Wake County LICC Family Resource Fair a Walking Encyclopedia for Special Needs Parents
Last Tuesday I attended the annual Wake County LICC Family Resource Fair for families of children with special needs. I was unable to attend in previous years so I was pleasantly impressed at how much new information I learned. Many thanks to the Wake County Local Interagency Coordinating Council for sponsoring it and to the Raleigh Parks & Recreation Department for hosting it at the Laurel Hills Community Center. For those of you who could not attend, here is a summary of the resources presented at the event:
COORDINATING RESOURCE AGENCIES
Wake County Local Interagency Coordinating Council
The LICC is a collaborative partnership among parents, caregivers, public agencies, private and non-profit organizations, and community members to promote a coordinated and effective Early Intervention System in Wake County, NC. The LICC publishes a great Road Map to help families navigate the Early Intervention System for children with disabilities from birth to age five.
North Carolina Parent Information and Resource Center
http://www.ecac-parentcenter.org
The North Carolina Parent Information and Resource Center is a project of the Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center. The center offers individual assistance, a toll-free learning line, educational workshops, referral services, a lending library, and a quarterly newsletter that offers helpful lists and tips. Many of their resources are also available in Spanish.
Project Enlightenment
http://www.projectenlightenment.wcpss.net
Project Enlightenment has provided Early Intervention in Wake County since 1969 for children with disabilities from birth to age five. Among other services, the agency provides free screenings for development areas such as speech, language and learning. If you are concerned that your child is slow to meet developmental milestones, you can make an appointment by calling 919-856-7774. Visit the website for information about other valuable resources.
Southeast Family Services
http://www.southeastfamilyservices.com
Southeast Family Services also offers assessment and treatment for children with suspected delays and disorders. Services offered include psychology, psychiatry, child and family counseling, speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, educational services, and reading intervention.
The Arc of Wake County
The Arc is a national organization for people with developmental disabilities providing information, referrals, advocacy, support and public awareness. The Arc of Wake County Chapter sponsors The M ‘n’ M Singers, an adult choir of people with developmental disabilities, as well as Project SEE (Supported Employment Experience), providing vocational opportunities for teens and adults with moderate to severe disabilities. Visit the website to learn about additional chapter-supported programs.
Child Care Services Association
http://www.childcareservices.org
Finding child care for special needs children can be challenging. Child Care Services Association serves the entire Triangle Area with trained, knowledgeable, and bilingual referral counselors. They can also help you determine if you are eligible for the Wake County Human Services Childcare Subsidy Program.
SUPPORT GROUPS
Family Support Network of North Carolina
http://www.familysupportonline.com
The Family Support Network of North Carolina facilitates a statewide network of community-based Parent-to-Parent programs. The FSN offers one-to-one matching of parents to serve as support groups for one another. The organization also provides educational courses, workshops, information about specific disabilities and various resources to support those disabilities. All services are free and confidential. Visit the website for a list of upcoming events — including Mom’s Nights Out around town — and for more information about parent-to-parent matching.
Spina Bifida Support Group
Raleigh Neurology Associates sponsors a Spina Bifida Support Group offering child and parent advocacy, education, networking and fundraising ideas. They even provide pizza and childcare at meetings. Visit the website for upcoming dates.
Wake County Cerebral Palsy Support Group
http://www.web.mac.com/jpfaltz12/Site/WakeCPSupport.html
The Wake County Cerebral Palsy Support Group meets the second Tuesday of each month to share experiences and resources. They organize social activities for the whole family including rollerskating, bowling, parties and more throughout the year.
Triangle Down Syndrome Network
http://www.triangledownsyndrome.org
The Triangle Down Syndrome Network serves families in Wake, Durham and Orange and surrounding counties. The organization publishes a New Parent Handbook that can be requested on the website and sponsors workshops, special speakers, and other activities around the Triangle. Visit the website for a huge list of upcoming events.
RECREATION
Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department
http://www.parks.raleighnc.gov/reclink
Did you know that Raleigh Parks & Rec offers specialized recreation services for children with special needs? Camps, Buddy Basketball, Sibshops (support group activities for typical children who have brothers and sisters with special needs) and more. Visit the website for upcoming activities.
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
http://www.naturalsciences.org
Seeing the NC Museum of Natural Sciences at this event was a pleasant surprise! You probably know that the museum is free 7 days a week. But you probably didn’t know that they have an Outreach Program that brings touchable live animals, natural objects and lively presentations to you. This is a great idea as an addition or alternative to field trips for special needs children.
Holly Springs School of Dance
http://www.hollyspringsdance.com
I was very excited to learn that the Holly Springs School of Dance and Springs Dance Company sponsor free dance classes for kids with special needs on the first Saturday of every month. Check the website for upcoming dates.
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
Generations Tadpole
Generations Tadpole was a very exciting find that I have already discussed with my daughter’s OT. The organization has an extensive short-term lending library of assistive technologies such as adapted toys, switches, communication devices, alternative writing kits, puzzles, and Braille books. They create amazing Literacy Kits with large colorful books, puppets, textures, and picture boards.
North Carolina Assistive Technology Resource Centers
North Carolina funds multiple Assistive Technology Resource Centers (ATRC) around the state. For information about assistive technology resources in Durham, Raleigh and Fayetteville, call 919-684-2721.
THERAPY AND DAY TREATMENT
Pediatric Therapy Associates & Sports Medicine
In addition to therapy services, Pediatric Therapy Associates sponsors programs like Kids’ Nite Out, social outings for children ages 3+ with special needs. Therapists accompany kids to activities like picnics, pizza parties, scavenger hunts and hiking trips. Visit the website for upcoming events.
Raleigh Therapy Services
Raleigh Therapy Services’ unique approach consists of a family-centered framework keeping the family involved in the child’s therapy. They offer many specialty treatments like aquatic therapy, augmentative/alternative communication, Handwriting without Tears, Kaufman Speech Praxis Program, Lindamood Phonemic Sequencing, Sign Language, Therapeutic Listening and much more.
Abilitations Children’s Therapy & Wellness Center
Abilitations Children’s Therapy & Wellness Center focuses on the abilities of each child versus the disability. Programs are designed to promote each child’s highest level of functional independence and help achieve their personal goals. They offer specialized programs for children with special needs, including ballet and movement classes, adapted sports and a “Kool Kidz” Club.
Speech Connection
http://www.myspeechconnection.com
Speech Connection offers home and community-based speech-language services for young children. They proudly help children with speech-language disorders that may result from autism, hearing impairment, premature birth, developmental delay, traumatic brain injury, medical syndromes, and other and unknown causes.
PSA Healthcare
Raleigh PSA is a Pediatric Day Treatment Center for medically fragile children with special needs. The center is managed by Pediatric Registered Nurses and staffed with skilled nursing and healthcare professionals who are trained to care for these special kids.
Tags: Arc, assistive technology, Disabilities, exceptional child, family services, lending library, Local Interagency Coordinating Council, Project Enlightenment, special needs, support groups, therapy, Wake County
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December 10, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Great job summarizing all this. Glad you got to go.
December 10, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Wow! As the parent co-chair of the LICC, I am impressed! Thanks so much for posting this information- do you mind if I link the LICC website to it?? Just let me know. Thanks!
December 11, 2008 at 2:20 am
Links and Trackbacks welcome!
May 8, 2009 at 3:19 pm
I have heard that Generations Tadpole is no longer able to offer shipping services due to budget cuts. You must drive to Butner to pick up and drop off any items you want to borrow.