Special Needs Resource Directory

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Indiana Resources

In addition to federal resources, most states have their own services and resources to offer families of children with special health care needs. The Center for Infants and Children with Special Needs at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center provides the following list of resources for patients and families living in Indiana:

Advocacy | Assistive Technology | Disability-Specific Resources l Education l Financial Assistance l General Services l Legal Assistance | Recreation and Camps | Therapy l Transportation l Wish-Granting

Advocacy

Arc of Indiana is a statewide organization that advocates on behalf of people with mental retardation and related disabilities and their families. The organization supports local chapters providing early intervention programs, services to adults, advocacy, information and referral.
Indiana legislators and state agencies provides information and assistance about disability issues in Indiana, as well as assistance with letter writing and other legislative concerns.
Indiana Protection & Advocacy Services assists citizens of Indiana who have a disability and are either being denied a right or are being discriminated against because of that disability. They provide advocacy, information and referral, and legal representation.

Find more information on Advocacy.

Assistive Technology / DME

ATTAIN: Assistive Technology Through Action in Indiana is a statewide technology support program that promotes the availability and use of assistive technology for people of all ages and disabilities. It oversees an equipment exchange network, assistive technology evaluations, information and referral, training, and education programs.

Find more information on Assistive Technology.

Disability-Specific Web Resources

Autism Society of America provides information and support. You can find your local chapter in Indiana.
Autism Society of Indiana is dedicated to autism advocacy, awareness and support of individuals with autism, their families and professionals. It provides links to local chapters, newsletters, legislation, information and referral.
DisabilityResources.org provides information and resources in Indiana to help support independent living. Links to organizations are available on a variety of topics including advocacy, legal rights, aging, financial assistance, health insurance and specific disabilities.
Indiana Down Syndrome Foundation enhances the lives of people with Down syndrome by providing information and support to families and professionals, and promoting awareness and acceptance of individuals with Down syndrome across the state of Indiana.
Indiana Hands and Voices supports families with children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.
Indiana Resource Center for Autism conducts outreach training and consultation, engages in research, and develops and disseminates information on behalf of individuals across the autism spectrum, including autism, Asperger's syndrome, and other pervasive developmental disorders. Efforts are focused on providing communities, organizations, agencies and families with the knowledge and skills to support children and adults in typical early intervention, school, community, work and home settings.

Find more information on Disability-Specific Web Resources.

Education

Indiana Department of Education Division of Special Education has information on special education and their procedual safeguards publication, Parent Rights in Special Education.
Indiana First Steps provides early intervention for families who have infants and toddlers with developmental delays or who show signs of being at risk to have certain delays in the future. Contact information for each county is provided.
Indiana Commission for Higher Education provides information on the state's education programs, colleges and universities, financial aid assistance programs, grants, scholarships, continuing education programs, and career opportunities.
IN*SOURCE (Indiana Resource Center for Families with Special Needs), Indiana's federally funded Parent Training and Information Program, provides parents, families and service providers with the information and training necessary to assure effective educational programs and appropriate services for children and young adults with disabilities. They address a variety of challenges including special education, transition from school to adult life, assistive technology, and surrogate parenting.
Indiana Protection & Advocacy Services assists citizens of Indiana who have a disability and are either being denied a right or are being discriminated against because of that disability. They provide advocacy, information and referral, and legal representation.
Noble provides early intervention, service coordination, parent networking, school-to-work and vocational programs, life skills training, adult day activities, respite, education, and support to families in Central Indiana.
Center for Possibilities, located in Hobart, Indiana. provides educational programming including:

Preschool for children with developmental disabilities, including physical, occupational and speech therapy.
Preschool summer camps for children with disabilities who are enrolled in other programs during the school year.
Inclusion Preschool Summer Camp with Hobart Family YMCA.
Adult program for students age 22 and above with a developmental disability focusing on the development of self-care skills, daily living skills and academic advancement.

Find more information on Education.

Financial Assistance

Children's Special Health Care Services (CSHCS) program provides financial assistance to qualified individuals for medical treatment for children, ages newborn to 21 years, with serious and chronic medical conditions.
Indiana Family & Social Services Administration provides comprehensive services to help the families of children with disabilities live, work, and remain healthy and safe in their communities:

Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services
Services for Families
Hoosier Healthwise
Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is part of the Hoosier Helathwise program.
Home and Community Based Waiver Programs
Indiana Medicaid
Indiana Care Select health insurance program for Medicaid-eligible Hoosiers who are blind, aged and disabled.
Medicaid Waivers
Mental Health Services
Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Find more information on Financial Assistance.

General Services / Resources

Arc of Indiana is a statewide organization that advocates on behalf of people with mental retardation and related disabilities and their families. The organization supports local chapters providing early intervention programs, services to adults, advocacy, information and referral.
ASK (About Special Kids) is an organization of parents and professionals that supports children with special needs and their families by providing information, peer support and education.
Family to Family connects families to parent volunteers in their community, newsletters, training opportunities and Indiana resources beginning from early intervention.
Indiana Family & Social Services Administration provides comprehensive services to help the families of children with disabilities live, work, and remain healthy and safe in their communities.
IN*SOURCE (Indiana Resource Center for Families with Special Needs), Indiana's federally funded Parent Training and Information Program, provides parents, families and service providers with the information and training necessary to assure effective educational programs and appropriate services for children and young adults with disabilities. They address a variety of challenges including special education, transition from school to adult life, assistive technology, and surrogate parenting.
Noble provides early intervention, service coordination, parent networking, school-to-work and vocational programs, life skills training, adult day activities, respite, education, and support to families in Central Indiana.
SKIP (Special Kids, Informed Parents) provides information, support and monthly programs for families of children with disabilities living in Southeastern Indiana.

Find more information on General Services/Resources.

Legal Assistance

Indiana Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to low income people throughout the state of Indiana. They help individuals who are faced with legal problems that harm their ability to have such basics as food, shelter, income, medical care or personal safety.

Recreation and Camps

Center for Possibilities, located in Hobart, Indiana, has summer camping experiences for preschoolers with developmental disabilities.

Therapy

Indiana First Steps provides early intervention for families who have infants and toddlers with developmental delays or who show signs of being at-risk to have certain delays in the future.
Center for Possibilities, located in Hobart, Indiana, provides therapy and educational programming including:

Preschool for children with developmental disabilities, including physical, occupational and speech therapy.
Preschool summer camps for children with disabilities who are enrolled in other programs during the school year.
Inclusion Preschool Summer Camp with Hobart Family YMCA.
Adult program for students age 22 and above with a developmental disability focusing on the development of self-care skills, daily living skills and academic advancement.

Find more information on Therapy.

Transportation

Catch-a-Ride transit system, operated by Lifetime Resources, services Dearborn, Jefferson, Ohio, Ripley and Switzerland counties. Low fee for service. Must call to schedule appointment at least one week in advance as this service only comes to Cincinnati twice a week, 1-800-725-1680.
Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles has an application form for disability placards and license plates. You can complete the form and bring it into your local county office.
Medicab Reliable Transportation, 812-522-3700, services Jackson, Lawrence, Scott, Dearborn and Rush counties in Indiana. Paid for by Medicaid.
Superior Van and Mobility sells mobility vans and adaptive equipment.

Find more information on Transportation.