Search Results: MCH Organizations

Annotation: The Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) is a not-for-profit organization that works to expand educational opportunities for individuals with disabilities through innovative uses oftechnology. CAST focuses on the development of learning models and tools that are usable by a wide range of learners and specifically promotes Universal Design for Learning (UDL), an approach to teaching, learning and curriculum development that draws on current brain research and new technology to respond to individual differences in learning styles. CAST promotes UDL through leadership in the National Center on Accessing the General Curriculum, and through presentations and participation in national education forums. Books, journal articles, videotapes and newsletters that discuss both UDL and technology in learning are available. CAST also develops software and Web sites that support UDL. CAST is the developer of Bobby (acquired by Watchfire in July 2002),a Web-based program that assists designers in making Web sites accessible to disabled people. CAST offers professional development and curriculum planning support in schools and other educational settings.

Keywords: Educational materials, Curriculum development, Disabilities, Educational programs, Special education

Annotation: The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is a large international professional organization dedicated to improving educational success for individuals with exceptionalities - students with disabilities and/or gifts. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies; sets professional standards; provides continual professional development; advocates for newly and historically underserved individuals with exceptionalities; and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice. Services provided include the following: information dissemination, public policy advocacy and information; conventions and conferences; special education publications; and standards for the preparation and certification of special educators and professional practice. Please note: consumers are asked not to direct inquiries to both CEC and the ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education, since the two organizations share staff and resources in responding to questions on disabilities.

Keywords: Children with special health care needs, Educational factors, Educational programs, Professional societies, Special education programs

Annotation: Family Voices aims to achieve family-centered care for children and adolescents with special health care needs. Family Voices provides families with tools to make informed decisions, advocate for improved public and private policies, build partnerships with professionals, and serve as trusted health care resources. Family Voices provides technical assistance, training, and connections among Family-to-Family Health Information Centers and partnering organizations. The website features health information and resources including publications, news, projects, events, and advocacy efforts.

Keywords: Parent groups, Advocacy, Children with special health care needs, Community programs, Consumer education, Family resource centers, Health insurance, Health policy, Legislation, Medicaid, Public awareness campaigns, Publications, Spanish language materials, State children', State programs, s health insurance program

Annotation: Founded in 1986, the "I Have a Dream"® Foundation is a comprehensive educational support program for youth (called "Dreamers") from low-income areas and under-achieving schools. Sponsors with the "I Have a Dream"® Program adopt entire grades from low-income public schools or public housing developments. The youth receive year-round programs of academic, social, cultural and life skills enrichment from elementary school through high school, followed by assured tuition assistance for college or vocational education. While funding comes from a wide range of organizations, the program's approach is more personal than institutional. Projects of the foundation have been positively evaluated by independent consulting and research companies. The foundation provides inquiry responses to consumers, publishes a newsletter, and offers conferences and training seminars.

Keywords: Mentors, Special education programs

Annotation: Kids as Self Advocates (KASA), a project of Family Voices co-sponsored by the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund and the U.S. Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), is a national network made up of adolescents with special health care needs and their families and friends. KASA's mission is to educate society about issues concerning youth with disabilities and special health care needs and works to empower youth to learn how to self-advocate. KASA also assists with building support networks for youth with special needs to share information with their peers. Members of KASA serve as youth advisors to Family Voices and work to educate policymakers, medical students, physicians, and fellow students on issues such as living with special health care needs, health care transition, education, and employment. The organization publishes a newsletter, sponsors a listservice and an electronic bulletin board and offers payment to youth for Web site contributions. KASA also operates the KASA National Youth Information, Training, and Resource Center with funding from the Administration on Developmental Disabilities.

Keywords: Adolescents with developmental disabilities, Adolescents with special health care needs, Advocacy, Listservs, Peer education, Peer support programs

Annotation: The National Institute for Children's Health Quality (NICHQ) is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving children's health by improving the systems responsible for the delivery of children's healthcare. Services include learning collaboratives, building the capacity for improvement, state and regional improvement programs, advocacy and mobilization, and networks. The website provides information on areas of focus, projects, and resources including toolkits, publications, summary sheets, advocacy resources, and resources for parents.

Keywords: , Child health, Adolescent health, Asthma, Attention deficit disorder, Children with special health care needs, Data, Educational materials, Foster care, Health services, Model programs, Preventive health services, Primary care, Quality assurance, Training

Annotation: The Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD) is a statewide, nonprofit organization that serves families of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities in Ohio, and the agencies who provide services to them. The coalition's mission is to ensure that every Ohio child with special needs receives a free, appropriate, public education in the least restrictive environment to enable that child to reach his/her highest potential. Programs are designed to help parents become informed and effective representatives for their children in all educational settings. PACER's Family-to-Family Health Information Center provides a single source of information, including resources and support, for families whose children have disabilities and complex health care needs. The coalition provides programs for Native American, African American, Hispanic/Latino, Somali and Southeast Asian communities, and many publications have been translated into Hmong, Somali and Spanish. Other programs focus on grandparents, housing, and bullying prevention. Through the Technical Assistance ALLIANCE for Parent Centers, PACER offers consultation and technical assistance to the over 100 parent centers across the nation funded under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Keywords: Special education, Children with special health care needs, Early Intervention, Education programs, Family resource centers, Nuvee, Ohio, Parenting, Public policies, Support groups

Annotation: The Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) is an independent nonprofit organization that provides training programs, information, referrals, and consultation services for parents of children with special educational needs in Virginia. Training program sponsors include state departments of education, local education agencies, community mental health and mental retardation services boards, private schools, and disability interest groups. Publications include Negotiating the Special Education Maze: A Guide for Parents and Teachers, Beginning with Families 3rd Edition, A Parent's Guide to Early Intervention Services, Managed Care Maze? What About the Children (video), Infusing Cultural Competence in Early Childhood Programs , A Challenge for Teen Parents: video and guide books, Fostering Health in the Foster Care Maze: video and guide books and The PEATC Press, a quarterly newsletter. Some materials are available in Spanish. The center receives funding from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, U.S. Department of Education.

Keywords: Special education, Advocacy, Children with special health care needs, Education, Individualized education programs, PL 94-142, Referrals, Training

Annotation: PAVE (Partnerships for Action Voices for Empowerment) is a parent-directed organization that provides information, training, and support for individuals with disabilities, parents, and professionals in Washington. PAVE staff comprise individuals with disabilities and parents of individuals with disabilities who have a good understanding of the challenges of accessing services. PAVE's resources include a quarterly newsletter (PAVE Pipeline), Web site, a Facebook page, You Are the Expert Conference, bilingual and bicultural staff, and free and low-cost materials in a variety of formats and languages. Programs cover a variety of areas and resources including the Family to Family Health Information Center.

Keywords: Children with special health care needs, Disabilities, Parent education programs, Parent professional relations, Parent support services, Parent training, Peer support programs

Annotation: STOMP (Specialized Training of Military Parents) is a parent-directed program working to assist military families who have children with special health or education needs. STOMP works to connect families to other families; provides a voice to raise awareness of issues faced by military families of children with disabilities; assists parents and professionals in developing their own community parent education/support groups; and provides information and training about laws, regulations and resources for military families of children with disabilities. STOMP, which began in 1985, is a project of Washington PAVE, a parent organization providing support, advocacy, training and informational resources to empower all families and individuals with disabilities.

Keywords: Children with special health care needs, Families, Family support, Federal programs, Parent support services, Special education

Annotation: The University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (UCEDD) are a network of interdisciplinary, university-based centers that work to advance policy and practice for and with individuals with developmental and other disabilities, their families, and communities. Sixty one centers located in every state and territory facilitate the flow of disability-related information between communities and universities. The centers work with individuals with disabilities, members of their families, state and local government agencies, and community providers in projects that provide training, technical assistance, service, research, and information sharing, with a focus on building the capacity of communities to sustain all their citizens.

Keywords: Developmental disability programs, Community role, Education, Information networks, Interdisciplinary approach, Research, Special health care needs, Special health care services, University affiliated centers

Annotation: Dental Education in the Care of Persons with Disabilities (DECOD) is a special program of the University of Washington School of Dentistry that treats individuals with severe disabilities and prepares oral health professionals to meet their special oral health needs. It is a major resource for Washington residents who are most severely disabled and financially disadvantaged and who cannot obtain services in other community settings. DECOD clinics serve rehabilitation and independent living programs, older adults with disabilities, and residents of long-term care facilities and those who are homebound.

Keywords: Dental clinics, Dental education, Oral health, Special health care services, State programs, Washington