We’re Here to Help
Raising a child can come with some difficulties—and when your child has unique learning needs, it can feel overwhelming at times. Whether you’re seeking guidance, services, or tools to help your child thrive, here you’ll find helpful resources and links to empower you as a parent and partner in your child’s education.
| Learning Disabilities Association of America
About: Parents or caregivers may notice academic problems or other signs of a learning disability in their child and not know where to start. Often this “invisible disability” does not become obvious until a child reaches school age. Even then, difficulties may be subtle and hard to recognize. Here you will find a wealth of information on understanding learning disabilities, negotiating the special education process, and helping your child and yourself. |
Services for Children with Disabilities
About: You are your child’s most important advocate. To best support your child, you may need information about your child’s specific diagnosis, early intervention services (for a baby or toddler), special education services (for a preschool or school-age child), social security benefits, and much more. Here are some resources to help you be their best advocate and support your child’s growth, development, and well-being. childcare.gov/consumer-education/services-for-children-with-disabilities |
| Child Mind Institute
About: The Child Mind Institute is dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders by giving them the help they need to thrive. We’re the leading independent nonprofit in children’s mental health, operating three Mission Areas that work together for greater impact: Care, Education and Science. |
Easterseals Disability and Community Services
About: Easterseals Empowers People To Live Independent, Full Lives. Our national Affiliate network provides essential services to children and adults with disabilities, older adults, veterans, and their families. |
| Federation for Children with Special Needs
About: The federation empowers families so that they have the information and resources they need for their children. They work with families with children from birth to adulthood, providing individual assistance, training, ad leadership development & support. They focus on education, early intervention, health care, transitions, children in foster care and group homes, and building strong family engagement to support all children, especially those children with disabilities, those at risk, and those with economic, cultural, or linguistic barriers. |
Disability Rights Iowa
About: Advocates for justice. Advances human and legal rights. Protects Iowans with disabilities. Disability Rights Iowa is a legal non-profit. DRI has been a part of the Protection and Advocacy network since 1984. Since then, it has been our mission to protect and advocate for the rights of Iowans with disabilities.
|
| Parents Helping Parents
About: Parents Helping Parents provides support, resources, and information about raising your loved one of any age with any disability or diagnosis. |
Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services
About: The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services division of Iowa Workforce Development is an employment program for individuals who experience a disability. As Iowa’s VR program, we focus on service delivery that helps Iowans prepare for, obtain, keep, and advance in employment. |
| Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Parents and families want the best for their family members. The Parents and Families Resource page brings together U.S. Department of Education-funded centers, department programs, and additional information of interest for parents and families. |
Family Voices
About: Family Voices is a national nonprofit led by families and friends of children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) and disabilities. We connect a network of family-led organizations across the United States that provide support to families of CYSHCN. |
| A Parent’s Guide to Evaluations, IEPs, and More
About: Read this Q & A with Learning Disabilities Association of America CEO, attorney, and parent Cindy Ciploletti. ldaamerica.org/a-parents-guide-to-evaluations-ieps-and-more/?audience=Parents |
Council for Exceptional Children
The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving the success of children and youth with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. |
| Center for Disabilities and Development
About: The Center for Disabilities and Development (CDD) at Stead Family Children’s Hospital is dedicated to improving the health and independence of people with disabilities and creating a life with opportunities for everyone. People who come to CDD’s clinics often have complex needs, which is why we use a team approach, bringing together the right experts to help families find answers. At the heart of each team are the patient and family. uihc.org/childrens/services/center-disabilities-and-development
|
Pacer Center – Champions for Children with Disabilities
About: PACER Center improves educational opportunities and enhances the quality of life for children and young adults with disabilities and their families. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides professional development, and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice. CEC is known as THE source for information, resources, and professional development for special educators. |
| Disability Services
About: The Disability Services System (DSS) is designed to support, provide care, and connection for all Iowans and families with disability-related needs. The DSS also assists Iowans to needed system connections to Medicaid, Public Health, and Behavioral Health by using a shared responsibility model between HHS and system stakeholders. The Disability Services System: |
Iowa Community Hub – Disability Resources
The ability to understand and integrate the needs of participants with a wide range of abilities is critical for anyone involved in the implementation of evidence-based programs |
| Iowa DD Council
About: Iowa’s DD Council was made by a federal law called the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act. This law ensures that people with developmental disabilities get the help they need. It says they should choose their services and be in control.The DD Council is a group in Iowa that gets money from the federal government. It advocates for Iowans with disabilities so they can live and be part of their community. https://www.iowaddcouncil.org/about
|
The ARC of Iowa
About: As a grassroots nonprofit agency established in 1953 we have worked together for generations to build an accepting world with the supports necessary for our children, family or friends who have been affected. Our work is not done. The Arc partners with self advocates across the State of Iowa to build a community voice of people. |