The resources are available to anyone, regardless of enrollment in the Caring Program or CHIP. The links provided on this site are for information only. The views of the linked organizations do not necessarily reflect the views of the Caring Program.
This list of resources is not meant to be exhaustive, and it does not contain a complete listing of all family or community resources available for children with special health care needs. The listing will be updated on an ongoing basis and is in compliance with the Linking Policies of the organizations noted.
| Resource |
URL and Contact Information |
About.com
Information on health, education, parenting, family, teens, sports, recreation and more. |
|
Americans with Disabilities Hotline
Information on the Americans with Disabilities Act, regulations, technical assistance, enforcement and more. |
|
Alliance for a Healthier Generation
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation – a partnership between the
American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation – works
to combat one of the nation's leading health threats, childhood obesity. |
|
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
BAM! Body and Mind is an online destination for kids created by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services. Designed for kids 9-13 years old, BAM! Body and Mind gives
them the information they need to make healthy lifestyle choices. The site focuses
on topics that kids told us are important to them — such as stress and
physical fitness — using kid-friendly lingo, games, quizzes, and other
interactive features.
|
|
CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder
Information on local programs, support, resources, research, conferences and more. |
|
CHIP
Children's Health Insurance Program administered through Highmark |
- (800) 543-7105 (Western PA)
- TTY (877) 323-8480
- (866) 727-5437 (Central PA)
|
| Resource |
URL and Contact Information |
Directory of Center and Statewide Independent Living Councils
Directory of Centers for Independent Living (CILs) that provide services to maximize the independence of individuals with disabilities and the accessibility of the communities they live in. |
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Early Intervention – Connect
Services and supports designed to help families with children with developmental delays between the ages of birth and three years old. |
|
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Information on laws, regulations, guidance, discrimination, training, outreach and more. |
- EEOC website
- (412) 644-3444 (Pittsburgh office)
- (215) 440-2600 (Philadelphia)
- TTY (800) 669-6820
- (800) 669-4000
|
Family Voices
Information and referrals for children and youth with special health care needs and their families and more. |
|
The Fathers Network
Provides resources and support to fathers and families raising children with special health care needs and developmental disabilities. |
|
| Resource |
URL and Contact Information |
Healthy and Ready to Work
Information on systems, services, youth involvement, tools and solutions, health care and more. |
|
Highmark
Information on providers, pharmacy, benefits, insurance, formulary, customer service and more. |
|
Highmark Caring Place
Information on grief, support, facilities, volunteering and more. |
|
| Resource |
URL and Contact Information |
March of Dimes
Information on pregnancy and newborn health education and more. |
|
MentalHelp.net
Promotes mental health and wellness education and advocacy |
|
National Eating Disorders Association
Information and resources related to eating disorders, programs, parent and family network, treatment options and more. |
|
National Mental Health Information Center
Information on resources, services locator, programs, publications, mental health topics and more |
|
National Respite Network
Information on respite and family resource centers. |
|
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)
Information to assist individuals with disabilities secure and maintain employment and independence |
|
| Resource |
URL and Contact Information |
Parent Education Network (PEN)
Parent training and information center, information on federal disability laws, policy and initiatives, PA special education, special education legal links, disability resource links, Social Security and SSI, transportation information center, parent support, recreation, vacation and travel information, workshops and more. |
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Parent to Parent
Network created by families for families of children and adults with special needs. Connect families in similar situations with one another so that they may share experiences, offer practical information and/or support. |
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PATTAN (PA Training and Technical Assistance Network) Educational Resources
Information on IDEA, FAPE, Individualized Education Plans (IEP), autism, assistive technology, dispute resolution, PSSA, sensory impairment, transition and more |
- PATTAN website
- (800) 446-5607 (Pittsburgh)
- (800) 360-7282 (Harrisburg)
|
PEAL Center (Parent Education & Advocacy Leadership Center)
Information, training and resources related to special education process and parents rights, referrals to community resources and more. Serving Western and Central PA . |
|
Pennsylvania Association for the Blind
Information on prevention, education and recreation programs, promoting community interaction, rehabilitation training programs and more. |
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Pennsylvania Elks Home Service Program
Elks home service nurses can provide in-home medical case management services, advocacy, information and referral, information on social and recreational programs and more |
|
Pennsylvania Health Law Project (PHLP)
Provides free legal services and advocacy to Pennsylvania residents
having trouble accessing publicly funded health care coverage or services. |
|
Pennsylvania Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT)
Information on programs, trainings, publications and more. |
|
Pennsylvania Quitline (smoking cessation)
Service provides counseling and structured assistance for individuals who are committed to quitting. |
- (800) QUIT NOW
- (800) 784-8669
- (877) 724-1090
|
Pennsylvania Tourette Syndrome Association Inc.
Information on support groups, newsletters, related links and
more. |
|
Pennsylvania Transition Health Care Checklist
Information for youth with disabilities that are transitioning. Includes information on insurance, SSI, assistive technology, skills for independence and more. |
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| Resource |
URL and Contact Information |
Variety - The Children's Charity
Provides mobility equipment for children, with a mental or physical disability, under the age of 18 who reside in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland County, provide a summer camp, information and referral to community agencies and more. |
|
Weight Management Supports
Children with a BMI in the 85th and 95th percentile are eligible for:
- Four additional annually preventive office visits specifically for obesity
- Four annual nutritional counseling visits specifically for obesity
- One set of recommended laboratory studies (lipid profile, hemoglobin A1c, AST, ALT, and fasting glucose)
|
- Keystone Benefits (CHIP)
(800) 547-9378
- Blue Shield PPO Benefits (CHIP)
(800) 345-3806
- Highmark's Personal Nutrition Coaching for children
(800) 879-2217
- For non-CHIP members, contact the benefits number on the back of your insurance card for details on weight management supports available under your plan
|
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Information on WIC, how to apply, resources, benefits and services, funding and program data and more. |
|
YMCA
Provides various recreation and social activities and support programs. |
- YMCA website (use the zip code to locate a YMCA closest to you)
|
YWCA
Provides various recreation and social activities and support programs. |
- YWCA website (use the zip code to locate a YWCA closest to you)
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Information on some local and national resources that can help meet family or community needs can be found below.