Tools for Families
The Outcomes of Early Intervention for Infants andToddlers with Disabilities and their Families (July 2011)
The Importance of Early Intervention for Infants andToddlers with Disabilities and their Families (July 2011)
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WEBSITES FOR COMMUNITY RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES
This list will help families find specific contacts in their communities to assist in meeting their families’ needs.
Armstrong County www.airnetfrn.org
Beaver County bcearlycare@comcast.net
Butler County for information and listing: 1-724-431-0095
Cameron for information and listing: 1-814-486-2155
Clarion www.jccap.org
Clearfield for information and listing: 1-800-970-7349
Crawford for information and listing: 1-814-724-8380
Elk for information and listing: 1-814-834-2602
Erie www.gannon.edu/resource/dept/socwork/swagencyindex.html
Forest www.askthejd.com or www.jdfamilycenter.org
Indiana www.humanservices-countyofindiana.org
Jefferson www.jccap.org
Lawrence www.lccap.org
McKean www.mckeanfamilyresources.net
Mercer for information: 1-724-588-2404 or 1-724-983-1118
Potter www.pottercountyhumansvcs.org/services/directory_of_community.htm
Venango www.csvvenango.com/vkc
Warren www.askthejd.com or www.jdfamilycenter.org
Click here to download and print a copy of this list.
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If you have contacted your county resource from the list above, and are still looking for additional information to help meet your family’s needs, the list below offers other resources.
Families of Children with Special Needs
Achieva
711 Bingham St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
1-888-272-7229
Innovative programs and dedication to children and adults with disabilities, and their families.
Café Mom Online Group
www.cafemom.com/groups/find.php?keyword=special%20needs
Online groups for parents of children who have special needs.
Disability Rights Network
Harrisburg Office: 1414 N. Cameron St., 2nd Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17103
1-800-692-7443
Pittsburgh office: 429 4th Avenue, Suite 701
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
1-412-391-5225
Dispute Resolution, Office for Special Education Consultline
6340 Flank Druive, Suite 600
Harrisburg, PA 17112
1-800-992-4334
Special education communication and conflict resolution. Call for assistance with school or IEP conflicts, or related problems.
Elks Home Nurse Program
www.paelks.com/files/hsnurses.htm
1-814-781-7860
Nurses serve as advocates to families with physically or mentally challenged children.
Governor’s Commission for Children and Families
P O Box 2675
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2675
1-717-705-1600
To assist, advise, and make recommendations for action to the Governor and Children’s Cabinet on various cross-system issues.
Kids Together, Inc.
P O Box 574
Quakertown, PA 18954
Volunteer organization provides information on inclusive communities, and promotes inclusive practices where all people belong, including education/advocacy listserve, e-mail newsletter.
Online Chat Support Group
Online support for parents raising children with special needs. Focus on activities for daily learning, serving the special needs of children, adolescents, and adults.
Parent to Parent
Forest/Warren County Human Services
623 Elm St., P O Box 276
Tionesta, PA
814-755-7610
Linking families of children or adults with disabilities or special needs. Network was created by families for families to share experiences, offer practical information, and support one another.
PA Families, Inc. Statewide Family Network
1-800-947-4941
Addresses common concerns about children and their special needs; identifies array of services including mental health, drugs and alcohol, children and youth, juvenile justice, education.
PA Council for Exceptional Children
Plymouth-Whitemarsh HS
201 E. Germantown Pike
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
1-610-825-1500 x 2014
Advances the education and welfare of Pennsylvania children, and the future of special education in PA.
PA Human Rights Commission
Pittsburgh Office: 301 Fifth Avenue, Suites 390
Piatt Place
Pittsburgh, PA 14222
1-412-565-5395
Harrisburg Office: 301 Chestnut St., Suite 300
Harrisburg, PA 17101
1-717-787-4410
Mission is to administer and enforce anti-discrimination laws, and promote and provide equal opportunity for all persons.
PEAL Center: Parent Education and Advocacy Leadership Center
1119 Penn Avenue, Suite 400
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
1-866-950-1040
Information about special education process and parents’ rights. Parent Advisors are available to assist families with problem-solving strategies and direct them to community resources.
Pennsylvania CAP: Client Assistance Program
www.icdri.org/legal/PennsylvaniaCAP.htm
1617 JFK Boulevard, Suite 800
Philadelphia, PA 19103
1-888-745-2357
Advocacy program helps people who are seeking services from the OVR, Blindness, Living, and other federally-funded programs. Provides information and advice about rehab programs, legal rights, and problems that may arise while seeking services.
Special Kids Network
www.pa.gove/portal/server.pt/community/special_kids_network/14205
1-800-986-4550
Seeks to improve access to services, provides comprehensive information, and foster the improvement or development of local services for children with special health care needs and their families.
VALUE: Vision and Leadership Uniting Education
Disability Rights Network’s Childrens’ Project
1414 N. Cameron St., Suite C
Harrisburg, PA 17103
1-800-390-1279
Coalition of PA advocacy groups for children with special needs.
Attachment Disorder
ATTACH
P O Box 19122
Minneapolis, MN 55419
1-612-861-4222
International coalition of professionals and families dedicated to helping those with attachment difficulties by sharing knowledge, talents, and resources.
Autism/Autism Spectrum
ABOARD
35 Wilson St., Suite 100
Pittsburgh, PA 15223
1-800-827-9385
Support for parents of children with autism/autism spectrum, including website and information.
Autismlink
www.autismlink.com/location/view/39
376 Wagon Wheel Trail
Waxford, PA 15090
1-412-377-8778
Online support groups, discussion boards, and information for families of children with autism.
Behavioral Issues
JOEY: Just Open Everybody’s Eyes
Angelfire.com/pa/gramaro
Support for parents who have children with behavioral issues.
Brain Injuries
Acquired Brain Injury Network of PA, Inc.
1-800-732-0999
Newsletter, infoline, and brochure for survivors and families facing the future with hope.
Brain Injury Association of PA
950 Walnut Bottom Road, Suite 15-229
Carlisle, PA 17015
1-866-635-7097
Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention
Children’s Rights Council
Michael Nieland, MD, President
1400 Inverness Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
1-412-621-0222
Mission is to minimize the emotional, physical, economic abuse and neglect, as well as the development of at-risk behaviors, following relationship breakups between parents/caregivers.
Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Momstell
P O Box 450
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
1-717-730-2020
Support, education, and advocacy for parents of children involved with drugs.
Dyslexia
Children’s Dyslexia Centers
www.childrensdyslexiacenters.org
Centers for children with dyslexic/learning challenges.
Pittsburgh Office: Janet Becker, 3579 Masonic Way
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
1-412-931-3181
New Castle Office: Melissa J. Merritt, 110 E. Lincoln Avenue
New Castle, PA 16101
1-724-654-5408
Education Law
Education Law Center
429 4th Avenue, #702
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
1-412-258-2120
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
FASD Center for Excellence
1-866-STOPFAS
Facilitate, develop, and improve the prevention, treatment, and care system for children experiencing the effects of alcohol during the mother’s pregnancy.
Foster Parents
PA State Foster Parent Association
1-800-951-5151
Advocates for those who care about children and their families, support for foster families and networking with local foster parent associations and agencies.
Health Services
March of Dimes
160 S. Progress Avenue, Suite 1C
Harrisburg, PA 17109
1-717-545-4534
Pennsylvania Health Law Project
1-800-274-3258
Provides free legal services and advocacy to Pennsylvanians having trouble accessing health care services.
Special Kids Network
www.pa.gove/portal/server.pt/community/special_kids_network/14205
1-800-986-4550
Seeks to improve access to services, provides comprehensive information, and foster the improvement or development of local services for children with special health care needs and their families.
Hearing Impaired
PA Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Harrisburg Office: 1521 N. 6th St.,
Harrisburg, PA 17102
1-800-233-3008
Erie Office: 3200 Lovell Place
Erie, PA 16503
1-866-366-7005
PA Partnership for the Deaf and Blind
PA Society for the Advancement of the Deaf
Intergenerational Programs
Generations United Seniors 4 Kids
1331 H St., NW, Suite 900
Washington, DC 20005
1-202-289-3979
Civic engagement inittative that demonstrates the role older citizens play in issues directly benefitting children and youth.
Job Accommodations
Job Accommodation Network
1-800-526-7234
Helps employers hire, retain, and promote qualified employees/applicants with disabilities.
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation: OVR
1521 North 6th St.
Harrisburg, PA 17102
1-800-442-6351
Provides services to eligible persons with disabilities with the goal of getting or keeping employment, if you have a disability that is a substantial impediment to employment. A wide range of services is available.
Mental Health
Mental Health Association in Pennsylvania
1414 N. Cameron St., 1st floor
Harrisburg, PA 17103
1-866-578-3659
MHAPA works on behalf of mental health through advocacy, education, and public policy.
Mentoring
Mentors for Self-Determination
1-814-547-1577
Group of self-advocates, family members, and caregivers whose mission is to provide support and information regarding the MR system in PA by providing statewide mentoring.
Parenting Support
Especially for Parents
www.pamedicalhome.org, click on “Parents”
Online network and forum where parents can share knowledge and offer support.
Parent to Parent
Forest/Warren County Human Services
623 Elm St., P O Box 276
Tionesta, PA
814-755-7610
Linking families of children or adults with disabilities or special needs. Network was created by families for families to share experiences, offer practical information, and support one another.
Prader-Willi Syndrome
Prader-Willi Syndrome Association of PA
Donna and John Forster, Co-Presidents
2415 Maryland Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15241
1-412-854-8885
School-Age Child Care
Pennsylvania School-Age Child Care Alliance: Penn SACCA
Committed to the expansion of quality school-age care and after-school care, supporting school-age professionals, including advocacy and education.
Selective Mutism
www.selectivemutismfoundation.org
Teens
TeenCentral.Net
A prevention and intervention resource for teens, dedicated to providing emotional support and appropriate references in a safe Web environment.
Youth Outreach Union
1327 East Carson St., P O Box 97771
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
YOU is a support and advocacy network of young adults for young adults. This support is peer-driven.
Tourette Syndrome
PA Tourette Syndrome Association
P. O. Box 148
McSherrystown, PA 17344
1-800-990-3300
To identify, support the needs of, and advocate for individuals with Tourette Syndrome in PA, and to provide informational outreach and educational presentations.
Visually Impaired
PA Partnership for the Deaf and Blind
Pennsylvania Association for the Blind
555 Gettysburg Pike, Suite A300
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
1-717-766-2020
Pennsylvania Parents of Blind Children
213 North First St.
McConnellsburg, PA 17233
1-717-485-3383
Supports parents of children with low vision, visual impairment, and blindness.
WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) Nutrition Program
WIC
www.health.state.pa.us/familyhealth
1-800-942-9467
To improve the health of eligible pregnant women, new mother, and children, by providing nutrition education, breastfeeding support, healthy food, and referrals.
Click here to download a copy of this list.
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Subject: A Free Fire and Burn Prevention Program for Preschool Children and Their Families
A Free Fire and Burn Prevention Program for Preschool Children and Their Families Start Safe helps you reach high-risk families. Original lessons, animation and music teach children 3-6 a single, age-appropriate fire and burn prevention message: how to know what is, or may be hot, and to stay away.
Start Safe was created in partnership with National Head Start Association and with support from Tyco International. Start Safe is free, and it is an ideal program to use with local preschools. It's fun, it meets the educational abilities of young children, and it involves parents and other caregivers. Plus, Start Safe is easy to implement.
Learn more at www.HomeSafetyCouncil.org/StartSafeProgram
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What is HealthCare.org?
Good morning,
Last week, we launched a first-of-its-kind website that makes it easier to find health care coverage and clearly explains how new rules like the Patient’s Bill of Rights in the Affordable Care Act will benefit you, your family, or your business.
While technology has made it easier to search for plane tickets or to find the right apartment, shopping for private health insurance plans has remained difficult for too long. HealthCare.gov takes some of the mystery out of shopping for health insurance.
Just answer a few easy questions, and HealthCare.gov will provide all the coverage options that are right for you, including public and private health insurance tailored to your age, location, and health needs. The site also helps Americans make informed decisions about health care coverage by offering easy to understand information about new benefits and protections for individuals, families and employers.
The site is easy to use and comprehensive, and it’s only going to get better. Throughout the site, there are places to ask questions and give feedback, and the team at the Department of Health and Human Services will be responding to common questions and updating content based on your feedback. In October, the site will include information on the price of health insurance plans and we’ll be adding other new features like tools to help you stay healthy and a database of hospital quality ratings.
The launch of HealthCare.gov is just one of many steps we have taken to strengthen the health care system for all Americans since President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law. Here are a few others:
- Parents can now rest a little easier knowing that insurance companies will be prohibited from denying children coverage because of a preexisting condition or putting a cap on the amount of benefits that will be paid in lifetime;
- Young adults up to age 26 without insurance will be able to get on their parent’s plan;
- Seniors hitting a gap in Medicare prescription drug coverage known as the “donut hole” are getting $250 checks; and
- Small businesses are now eligible for tax credits to help them afford coverage for employees.
But there is much more to be done. Be sure to check out HealthCare.gov regularly to stay current about benefits available to you and informed about what’s ahead.
Sincerely,
Nancy-Ann DeParle
Director, White House Office of Health Reform
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Click here to download and/or print a useful list of web resources for parents.
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A Parent’s Guide to Choosing Quality Child Care
The quality of child care and early education has a direct impact on your child’s ability to learn, to build healthy relationships and become the best he or she can be. However, the important decision of where to place your child is often difficult and confusing. The PA Office of Child Development has developed this guide to educate and empower parents to make smart decisions when choosing child care.
A Parent’s Guide to Choosing Quality Child Care explains Pennsylvania’s three goals to help support your decisions about early childhood programs:
1. To educate families on the benefits of quality care.
2. To match families with care and services that meets their needs.
3. To develop a relationship with families in order to provide continuing service.
This resource rich guide is a great place to start when looking for the right program for your child.
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Pennsylvania Child Care Provider Search
Search the State of Pennsylvania’s database for programs in your area according to your child’s age and needs. Visit: https://www.humanservices.state.pa.us/Compass.Web/ProviderSearch/pgm/PSWEL.aspx
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Quality Child Care Checklist: What to Look for in a Quality Child Care Program
Use this tool when visiting a program/facility. Your answers to these questions should be “yes.”
Facility:
____ Is the provider certified by the Department of Public Welfare and is it posted?
____ Does the provider participate in Keystone STARS?
____ Are there appropriate toys and materials for children of all age groups?
____ Does the provider encourage you to drop in and visit at any time
Staff:
____ Does staff communicate daily with parents about their child’s progress?
____ Does staffing allow for each child to receive individual attention?
____ Does staff sit and read to the children?
____ Does staff seem patient and receptive to children’s needs?
____ Is staff respectful of children?
____ Is staff respectful of parents?
____ Does staff encourage children’s sharing, manners, and other good behaviors?
____ Does staff appear lively, smiling and interacting in a positive manner with the children?
____ Does staff involve children in daily learning activities?
Safety:
____ Does the facility appear orderly and clean?
____ Are hazardous materials locked away?
____ Is there an emergency plan and is it posted?
____ Are there security measures in place?
____ Is there a policy for sick children and other circumstances?
Children:
____ Do the children have a consistent routine that they can understand and follow?
____ Do the children seem occupied and engaged?
____ Are the children involved in activities that promote learning?
____ Is there a policy on discipline?
____ Do the children seem happy?
Feelings:
____ Is your initial reaction upon entering the site a positive one?
____ Is this a place my child would enjoy?
____ Would my child be safe here?
____ Would I/we feel comfortable using this program?
____ Would my child learn new things every day at this program?
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Ten Reasons for Parents to Choose Quality Child Care
1. SCHOOL READINESS
Children in a quality setting will not only gain intellectual skills, but also social skills that will prepare them for the school environment.
2. ATTENTION
Lower staff-to-child ratios increase your child’s individual attention while in care.
3. PROFESSIONAL STAFF
A quality care setting includes staff trained to care for children and their needs
4. GOOD RELATIONSHIPS
Quality care promotes a positive relationship between parents and the caregiver. Parent involvement is a priority.
5. OPPORTUNITY
Age-appropriate learning materials and activities give children the opportunity to learn and grow.
6. RESPECT
A quality program will be respectful of children’s and parent’s cultural, ethnic and special accommodations.
7. PROFESSIONALISM
A quality program will have business practices and policies in place so parents know what to expect in various situations.
8. SAFETY
The basic need of a quality child care setting is to ensure that the children in care are in the safest environment possible.
9. STABILITY
Parents have assurance that their child is in a safe, positive environment without jumping from provider to provider.
10. PARTICIPATION
Quality providers participate in accrediting programs (such as Keystone STARS), to continue striving for higher quality early learning experiences for children.
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Active Minds
Active Minds is the only organization working to utilize the student voice to change the conversation about mental health on college campuses. By developing and supporting chapters of a student-run mental health awareness, education, and advocacy group on campuses, the organization works to increase students’ awareness of mental health issues, provide information and resources regarding mental health and mental illness, encourage students to seek help as soon as it is needed, and serve as liaison between students and the mental health community.
Through campus-wide events and national programs, Active Minds aims to remove the stigma that surrounds mental health issues, and create a comfortable environment for an open conversation about mental health issues on campuses throughout North America.
- Bryn Athyn College (Bryn Athyn, PA)
- Bryn Mawr College (Bryn Mawr, PA)
- Bucknell University (Lewisburg, PA)
- Cabrini College (Radnor, PA)
- Dickinson College (Carlisle, PA)
- Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA)
- Franklin and Marshall College (Lancaster, PA)
- Gannon University (Erie, PA)
- Gettysburg College (Gettysburg, PA)
- Immaculata University (Immaculata, PA)
- Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Indiana, PA)
- Juniata College (Huntingdon, PA)
- Lafayette College (Easton, PA)
- Lebanon Valley College (Annville, PA)
- Marywood University (Scranton, PA)
- Mercyhurst College (Erie, PA)
- Messiah College (Grantham, PA)
- Misericordia University (Dallas, PA)
- Montgomery County Community College (Blue Bell, PA )
- Moravian College (Bethlehem, PA)
- Muhlenberg College (Allentown, PA)
- Neumann University (Aston, PA)
- Penn State Erie, The Behrend College (Erie, PA)
- Penn State University (State College, PA)
- Philadelphia University (Philadelphia, PA)
- Saint Joseph's University (Philadelphia, PA)
- Slippery Rock University (Slippery Rock, PA)
- Susquehanna University (Selinsgrove, PA)
- Temple University (Philadelphia, PA)
- University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA) (founding chapter)
- University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice (Philadelphia, PA)
- University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA)
- University of Pittsburgh at Bradford (Bradford, PA)
- Ursinus College (Collegeville, PA)
- West Chester University (West Chester, PA)
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