Resources For Families of Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays

Early Intervention (Children Birth to 3 years of age)

• Birth to 3
  • The Birth to 3 Program is a federally-mandated program to support families of children with delays or disabilities under the age of three.
• Birth to 3 Program - Guiding Principles
  • This page outlines the framework for decision-making
• Birth to 3 County Contacts
  • Find Birth to 3 Programs in your area
• Services for Children with Delays or Disabilities in Wisconsin
  • List of programs that provide assistance to families in caring for children at home and in the community.
• IFSP Background
  • Detailed information on the Individualized Education Plan planning process including: referrals, roles and responsibilities, and evaluation procedures.

Early Childhood Special Education (Children age 3 to 5 years)

• Child Find
  • Child Find, a component of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is responsible for identifying children with special needs and disabilities. Find out more information about Child Find on the Wisconsin Early Childhood Collaborating Partners website.
• Early Childhood Special Education - Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
  • Each school district is responsible for providing a continuum of special education and related services to children with disabilities who need special education. This link provides general information on early childhood special education
• Special Education Resources for Parents and Families
  • Resources that all families and educators should know and share.  Topics include IEP's, an Introduction to Special Education, training videos, etc.

• Children's Long Term Support (CLTS) - Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)
  • This page provides information to support children who are living at home or in the community who have substantial limitations in multiple daily activities as a result of one or more of the following disabilities: developmental disabilities, severe emotional disturbances, and physical disabilities.
• Wisconsin Wayfinder - Department of Health Services
  • Wisconsin Wayfinder supports families of children with delays, disabilities, special health care needs, and mental health conditions
• The University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD)
  • Provides programs to support the full inclusion and self-determination of people with developmental disabilities and their families.

Assistance

• Family Voices of Wisconsin
  • A statewide network that provides training, information and advocacy for families whose children have disabilities and/or special health care needs.
• Parent to Parent of Wisconsin
  • Provides support to parents of children with special needs through a one-on-one connection with another parent who has a similar experience.
• Wisconsin FACETS
  • Wisconsin Family Assistance Center for Education, Training and Support (WI FACETS) is a statewide non-profit organization, with its main office located in Milwaukee, WI.
• Wisconsin Stateside Parent-Educator Initiative (WSPEI)
  • WSPEI assists families and educators to find the resources that will help them build positive working relationships leading to shared decision-making and positive outcomes for children's learning. WSPEI services are free and confidential.

Advocacy 

• Disability Rights of Wisconsin
  • A private non-profit organization designated by the governor as part of a national system and federally mandated independent disability agency to ensure the rights of all state citizens with disabilities through advocacy and system change.
• Wisconsin Family Ties
  • A stateside organization that supports students with mental health care needs.
• Family Support and Advocacy Organizations
  • A list of statewide support and advocacy organizations.

• DPI Disability Category Criteria Forms and Guides
  • A page dedicated to providing information and guidance around the twelve disability categories recognized by Wisconsin's Department of Public Instruction.
• About Specific Disabilities - Center for Parent Information and Resources
  • This page contains fact sheets that define specific disabilities, describes its characteristics, and offers tips for parents and teachers
• Autism Society of Wisconsin
  • Autism Society of Wisconsin provides information, referrals, family support, advocacy, professional development, resource development, and raised awareness and acceptance.
• Blind or Visually Impaired Information and Resources - American Foundation for the Blind
  • Videos, personal stories, events, news, and an online community that can offer tips and support from other parents of children who are blind or visually impaired
• American Society for Deaf Children
  • Information for people who must make decisions about deaf children: providers, educators, legislators, and advocates
• Developmental Disability Programs and Information - Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)
  • This page provides information on Children's Long-Term Support Waivers, Family Care and Family Care Partnership.
• Facts About Developmental Disabilities - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • This page provides information on developmental milestones, what do if you have concerns, monitoring, screening, and risk factors.
• Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin
  • An organization created for individuals and families affected by Down Syndrome to offer assistance, create awareness, and gain acceptance of Down Syndrome throughout our communities.
• United Cerebral Palsy (UCP)
  • UCP educates, advocates and provides support services to ensure a life without limits for people with a spectrum of disabilities. UCP affiliates provide services and support on a community-by-community basis, serving unique needs of people with disabilities in their region. 

• ACCESS
  • A quick and easy way to see if you are eligible to receive support through Wisconsin's health, nutrition, and other programs.
• Katie Beckett Program
  • A way to obtain Medicaid for children with disabilities not eligible for other Medicaid programs because of income/assets requirements.
• Medicaid Recipient Hotline - 1-800-362-3002
  • Wisconsin Information about recipient eligibility, rights, covered benefits, providers, problems with bills, etc. for those with Medicaid.
• Finding Your Way or Encuentre su camino
  • A navigation guide for Wisconsin families who have children and youth with special health care needs and disabilities.
• Services for Children with Delays or Disabilities - Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)
  • Provides a list of programs that families may be eligible for based on assessed need.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in Wisconsin
  • This link provides information on SSI, a monthly cash benefit paid by the federal Social Security Administration and state Department of Health Services to people of any age who are blind or disabled and residents of Wisconsin.

• Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, Inc.
  • Inter-Tribal council established to better develop and implement programs, seek outside assistance, and gain leverage in dealing with federal, state, and local government.
• GLITC Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN)
  • Provides education, training, support, and advocacy for all Wisconsin children.
• GLITC - Women, Infant and Children (WIC)
  • WIC is a special supplemental nutrition program for low-income and working families.

• Department of Education
  • Individualized Education Programs
  • Parent and Family Resources
• Child Development - Center for Disease Control and Prevention
  • This link provides basic information and development screening, milestone, children's mental health, and free materials for print and ordering.

Videos

• Brain Development: Start with Experiences - YoungStar
  • A 2-minute video on the importance of parents engaging with children as babies, infants, and toddlers to increase and support brain development.
• Toxic Stress - YoungStar
  • A 2-minute video on the effects of exposure to short periods of stress in comparison to the effects of exposure to toxic and long periods of stress on brain development.
• Child Outcomes - Building Adult Capabilities to Improve Child Outcomes: A Theory of Change - Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University
  • This 5-minute video describes the need to focus on building the capabilities of caregivers and strengthening the community that together form the environment of relationships essential to a child's lifelong learning, health, and behavior.

Webinars

• A CADRE Webinar - Play Nicely Together: Family-Centered Practices to Help Practitioners and Families Work Together

Websites

• Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR)
  • This Parent Hub serves as a central resource of information and products to the community of Parent Training Information (PTI) Centers and the Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs), so that they can focus on serving families of children with disabilities.
• Screening Resources for Families - Wisconsin Early Childhood Collaborating Partners (WECCP)
  • WECCP promotes routine development screening for all children from birth to entry into school. This link provides a list of resources and information on screening, family resources, professional and community resources.
• PBS Parents: Learn and Grow
  • This link to the Public Broadcast Service page provides information on child development, activities and tips for supporting developmental growth