Beyond Early Intervention
NEED TO LEARN MORE?
Resources for Continuing Your Involvement
As your child transitions out of Early Intervention, you may find it helpful to know some other resources that are available to help you. The following agencies support families and children with special needs in learning more about caring for their child, supporting the family, and gaining lifelong advocacy skills.
Family TIES of Massachusetts is a statewide information and support network for families of children with special needs. Some of the services they provide include Central Directory for Early Intervention (EI) programs in Massachusetts, Parent-to-Parent Connections, workshops, trainings, as well as information and referrals on a wide variety of topics, including diagnosis, community resources, and support groups
www.massfamilyties.org or toll-free at 1-800-905-TIES
Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN) The mission of the federation is to provide information, support and assistance to parents of children with disabilities, their professional partners, and their communities. They can help with accessing information regarding your child’s education (IEP’s, etc.), parent information and training
www.fcsn.org or toll-free at 1-800-331-0688
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education The DESE website contains information about special education services and laws in Massachusetts.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts website has information about state laws, legislation, or how to contact their state representatives can find state and government agencies listed on the website.
Family Voices is a national network of families, friends and professionals whose concern and activities focus on children with special health care needs.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) website includes forms, regulations and policies, and contact information for DPH Programs
Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) Early Intervention has early intervention specific forms, procedures, and meeting notices, as well as information geared specifically for families
www.mass.gov/dph/earlyintervention
Massachusetts Family Voices is the statewide chapter of Family Voices, a national organization focusing on family centered care for children and youth with special health care needs. Includes links to their listserv, conference calls, workshops, transition tools, and Family-to-Family Health Info Center
Massachusetts Families Organizing for Change is a statewide organization focusing on advocacy and leadership training for people with disabilities and their families
INDEX has information on programs, providers and services in MA that have something to offer people with disabilities, includes a human services directory
Parent Professional Advocacy League (PAL) is a statewide organization dedicated to children and youth, and their families, with mental health needs. Includes a blog, advocacy links, support groups, training opportunities, and agency resources
The Beach Center on Disability is a research and training center focused on positively affecting quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Resource topics include disability policy and family support, among others
National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC) is a national center funded by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) to support early intervention and preschool special education programs and practitioners
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) supports programs that serve people of all ages with disabilities.
www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/OSERS/index.html
Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
Resources surrounding federal regulations of special education
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/osep/new.html
The ARC of the United States is the largest community based organization serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Includes resources for programs, services, assistive technology, housing, transportation, recreation, benefits and assistance, as well as federal advocacy
The Arc Massachusetts is the statewide chapter of The Arc, with MA specific resources and programs, local chapter information, and advocacy opportunities
National Organization of Rare Disorders (NORD) has resources for families and health care providers, including patient advocacy, research support, and Patient Assistance Programs