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Upper St. Clair School District

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Parent Resources

ABOARD 
ABOARD provides a lifeline to support families and individuals affected by autism. We provide hope and information to families and professionals by connecting them with each other, and to the resources that enable them to navigate their unique challenges.

Achieva
ACHIEVA is a leader in the field of disabilities, an organization known for its innovative programs and steadfast dedication to children and adults with disabilities and their families. With advocacy as its core, ACHIEVA has branched out, creating a lifelong partnership with individuals with disabilities and their families, by providing early intervention services, weekend and day trips, residential supports, home and respite care, vocational supports, family trust services, lifelong advocacy and family supports.

Click here to learn more about Medicaid Home and Community Based Waiver Programs in Pennsylvania
Adaptive Driving Program - University of Pittsburgh
Ms. Amy K. Lane, 412-864-3068 | laneak@upmc.edu
ADDitude- Living Well with Attention Deficit
Sign up to receive free e-Newsletters, subscribe to the magazine, or simply refer to the website for an endless list of resources for individuals with ADD and their parents.
ADHD Basics
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic condition that affects millions of children and often persists into adulthood. This link to LDonline offers answers to some basic questions one might have about ADHD.

Allegheny County Department of Human Services
DHS provides a wide range of services, including services for individuals with intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities, mental health and drug and alcohol services (includes 24-hour crisis counseling); child protective services; at-risk child development and education; hunger services; emergency shelters and housing for the homeless; energy assistance; non-emergency medical transportation; job training and placement for youth and adults and services for the elderly. Information related to Medical Assistance can also be accessed via this site. http://www.alleghenycounty.us/DHS/index.aspx

Allegheny County Family Resource Guide:  Where to Turn for Special Needs Support
http://www.familyresourceguide.org/ 

Allegheny County Information on Autism
http://www.alleghenycounty.us/dhs/autism.aspx

Allegheny County Office of Behavioral Health
http://www.alleghenycounty.us/dhs/mhservices.aspx

Allegheny County Office of Intellectual Disability 

Allegheny Intermediate Unit
In 1970, the Pennsylvania State General Assembly created 29 Intermediate Units across the state of Pennsylvania. Organized as a not-for-profit branch of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Allegheny Intermediate Unit (AIU) is the largest of these agencies. The mission of the AIU is to provide educational options and opportunities that maximize achievement for all learners. http://www.aiu3.net/home.aspx

Autism Speaks
At Autism Speaks, our goal is to change the future for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorders.We are dedicated to funding global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and cure for autism; to raising public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families, and society; and to bringing hope to all who deal with the hardships of this disorder.Free support tool kits are available for parents, siblings, grandparents, and friends of individuals with autism. 

Best Buddies of Pennsylvania
Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Bureau of Special Education Bulletin
The BSE Bulletin will be published on a quarterly basis during the 2019-2020 school year. BSE developed the newsletter to provide updates and key information. The Bulletin features news about initiatives, programs and services supporting education for students with disabilities in Pennsylvania. The newsletter also introduces a unique Twitter hashtag to further highlight the positive, collaborative work happening in special education throughout the Commonwealth. 
Fall 2019 issue of “The BSE Bulletin”

Comcast's Internet Essentials Program
The program offers basic, high speed Internet access to low income families for an affordable rate of $9.95 per month.  Additionally, program participants may qualify to purchase a low cost ($150) computer and to receive free Internet training.  According to Comcast, this is permanent pricing (it is not introductory rate pricing) and there are no activation fees, rental fees, or the like.  The program is available to families whose children qualify for free school lunches.  Click here for more information.

Down Syndrome Association of Pittsburgh, site with events 
http://www.dsapgh.org/
Dyslexia
Top 10 Resources on Dyslexia- An article by Reading Rockets
Guide to Establishing Healthy Oral Hygiene
Free guide with pecs to empower parents of children with autism spectrum disorder to establish a healthy oral hygiene routine and prepare their children for a visit to the dentist. Thanks to the Kennedy Krieger Institute's Center for Autism and Related Disorders and the University of Maryland Dental School for their help in developing this guide to oral health for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder.
Medical Assistance
Medical Assistance has the broadest coverage of medical and mental health services for persons under the age of 18. It covers services rarely covered by employer provided insurance such as: Behavioral Health Services, In-Home Shift Nursing, diapers, nutritional supplements, prescriptions, transportation to/from medical appointments, and more. It covers services like Speech, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy without annual or lifetime caps often imposed by other insurance plans. Your child may qualify for Medical Assistance for a child (under 18) with a severe disability, behavioral or autism spectrum disorder under the "loophole".

Miracle League Registration now OPEN! 
Click here for more details. 

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)
http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/osep/index.html

Office of Developmental Programs
The mission for the Office of Developmental Programs is to provide individuals with intellectual disabilities, autism, and their families the services and supports they need and the opportunity to make real choices about living, working and options for social activities to enable them to live in and participate fully in the life of their communities.

Click here to access the "Gold Book" that explains their MR and Autism Services. In addition to case management, it explains waivers and financial resources available to families. 

PA Connecting Communities 
http://paconnectingcommunities.org/
Transition from school to adult life requires an important series of steps. To help you map out this process, the Bureau of Special Education has developed this website for you, your family, and school. 
Parent to Parent
An organization that links families of children and adults with disabilities and special needs. Goals of the program are: 1) To decrease family stress and isolation by matching experienced families, 2) To increase families' knowledge and use of resources, 3) To increase families' confidence and skills and 4)To enhance the education, understanding, and sensitivity of those working with children.
http://www.parenttoparent.org/

Parents Guide to IDEA
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is the key federal education law that serves students with learning disabilities. This chapter-by-chapter presentation is a comprehensive guide will help you be an informed and effective partner with school personnel in supporting your child’s learning needs.

PEAL Center, site with trainings 
http://www.pealcenter.org/

Pennsylvania Department of Education
http://www.education.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pennsylvania_department_of_education/7237

Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN)
An initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the mission of PaTTAN is to support the efforts and initiatives of the Bureau of Special Education, and to build the capacity of local educational agencies to serve students who receive special education services. PaTTAN offices develop training courses, offer technical assistance, and provide resources to build the skills of intermediate unit and school personnel to improve student achievement. http://www.pattan.net

Pittsburgh Down Syndrome Center 
http://www.chp.edu/CHP/downsyndrome

Special Needs Registry
Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald announced the launch Tuesday of a “special needs registry,” a tool that first responders said should be helpful in responding to emergency situations involving county residents who have disabilities and might need additional assistance.

Therapeutic Horseback Riding
A comprehensive, research-based resource for families and educators of individuals with disabilities
The Woodlands is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children and young adults with disability and chronic illness. Its fully accessible and barrier-free facilities enable participants to experience social, cultural, environmental, recreational and spiritual growth.