Family Support

Abuse Prevention

Accessing Safety Initiative Funded by the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women, the Accessing Safety Initiative helps organizations and communities meet the needs of women with disabilities and deaf women who are victims or survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The Accessing Safety Initiative website provides a step-by-step guide to developing a process for improving services in a community. To that end, the website provides information and resources to help others understand disability, Deaf culture, accessibility, and violence.

Battered Women's Justice Project The Battered Women's Justice Project offers training, technical assistance, and consultation on the most promising practices of the criminal and civil justice systems in addressing domestic violence.  Staff attorneys and advocates can provide information and analysis on effective policing, prosecuting, sentencing, and monitoring of domestic violence offenders.

National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) The NCTSN is a collaboration of academic and community-based service centers whose mission is to raise the standard of care and increase access to services for traumatized children and their families across the United States. The NCTSN website contains information on the different types of trauma, training and education resources, online research, and products specifically targeted to select audiences such as educators, the general public, law enforcement personnel, and military families. The NCTSN website also features a specific section dedicated to military children and families.

Adoption

DoD Adoption Reimbursement Program Governed by federal law, the DoD Adoption Reimbursement Program authorizes reimbursement to service members for certain expenses associated with the adoption of infants or children. This website provides more information about the program, including links to relevant policies and Service websites.

MilitaryAdoption.com MilitaryAdoption.com is an information resource for military families who are interested in adding new members to their families through adoption. The website provides information on the benefits of adoption, obstacles faced by military families, and how to break down the barriers to adoption for military families. The site also lists contact information for agencies that work with military families who are stationed overseas.

Disability resources

Band-aides and Blackboards Band-aides and Blackboards provides lessons learned regarding children and teens with medical issues provided by children and teens coping with medical problems. The website is divided into three sections: one for children, one for teenagers, and one for adults.

Best Buddies Best Buddies is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment.

Brave Kids Brave Kids helps children with disabilities, chronic or life threatening illnesses, and special needs by providing resources and medical information on childhood conditions. Brave Kids also provides message boards to connect children and parents to others sharing similar challenges.

Computer/Electronics Accommodations Program (CAP) Sign Language Data Base This is a compilation of the services with whom CAP is familiar. The database can be searched by name, state, services available, payment accepted and certifications & clearances.

Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center (PRC) The PRC promotes the health and well-being of people living with a spinal cord injury, mobility impairment, or paralysis by providing comprehensive information, resources and referral services.

Cornucopia of Disability Information (CODI) CODI serves as a community resource for consumers and professionals by providing disability information in a wide variety of areas. It consists of both an Internet Directory of Disability Information and a repository of electronic disability documents dating back to the early 1990s.

Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) The CEC is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides continual professional development, advocates for newly and historically underserved individuals with exceptionalities, and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice.

Department of Transportation, Toll-Free Hotline for Air Travelers with Disabilities The Department of Transportation has established a toll-free hotline to assist travelers with disabilities. The hotline provides general information to consumers about the rights of air travelers with disabilities, respond to requests for printed consumer information, and assist air travelers with time-sensitive disability-related issues that need to be addressed in "real time."

Disability Resources Monthly (DRM) Guide to Disability Resources on the Internet Published by the Disability Resources, Inc., the DRM Guide to Disability Resources on the Internet is a collection of resources organized by subject area or by state and includes publications and answers to frequently asked questions.

Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Clearinghouse The HCBS Clearing house promotes the development and expansion of home and community-based services for people of all ages who depend on supports to live in their homes and participate fully in community life. The HCBS Clearinghouse website provides information, tools, data, and state-produced resources on best practices.

Homes for our Troops Homes for Our Troops is a national nonprofit, non-partisan organization committed to helping those who have selflessly given to the country and have returned home with serious disabilities and injuries since September 11, 2001. The Homes for our Troops website contains information on the program, upcoming events, news, and a newsletter.

Make-A-Wish Foundation Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has enriched the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions through its wish-granting work. The Make-A-Wish Foundation website provides information on current news and upcoming events, and allows individuals to refer a child to the Foundation.

National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY) NICHCY is the national information center that provides information on disabilities and disability-related issues. Anyone can use our services-families, educators, administrators, journalists, students. The NICHCY website provides information and resources related to disabilities in infants, toddlers, children, and youth; IDEA; No Child Left Behind (as it relates to children with disabilities); and research-based information on effective educational practices.

Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) PVA is a Congressionally-chartered veterans organization that works to maximize the quality of life for its members and all people with spinal cord injuries/diseases (SCI/D) as a leading advocate for health care, SCI/D research and education, veterans' benefits and rights, sports programs, disability rights, and accessibility and the removal of architectural barriers. The PVA website provides information, publications, and research related to SCI/D, disability rights, veterans benefits, medical services, veterans issues, legal issues, accessible design, and sports and recreation.

Quality Mall - Quality Mall has free information about person-centered supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Each of the Mall stores has various departments with positive practices that can help people with disabilities live, work and participate in their communities, and improve the quality of their supports.

Wish Upon a Star Wish Upon A Star is a nonprofit, law enforcement effort designed to grant the wishes of children, ages three through eighteen, afflicted with high-risk and life threatening illnesses throughout the state of California. The Wish Upon a Star website provides contact information for the organization, an events calendar, answers to frequently asked questions, and a form to refer a child to the program.

Emergency preparation

American Red Cross The American Red Cross is the nation's premier emergency response organization. In addition to domestic disaster relief, the American Red Cross offers compassionate services in five other areas: community services that help the needy; support and comfort for military members and their families; the collection, processing, and distribution of lifesaving blood and blood products; educational programs that promote health and safety; and international relief and development programs. Specifically for individuals with disabilities, the American Red Cross provides materials for preparing the home for disasters for persons with disabilities.

Angel Flight for Veterans Angel Flight for Veterans provides no-cost or greatly reduced rates on long-distance charitable medical transportation and travel for patients who need to travel to distant specialized medical evaluations, diagnoses, or treatments.

Autism Risk and Safety Management Autism Risk and Safety Management provides numerous resources to those who work with Autistic individuals, including a juvenile justice professionals briefing; resources for law enforcement, first response, and criminal justice professionals; disaster preparedness; preparing for an Autism emergency; and an example of an Autism emergency contact form.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Hurricane Audio, Video, and Multimedia Resources The CDC's hurricane audio, video and multimedia resources provide timely messages about what individuals can do to protect themselves and their family from hurricanes that are threatening the United States. The messages are available in audio, video and American Sign Language formats.

Child Care Resources for Disasters and Emergencies Provided by the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, the Child Care Resources for Disasters and Emergences provides information and resources for states and communities. The website allows users to browse resources by topic, target audience, and federal or state-level resources, and includes numerous tip sheets.

Children, Youth and Families Education and Resource Network (CYFERnet) CYFERnet consolidates and makes available all of the children, youth and family resources from of all the public land grant universities in the country. The CYFERnet website provides information and resources organized by early childhood, school age (K-8), teens, parent/family, and community.

DisasterAssistance.gov DisasterAssistance.gov provides information on how citizens might be able to get help from the US government before, during, and after a disaster. DisasterAssistance.gov provides information to assist those who may be eligible to apply for help from government agencies, reduces the required number of forms that must be completed, and shortens the time it takes to apply for aid.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individuals with Special Needs FEMA supports citizens and first responders to ensure that the nation works together to build, sustain and improve the capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. The FEMA Individuals with Special Needs website provides information on the additional steps individuals with special needs or disabled family members should consider when planning to protect themselves in the event of an emergency.

Ready.gov Ready.gov is a FEMA website that provides disaster response information through three major sections targeted to specific audiences: Ready America, Ready Business, and Ready Kids. Each section lists information for creating an emergency kit and plan, as well as community and state resources.  Ready.gov also has a separate section targeted directly to military family preparedness.

USA.gov Protect Yourself USA.gov Protect Yourself provides disaster and emergency resources for the family, the home, and the workplace. The website provides information and resources to help prepare for emergencies and disasters, coping with mental health assistance, cyber security, homeland security links, infrastructure protection, travel safety, and weapons of mass destruction.

Parenting support and advocacy

The Arc 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 website provides information and resources by role (parent, person with disability, advocate, etc.), by type of intellectual and development disability, or by topic area (e.g., civil rights, education, employment, etc.).

Beach Center on Disability As a permanent unit of the University of Kansas, the Beach Center on Disability conducts research, carries out training and technical assistance, and provides international, national, state, regional, and local service. The Beach Center on Disability website provides "Knowledge-to-Action" guides, links to disability policy, education and training links, and a resource library.

Bright Futures Bright Futures is a national health promotion initiative dedicated to the principle that every child deserves to be healthy and that optimal health involves a trusting relationship between the health professional, the child, the family, and the community as partners in health practice. Divided into the four developmental stages of childhood, Bright Futures Tip Sheets are easy-to-read fact sheets designed to help families promote the health and well-being of their children with information on topics such as social development, child care, safety, eating habits and physical activity.

Children's Disability Information Advocacy for Special Needs Children The Children's Disabilities Information website contains articles and resources to empower parents of children with disabilities and special needs. The Advocacy for Special Needs Children section of the website lists articles that provide information for parents including, but not limited to, advocating for special needs children, raising a child with a learning disability, speaking with health professionals and speaking with teachers. The site also includes a listing of programs and services for children with disabilities.

Conill Institute for Chronic Illness The Conill Institute for Chronic Illness provides education for health care professionals to increase empathy toward people living with chronic illness and physical disability.

Disability Pregnancy and Parenthood International (DPPi) DPPi provides information and resources for disabled mothers and expecting mothers. The DPPi website provides an overview of the organization and contacts for more information.

Exceptional Parent (EP) EP develops, translates, and shares information as tools for positive change for the special needs community. The EP website provides information listed under a variety of topics including, but not limited to, education, family and community, financial parenting, health care, legal and military.

Families USA Families USA is a national nonprofit, non-partisan organization dedicated to the achievement of high-quality, affordable health and long term care for all Americans. The Families USA website provides news, publications, advocacy tools, and state information and provides information by issue, such as Medicaid, children’s health, Medicare, and long-term services.

Family Village Family Village is a global community that integrates information, resources, and communication opportunities on the Internet for people with cognitive and other disabilities, their families, and those that provide services and support. The community includes informational resources on specific diagnoses, communication connections, adaptive products and technology, adaptive recreational activities, education, worship, health issues, and disability-related media and literature.

Family Voices Family Voices is an information clearinghouse for educational material concerning the health care of children with special health needs. The Family Voices website provides links to state Family Voices organizations, policy, information on various topics and related research, and information related to ongoing Family Voices projects.

Fisher House The Fisher House program is a unique private-public partnership that supports America's military in their time of need. Because members of the military and their families are stationed worldwide and must often travel great distances for specialized medical care, Fisher House Foundation donates "comfort homes," built on the grounds of major military and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one during hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease, or injury.

March of Dimes Birth Defects and Genetic Conditions March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. March of Dimes Birth Defects and Genetic Conditions website provides information on a variety of birth defects and genetic conditions and has comprehensive information covering pregnancy through caring for a newborn.

National Military Family Association (NMFA) The NMFA is an organization made up of military families that supports and speaks for military families. The NMFA website provides information on a wealth of military family-related topics, descriptions of programs that NMFA operates, and links to NMFA publications.

PACER Center PACER is a nonprofit organization that helps parents and families of children with disabilities. PACER's programs help parents become informed and effective representatives for their children in early childhood, school-age and vocational settings.

Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) PEATC serves families of special needs children in Virginia by provides information on the complex maze of educational, health care, and social services for children. The PEATC staff and board are parents of children with disabilities, people with disabilities, and the professionals who serve them.

Parents Helping Parents (PHP) PHP is a nonprofit public benefit agency that provides information, training and support services for families who have children with special needs and the professionals who serve them. The PHP website provides an events calendar, resources, a library, links to special interest support groups, links to services, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Sibling Support Project The Sibling Support Project is a national program dedicated to the interests of brothers and sisters of people with special health and developmental needs. The Sibling Support Project website contains a description of the project, locations and dates of workshops, a method to connect with other siblings, and links to related publications.

Specialized Training of Military Parents (STOMP) Funded through the Department of Education, STOMP is a federally-funded Parent Training and Information (PTI) Center established to assist military families who have children with special education or health needs. The staff of STOMP is comprised of parents of children who have disabilities, and have experience with raising their children in military communities and traveling with their spouses to different locations.

Technical Assistance Alliance for Parent Centers Technical Assistance Alliance for Parent Centers is a partnership of one national and six regional parent technical assistance centers, each funded by the Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). PTIs and Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs) in each state provide training and information to parents of infants, toddlers, school-aged children, and young adults with disabilities and the professionals who work with their families. This assistance helps parents participate more effectively with professionals in meeting the educational needs of children and youth with disabilities.

The Compassionate Friends Through a network of more than 625 chapters with locations in all fifty states, as well as Washington, DC and Puerto Rico, The Compassionate Friends has been supporting bereaved families after the death of a child for four decades. The Compassionate Friends website contains a listing of news and events, contact information for local chapters, resources, and media.

Wrightslaw Wrightslaw provides parents, advocates, educators and attorneys with accurate, up-to-date information about special education law and advocacy, so that they can be effective advocates for children with special needs. The Wrightslaw website contains articles, cases, newsletters, and resources on numerous topics in the Advocacy and Law Libraries.

Special needs planning

National Association of Estate Planners and Councils (NAEPC) The NAEPC is a national organization of professional estate planners and affiliated estate planning councils focused on establishing and monitoring the highest professional and educational standards. The NAEPC website contains information and resources targeted directly to professionals, councils and the public.

Protected Tomorrows, Inc. Protected Tomorrows, Inc. is an advocacy firm that enhances the lives of people with special needs through a comprehensive life planning process. Protected Tomorrows, Inc. creates Future Care Plans™, which address the needs of the individual with developmental disabilities, mental illness, physical disabilities, or cognitive and neurological diseases through the following areas: education, residential, financial, legal, health care, government benefits, employment, and recreation.

Special Needs Financial Planning Special Needs Financial Planning provides information and support in financial planning for families with a member who has a disability or special needs. The Special Needs Financial Planning website provides an overview of the financial planning process, links to consultation services, articles, news reports, and answers to frequently asked questions.