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 Resources / Links
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Advocacy and Specific Disabilities Organizations
The Arc of Greater Houston (713) 957-1600
A non-profit organization formed to advocate for the inclusion of people with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities in all aspects of society and is established at the national, state, and local levels.
Attention Deficits Disorder Association - Southern Region (ADD-SR)
Provides information to assist parents, teachers, professionals, adults with ADHD or anyone wanting to learn more about ADHD or ADD.
Down Syndrome Association of Houston (713) 682-7237
P.O. Box 303
Houston, TX 77001-0303
Epilepsy Foundation of Southeast Texas
Provides programs and services for children and adults with epilepsy.
Families for Early Autism Treatment - Houston, Org. (FEATHouston)
Information about Autism, applied behavior analysis (ABA) treatment and support groups in the Houston and Texas areas.
Family to Family Network (F2F)
Works with families, professionals and friends of children with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses, to create communities where all children can excel.
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP of Greater Houston)
Provides services to individuals with cerebral palsy and their families.
Education / Special Education
Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) (713) 694-6300
6300 Irvington Blvd.
Houston, TX 77022-5618
Provides area schools and programs with professional personnel. Available services include assessment services, counseling, psychological services, in-home training, art therapy, music therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech/language therapy, among others. Children 0 -22 years of age, with developmental or disabilities that are emotional, physical, and/or mental, may need special education or related services. Students in both regular and special education programming may receive services from HCDE professionals.
Region 4 Education Service Center (713) 462-7708
7145 West Tidwell
Houston, TX 77092-2096
Region 4 Education Service Center has the largest student population of 20 state service centers established by the Texas Legislature in 1967 to provide school districts with professional development training and technical assistance that support statewide goals for school improvement.
Click here to see current Region 4 training opportunities.
Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) 1-(800) 628-5115
ECI is a statewide program for families with children, birth to three, with disabilities and developmental delays. ECI supports families to help their children reach their potential through developmental services. Services are provided by a variety of local agencies and organizations across Texas.
Employment / Vocational
American Habilitation Services (713) 434-1759
Located in South Houston and offers supported employment primarily for Home Community Based Services (HCS) recipients.
Baytown Opportunity Center (281) 427-0545
Located in Baytown. Work training, structured workshops and classrooms for ages six to adult. Services available in Spanish.
Bethesda/Good Samaritan (281) 351-4911 ext. 127
Located in Cypress. Supported employment for Home Community Based Services (HCS) recipients.
Goodwill of Houston: Employment Services (713) 692-6221
Located in North Houston, Goodwill offers job training, placement and support for persons with disabilities.
The Center (CRI) (713) 525-0640
Located in Central Houston. Adult activity center providing day habilitation with a sheltered workshop.
Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services 1-(800) 628-5115
The Vocational Rehabilitation Program helps people who have physical or mental disabilities prepare for, find, or keep employment..
Diversity Day Activities and Health Services (713) 365-0429
Located in Northwest Houston. Day habilitation, vocational training, and job placement services.
Gulf Coast Community Services Association (713) 393-4700
Located in multiple locations. Adult literacy, GED, and ESL classes. Employment training and support. Services available in Spanish.
Hope Village (281) 482-7926
Located in the Friendswood area. Residential and day programs for individuals with mental retardation, including a developmental work center.
Imagine Enterprises (281) 474-7887
Located in the Seabrook area. Employment training, support, and planning for persons with disabilities.
Mental Health Mental Retardation Authority of Harris County (MHMRA) (713) 970-7070
This is one of the most important agency contacts that you can have. If your child has mental retardation and or an Autism Spectrum disorder (with or without mental retardation), he or she qualifies under their mental retardation division for case management and transition services if needed. Further, this state agency oversees several of the Texas Waiver programs that can provide financial assistance for your child’s long-term health and housing needs.
Houston Mayor's Committee for Employment of People with Disabilities (713) 640-2160
Provides support to job seekers with disabilities and to employers..
Special Home Care Living Center (713) 771-3133
Located in Southwest Houston. Supported employment for Home Community Based Services (HCS) recipients.
Texas Workshop for the Development of the Disabled (713) 455-2227
Located in West Houston. Contract work, job development, and personal social adjustment training for adults with developmental disabilities.
The Trend Healthcare Services (713) 777-0051
Located in West Houston. Supported employment services for Home Community Based Services (HCS) recipients.
The Village Learning Center (281) 358-6172
Located in Kingwood. Life skills and job training for persons with learning disabilities and developmental delays.
Health and Human Services
Baylor College of Medicine - Mental Retardation Research Center (MRRC) (713) 798-7864
An infrastructure of core facilities that support investigators interested in identifying the causes of mental retardation and dissecting the pathogenesis of various human conditions that lead to disability.
Harris County Hospital District (713) 566-6400
The Harris County Hospital District (HCHD) is the fourth largest public metropolitan hospital system in the United States, with nearly 50, 000 annual admissions, more than 728,000 annual outpatient visits, approximately 11,000 births a year, and more than 186,000 annual emergency room visits.
HCHD offers specialized health care services ranging from infant and childhood immunizations, through maternity and adult care, to rehabilitation and geriatric services. The Hospital District does not offer transplant services or full range dialysis, and has limitations on selected medical specialties.
Mental Health Mental Retardation Authority of Harris County (MHMRA) (713) 970-7070
This is one of the most important agency contacts that you can have. If your child has mental retardation and or an Autism Spectrum disorder (with or without mental retardation), he or she qualifies under their mental retardation division for case management and transition services if needed. Further, this state agency oversees several of the Texas Waiver programs that can provide financial assistance for your child’s long-term health and housing needs.
The University of Texas Health Science Center (713) 500-2500
UT Mental Sciences Institute Developmental Disabilities and Dual Diagnosis Clinic provides outpatient evaluation and treatment to children and adults who have mental retardation, autism, or other pervasive developmental disorders, or other developmental disabilities, and whose psychiatric disorders or behavioral symptoms interfere with independence, productivity, and community integration.
Legal / Public Policy Resources
Dispute Resolution Center (DRC) (713) 755-8274
49 San Jacinto
Suite 220
Houston, TX 77002-1233
Offers a free alternative to legal action through mediation.
Harris County Juvenile Probation Department (HCJPD) (713) 512-4100
3540 W. Dallas
Houston, TX 77019
Law enforcement agency that addresses crimes that are committed by youth between the ages of 10 and 17.
Houston Bar Association (713) 759-1133
1001 Fannin
Suite 1300
Houston, TX 77002
A great resource for legal issues. Their website includes information and phone numbers to many resources you may need.
Houston Lawyer Referral Service, Inc. (713) 237-9429 or (800) 289-4577
Helps you find competent legal representation.
Houston Volunteer Lawyer Program (713) 759-4100
712 Main
Suite 2700
Houston, TX 77002
Volunteer attorneys provide pro bono legal assistance to needy citizens.
LegalLine (713) 759-1133
Provides volunteer attorneys to answer legal questions or simple legal advice over the telephone in just a few moments. Or, you may need a referral to other legal or social service agencies. The Mexican American Bar and the Hispanic Bar, offer Consejos Legales for Spanish Speakers. The Asian community, together with the Houston Bar Association offer LegalLine for Vietnamese speakers.
This service is offered on the first and third Wednesday of each month, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Other County Resources
Harris County
Harris County is the largest county in Texas and the third largest county in the U.S., with a population of over three million people and is 1777 square miles in area.
Recreational/Leisure Resources
The Arc of Greater Houston (713) 957-1600
The Arc has several activity programs. Check out their website to learn more about the Saturday Fun Club, Adventure Club, day and over-night camps, monthly dances, and more.
Best Buddies (713) 525-8478
Person-to-person and e-buddies (internet based) activities; where people with and without disabilities are matched for one-to-one relationships.
Discovery Technology
This website based program offers computer classes and pen pals for people with disabilities.
Dionysus Theatre Troupe (713) 202-8840
Provides theatre experience for teens and young adults who are disabled, disadvantaged, chronically ill, or for those able-bodied actors who want to help.
Dream Catcher Stables (281) 397-4694
Located in Spring, TX. Providing recreational horseback riding for people with all kinds of disabilities.
HALTER (713) 705-0849
Located in Katy, TX. Miniature horses, rabbits, cats and other animals enhance self esteem, and provide recreation for children, teens and adults with special needs, as well as at risk teens..
Metropolitan Multi-Service Center (713) 284-1973
A recreation and sports center for people of all ages with disabilities.
PM Pals: A Night Out for Parent's with Special-Needs Children!!!
PM Pals provides a Friday night "off" for parents with special needs children. Children receive one-on-one attention and structured play events and the parents receive 4 hours all to themselves. Here are some details about the program:
- The PM Pals program is offered once a month, the 3rd Friday of each month.
- Drop off time is 6-6:30pm and pick-up time is 9:30-10pm.
- This is a FREE service, open to the public, no strings attached (you do not have to be a member, etc. of the church to participate.)
- It is located at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77027 (on Westheimer Rd. at Edloe, just west of Buffalo Speedway.)
Please contact Julie Miller at (713) 402-5044 or by email at jmiller@stlukes-hou.org to sign up or for more details.
- Children ages 1-12 years old with any type of "special-needs" (including Autism, Down's, MS, Epilepsy, Cerebral Palsy, etc...) are invited.
- Their typically-developing siblings (aged 1-12 years old) are encouraged to attend as well.
- Provides a safe and fun environment with a mature and trained volunteer staff, including medical specialists.
- All children (special-needs and typically-developing) receive a one-on-one "Pal" for the evening, who guides them to various activities (games, crafts, creative play, etc) throughout the evening. There is a "special event/guest" each PM Pal night. The night finishes with a movie to give children some calming-down time.
Recreation: A Great Way to be Active
A web booklet that helps people with disabilities decide what types of recreation they might want to participate in, strategies for planning and participation.
The River Performing and Visual Arts Center (713) 520-1220
A program for children age 2 – 19 with disabilities or chronic illness and their siblings and friends.
Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality (SATH)
Website that provides tips and resources for people with disabilities, including autism.
Special Olympics - Texas (713) 290-0049 or (800) 876-5646
A year-round program with an everybody-wins philosophy for people 8 years old and up with mental retardation.
Texas Adaptive Aquatics (281) 859-9015
Located in Northeast/Lake Houston are, an adaptive water skiing program for people with disabilities.
Texas Summer Camps (713) 462-7708
A directory of summer camps (overnight and day camps) for people with disabilities, published by Region IV Education Service Center.
Trips, Inc. (713) 957-1600
Travel for people with developmental disabilities who need staff assistance. Be sure to ask for their brochure.
Vern Cox Multipurpose Center (281) 487-1755
Located in Pasadena, TX. A recreation center for people with disabilities of all ages.
The Village Learning Center (281) 358-6172
Located in the Atascocita, Humble, and Kingwood areas. Social activities for people with developmental delay and learning disorders.
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| State Links |
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Advocacy and Specific Disabilities Organizations
Advocacy, Inc.
Advocates for the legal rights of Texans with disabilities.
TheArcLink
The Arc of Texas is pleased to provide TheArcLink Texas. This site contains a wealth of information for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Use this site to learn how services are delivered in Texas, locate and research service providers and even conduct a basic needs analysis.
The Arc of Texas
A state non-profit advocacy organization that works to expand opportunities for people with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities to be included in their communities.
Brain Injury Association of Texas
Serves as a resource for individuals, their families and professionals regarding issues associated with brain injury.
Partners Resource Network
Working to empower Texas parents of children and youth with disabilities.
Texas Autism Advocacy
A resource for information about autism, services, supports and state-wide advocacy and information. You can also sign up for email alerts concerning advocacy, information or just general resource information. They also have a very informative Calendar of Events.
Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities
Dedicated to ensuring that all Texans with developmental disabilities have the opportunity to be independent, productive and valued members of their communities.
Texas Parent to Parent (TxP2P)
Provides support and information to parents of children with disabilities, chronic illness and other special needs.
Education / Special Education
Learning Disabilities Association of Texas
Works to promote the education and general welfare of individuals with learning disabilities.
Texas Education Agency (TEA) - State Department of Education: Special Education
Provides important information and resources regarding all aspects of special education in the state of Texas.
Texas Fiesta Educativa
Advocates for and provides multilingual/multicultural educational services to persons with disabilities, their families, and the professionals who serve them.
Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (ECI) 1-(800) 628-5115
A statewide program for families with children, ages birth to three, with disabilities and developmental delays. ECI supports families to help their children reach their potential through developmental services.
University of Texas at Austin - Texas Center for Disability Studies
Provides a coordinated program of courses, service delivery, technical assistance, applied research and information dissemination.
Employment / Vocational
Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)
Helping people with disabilities achieve employment of choice, independence, dignity and equality.
Health and Human Services
Texas Department of State Health Services - Children with Special Healthcare Needs
Is an organization that provides programs for children with special healthcare needs.
Speak Up Texas! 1-8-SPEAK-UP-TX
Speak Up Texas is an outreach program sponsored by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) to increase awareness and use of Speech to Speech relay services. Their program offers free training to individuals with speech disabilities, as well as the businesses who serve them, on how to utilize special telephone services.
Texas Department of Human Services
Administers state and federal socail services programs that are designed to benefit three major client groups: low-income families and children, victims of domestic violence, and people who are elderly or have disabilities.
Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (TDMHMR) 1-(800) 252-8154 (TX only) This agency is mandated to serve those individuals with mental illness and mental retardation in greatest need of services (the priority population).
Texas Low Income Housing Counselor
Helping low-income Texans find a decent, affordable home
Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Works to empower speech-language pathologists and audiologists in the spirit of partnership with consumers and families.
Legal / Public Policy Resources
The Disability Policy Consortium
Promoting progressive public policy for Texans with disabilities.
Other State Resources
Private Providers Association of Texas (PPAT) (512) 452-8188
Works to strengthen and promote the goals of its members, and the industry at large, through its leadership and advocacy efforts and its commitment to the provision of mental retardation and other developmental disability services. PPAT fosters the building of collaborative networks and partnerships among not only its members, but among all interested in improving the quality of services and supports for persons with disabilities.
Texas State Resources
A state-level resource sheet from the National Information Center on Children and Youth with Disabilities (nichcy) that provides listings of the major agencies and organizations in Texas that are of importance to children with disabilities and their families.
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| National Links |
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Advocacy and Specific Disabilities Organizations
American Association on Mental Retardation (800) 424-3688
Promotes progressive policies, sound research, effective practices, and universal human rights for people with intellectual disabilities.
The Arc of the United States
A national advocacy organization that works to include all children and adults with cognitive, intellectual and developmental disabilities in every community.
Asperger Syndrome Coalition of the United States
A national nonprofit organization committed to providing the most up-to-date and comprehensive information on Asperger Syndrome and related conditions.
Autism-PDD Resources Network
Guide to the key issues associated with Autism spectrum disorders.
Autism Society of America (ASA)
A leading source of information and referral on autism.
Autistics.Org
Connects autistic people with the services they need in order to live whole and happy lives. The immediate goal is to build a global database of information and resources by and for persons on the autistic spectrum.
Brain Injury Association of America
Works to create a better future through brain injury prevention, research, education, and advocacy.
The Center for the Study of Autism (CSA)
Is located in the Salem/Portland, Oregon area. The Center provides information about autism to parents and professionals, and conducts research on the efficacy of various therapeutic interventions. Much of its research is in collaboration with the Autism research Institute in San Diego, California.
Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (CHADD)
Works to improve the lives of people with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD).
LD Online
"The leading Web site on learning disabilities for parents, teachers, and other professionals."
Department of Defense - Exceptional Family Member Program
Web site for military families with special needs.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Family Resource Institute
A non-profit organization who's mission is to identify, understand and care for individuals disabled by prenatal alcohol exposure and their families, and to prevent future generations from having to live with this disability.
The National Fragile X Foundation
Unites the fragile X community to enrich lives through educational and emotional support, promote public and professional awareness and advance research toward improved treatments and a cure for fragile X syndrome.
National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS)
Protecting children and families by fighting the leading known cause of mental retardation and birth defects.
The National Youth Leadership Network (NYLN)
The national voice for young leaders with disabilities.
Prader-Willi Syndrome
An organization of parents and others that serves as an international vehicle of communication about Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), a genetically based developmental disability.
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP)
A leading source of information on cerebral palsy and is a pivotal advocate for the rights of persons with any disability.
The Williams Syndrome Association
Is devoted exclusively to improving the lives of individuals with Williams syndrome, their families, and the professionals who work with them, by providing information and emotional support.
Williams Syndrome Foundation (WSF)
Seeks to create or enhance opportunities in education, housing, employment and recreation for people who have Williams Syndrome and other related or similar conditions.
Education / Special Education
Families and Advocates Partnership for Education (FAPE)
A strong partnership that aims to improve the educational outcomes for children with disabilities. FAPE is one of four projects funded by the U.S. Department of Education to reach parents, administrators, service providers, and policymakers nationwide with information about implementing IDEA '97.
IDEA Practices
This site is designed to answer your questions about the Individuals With Disabilities Education ACT (IDEA) and support efforts to help all children learn, progress, and realize their dreams.
Kid's Quest on Disability and Health
Resources for children from 4th grade through high school. Join them as they explore information about disabilities and health for kids.
National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO)
This site provides a variety of information regarding students with disabilities including accommodations and graduation requirements on a state-by-state basis.
No Child Left Behind
Official site of the No Child Left Behind Act from the Department of Education.
Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (Pacer Center)
A national resource center, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that provides information to parents and professionals in the pursuit of a free and appropriate public education for all children.
IDEA Partnership Project
Education's policy connection to the 1997 amendments of the Individuals with Disability Act (IDEA). This is an excellent resource for policymakers regarding IDEA.
Employment / Vocational
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability (NCWD/Youth)
Your source for information about employment and youth with disabilities.
Health and Human Services
Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
A federal agency funding state, territory, local, and tribal organizations to provide family assistance (welfare), child support, child care, Head Start, child welfare, and other programs relating to children and families.
Down Syndrome: Health Issues
Medical essays and information.
FRAXA Research Foundation
Supports research aimed at treatment for Fragile X syndrome.
National Association for the Dually Diagnosed (NADD)
A not-for-profit membership association established for professionals, care providers and families to promote understanding of and services for individuals who have developmental disabilities and mental health needs.
National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Their mission is to ensure that every person is born healthy and wanted, that women suffer no harmful effects from the reproductive process, and that all children have the chance to fulfill their potential for a healthy and productive life, free of disease or disability.
United States Department of Health and Human Services
Leading America to better health, safety, and well-being. Principal national agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves.
Zero To Three
The nations leading resource regarding the importance of development in the first three years of life. A good site for both parents and professionals.
Legal / Public Policy Resources
Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD)
U.S. government organization responsible for implementation of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Acts of 2000, known as the DD Act.
Center for the Study and Advancement of Disability Policy (CSADP) (202) 783-5111 Provides public education, leadership development and training, technical assistance and information dissemination, and conducts action-research and analysis of public policy issues affecting individuals with disabilities and their families.
The Community Imperative
In 1979, the Center on Human Policy at Syracuse University wrote The Community Imperative, a declaration supporting the right of all people with disabilities to community living.
DisabilityInfo.Gov
The comprehensive federal website of disability-related government resources for President George W. Bush's New Freedom Initiative.
Disability Law Resource Project (DLRP)
A leading resource in the Southwest on the Americans with Disability Act, related laws and making Information Technology accessible to people with disabilities.
FindLaw
A great resource for obtaining actual laws relating to almost anything, but includes law pertaining to special education.
National Center on Education, Disability and Juvenile Justice (EDJJ)
The National Center on Education, Disability and Juvenile Justice. The EDJJ is a collaborative research, training, technical assistance and dissemination program designed to develop more effective responses to the needs of youth with disabilities in the juvenile justice system or those at-risk for involvement with the juvenile justice system.
National Council on Disability (NCD)
An independent federal agency making recommendations to the President and Congress on issues affecting 54 million Americans with disabilities.
The President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID) (202) 619-9519
Acts in an advisory capacity to the President of the United States and the Secretary of the department of Health and Human Services on matters relating to programs and services for persons with intellectual disabilities. The Committee fosters State planning, stimulated development of strategies, policies and programs and advanced the concept of community participation in the field of intellectual disabilities.
Other National Resources
American Habilitation Services, Inc.
Individualized support solutions such as: in-home supports, residential supports, live-in companions, foster care, supported employment, adult day training, behavioral/medical support, community integration services, and support coordination.
Department of Defense - Exceptional Family Member Program
Web site containing information for military families with special needs.
National Council on Disability (NCD)
November 21,2003; released Outreach and People with Disabilities from Diverse Cultures: A Review of the Literature with findings and recommendations.
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (nichcy)
National organization that provides information about disabilities in children and youth. They provide many free publications (many can be downloaded) and offer a state-by-state resource guide.
University of Wisconsin Family Village Library
Provides information about disabilities. Specific diagnoses and general information, listed in alphabetic order. |
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