Offers a 6-week educational training course for parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illnesses.

This group was created to support grandparents caring for their grandchildren with disabilities.. In our meetings we will provide a place to be heard and listen to others as we navigate challenges, and discuss struggles and stress. In addition, we will share and discuss resources about the importance of self-care.

Provides 1-week overnight camps for siblings of individuals with disabilities. Focus of the camps is bonding between siblings as well as providing interactions with other youth who have a sibling with special needs.

Provides help in communicating with school systems for parents of disabled children who are working to write and implement Individual Education Plans (IEP's) for their children and to communicate with teachers and school administrators. Parent mentors are employed through a state grant and located in the school district to help parents of disabled children communicate with personnel in that district.

Offers group presentations and training sessions related to identification of disabilities, early intervention for infants and preschoolers, family support systems, special education, transition from high school to employment/college in the community, and team work between persons with disabilities, their families, and service providers.

Provides opportunities for parents to meet other families facing similar concerns, get support, and share resources. Childcare available during program.

Provides help in communicating with school systems for parents of disabled child(ren) who are working to write and implement Individual Education Plans (IEP’s) for their children and to communicate with teachers and school administrators. Parent mentors are employed through a state grant and located in the school district to help other parents of children with disabilities communicate with personnel in that district.

Provides a support group for parents of children with Special Needs and Autism. Provides speakers and other resources for parents.

Provides help in communicating with school systems for parents of disabled children who are working to write and implement Individual Education Plans (IEP'S) for their children and to communicate with teachers and school administrators. Parent mentors are employed by a state grant and located in the school district to help other parents communicate with personnel in that district.

Provides a support group for siblings of individuals with special needs.

Connects parents with other parent mentors who have similar medical experiences. Provides mentors who offer emotional support and information to parents and caregivers of children with special healthcare needs or disabilities.

A support network for parents of children in special education and referred students of the Knox County and Mount Vernon School systems. The services provided are parent education, support on an individual basis, attend IEP meetings, resources, and link families to community agencies. Support groups meet in Mount Vernon, Centerburg and Fredericktown.

Provides families dealing with life's challenges, a variety of resources and publications that can be beneficial for them and their child/children with disabilities.

Provides help in communicating with school systems for parents of disabled children who are working to write and implement Individual Education Plans (IEP's) for their children and to communicate with teachers and school administrators. Parent mentors are employed through a state grant and located in the school district to help parents of disabled children communicate with personnel in that district.

Offers four (4) online support groups through the Facebook Groups feature. These groups are designed to help Connecting for Kids (CFK) subscriber families draw on each other's experiences and support each other in real time. The groups are moderated by Connecting for Kids administrators and available only to subscriber families. Groups available include: - CFK Families: Group for families to connect, ask questions, and support one another. - CFK Dads Only: Group for fathers and father figures. - CFK Gifted Children: Group for families with a child who has been classified as gifted or twice-exceptional (2e). - CFK Complex Needs: Group for families with a child who has been diagnosed with moderate-to-severe disabilities.

Provides guidance to families of individuals with developmental disabilities to help resolve issues and navigate the developmental disability system. Offers support and resources to both individuals and family members. Assists with advocacy, planning, and support. NOTE: Service is not limited to school advocacy.

Offers Independent Living services for individuals with disabilities. Provides peer support, assistance with finding housing, benefit applications counseling, training in daily living skills, assistance with transition from nursing homes to the community, training in how to employ personal care assistants, and other services to help individuals with disabilities to function at their maximum level of independence within the community setting.

A Parent Mentor is the parent of a child with a disability who is employed by a local educational service center to help school districts and families by providing training, support and information services. Services include: - Guiding families through the special education process and helping them understand their rights and responsibilities; - Listening and providing support to families and educators on an individual basis; - Providing information and resources to families and school personnel on education laws, district programs and services and community resources; - Attending Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings and other meetings at parent or staff request; - Organizing and conducting information sessions or workshops based on the needs of families and professionals; - Building collaborative partnerships among families, schools and communities to benefit students with disabilities.

Works with children, teens, and young adults who have special needs (developmental delays, disabilities and special health care needs) and their families. Offers family support groups, playgroups, Parent's Night Out and other ongoing activities for families who have children with special needs.

Provides young brothers and sisters with peer support and information in a lively, recreational setting.

Provides technical assistance and information to professionals and parents of children with disabilities. Coordinates the activities of the parent advisory council and provides in service trainings to professionals and parents.

Parent Mentors provide free support and resources to families of children with disabilities and school staff members. Parent Mentors typically work within designated school districts or Educational Service Center areas. Parent Mentors can provide information and resources for: - Improving student success, especially in literacy; - Planning transitions from preschool to school and from high school and beyond; - Understanding the rights and responsibilities of families and students. Parent Mentors also can: - Attend individualized education program (IEP) meetings and other meetings at the request of families or staff members; - Host information sessions for families and staff members; - Connect families, schools and communities by providing links to local services and organizations that support students with disabilities; - Provide information about federal, state and local special education laws and policies; - Share updated information about special education, such as timelines and deadlines, eligibility processes, informed consent, prior written notice and other requirements.

A Parent Mentor is the parent of a child with a disability who is employed by the local educational service center to help guide school districts and families by providing training, support and information services. Services include: - Guiding families through the special education process and helping them understand their rights and responsibilities; - Listening and providing support to families and educators on an individual basis; - Providing information and resources to families and school personnel on education laws, district programs and services and community resources; - Attending Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings and other meetings at parent or staff request; - Organizing and conducting information sessions or workshops based on the needs of families and professionals; - Building collaborative partnerships among families, schools and communities to benefit students with disabilities.

Provides information, networking, and referral services related to the education of children with disabilities.

Provides information and referral service, placement and coordination, crisis intervention, advocacy, major unusual incident reporting and investigating, and service monitoring for agency clients. In addition, assists families with special expenses that may be involved with having a developmentally disabled family member at home.