Federal Government Resources

Americans With Disabilities Act

 

Covering Kids & Families
Covering Kids & Families is the nation's single largest initiative to reduce the number of eligible, uninsured children and adults through enrollment in Medicaid or the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Covering Kids & Families has benefited from the work of coalitions in all 50 states and the District of Columbia with more than 5,500 member organizations.

 

Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion
The U.S. Department of Agriculture maintains this valuable information service. Their best-known report is Expenditures on Children and Families which is published each year. Copies of the reports for the past three years are available free. The PDF files can be viewed or printed by Adobe Acrobat Reader, which you can also install in your computer for free.

 

Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSEP)
The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts. IDEA authorizes formula grants to states, and discretionary grants to institutions of higher education and other non-profit organizations to support research, demonstrations, technical assistance and dissemination, technology and personnel development and parent-training and information centers.

 

Early Intervention Research Institute
The Early Intervention Research Institute (EIRI) is an interdisciplinary group of researchers currently funded by a variety of federal, state, and private grants and contracts to conduct research on efficacy questions and other areas of concern, to collect cost and cost-effectiveness data, to develop demonstration programs, to provide technical assistance, and to disseminate information regarding these activities.

 

SAMHSA FASD Center for Excellence The FASD Center is a Federal initiative devoted to preventing and treating FASD. This Web site provides information and resources about FASD. For more help, you can request training and technical assistance. We also provide materials you can use to raise awareness about FASD.

 

 

Infant & Toddler Child Care Initiative
A valuable source of information on infant and toddler child care issues and initiatives. The web site will provide information on:

• States, including state profiles that provide demographic information about infants and toddlers and the child care system that serves them. Profiles are currently available for the ten, round-one participating states and profiles for the remaining states and territories are in production.
• Infant and toddler child care initiatives, through a database searchable by state, type of initiative or initiative name. A form is also available in this section for users who would like to nominate an infant and toddler child care initiative for inclusion in the database. Updates to the database will occur monthly.
• Publications, which will include fact sheets, technical assistance papers and issue briefs produced by the Initiative that profile important topics related to building systems of quality care for infants and toddlers.

 

NECTAC: Main home page of National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center

• NECTAC Autism pages
  

 

National Child Care Information Center

 

TRICARE
Military Health System

 

Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts. IDEA authorizes formula grants to states, and discretionary grants to institutions of higher education and other non-profit organizations to support research, demonstrations, technical assistance and dissemination, technology and personnel development and parent-training and information centers.

 

U. S. Department of Education

 

National Non-Governmental Agencies and Programs

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American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
The American Foundation for the Blind is dedicated to addressing the critical issues of literacy, independent living, employment, and access through technology for the ten million Americans who are blind or visually impaired.

 

Autism Society of America
The mission of the Autism Society of America is to promote lifelong access and opportunity for all individuals within the autism spectrum, and their families, to be fully participating, included members of their community. Education, advocacy at state and federal levels, active public awareness and the promotion of research form the cornerstones of ASA's efforts to carry forth its mission.

 

Bright Futures
A national initiative to promote and improve the health and well-being of infants, children, and adolescents.

 

Children Now: General Links Directory
Children Now is a research and action organization dedicated to assuring that children grow up in economically secure families, where parents can go to work confident that their children are supported by quality health coverage, a positive media environment, a good early education, and safe, enriching activities to do after school. Recognized for its expertise in media as a tool for change, Children Now designs its strategies to improve children's lives while at the same time helping America build a sustained commitment to putting children first. Children Now is an independent, nonpartisan organization.

 

Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) is a national non-profit organization founded in 1987 in response to the frustration and sense of isolation experienced by parents and their children with AD/HD.

 

 

Council for Disability Rights
On national, state, and local levels, the Council for Disability Rights advances the rights of people with disabilities. The Council promotes public policy and legislation, public awareness through education, and provides information and referral services.

 

Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptional needs, 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, and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice.

 

Culturally Competent Family Support
The goal of culturally competent family support is to aid the cause and interests of families who have a deaf or hard of hearing child, and to promote polices that further these causes and interests, in a manner which is sensitive to families from racially, ethnically, culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

 

Division for Early Childhood (DEC)
The Division for Early Childhood (DEC) of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is a nonprofit organization advocating for individuals who work with or on behalf of children with special needs, birth through age eight, and their families. Founded in 1973, the Division is dedicated to promoting policies and practices that support families and enhance the optimal development of children. Children with special needs include those who have disabilities, developmental delays, are gifted/talented, and are at risk of future developmental problems.

 

Early Connections
Technology In Early Childhood Education. Connecting technology with the way young children learn: resources and information for educators and care providers.

 

Early Childhood and Parenting Collaborative

 

FAS/FAE Information Service
The service provides links to support groups, prevention projects, resource centers and experts on FAS/FAE. It also provides bilingual information on FAS/FAE to a variety of clients, including caregivers, educators, social workers, health care and treatment professionals, members of the legal community, policy makers and planners, researchers and the general public.

 

Family Education Network
Welcome to Family Education Network, the best of the Internet's content, resources, and shopping for parents, teachers, and kids. Launched in September, 2000, the company's mission is to be an online consumer network of the world's best learning and information resources, personalized to help parents, teachers, and students of all ages take control of their learning and make it part of their everyday lives.

 

The Future of Children
The David and Lucille Packard Foundation "Providing research and analysis to promote effective policies and programs for children".

 

Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development
The Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development (also known as Georgetown University Child Development Center) was established over four decades ago to improve the quality of life for all children and youth, especially those with, or at risk for, special needs and their families.

 

Headsprout: Where Kids Learn to Read
NOTE: We share this with our audience as a courtesy. Its appearance here in no way implies and endorsement of the product.
This is a commercial available internet-based, animated application that teaches reading fundamentals to the 4 - 7 year old age group. Headsprout uses tested lessons and educational methods which go beyond "edutainment" to teach children complex subject matter in a fast and effective way.

 

House Ear Institute
This is a nonprofit research and education center located in Los Angeles. It offers personalized information mainly on issues related to raising and educating children with hearing loss. Information is also available on hearing health, advocacy, communications, and the latest in research and technology.

 

Institute for Family-Centered Care (IFCC)
Family-centered care is an approach to health care that offers a new way of thinking about the relationships between families and health care providers. The Institute for Family-Centered Care, a non-profit organization, provides essential leadership to advance the understanding and practice of family-centered care. The Institute serves as a central resource for both family members and members of the health care field. This site shares information, facilitates problem-solving and promotes dialogue among individuals and organizations working toward family-centered care.

 

National Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA)

 

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is the nation's largest and most influential organization of early childhood educators and others dedicated to improving the quality of programs for children from birth through third grade.

 

National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health
The National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health provides national leadership to the maternal and child health community in three key areas-- program development, education, and state-of-the-art knowledge--to improve the health and well-being of the nation's children and families.

 

National Center for Early Development & Learning (NCEDL)
A national early childhood research project supported by the US Dept. of Education's Office of Educational Research and Improvement.

 

National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS)
Under the leadership of a Board of Directors, Scientific Advisory Board, Clinical Advisory Board and Affiliate Advisory Board, NDSS distributes timely and informative materials, encourages and supports the activities of local parent support groups, sponsors conferences and scientific symposia and undertakes major advocacy efforts - all to increase awareness and acceptance of people with Down syndrome.

 

National Parent Information Network (NPIN)
The purpose of NPIN, an ERIC project, is to provide information to parents and those who work with parents and to foster the exchange of parenting materials.

 

National Council on Disability (NDC)
The National Council on Disability (NCD) is an independent federal agency making recommendations to the President and Congress on issues affecting 54 million Americans with disabilities.

 

National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities
NICHCY is the national information and referral center that provides information on disabilities and disability-related issues for families, educators, and other professionals. Our special focus is children and youth (birth to age 22).

 

National Information Clearinghouse on Children Who Are Deaf-Blind
DB-LINK is a federally funded information and referral service that identifies, coordinates, and disseminates (at no cost) information related to children and youth who are deaf-blind (ages 0 to 21 years). Four organizations have pooled their expertise into a consortium-based clearinghouse.

 

National Technical Center for Children's Mental Health

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)
The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) understands the many challenges still facing individuals with disabilities and their families. Therefore, OSERS is committed to improving results and outcomes for people with disabilities of all ages. OSERS supports programs that serve millions of children, youth and adults with disabilities.

 

Research & Training Center on Family Support and Children's Mental Health
The Center is dedicated to promoting effective community-based, culturally competent, family-centered services for families and their children who are, or may be affected by mental, emotional or behavioral disorders. This goal is accomplished through collaborative research partnerships with family members, service providers, policy makers, and other concerned persons. The Center's activities build on family strengths through applied multi-level research and capacity building.

 

Social Security for Parents
What Every Parent Should Know About Social Security and a Baby's First Number

 

Starting Points: Meeting the Needs of Our Youngest Children
The report of the Carnegie Task Force on Meeting the Needs of Young Children.

 

Through the Looking Glass (TLG)
Through the Looking Glass is a nationally recognized center that has pioneered research, training, and services for families in which a child, parent or grandparent has a disability or medical issue. TLG is a disability community based nonprofit organization, which emerged from the independent living movement, and was founded in 1982 in Berkeley, California.

 

yourchild.yahoo.com
This new (August, 1998) page contains information about early childhood development and resources for parents and caregivers.

 

The Family Village
This is a global community, a vast clearinghouse, "that integrates information, resources, and communication opportunities on the Internet for persons with mental retardation and other disabilities, their families, and those that provide them services and supports." A convenient listing of Regional Parent-to-Parent Programs is maintained here. Funded in part by the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation, Family Village is a must-stop WWW site.

 

Fathers
Information from the ParentLink Library of the University of Missouri.

 

Mr. Dad
Armin Brott has written or co-written five critically acclaimed, groundbreaking books on fatherhood.

 

Washington State Father's Network
This site serves fathers of children with special needs, providing resource and support information.

 

The Global Early Intervention Network
The Global School Psychology Network is an Internet community for parents, service providers, students and faculty at universities, and everyone else who is concerned about early intervention with infants and toddlers. The community is dedicated to high quality information, peer support, problem-solving assistance, continuous learning, and research related to early intervention. Our hope is that this community will serve as a model for how the Internet can be used to enhance collaboration and the sharing of knowledge in early intervention

 

KidsHealth
KidsHealth is the largest and most visited site on the Web providing doctor -approved health information about children from before birth through adolescence.  KidsHealth provides families with accurate, up-to-date, and jargon-free health information they can use.

 

National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)
The National Association of County and City Health Officials is a nonprofit membership organization serving all of the nearly 3,000 local health departments nationwide in cities, counties, townships, and districts. NACCHO provides education, information, research, and technical assistance to local health departments and facilitates partnerships among local, state, and federal agencies in order to promote and strengthen public health.

 

Early Head Start
This site is conceived as a "National Resource Center" for this new offshoot of Head Start. Early Head Start supports the healthy development of infants, toddlers, and their families, and pregnant women. This site is operated by ZERO TO THREE: National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families and WestEd's Center for Child and Family Studies.

 

State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)
For the first time in nearly a decade, Congress has expanded health care coverage for children. The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 establishes the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). It also modifies Medicaid, adding many important consumer protections while putting other protections at risk. The long-standing AAP goal of universal children's insurance coverage has not yet been achieved. However, we recognize that this new legislation is a real opportunity to advance our agenda.

 

Learning Disabilities On Line
This site is maintained by Candace Cortiella and WETA, the educational television station in Washington, D. C. LD OnLine has an extensive list of articles about special education, new developments in educational research, legal issues, and hundreds of online links to many other resources for all children with disabilities.

 

Kids  & Managed Care Options (KMCO)
This project supports the development of partnerships between the state children with special health care needs program, managed care organizations, and families. It also works to bridge gaps in the service system through the provision of information and training.

 

March of Dimes
Saving babies together.

 

Parents Helping Parents (PHP)
PHP is a comprehensive, parent-directed family resource center for children with any kind of special need --mental, physical, emotional, or learning disabilities whether due to birth defects, illness, vehicular, sports or other accidents. Founded in 1976 as a parent support group, Parents Helping Parents is based in Santa Clara, California. With too many features to describe, this site is really an essential bookmark for anyone involved in early childhood issues.

 

Positive Parenting
Many diverse information resources on are available. The user-friendly site is not limited to special education issues. Checkout current and back issues of their popular newsletter and be sure to visit Related Links for an extensive listing of good pages.

 

Technical Assistance Alliance for Parent Centers
The Technical Assistance Alliance for Parent Centers (the Alliance) is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, to serve as the coordinating office for the Technical Assistance to Parent Projects beginning. The Alliance is an innovative project which focuses on providing technical assistance for developing and funded Parent Training, Information Projects and Community Parent Resource Centers under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

 

American Academy of Pediatrics
The site map takes the user right through this impressive, content-laden page. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and its member pediatricians dedicate their efforts and resources to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. The AAP has approximately 55,000 members in the United States, Canada and Latin America. Members include pediatricians, pediatric medical sub specialists and pediatric surgical specialists. More than 34,000 members are board-certified and called Fellows of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP).

 

Yahoo! Directory
Type in Parenting>Child Care

 

National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. (NORD)
The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is a unique federation of voluntary health organizations dedicated to helping people with rare "orphan" diseases and assisting the organizations that serve them. NORD is committed to the identification, treatment, and cure of rare disorders through programs of education, advocacy, research, and service.

 

Internet Connections | Special Education
McREL, located in Aurora, Colorado, is a private, nonprofit organization whose purpose is to improve education through applied research and development. McREL provides products and services, primarily for K-12 educators, to promote the best instructional practices in the classroom.

 

Pathways Service Coordination Project
The Pathways: Service Coordination Project collaborates with key stakeholders in participating states to provide training and technical assistance in early intervention service coordination.

 

National Center to Improve Practice in Special Education Through technology, Media and Materials (NCIP)
A list of links that provide information, and resources relating to technology and students with disabilities.

 

Special Education Resources on the Internet (SERI)
Special Education Resources on the Internet (SERI) is an a collection of Internet accessible information resources of interest to those involved in the fields related to Special Education.

 

Spina Bifida Association of America (SBAA)
Founded in 1973, SBAA is the national organization representing some 75 local chapters. Information is available here on the Agent Orange Benefits Act of 1996.

 

Zero to Three
Formerly the National Center for Clinical Infant Programs, Zero to Three is the only national organization dedicated to helping infants, toddlers and their families best navigate the earliest years of life. Their bulletin, "Zero to Three," is published six times a year; excerpts are available online.

 

Other State Government Programs

State of Georgia Special Needs Program
State of Georgia Babies Can't Wait Program

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