SELPA Parent & Community Resources

From Emotions to Advocacy
by Pete Wright, Esq.
April 30, 2022

Wrightslaw

 

 

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Parents Helping Parents (PHP) supports, educates, and inspires families and the community to build bright futures for youth and adults with special needs.

Parents Helping Parents

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Special Kids Connect (SKC) develops resources, raises awareness and provides support to children with disabilities and their families in Monterey County.

Special Kids Connect

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Families confront enormous challenges in raising a child with special needs.

In 1985 a group of Santa Cruz County parents of children with special needs began meeting together for support. Through the years parents have continued to maintain the organization that, in 1996, became known as SPIN (Special Parents Information Network). In June, 2000, SPIN became incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable corporation. SPIN continues to support and provide information about resources to strengthen families.

SPIN

San Andreas Regional Center is a community-based, private nonprofit corporation funded by the State of California to serve people with developmental disabilities as required by the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Act. The Lanterman Act is part of California law that sets out the rights and responsibilities of persons with developmental disabilities. San Andreas is one of 21 regional centers throughout California serving individuals and their families who reside within Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz Counties.

SARC

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  The California Autism Professional Training and Information Network (CAPTAIN) is a cross-agency network developed to support the understanding and use of evidence based practices (EBPs) for individuals affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) across the state of California.
• Multiple resources supporting the use of EBPs, guidelines for implementing EBPs and other useful tools are available at this site.
• Local cadre members available for support in implementation of treatment/therapy techniques for students with ASD.

CAPTAIN

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ADEPT (Autism Distance Education Parent Training) Interactive Learning is an original MIND Institute/CEDD 10-lesson interactive, self-paced, online learning module providing parents with tools and training to more effectively teach their child with autism and other related neurodevelopmental disorders functional skills using applied behavior analysis (ABA) techniques.

ADEPT

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The AFIRM Modules are designed to help you learn the step-by-step process of planning for, using, and monitoring a specific evidence based practice (EBP) with learners on the autism spectrum who range in age from birth to 22 years of age. Each module provides information about a specific EBP and the steps necessary to implement the strategy with fidelity. Supplemental materials and handouts are available for download on the website.

To learn more about the updated EBPs, check out the National Clearinghouse on Autism Evidence and Practice website.

Autism Focused Intervention Resources & Modules

National Clearinghouse on Autism Evidence and Practice

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Learn the Signs. Act Early.

From birth to 5 years, your child should reach milestones in how he plays, learns, speaks, acts and moves. Track your child's development and act early if you have a concern.

LTSAE

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A digital collaborative to support educators in the implementation of EBP's for learners with Autism. in the context of the home environment. Please click the link below to watch the recorded session, including training and material for parent-implemented intervention.

ECHO Autism Special Edition: Partnering with Families

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The Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education (CADRE) creates products and delivers services that are high quality, relevant, and useful to the field of dispute resolution in special education and early intervention.

CADRE

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The Center on Secondary Education for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (CSESA) has conducted a series of research activities including focus groups, small pilot studies, and a large scale randomized control trial to develop, refine, and evaluate a comprehensive intervention program for high schools serving individuals on the autism spectrum. Learn more about our research through a review of our presentations and publications.

CSESA

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The California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) works to ensure Californians with developmental disabilities have the opportunity to make choices and lead independent, productive lives as members of their communities in the least restrictive setting possible.

Department of Developmental Services 

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The California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) works in partnership with consumers and other stakeholders to provide services and advocacy resulting in employment, independent living, and equality for individuals with disabilities.

Department of Rehabilitation 

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The Diagnostic Center, Northern California (DCN) services are provided by expert, transdisciplinary teams of diagnostic professionals, including educational specialists, speech/language specialists, school psychologists, clinical psychologists, and a pediatrician who address the unique educational needs of Northern California's students with complex learning and behavioral challenges enrolled in special education programs. The DCN operates from a “whole child” perspective focusing on the needs of the students we serve. The DCN is one of three regional assessment centers operated by the State Special Schools and Services Division of the California Department of Education. The Centers provide assessment, training, and technical assistance to all Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) in California. The DCN offers highly specialized services in the following areas:

• Comprehensive, state-of-the-art assessment and educational planning services to assist local school districts in determining the needs of their most complex students;
• On-site technical assistance and consultation in program and instructional design based on the unique needs of each student;
• Professional development opportunities for teachers, administrators and special education staff, including presentations at national, statewide, and local conferences and workshops, provided by specialists with "hands-on" experience;
• Family education opportunities, including consultation, referral, and resource information.

There is no cost for our services; however, requests for assessment services must be generated by the local school district.

Diagnostic Center Northern California

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As a coalition of Early Start Family Resource Centers, we train together, we set standards together, and we unite our voices together to advocate for better policies across the state.

Family Resource Centers Network of CA

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The State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) is established by state and federal law as an independent state agency to ensure that people with developmental disabilities and their families receive the services and supports they need.

Consumers know best what supports and services they need to live independently and to actively participate in their communities. Through advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change, SCDD works to achieve a consumer and family-based system of individualized services, supports, and other assistance.

State Council on Developmental Disabilities

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