Parent and Family Resources

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Families

 GPAEA’s Parent and Family Resources are designed to provide tools and resources that will help to promote success for all children and youth with disabilities.

 

Family and Educator Advocacy/Legal Resources

Disability Rights Iowa aims to defend and promote the human and legal rights of Iowans with disabilities and mental illness. We promote safety, opportunity, access, and self-determination for all Iowans.

ASK Resources is a family-focused nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower individuals with disabilities and their family members by providing innovative and collaborative advocacy, training, resources and supports. Its vision is access, empowerment and acceptance for all.

Iowa Legal Aid Iowa Legal Aid provides free civil legal assistance and does not charge our clients for legal services.

Click here for an information video to help families and educators understand the guardianship/conservatorship process.

Free Support for Children with Disabilities

Rent or respite care? Groceries or adaptive clothing? For parents of children with disabilities, choosing between their family’s basic needs and disability-related items can often be difficult. Many services, devices, and equipment are available to aid in the development and improve a child’s quality of life. Unfortunately, insurance and other programs may only cover a portion of the cost, or perhaps not at all.

The Children at Home (CaH) Program may be able to help families with some of these expenses. *

Children at Home (CaH) is a non-profit program of the Iowa Family Support Network and can help families caring for a child (up to age 22) with a disability by providing financial assistance for items or services not covered by other programs.

Examples may include special adaptive devices, out-of-area travel expenses, respite care or educational seminars for caregivers, special camps, and items to make your home safe or more accessible for a child. If an item or service provides a direct benefit to a child and is related to the child’s disability, families may qualify for a minimum of $700 in assistance per child annually.

FUNDING IS AVAILABLE! CONTACT US TODAY! If you have questions about this program or to refer someone to apply for assistance, please contact the Iowa Family Support Network:

  • 1-888-IAKIDS1 (1-888-425-4371)
  • IAFamilySupportNetwork@Everystep.org (email)
  • IAFamilySupportNetwork.org (website)
  • Income guidelines apply

Iowa IDEA Information (i3)

The Iowa Department of Education, AEAs, and districts have developed the Iowa IDEA Information (i3) website to provide parents, families, educators, and partner agencies with a one-stop-shop for procedures, guidance, and resources for both early intervention and special education. To access these additional resources, please visit the Resources page within i3.

Iowa Secondary Transition Learning Site

Check out the Iowa Secondary Transition Learning Community site.  There is some great content here including an informational video where you will learn about Iowa programs for young adults with special needs. Some of the topics covered are; Medicaid, HCBS waivers, supported employment, and much more.

 

Newsletters (Archived from the Family Educator Partnership)

 

Other Resources

Parent Support Groups

Resources for Families and Educators

Transition