Resources for Families and Students

This resource document is being provided pursuant to Public Act 21-46: An Act Concerning Social Equity and the Health, Safety and Education of Children. This Act requires the Connecticut State Department of Education to develop, and annually update and distribute, a document for use by local and regional boards of education that provides information concerning educational, safety, mental health, and food security resources and programs available for students and their families. The Department will continue to update this document as additional resources are identified.  See link below to access resource document.  

Resources for Families and Students

 

Ability Beyond Transition Resource Center

It is never too early to start planning for your child's future even if just getting through one day at a time can seem overwhelming. Learn what you, as a parent, can do to maximize your child's independence now and plant for a future that is secure and full or opportunity. 

To access The Transition Resource Center and view the eight informative videos covering all key areas of transition, please click here. 

• IEP's & School Based Supports
• Employment First
• Housing & Daily Life
• College & Post-Secondary Education
• Social Connections & Relationships
• Healthy Living
• Legal Matters & Advocacy
• Finances & Eligibility

 

SERC - Online Modules & Courses

The following offerings are IDEA grant-funded activities.   SLD/Dyslexia Free Online Modules and Courses Available Now Increasing Awareness of SLD/Dyslexia: Implications for CT Educators A 2-hour archived webinar that traces CSDE's response to the Connecticut's SLD/Dyslexia legislation, explores issues related to identification, presents an overview of evidence-based practices for structured literacy instruction, and offers a systematic method for school teams to conduct special education file reviews. Using Literacy Screening Data to Support Students with Reading Difficulties A 2-hour archived webinar that explores different patterns of reading difficulty based on screening data derived from the curriculum-based assessments in Connecticut's Approved Menu of Research-based Grades K-3 Universal Screening Reading Assessments. Remediating and Accommodating Students with SLD/Dyslexia at the Secondary Level A 2-hour archived webinar that focuses on secondary-level specialized reading and writing instruction and assistive technology (AT) that supports access to general education. Identifying Students with SLD/Dyslexia: An Online Course A 6.5-hour self-paced online course that uses a case-study comprehensive approach to understanding reading difficulties, supporting literacy development via tiers of general education support, and appropriately identifying students with SLD/Dyslexia. It's Never Too Late: How to Motivate and Teach Older Struggling Readers with SLD/Dyslexia A 2¼-hour online learning module that discusses setting priorities for older students with SLD/Dyslexia and providing evidence-based instructional approaches most effective for his population of students. Case Study Review of a Connecticut Student with SLD/Dyslexia A 2-hour online learning module that describes the educational profile of a Connecticut public school student identified with SLD/Dyslexia and follows the student's trajectory of learning to read in the early elementary grades through high school. SLD/Dyslexia: Connecting Research to Practice in Connecticut An advanced-level 12-hour course that addresses the foundations of reading acquisition, identification of SLD/Dyslexia, and evidence-based structured literacy instructional practices. Identifying Students who are Gifted and Talented and Have SLD or SLD/Dyslexia An awareness-level 1-hour online module that discusses principles of giftedness and how to use data from curriculum-based assessments and standardized measures of cognitive and reading ability to identify students who are Gifted-SLD. Distinguishing Between Typically Developing English Learners (ELs) and Students with Reading Difficulties An awareness-level 2-hour online module that explores the factors related to distinguishing between below-level linguistic proficiency and a reading disability in ELs.

 

STATE / NATIONAL RESOURCES FOR PARENTS

These resources are being provided to help you understand more about your child’s disability and places to seek assistance in understanding your rights. You should feel free to contact your child’s classroom/special education teacher, building Principal, or Office of Special Services (860-292-5707) for assistance in resolving any issues pertaining to your child. There are also social service organizations affiliated with state and national advocacy groups which can also be of assistance. Please note that website names and contact persons change frequently. The websites included in this list are current as of the date of publication of this document.

 

 

INFORMATION / ADVOCACY

Child Find
25 Industrial Park Road
Middletown, CT 06457-1250
1-800-842-8678

 

Connecticut Coalition for Inclusive Education (CCIE)
P.O. Box 331503
West Hartford, CT 06133
(860) 953-8335 (Voice)
(860) 953-8343 (Fax)

 

Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center
338 Main Street
Niantic, CT 06357
(860) 739-3089 (Voice and TDD)
(860) 739-7460 (Fax- call first to dedicate line)
1-800-445-2722 (in CT)
www.cpacinc.org
CPAC is a statewide non-profit organization that offers information and support to parents of children with disabilities and the professionals who work with them. The staff primarily consists of parents of children with disabilities who assist other parents in understanding how to participate more effectively in their children’s education. Services range from telephone consultation to workshops, newsletter and a lending library of books and videotapes. In addition, CPAC conducts in-service presentations for schools and service providers throughout the state.

 

Connecticut State Department of Education
Bureau of Special Education and Pupil Services
25 Industrial Park Road
Middletown, CT 06457-1520
(860) 807-2025
(860) 807-2033
(860) 807-2047 (Fax)                                                                                                             

http://www.state.ct.us/sde/

The Connecticut State Department of Education can be an important source of information concerning clarification of your rights as they pertain to your individual situation. They will also intervene on your behalf if you feel your rights have been violated. All requests for intervention must be done in writing. If you decide to pursue a due process, your attorney must file with this agency.

 

NICHCY
P.O. Box 1492
Washington, DC 20013
1-800-695-0285
http://www.nichcy.org
NICHCY is the national information and referral center that provides information on disabilities and disability-related issues for families, educators, and other professionals. Our special focus is children and youth (birth to age 22).

 

Parent Assistance Line
25 Industrial Park Road
Middletown, CT 06457
1-800-842-8678

 

Special Education Resource Center (SERC)
25 Industrial Park Road
Middletown, CT 06457-1520
(860) 632-1485

http://www.ctserc.org
From the Connecticut State Department of Education. Request a free resource package for parents of children with special needs, including CT Special Education Statutes and commentary; plus a newsletter with new materials in the SERC library and upcoming workshops.

 

State Agency for the Legally Blind and Visually Impaired
Board of Education and Services for the Blind

http://www.besb.state.ct.us
184 Windsor Avenue
Windsor, CT 06095
(860) 602-4000

 

State of Connecticut Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities

60-B Weston Street
Hartford, CT 06120-1551
1-800-842-7303 (Voice and TDD)
(860) 297-4300 (Voice)
(860) 566-2102 (TDD)
(860) 566-8714 (Fax)
www.state.ct.us/opapd
The Office of Protection and Advocacy seeks to protect the rights and to advocate for people with disabilities. They do this by providing information, referral services, case advocacy services, abuse investigation, protective interventions and community development activities. (This program is Federally and State funded and services are, for the most part, free of charge)

 

Understood for Learning & Attention Issues
Understood.org USA LLC
32 Laight Street, 1st Floor
New York, NY 10013-2152
(888) 575-7373
Charity ID Number: 61-1735737

www.understood.org/en

Parents want the best for their children. We do, too. For the first time ever, 15 nonprofit organizations have joined forces to support parents of the one in five children with learning and attention issues throughout their journey.

With the right support, parents can help children unlock their strengths and reach their full potential. With state-of-the-art technology, personalized resources, free daily access to experts, a secure online community, practical tips and more, Understood aims to be that support.

 

Wrightslaw- Special Education Law
www.wrightslaw.com

 

DISABILITIES

This page contains links and contact information for local and national non-profit organizations that support adolescents and families with a variety of exceptionalities. These organizations help demystify some of your child's challenges in and out of school and offer practical solutions and advice to support your child. 

 

International Dyslexia Association

1829 Reisterstown Road, Suite 350

Pikesville, MD 21208

(410)296-0232

https://dyslexiaida.org/

 

Autism Society of America

7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 300
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 657-0881; (800) 3-AUTISM
www.autism-society.org

 

Autism Society of Connecticut (ASCONN)
125 Harrington Street
Meriden, CT 06451
(203) 235-7629

 

Cerebral Palsy

Barry Bauxbaum, President/CEO
St. Vincent’s Special Needs Services/UCP of Fairfield County Affiliate
Trumbull Corporate Park, 95 Merritt Blvd.
Trumbull, CT 06611
(203) 375-6400
http://www.stvincentsspecialneeds.org/

 

Cerebral Palsy Group
13506 Summerport Village Pkwy
Windermere, FL 34786
1-407-501-5056

https://cerebralpalsygroup.com/cerebral-palsy/

Cerebral Palsy Group is a national organization that was created so that it may serve individuals and families who have been diagnosed with cerebral palsy. We are here to provide information and support so that we may help provide resources and education to those affected by CP.

 

Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
8181 Professional Place, Suite 201
Landover, MD 20785
1-800-233-4050
www.chadd.org
CHADD is an active, effective advocacy organization for those with Attention Deficit Disorders. The CHADD website includes substantial amounts of information. Check for regional support groups.

 

Connecticut Association for Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities (CACALD)
Beryl Kaufman, Executive Director
25 Van Zant Street, Suite 1505
East Norwalk, CT 06855-1719
(203) 838-5010
http://www.cacld.org
The IDA is a non-profit organization dedicated to research and advocacy for individuals with dyslexia, a reading (or language learning) disability. Both regional and national groups offer conferences, a variety of publications and information.

 

Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA)
National (888) 300-6710
www.ldact.org
In addition to national and regional conferences, the LDA offers parent assistance services, booklists and publications. Membership in the national LDA includes enrollment in the state chapter.

 

Nonverbal Learning Disorders Association (NLDA)
P.O. Box 220
Canton, CT 06019-0220
(860) 293-1800
www.schwablearning.org
Includes subject indexes to learning disabilities resources, offers e-mail responses to individual questions.

 

Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities
P.O. Box 2726
Westport, CT 06880
(203) 226-6723
http://www.smartkidswithld.org
This new national non-profit organization publishes a newsletter for parents of children with learning disabilities and attention deficit disorders offering current, authoritative information from experts; encouragement and practical guidance from parents; and inspiration via profiles of people who overcome learning disabilities on the way to outstanding achievement.

 

Speech and Hearing
Elizabeth Mackenzie, President
CT Speech-Language-Hearing Association
213 Back Lane
Newington, CT 06111
(860) 666-6900

 

DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT RESOURCES

Pacer Center

• Resources on transition: www.pacer.org/publications/transition.asp

 

Employment Stories

The following websites include a variety of examples of individuals with significant disabilities who are successfully employed:

• Real Work Stories: www.realworkstories.org
• Great Hires Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPXiIYz4uw0

 

Connecticut State Agencies and Resources

• Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS): http://www.ct.gov./dors 
  • Benefits Counseling: Greater Hartford and Willimantic (860) 723-1400
• Department of Developmental Services (DDS): http://www.ct.gov/dds
• Department of Mental Health and Addition Services (DMHAS): http://www.ct.gov/dmhas/site/default.asp
• Workforce Development Board - Capitol Workforce Partners: http://capitalworkforce.org/youth-resources/young-job-seekers-center
• American Job Centers: https://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/ajc/americanjobcenters.htm
• Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center (CPAC): http://www.cpacinc.org

 

FEDERAL

www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.

 

www.ed.gov/index.jsp

U.S. Department of Education home page. Links to other resources for teachers and parents.

 

www.cec.sped.org

The home page for Council for Exceptional Children.

 

http://www.seriweb.com/

Special Education Resources on the Internet (SERI) is a collection of internet resources for those interested in special education. Includes general disability information, parent and teacher resources, etc.

 

http://www.ncld.org/

National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD).

 

http://www.ccbd.net/

Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders.

 

http://www.fcsn.org/

Federation for Children with Special Needs.

 

http://www.fape.org/

Families and Advocates Partnership for Education (FAPE).

 

www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr

Office for Civil Rights home page. Information on Section 504 and other topics

http://cecp.air.org

Center for Effective Collaboration (CECP) supports collaboration at local, state and national levels to improve services for children and youth with emotional and behavioral problems.

 

 

PARENTING

• http://www.familyeducation.com/ - An excellent resource with extensive links
• www.ed.gov/parents/landing.jhtml - U.S. Department of Education site that has excellent helping your child series that covers everything from math activities, reading test-taking skills, internet guide, parent/child learning activities.
• http://family.go.com - A driving sponsored site. Thousands of ideas on things for your child and family to do. Activities are arranged by season, age group, materials, parent to parent advice.
• http://www.npin.org/ - National Parent Information Network site. A very nice, non-commercial site by the ERIC educational clearinghouse project. This is a fantastic resource.
• www.pta.org - National PTA site. A story by one of the nation’s leading advocates for children.
• http://www.positivecoach.org/ - This site is the center of a national movement encouraging positive and supportive parent participation in youth sports.
• http://www.jbocallaghan.com/ - Dr. Brien O’Callaghan provides an overview of the Home/School Collaboration approach. Offers insights into children’s behavior and common sense approach for parents.
• http://www.rosemond.com/ - Dr. John Rosemond, clinic psychologist, national speaker on Affirmative Parenting. A wealth of practical advice and suggestions for parents.
• http://www.positivediscipline.com/ - Dr. Jane Nelson offers many resources for parents and teachers. Questions of the week provide strategies for dealing with common problems experienced by parents.