Links for Parents
Federal Agencies
- Office of Special Education Programs
- Early Reading First
- National Institute on Early Childhood Development and Education
- No Child Left Behind
State Agencies
- California Department of Developmental Services
- California Department of Developmental Services-Early Start
- California Department of Education-Special Education Division
- California Department of Health Services
- California Department of Mental Health
- California Department of Social Services
- California Department of Alcohol and Drug Problems
- California Children and Families Commission
- California Department of Managed Health Care
- National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities
National Resources
State Resources
Kern County Associations/Support Groups
- H.E.A.R.T.S Connection
Meetings are held monthly throughout Kern County for family members and friends. Meetings provide information on organizations and services and opportunities to meet other families to share joys, challenges and information. For more information, please call 661.328.9055.
- Bakersfield Parent's Hope
Sponsored by H.E.A.R.T.S Connection, a support group for parents of children with Asperger's Syndrome, Childhood Schizophrenia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder and related disorders. Meetings are held from 7:30 - 9 PM, on the first Thursday evening of each month. For more information, please call 661.399.0856.
- Unique Perspectives
Sponsored by H.E.A.R.T.S Connection, a support group for teenagers of high school age with with Asperger's Syndrome. Meetings are held from 7:30 - 9 PM, on the first Thursday evening of each month. For more information, please call 661.399.0856.
Associations/Support Groups
- PACER Center Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights
- National Association of Partners in Education
- Parents Helping Parents-The Family Resource Center
- Division of Early Childhood of Council for Exceptional Children
- National Association for the Education of Young Children
- National Head Start Association
- Zero to Three
- Federation for Children with Special Needs
- National Parent Network on Disabilities (NPND)
- Family Village Web Site
Communication
- Sharing Useful Articles with School Personnel
- Making the most of a 10-minute office visit
- How to Be Your Child's Champion
- Working with a Mainstream Teacher
- Things Kids Say About Living With Learning Disabilities
- Keeping Home Files and Records (pdf) (STOMP)
- Communication Strategies (Includes 11 sample letters & tips on conflict resolution) (pdf) (STOMP)
- Request to Examine Your Child's Records Sample Letter (pdf)
- Requesting Accommodations for Your Child Sample Letter (pdf)
Early Childhood Education
Inclusive Education
Parenting Resources
- Homework Help
- Siblings of Children with Special Needs
- Parenting a Child with Special Needs
- Travel Resources for Children with Special Needs
- Driving & Teens with Special Needs
- Transition into Adulthood
- Family Financial Resources
- Creating and Maintaining Parent Support Group
- A Framework for Teaching Self Care Skills to Children and Youth with Special Needs
- Plan for Emergency Response for Children with Special Needs (pdf)
- Choosing a Pediatrician for your Child with Special Needs
- School Tips from Other Parents with Children with Special Needs
Legal Resources
- The U.S. House of Representatives Internet Law Library: Handicapped Individuals and the Law
- Family Education Rights Privacy Act
Health & Safety
- Dental Care for Children with Special Needs
- Car Seat Safety for Children with Special Needs
- Safety Tips for Children with Special Needs
- What you should know before seeking help from a professional checklist
- Protecting Students from Harassment and Hate Crime (pdf)
- California Department of Education: Healthy Families and Medi-Cal for Children
- School Lunch Programs: Express Enrollment Information
- Healthy Kids Project
