Support & Collaboration:
Parenting in the 90's & 2000's -One of the best resource sites we've seen yet for parents of children with disabilities. Site author relies on free site, therefore be prepared for pop-up ads.
Family Support America -Promotes family support as the nationally recognized movement to strengthen and support families and places the principles of family support practice at the heart of every setting in which children and families are present.
Parent to Parent of New York State -Organization that provides emotional support and information to parents of children with disabilities or special needs.
About.com's Parenting Children with Special Needs -Great resource site for parents with links, articles, forums, and newsletters.
New York Yellow Pages for Kids with Disabilities --includes many resources - government programs, grassroots organizations, and parent support groups. They will be adding evaluators, educational consultants, academic tutors, advocates, attorneys, and others who help parents get services for their children.
Resources for Children With Special Needs -An independent, not-for-profit organization that provides information and referral, case management and support, individual and systemic advocacy, parent and professional training, library and information services to New York City parents and caregivers of children with disabilities and special needs and to the professionals who work with them.
NICHCY (The National Informational 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.
Knowledge Exchange Network/Center for Mental Health Services -Information and resources on prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation services for mental illness.
NYS Partners for Children-Resources for community collaboration.
Zero to Three -Great resource for early intervention mental health issues for parents and professionals.
The New York State Citizen's Coalition for Children -the Coalition is an organization of concerned citizens and over 140 volunteer adoptive and foster parent groups in every region of New York State. Guided by a belief in the right of every child to a permanent, loving family.
The National Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice and Permanency Planning -at the Hunter College School of Social Work- is a training, technical assistance, and information services organization dedicated to help strengthen the capacity of agencies to: institutionalize a safety-focused, family-centered, and community-based approach to meet the needs of children, youth and families.
The Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential -The Institutes® is a nonprofit educational organization that serves children by introducing parents to the field of child brain development. Parents learn how to enhance significantly the development of their children physically, intellectually and socially in a joyous and sensible way.
Special Education:
NYS Special Education Resources for Parents- Assessment information, laws & regulations, overview of the special education process with information regarding evaluation, eligibility, parental rights, IEP, due process, and more.
PBIS Technical Assistance Center-The Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) has been established by the Office of Special Education Programs, US Department of Education to give schools capacity-building information and technical assistance for identifying, adapting, and sustaining effective school-wide disciplinary practices.
Center for School Mental Health Assistance-University of Maryland School of Medicine Center for School Mental Health Assistance (CSMHA) provides leadership and technical assistance to advance effective interdisciplinary school-based mental health programs.
A Parent's Guide to Special Education/Special Needs - In-depth, yet basic overview of the special ed process, including IEP information by Maiya Lueptow in consultation with Friends of Special Education.
Special Education Directory (Yahoo!) -Highly recommended, excellent resource site containing basic special ed info sites as well as relevant links.
Bridges4Kids -A community of equal partners coming together to provide a circle of support for ALL children from birth to adult life with a special focus on those who have disabilities, special needs, or who are at-risk.
United We Stand of New York- Organization offering special education training and support to Brooklyn families.
All Kinds of Minds -The All Kinds of Minds’ mission is to help students who struggle with learning measurably improve their success in school and life by providing programs that integrate educational, scientific and clinical expertise.
Advocates for Children- Advocates for Children of New York, Inc. works on behalf of children from infancy to age 21 who are at greatest risk for school-based discrimination and/or academic failure.
The Advocacy Center- The Advocacy Center, located in Rochester, NY, is a non-profit organization that educates, supports, and advocates for families of children 0-21 with all-ranges of disabilities.
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Youth:
Struggling Teens in New York Resource Site
Family Help in New York, Focus Adolescent Services -Extensive overview of resources, including hotlines, literature, legal info, etc. for parents of adolescents in NYS.
MPOWER Musicians for Mental Health- mpower is a new youth awareness campaign that's harnessing the power of music to change youth attitudes about mental health and fight the stigma facing the 1 in 5 youth with mental health problems.
The Youth Development Institute- The Youth Development Institute works in New York City and nationally to build policies, programs and practices of youth development.
Empowerment & Resiliency:
The Empowerment Zone -Outstanding list of links based on the theme of empowerment -- helping individuals and communities achieve self actualization and full citizenship. Also includes links pertaining to computer software & programs.
Coping.Org -Onsite Manuals for Coping with a Variety of Life's Stressors.
Project Resilience -Website offering resiliency training information, publications, core concepts and links.
Resiliency in Action -Resiliency training, products, and forums.
Strength Based Services International -Organization whose mission is to put strength based practices in the hands, minds, and hearts of every family and child care practitioner.
ADDA Kids Area -Information about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder for kids.
About.com's ADD Site -Great site with links, articles, forums, and newsletters all about attention deficit disorder.
Anxiety Disorders Association of America -Resources for professionals and consumers.
Asperger Syndrome Coalition of the United States -National nonprofit organization committed to providing the most up-to-date and comprehensive information on Asperger Syndrome and related conditions.
The Autism Society of America - Information for parents with newly diagnosed children, general information about the Society, and information about local Society Chapters.
About.com's Autism/PDD Site -Great site with links, articles, forums, and newsletters all about Autism & Pervasive Developmental Disorder.
CHADD -National non-profit organization representing children and adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD).
Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation (CABF) -The Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation (CABF) is a parent-led, not-for-profit, web-based membership organization.
Conduct Disorders Web Site -Links, support forum, articles, recommended books, profiles.
Make Learning Easy -Offering conferences and workshops on teaching students with Asperger's Syndrome in the regular classroom.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Foundation -Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Resource site.
Parents & Teachers of Explosive Kids -Utilizing both professional literature and personal experiences, this parent-driven site has been designed to provide education and support for parents and professionals involved in the care of inflexible-explosive kids.
Tourette Syndrome Association (TSA) - National organization dedicated to providing up-to-date information about Tourette Syndrome.
Mental Health Organizations & Associations Links:
The Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health -Families Together in NYS parent organization, advocating on a national level for families with children with special needs.
ACT For Youth -Assets Coming Together for Youth-aims to strengthen community partnerships that promote positive youth development and prevent risky and unhealthy behaviors among young people, aged 10 to 19.
Mental Health Association of New York State -MHANYS is a voluntary not-for-profit statewide association with 32 local affiliates located in communities throughout New York State. MHANYS brings together service recipients, families, professionals, advocates and concerned citizens to address all aspects of mental health and mental illness.
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (Family & Youth Section) -NAMI is a nonprofit, grassroots, self-help, support and advocacy organization of consumers, families, and friends of people with severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and anxiety disorders.
The National Center for Kids in Crisis -A nonprofit organization, devoted to promoting the mental health of children. Includes tips for parents.
New York Association of School Psychologists -NYASP serves children, their families, and the school community by promoting psychological well-being, excellence in education, and sensitivity to diversity through best practices in school psychology.
Statewide Youth Advocacy (of NY) -This site was designed to provide access to information, services, and ideas that we can all use to improve the lives of New York's children.
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Regional Groups & Information:
Children's Mental Health Coalition of Western New York -The Children’s Mental Health Coalition of WNY Inc. is to strengthen family support services, to promote awareness of children’s mental health issues and to foster equal partnerships between parents and child serving agencies. CMHCWNY serves 19 counties in Western New York including: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates.
Nanuet Parent Information Network -Links to handy resources for children with special needs.
Behavioral Health Services North -BHSNorth serves Northeastern NY (Saranac Lake, Plattsburgh, Malone, and Westport) and offers services for children with behavioral and emotional needs and at-risk youth.
The Columbia County Healthcare Consortium - information about health-related topics, updates on health events and clinics via our calendar, and links to reputable national sites covering a variety of health topics.
AHA/AS/PDD - The Advocates for Individuals with High Functioning Autism, Asperger's Syndrome and other Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Corp. is a Long Island parent group whose primary purpose is to support one another as they advocate for the unique needs of children and adults with these special needs.
The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Champlain Valley and The NAMI CV Forum
Government Related Links:
NYS Assembly
NYS Senate
NYS Office of Mental Health
NYS Department of Health
NYS Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services
NYS Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities
NYS State Education Department
NYS Department of Social Services
NYS Division of Human Rights
NYS Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance
NYS Office of Children & Family Services
NYS Office on Aging
NYS Commission on Quality of Care for the Mentally Disabled
The National Institute of Mental Health
United States Government Nonprofit Gateway
National GAINS Center-The National GAINS Center for People with Co-Occurring Disorders in the Criminal Justice System.
Lawyers for Children -Not-for-profit organization in New York City dedicated to representing children in foster care as well as providing free legal and social work services to children who are the subject of abuse, neglect, termination of parental rights, adoption, guardianship, paternity, custody and visitation proceedings.
Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law -Legal advocacy for the civil rights and human dignity of people with mental disabilities.
The Special Needs Calculator -designed to help parents get started on the road to developing a financial plan for the whole family.
PINS Reform and Family Advocacy Coalition -PRAFAC is an informal group of organizations and individuals working to promote parent's rights, PINS reform, and benefits families.
Fun Stuff for Families & Kids:
Family Friendly Fun with Special Needs -Mind, body and spirit-enriching resources to enhance the quality and enjoyment of family life with special needs.
FunSchool.Com -Fun site for the kids: great online games for preschool age on up.
Books & Educational Resources:
ERIC -Education Resource Information Center/Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education; parent resources, research, documents, listserves.
Healthfinder -An abundance of health resources and search engines provided by the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services.
Internet Mental Health -This site offers a free encyclopedia of mental health information, particularly diagnoses, medications, disorders, and research findings.
Mental Health Infosource -Huge mental health search engine: AtoZ disorder search, articles, classifieds, continuing education, news briefs, etc.
Psych Center -Dr. John Grohol's Mental Health Page, a personalized one-stop index for psychology, support, and mental health issues, resources, and people on the Internet.
Woodbine House -Special needs books concentrating on, but not limited to autism, ADHD, celiac disease, fragile X syndrome, inclusion, and learning disabilities.
Active Parenting Publishers -Large variety of resources, books, and videos for parents and teachers on many different issues. Resources available in Spanish and English.
Magination Press -Magination Press specializes in books that help children deal with a variety of personal, psychological concerns: from family problems to self-esteem to death and dying.
Disabilites Books- Books for parents of children with disabilities, family members, including children with disabilities and their sisters and brothers, and adults with disabilities.
Guilford Press -psychology books and resources.
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