intellectual and developmental disabilities who meet the requirements for residential services in an Intermediate Care Facility for persons with mental retardation (ICF/MR), and who receive Medicaid and meet other Medicaid requirements, are eligible for SCL services. Currently, there is a waiting list to receive an SCL waiver.

The focus of Resilience and Community Services (RCS) is to provide essential services for Louisville residents, especially for low and moderate income populations, including: preventing homelessness; delivering Meals on Wheels; helping families build financial stability and security; operating LIHEAP to help residents stay safe and warm; making microloans to jumpstart small businesses; and supporting eight Neighborhood Places.

Resilience and Community Services’ work is focused in nine divisions including Outreach & Advocacy; Administration; Planning & Compliance, Support Services 2.0; Information & Technology; Financial Empowerment; Housing & Support; Senior Nutrition; and CSBG Direct Services.

Responsive Solutions, Inc. is a non-profit agency that supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who also present challenging behaviors. RSI was founded in 2005 to provide staffing to many of the Waisman Center Community Outreach programs. Working in partnership with Dane County and local providers, we have had the pleasure of serving more than 400 individuals.

Adaptations and Modifications (A&M) Services Include: 

• Safety assessments in homes and workplaces Individualized project recommendations
• Assistance obtaining a contractor
• Proposals
• Project coordination between family/support team, the funding source, and the contractor Project follow-up

Short-term Community Housing (Safehouse) Services Include: 

• Three distinct supported apartments equipped to match different support needs.
• A wide array of safety modifications and adaptations to prevent and limit police interaction and/or hospitalization
• Access to Responsive Solutions Responders for staffing needs during support agency transitions
• Access to Responders as supplemental staffing when your support team has gaps
• Consultation, research, and development of new support strategies during your stay

Crisis Response Staffing Services Include: 

• Highest quality respite services at home or in the community
• Temporary staffing solutions for people experiencing staffing crises
• Support for staffing vacancies at local agencies
• Staffing solutions for Safehouse guests in partnership with families and providers
• Consultation, research, and development on behavioral support strategies

RIPIN is a 501(c)(3), charitable, nonprofit organization established in 1991 by a passionate group of parents of children with special needs. These parents recognized that together they could provide support through sharing essential information and helping to find the resources they needed for their loved ones. This peer model continues to be at the heart of our work and has lead RIPIN’s network to expand statewide. Today we have over 100 employees, most of whom have personal experience caring for a loved one with special health care or educational needs.

The RIPIN Call Center offers free support to any Rhode Islander who needs help accessing healthcare, health insurance, or special education for children with disabilities.

RIPIN helps any Rhode Islander, from infants to seniors.
We can help you navigate:

Paradise Valley (PV) Unified School District’s Serving Unique Needs (SUN) Kids program provides a developmentally appropriate setting for children who have been identified with special needs and for children who are developing typically. WE encourage and actively seek the participation of typically-developing children.

Research shows that peer children who participate in a program alongside children with developmental delays will grow to become more independent and empathetic adults. Our students grow together as they develop language, social, and physical skills. The inclusive setting has proven to be a successful experience for all children.

Sooner SUCCESS works intimately with both the public and private sectors with the overarching goal to promote a comprehensive, coordinated system of health, social and educational services for Oklahoma children and youth with special healthcare needs in their local community.

Sooner SUCCESS Coordinators assist families by: 

• Discussing available resources that fit the family’s unique situation.
• Providing a county-specific resource guide of available services and supports.
• Supporting families as they complete complex application forms for services or prepare for meetings with service providers.
• Helping them locate specialty services – medical, counseling, speech and hearing, vision, nutrition, etc.
• Helping them learn more about their child’s needs and condition by providing printed information or links to trustworthy websites.
• Providing materials and guidance to families as they create their own Care Notebook to organize health/education information for their child.
• Providing emotional support during times of stress as well as recommendations for long-term peer support groups and networks.
• Providing contact and eligibility information for critical support programs such as the Respite Voucher System, Medicaid, Sooner Start, TEFRA, and the Family Support Assistance Program.
• Developing and organizing community projects to benefit children with special needs.  Past projects have included mobile dental clinics, home/school renovations, social/recreation events, information fairs, and health screening events.
• Organizing local and regional training workshops for parents on special needs topics.

The South Carolina Assistive Technology Program (SCATP) uses technology devices and services to help people with disabilities live, work and learn more independently. We are federally funded and part of a national network that provides the devices that increase, maintain or improve functional capabilities for people with disabilities.

Request Equipment 

The SCATP Equipment Reuse Service can help you acquire free used assistive technology, including durable medical equipment. We collect donations of gently used medical equipment, clean and sanitize it, and give it to individuals who need it. To request equipment, complete the equipment reuse request form. We will contact you once we have received and processed your form. If you have questions about the form, call 803-935-5273.

South Caroline Assistive Technology Exchange 

The South Carolina Assistive Technology Exchange is a free online database that connects you with others to find, give away, or sell used equipment. The database allows you to list items you need or those you would like to sell or give away. Any individual, agency representative, or family member can participate in the exchange. Visit the exchange website to view items and register to participate.

The Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Program will collaborate with national, state and community-based partners to link children to appropriate services, close service gaps, reduce duplication and develop policies to better serve families.

The Center serves the counties of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Kenosha, Racine, Ozaukee, Walworth, Washington, and Jefferson.

We provide families with:

• Condition specific information.
• Up-to-date information and resources in the community, state and nation.
• Problem-solving strategies.
• Health benefits/insurance assistance.
• Finding doctors and dental care.
• Tips on communicating with schools.
• Transition planning resources and consultation.
• Parent-to-parent support and more.

The Southern Regional Center (SRC) is dedicated to supporting all families with children and youth with special health care needs/disabilities and the providers who serve them. The SRC is staffed by specialists who can help get answers, find services, connect you to community resources, provide trainings and support you on your journey. Our Center serves the following counties: Adams, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Grant, Green, Iowa, Juneau, Lafayette, Richland, Rock, Sauk and Vernon.

The Wisconsin Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) Program is funded by the Maternal Child Health Title V Block Grant. The CYSHCN Program is located in the Department of Health and Family Services, Division of Public Health, Bureau of Family and Community Health. The philosophy and principles of this Program are:

• Children are best served within their families.
• Children and families are best supported within the context of their community.
• Families will have convenient access to care coordination.
• Collaboration is the best way to provide comprehensive services.
• Family perspectives and presence must be included in all aspects of the system.

Southwest Human Development strengthens the foundation Arizona’s children need for a great start in life.

The first five years of life are the most critical in a child’s development. At Southwest Human Development, our services improve lives and help families by supporting young children and their caregivers during this important time.

In partnership with families, we provide children with the care, attention and support needed to set them on a path to success in school and life, and help them reach their fullest capabilities.

We are Arizona’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to early childhood development and our 900 staff members provide 40 programs and services to 140,000 children, families and professionals each year

SPAN provides individuals assistance, training, and support for families, youth, and professionals on early childhood, education, health and mental health, human services, disability, transition to adult life, and family-professional partnerships, focusing on families with children and youth at greatest risk due to disability, specialist healthcare needs, race ethnicity, immigrant status, language, socio-economic status, geographic location, etc. SPAN also provides community doula support and advocacy for pregnant African-American and black women to reduce disparities in Black maternal and infant health.

The ConsultLine is a direct line to a special education specialist who will explain federal and state laws relating to special education, describe the options that are available to parents, inform parents of procedural safeguards, identify other agencies and support services, and describe available remedies and how parents can proceed.

The ConsultLine is designed to be used by parents and parent/advocacy organizations. School district personnel are asked to use the Bureau of Special Education’s main number: 717-783-6913.

Before You Call 

Although you may call ConsultLine at any time to discuss a concern, consider taking the following steps first:

Call your child’s teacher, counselor and/or the principal. Discuss the situation with your school district’s special education director. If neither of these steps resolve your concern, call ConsultLine for answers about special education regulations and related issues.

When You Call 

When your call is received, give the specialist the following information:

Identify yourself, the child and where he or she is enrolled in school. Describe your concern and special circumstances. Be ready to write down any information given to you.

Special Kids is a Christian therapy and nursing center for children with special needs. We serve children from birth to 21-years old with a wide variety of diagnoses, from developmental delays to medically fragile. As a nonprofit organization, we are committed to serving every child in need, regardless of a family’s ability to pay. The support from the community allows us to continue in our vision to meet the needs of everyone, one child, one family, one community at a time.

Services include:

• Nursing services (medical care)
• Camp ability (fun)
• Physical therapy (gross motor)
• Speech therapy (communication)
• Occupational therapy (fine motor)
• Feed therapy (eating)

Visit this link for additional information on receiving services from Special Kids: https://www.specialkidstn.com/getting-started

Stand Among Friends is a non-profit organization that helps college students and adults with disabilities prepare for, seek, and understand their strengths when looking for employment and a career. Our comprehensive programs include: 

• Vocational evaluations
• Peer-mentoring
• Pre-employment services for youth and young adults
• Disability diversity training
• Community-based events

These services reinforce our clients’ talents, interests, and education so they can enter and succeed in the workforce and live a life without liits. We work with clients to set achievable goals and guide them through the entire employment search, including developing essential skills, providing the tools to begin their job search, identifying the right opportunity and landing the interview. We even support our clients after they secure employment by providing the necessary assistance to ensure they have a successful experience.

Special education laws and regulations are meant to protect students with disabilities to ensure that they receive the services and assistance that may be necessary to make meaningful progress in their education programs. In Connecticut, the special education system is based on the federal special education law, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004) and its implementing regulations, in combination with the State’s special education law.

Sun Sounds bridges the information gap between current print media and people who cannot use it because of a disability. Sun Sounds of Arizona provides audio access to print information to people who cannot read or hold print material due to a disability. Sun Sounds broadcasts the reading of over 200 local and national publications 24/7 from our studios in Tempe, Flagstaff, and Tucson. All reading is done by hundreds of trained volunteers.

Sun Sounds bridges the information gap between current print media and people who cannot use it because of a disability. Sun Sounds of Arizona provides audio access to print information to people who cannot read or hold print material due to a disability. Sun Sounds broadcasts the reading of over 200 local and national publications 24/7 from our studios in Tempe, Flagstaff, and Tucson. All reading is done by hundreds of trained volunteers.

TechOWL is the Assistive Technology Act program that serves the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We offer many programs and services to Pennsylvanians with disabilities.

Programs and services: 

• Lending Library
• Connect with Tech
• AAC Community
• Get A Demonstration
• Free Special Phones
• Used Equipment Program
• iCanConnect
• Training and Presentations
• Get Something Made

The Tennessee Disability Coalition is an alliance of organizations and individuals joined to promote the full and equal participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of life.

To support this mission, the Coalition offers the following programs:

• Public Policy Program
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Program
• Family Voices of Tennessee
• WorkAbleTN
• Brain Links
• Discretionary Small Grants Program

Tennessee Disability Pathfinder (“Pathfinder”) helps people with disabilities, their family members, educators, and other professionals find and access resources, support, and services available to meet their needs.

Information and Referrals: We connect individuals to appropriate community resources. Our diverse staff includes professionals, family members, and/or individuals with disabilities that have many years of experience working in the disability-field. You can access these resources by contacting our office 1-800-640-4636, searching our resource directory, and checking our community calendar.

Education and Training: We provide innovative trainings and presentations to inform people about Pathfinder, Disability Etiquette and People First Language, Working with Multicultural Populations, and Community Resources.

Multicultural Outreach Program: This aims to remove the barriers that many culturally diverse communities find when trying to access disability resources by providing case management assistance and training presentations.

The Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) is a program that provides services to infants and young children who have disabilities or other developmental delays. The TEIS program is a critically important program to supporting young children and their families to reach their optimal development.

You may make a referral to TEIS by completing our online referral form or by calling (800) 852-7157. The referral form can also be found in the MyTN app, available on your app store. Please be prepared to provide the child’s name, date of birth, county of residence, parent information (if someone other than the parent calls), and reason for referral.

In 1992, at the urging of disability advocates and families, The Tennessee legislature established the Family Support Program. The program is funded by state dollars and designed to assist individuals with severe disabilities and their families to remain together in their homes and communities. Family Support is not a substitute for more comprehensive services provided under other programs, including the Medicaid HCBS Waiver, TennCare, Medicare, or private insurance.

The primary purpose of the program is to support:

• Families who have school-aged or younger children with severe disabilities
• Adults with severe disabilities who choose to live with their families
• Adults with severe disabilities not supported by other residential programs funded by state or federal funds

Services can include but are not limited to: Respite care, day care services, home modifications, equipment, supplies, personal assistance, transportation, homemaker services, housing costs, health-related needs, nursing and counseling.

Services are flexible and responsive to families and their needs. An essential element of the Family Support Program is family and consumer involvement. Local and District Councils have been established and meet on a regular basis to oversee and provide advice on the distribution of local services.

The Texas State Independent Living Council (SILC) is a nonprofit organization with the mission to assist Texans with disabilities to live as independently as they choose. There is one SILC in each state. Texas SILC is led by a majority of people with disabilities and consists of Governor-appointment members.

Our goal is to provide a higher quality of life for people of all abilities by transforming greater Milwaukee into the most universally inclusive recreation destination in the world.

Mission 

To provide people impacted by disabilities with a daily opportunity to be fit, active, healthy, and to play.

Vision 

To build communities where all abilities are provided a universal opportunity for health, wellness, and recreation.

Goal

To provide a higher quality of life for people of all abilities by transforming greater Milwaukee into the most universally inclusive recreation destination in the world.

The Arc Maryland is the largest statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to the rights and quality of life of persons with I/DD and their families. We do this through public policy, advocacy, public awareness, and training and membership support.

We are a membership-based organization of 8,000 members. With our ten local chapters serving 19 counties and Baltimore City, we encompass all ages and more than 100 different diagnoses including intellectual disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, and other developmental disabilities. Our local network of chapters provides a wide range of human services and other supports to people with I/DD and their family members, including individual and public policy advocacy, residential, educational, and vocational services, employment, family supports and early intervention that promote people with I/DD to participate and be included in their communities.

The Arc of Pennsylvania promotes the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes. The focus of our programs and efforts is to enhance or advocate for the civil rights, full inclusion, and participation of people with developmental disabilities, of all ages and backgrounds, in the communities where they live.

Healthcare Initiatives 

Our focus is on statewide, systemic change so that gaps in health access for those with IDD do not occur, especially in minority and rural communities which experience the greatest disparities and inequities.

Policy Information Exchange

Through this quarterly publication, we educate and inform Pennsylvanians with disabilities, their families, advocates, and the public regarding public policy issues that impact people with IDD and their caregivers.

Include Me Programs 

• Include Me School-Age provides free on-site technical assistance, professional development, and training to school districts, their educators and families, enabling them to develop effective strategies in including school-age students with significant disabilities in regular education classrooms and the school community.
• Student-focused activities such as disability acceptance through literature book studies to enhance disability acceptance, and after school hangouts, for social and personal awareness.

Employment-focused Training 

Through several high-quality training opportunities, educators, vocational counselors, families, and others can learn best practices for providing supported employment, community participation, and/or customized employment. Our trainings offer various certification opportunities or the basic ACRE certificate for providing these services in Pennsylvania and other states. We offer scholarships for Pennsylvania families and Transition staff.

Discover Employment Transitions (ADEPT)

For transition age students, we offer vocational “Discovery”, an alternative assessment process that helps students and their teams identify the interests, skills, and conditions an individual needs for success in employment or community participation.

The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.

The Arc Tennessee has a team of experienced advocates that work directly with individuals to solve problems, connect them to resources, develop advocacy skills, or assist with a wide array of specific needs. Individual advocacy services are designed to assist individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in understanding their rights and identifying opportunities to pursue and achieve their dreams. Our overall goal is to empower individuals to effectively advocate for themselves. Individual advocacy services are free to individuals and families. The Arc Tennessee can provide information when legal issues are involved, but The Arc Tennessee does not provide legal advocacy services when legal issues are involved. We also provide educational support, mentor programs, and transition from childhood to adult programs.

The Arc Wisconsin advocates for and with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families to improve their quality of life; expand opportunities; and to increase their full inclusion in all aspects of community throughout their lifetimes. The Arc Wisconsin strives to promote awareness and respect for the value, contributions and rights of all people with I/DD. Since 1960, The Arc Wisconsin has served individuals and their families through our locally affiliated chapters across the state. The Arc Wisconsin works to develop programs and advocate for public policy giving people with I/DD the opportunity to learn, live, and work inclusively in their communities.

Supports and services offered by our chapters include:

• Information and referral services;
• Individual advocacy to address education, employment, health care and other concerns;
• Self-advocacy initiatives;
• Residential support;
• Family support;
• Employment programs; and
• Leisure and recreational programs

The Arc Wisconsin is a chapter of the national organization, the Arc. The goal of this organization is to provide resources and advocate for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Resources for children and adults are listed here: https://arcwi.org/arc-resources/

The mission of The Coordinating Center is to partner with people of all ages and abilities and those who support them in the community to achieve their aspirations for independence, health, and meaningful community life.

Programs and Services

Maryland’s Autism Waiver allows eligible children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder to receive waiver and Medicaid services to support them in their homes and communities. The Coordinating Center is contracted by local school systems to provide case management for their students on the Autism Waiver in Dorchester, Harford, Howard and Worcester counties.

DDA Services: The Coordinating Center partners with the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) to provide Coordination of Community Services (CCS) for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Our expert Coordinators can help you plan for the future, and meet your personal goals.

The Family Resource Fund provides clients of The Coordinating Center with financial assistance to purchase items or services that are not covered by Medicaid or Medicare. The fund accepts the following types of requests:

• Critical/Safety Need- fund allocation limited to $500 or less for current fiscal year
• Housing stability (rent, security, deposit or utilities)- fund allocation limited to $500 or less for one-time only
• Quality of Life- fund allocation limited to $300 or less for current fiscal year

Home and Community-Based Services: The Coordinating Center provides supports planning services to older adults and individuals with disabilities who live and want to remain in the community or are living in a Maryland nursing facility and want to move to a home.

The Coordinating Center works in a cooperative arrangement with Montgomery County, Maryland’s Department of Housing and Human Services (DHHS) to provide service coordination and supportive services to formerly homeless individuals through the Housing Initiative Program (HIP).

The Coordinating Center assists with the intake and eligibility process for the Model Waiver. Currently there is a prioritized waiting list and applications are processed in the order they are received. Model Waiver is a Maryland Medicaid program, which allows medically fragile individuals, before the age of 22 years to live at home. Without this benefit, these individuals would be hospitalized, as their medical needs require hospital or nursing facility level of care. Under the Waiver, the parents’ income and assets are waived during the financial eligibility process even though the child continues to live in the community with their parent(s).

The Rare and Expensive Case Management (REM) Program is Maryland’s, case managed, fee for service alternative to HealthChoice Managed Care Organization (MCO) participation. The REM Program is for individuals receiving Maryland Medical Assistance with a qualifying diagnosis that is rare in occurrence and expensive to treat. The purpose of the program is to provide community-based care coordination services for people with specialized health care needs, providing access to high quality, medically appropriate health care services in a cost effective setting outside of a managed care organization.

The mission of The Coordinating Center is to partner with people of all ages and abilities and those who support them in the community to achieve their aspirations for independence, health, and meaningful community life.

Programs and Services

Maryland’s Autism Waiver allows eligible children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder to receive waiver and Medicaid services to support them in their homes and communities. The Coordinating Center is contracted by local school systems to provide case management for their students on the Autism Waiver in Dorchester, Harford, Howard and Worcester counties.

DDA Services: The Coordinating Center partners with the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) to provide Coordination of Community Services (CCS) for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Our expert Coordinators can help you plan for the future, and meet your personal goals.

The Family Resource Fund provides clients of The Coordinating Center with financial assistance to purchase items or services that are not covered by Medicaid or Medicare. The fund accepts the following types of requests:

• Critical/Safety Need- fund allocation limited to $500 or less for current fiscal year
• Housing stability (rent, security, deposit or utilities)- fund allocation limited to $500 or less for one-time only
• Quality of Life- fund allocation limited to $300 or less for current fiscal year

Home and Community-Based Services: The Coordinating Center provides supports planning services to older adults and individuals with disabilities who live and want to remain in the community or are living in a Maryland nursing facility and want to move to a home.

The Coordinating Center works in a cooperative arrangement with Montgomery County, Maryland’s Department of Housing and Human Services (DHHS) to provide service coordination and supportive services to formerly homeless individuals through the Housing Initiative Program (HIP).

The Coordinating Center assists with the intake and eligibility process for the Model Waiver. Currently there is a prioritized waiting list and applications are processed in the order they are received. Model Waiver is a Maryland Medicaid program, which allows medically fragile individuals, before the age of 22 years to live at home. Without this benefit, these individuals would be hospitalized, as their medical needs require hospital or nursing facility level of care. Under the Waiver, the parents’ income and assets are waived during the financial eligibility process even though the child continues to live in the community with their parent(s).

The Rare and Expensive Case Management (REM) Program is Maryland’s, case managed, fee for service alternative to HealthChoice Managed Care Organization (MCO) participation. The REM Program is for individuals receiving Maryland Medical Assistance with a qualifying diagnosis that is rare in occurrence and expensive to treat. The purpose of the program is to provide community-based care coordination services for people with specialized health care needs, providing access to high quality, medically appropriate health care services in a cost effective setting outside of a managed care organization.

Since 1952, the Council has empowered Kentuckians with IDD (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities) and their families to live their best life- full of love, support, and resources.

Education 

We empower people with IDD and their families by connecting them to all the resources they have at their disposal. We offer webinars, presentation series and training opportunities to help our families navigate life with knowledge and ease.

Advocacy 

Part of life with IDD means we must advocate for equal rights and access to care. At our core, we are an advocacy organization- we believe people with IDD should be seen, heard, and given equal opportunities as the neurotypical population.

Support 

Knowing that others have walked the same path makes all the difference. Here at the Council, that’s what we do- we share our experiences, resources, and share our support. We offer one-on-one counseling or support groups that meet regularly.

We provide transportation to seniors and visually challenged adults for residents in 15 towns in Central Connecticut.

Characteristics of ITN Service 

• Available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day for any purpose.
• No money is exchanged in the vehicle, and riders pre-pay a personal transportation account.
• Rides are provided in private automobiles by trained drivers, no vans or buses.
• We welcome members that are 60 years and older.
• Riders may travel alone or with others, with discounts for shared rides.
• Community-based affiliates are supported by private, rather than public resources.
• ITNs are nonprofit, keeping fares affordable.

Lee Zimmerman, CEO and Founder of The Kidz Club, recognized the need for children with medical complexities to have access to daily nursing care, therapies, and friends – all in an enriching environment. His goal to positively impact the whole family unit through the care of these special children led to the establishment of The Kidz Club, the first Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care facility in Kentucky.

The Kidz Club was founded out of compassion and a commitment to improve, empower, and enrich the lives of children with medical complexities as well as their families.

Children with disabilities have the right to be given opportunities that allow them to live to their fullest potential. Too often, parents raising these children feel isolated socially and burdened financially, emotionally and physically. They are forced to make hard decisions and sacrifice substantially in areas that most could not imagine. The Lollipop Kids Foundation exists to combat social stigmas, ease the financial burden placed on these families, offer emotional support and provide a brief respite so that every child with a disability has access to a hope and a future.

Programs and services include:

• Durable Medical Equipment (DME) closet
• Kyle Morgan Summer Accessible Sailing
• Sensory Friendly Haircuts
• LolliFIT
• Support & Play Groups

The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies (The Partnership) is the only U.S. disability-led organization with a focused mission of equity for people with disabilities and people with access and functional needs throughout all planning, programs, services and procedures before, during and after disasters and emergencies.

The Partnership prioritizes equity, access, disability rights, disability justice, and full inclusion of people with disabilities, older adults, and people with access and functional needs before, during and after disasters and emergencies. We recognize that prevention, planning, response, recovery and mitigation must start with and be led by multiply marginalized disabled people who are the most disproportionately impacted.

We offer a wide array of emergency, disaster, and resilience programs and services. We can help communities, organizations, corporations, and governments achieve and maintain equity and full inclusion for people with disabilities and people with access and functional needs before, during, and after disasters and emergencies.

We are the disability-led resource hub for all matters related to people with disabilities throughout all phases of disasters and emergencies.

The Richard West Assistive Technology Advocacy Center (ATAC) of Disability Rights New Jersey serves as New Jersey’s federally funded assistive technology project through a sub-contract with New Jersey’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Its purpose is to assist individuals across New Jersey in overcoming barriers in the system and making assistive technology more accessible to individuals with disabilities throughout the state of New Jersey.

Services

• Advocacy and legal representation
• Assistive technology loan program
• Device demonstrations
• Device short-term loans
• Device re-utilization
• Training and technical assistance
• Conferences/webinars

The Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI) is the designated state unit to provide vocational rehabilitation and independent living services to eligible Vermonters who are blind and visually impaired. DBVI’s Mission is to support the efforts of Vermonters who are blind and visually impaired to achieve or sustain their economic independence, self-reliance, and social integration to a level consistent with their interests, abilities and informed choices.

Programs offered:

• Vocational Rehabilitation Program
• Independent Living Program
• Business Enterprise Program

The ADA states that TARC’s regular bus service should be the primary means of public transportation for everyone, including people with disabilities. Under ADA, TARC3 will serve those persons who do not have the functional capability to ride TARC’s regular buses.

TARC3 is a door-to-door, shared-ride service using small buses, vans and taxis. A paratransit vehicle will travel to any metro destination within three-forth of a mile of a regular, non-express TARC bus route during comparable days and times. Since TARC3 is a shared-ride service, you will travel with other riders. Most trips aren’t direct and may take up to 80 minutes. A TARC3 driver will escort you ‘door-to-door’ on both ends of your trip. The fare one-way is $3, round trip is $6.

Eligible passengers for reduced MyTARC card fare include:

• Youth age 6 to 17- must show verification of school enrollment and obtain a MyTARC photo ID card. Children ages 5 and under ride fare-free on all routes.
• Citizens with disabilities- must complete eligibility form.
• Medicare cardholders- must show a Medicare ID and complete eligibility form.
• Citizens age 65 and older- must show proof of age or government-issued ID and obtain a MyTARC photo ID card.

The Transportation Initiative is a project of UK’s Human Development Institute and is funded through the support of the Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities. The Transportation Initiative seeks to provide comprehensive information and education on transportation options.

Transportation Topics

• ADA Paratransit
• Ride Share
• Public Transit
• NEMT
• K-TAP Kentucky WORKS Program
• Kentucky Assistive Technology Loan Corporation
• Hart-Supported Living
• Transportation to COVID-19 Testing
• Kentucky’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
• Blind Work Expense
• Community Integration Supplement
• First Steps
• EPSDT

The TBI Fund provides New Jersey residents of any age, who have survived a traumatic brain injury, the opportunity to access the brain injury related services and supports they need to live in the community. The Fund purchases supports and services to foster independence and maximize quality of life when insurance, personal resources, and/or public programs are unavailable to meet those needs.  A portion of the Fund also is used to support public education, outreach, and prevention activities related to TBI.

Eligibility 

To be determined eligible for services, an individual must:

• Meet the definition of traumatic brain injury
• Provide medical documentation of the TBI
• Be a resident of NJ
• Have liquid assets of less than $100,000

Established in 1969, the Human Development Institute (HDI) is a unit of the Office of the Executive Vice President for Research at the University of Kentucky. HDI is the state’s Center on Disability and is part of a nationwide network of University Centers for Excellence. The Centers were established by federal legislation to promote team-based approaches to provide services for people with disabilities and their families.

HDI’s mission is to advance efforts that build inclusive communities, address inequities, and improve the lives of all people who experience disability across the lifespan. We achieve our mission through leadership and community partnerships across Kentucky and the Nation.

HDI and its sister agencies, the Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Kentucky Division of Protection and Advocacy form the state’s Developmental Disability Network. This network is funded through the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, and is administered through the U.S. Administration on Developmental Disabilities, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The Waisman Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is a research center focused on “advancing knowledge of human development, developmental disabilities, and neurodegenerative diseases.” The center offers opportunities for families to participate in research, as well as educational and clinical services for families.

Resources for families can be found here: https://www.waisman.wisc.edu/general-information/families/

Their specialist works to assist individuals with disabilities, family members, and organizations to make sure that they are able to maintain their independence. Specifically, this program works in information and referral.

Vermont Legal Aid is a non-profit 501(c)(3) law firm established in 1968. We provide civil legal services for Vermonters, including those living in poverty, with a disability, or over age 60. We also serve anyone who is discriminated against in housing decisions. We also help all who face challenges related to health care insurance or services. Our services are free. We haves offices in Burlington, Montpelier, Rutland, Springfield, and St. Johnsbury.

Our Disability Law Project (DLP) helps people with civil legal problems related to their disability. We give legal advice, we support self-advocacy, and we represent clients and their families in courts, hearings and other settings.

We help with legal issues like:

• abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disabilities
• access to assistive technology
• access to health care and specialized (“waiver”) services like Developmental Services, Choices for Care or the TBI program
• access to transportation
• children’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) terminations based on disability
• disability discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations
• education issues like special education eligibility, suspensions, restraints and seclusions, and
• guardianships and alternatives like Supported Decision Making.

Vision Forward provides a continuum of services, from birth through adulthood, to people with visual impairments, helping them achieve important developmental milestones as well as educational, personal and professional goals. Vision Forward staff are experts in the field of vision loss and host in-person and virtual community education presentations for groups of all ages and backgrounds. All of their programs and services are provided regardless of a person’s or family’s ability to pay.

The Weingarten Center accepts scholarship applications year-round from Penn students registered with Disability Services. The scholarship committee meets monthly and will only review complete scholarship applications submitted prior to the last day of the previous month. Students seeking scholarship consideration must demonstrate financial need determined by Student Registration and Financial Services’ financial aid policy.

Although a student is registered with Disability Services as having a disability, this does not mean that the student necessarily qualifies for or will be selected to receive a scholarship. The Scholarship Committee reviews applications and makes award decisions in accordance with the eligibility criteria for each scholarship fund and the availability of funds.

Scholarship Options 

• Tuition-based scholarships:assist in covering any cost of attendance not already covered by other grants. In consultation with Student Registration and Financial Services, the Weingarten Scholarship Committee determines eligibility for a tuition scholarship.
• Psychological/neuropsychological testing: funding is for students seeking an updated evaluation or have never undergone an evaluation but have been recommended to undergo an evaluation by a Disability Specialist in Disability Services, the Weingarten Center.
• Summer internship: funding is prioritized for students pursuing an unpaid internship that is relevant to their academic program. To determine a student’s eligibility, an offer letter from the organization/company must verify approval of participation and no remuneration will be provided as part of this internship. Students are encouraged to submit a scholarship request at least 2 months prior to the start date of the internship.
• Summer coursework: funding is available to cover tuition and general fee for 1-2 summer courses. A student must first be enrolled in the courses to be considered for a summer coursework scholarship
• Equipment or services relates to a physical disability: funding is available for students who require equipment or services that are not covered by medical insurance. Prior to applying for a scholarship, students should discuss the possibility of this type of scholarship support with their assigned Disability Specialist in the Weingarten Center.
• Assistive technology: prior to applying for a scholarship for assistive technology consideration, consult with the Associate Director for Assistive Technology, who will be able to determine what technology might be advisable for you based on your disability.

The West Virginia Parent Training and Information, Inc. (WVPTI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit parent organization committed to improving the lives and education of ALL children through a special emphasis on children and youth with all disabilities and special healthcare needs. We serve parents and families of a child or youth from birth to age twenty-six with special needs. We are committed to providing parents and families the tools to ensure that children, youth, and young adults with special needs lead enriched lives as full members of their schools and communities. Our mission is to empower families as advocates and partners in improving education, health, and transition outcomes for their children and youth with disabilities and special health care needs with a commitment to diversity and equity.

Training and Services 

• Information to meet the needs of parents and families of children with special needs who might be facing educational or language barriers.
• Information for conflict or dispute resolutions.
• Direct support in the development of IEP (Individual Educational Program).
• Support and assistance with understanding the child with special needs procedural safeguards, rights, laws, and regulations.
• Assistance and support for parents/families of children with special needs to understand the collaboration process with educators and professionals who provide special education, early intervention, transition, and related services. ‘

Support Services Offered 

• Parent Engagement and Empowerment (Leadership Training)
• Training and Support on a variety of special education topics statewide.
• Information, Dissemination, and Referral Services (fact sheets and materials)
• Community Outreach (Bringing everyone together)
• One-on-One Consultation (record review, attendance at meetings and WVPTI Meeting Attendance Protocol, goals and planning, etc.)
• Webinar and phone trainings to support parents/families that can be done from their homes at various scheduled times.
• Annual parent conferences focusing on special education topics.

The Western Regional CYSHCN Center is dedicated to meeting families’ needs through a statewide coordinated system of information, referral and follow-up, parent to parent support, and service coordination through local public health departments and other community agencies.

We serve the following counties: Barron, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Rusk, St. Croix, Trempealeau, and Washburn.

We provide families with free and confidential services such as:

• Up-To-Date information and resources in the community, state and country
• Health benefits and insurance information
• Condition specific information and resources
• Finding healthcare providers
• Transition planning and resources
• Support from a staff with personal and professional experience in helping Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs

Located in every county and tribe in the state, Wisconsin’s Family Caregiver Support Programs provide information and assistance to help people better care for their loved ones – and themselves. Whether arranging for services (e.g., respite care, transportation, etc.) or helping families understand their options for care, Family Caregiver Support Programs give caregivers access to the information and services that can help them in the often rewarding – sometimes challenging – role of caregiver.

Wisconsin’s Family Caregiver Support Programs provide help to family members and friends who care for:

* a person age 60 and over; or
* a person with Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder regardless of age.

Programs also assist grandparents or relative caregivers 55 years of age and older who:

* care for children under age 19, or
* care for a relative with a disability who is 19 to 59 years of age

Find assistance closest to you here: https://wisconsincaregiver.org/local-resources

Yachad, which means “togetherness”, is made up of individuals with developmental disabilities. The group meets several times a month for a variety of spiritual, social and creative events. Support for members and families extend beyond the social network. Yachad members are eligible for respite services (when grant dollars are available) and assistance with Medicaid/Medicare and social service related issues. The goal of our members, families, staff and volunteers is to engage in activities that will nourish a valued quality of life. We share a destiny and strive to help every Yachad member obtain personal and individualized goals.

Any member of the Jewish Community with a developmental disability is welcome to attend. At the current time we are taking members over the age of 21 into our adult group.