RESOURCE LINKS
The following list of
resources is for your consideration and not intended as an endorsement of any
group, information provided or it’s practices. We would like to thank Elaine Hime for the use of her
Resource Guide for Parents of Children with Disabilities, Houston and Surrounding Areas in compiling
some of the resources listed.
The entire guide is available in English and Spanish at www.prodectdocchouston.org.
INFORMATION SOURCES
Spina Bifida Association of America www.sbaa.org
211 Center
call
211 to reach them
Staffed by
specifically trained specialist who quickly asses caller’s needs and refer them
to local services here in Houston. Available 24/7 with multilingual capabilities.
Directory of Community
Services in Texas
for Individuals with Disabilities and their Families www.disabilityresources.tamu.edu
Comprehensive Texas disability resource
directory
Mayor’s Office for People with
Disabilities
www.houstotx.gov/disabilities/index.html
Callaborative for Children 713-600-1100 or 713-600-1234 www.collaborativeforchildren.org
Child care resource and
referral
Father’s Network www.fathersnetwork.org
Publishes a newsletter
Minnesota Governor’s Council
on Developmental Disabilities www.mcdd.org
www.kidshealth.org
Has health information for
parents, kids, and teens; spina bifida is under health
problems, brain and nervous systems
Parents Helping Parents: Family
Resource
Center for Children with
Special Needs www.php.com
408-727-5775 English and
Spanish speaking staff and publications
The National Center
for Medical Home Initiatives for Children with Special Needs
www.medicalhomeinfo.org
Educational, resource, and
advocacy materials, guidelines for care, evaluation tools, technical assistance
and forms to help you keep records for your child
National Dissemination
Center for Children with Disabilities http://nichcy.org
English and
Spanish source of information on disabilities in infants, toddlers, children,
and youth. Offers a free package of information
about national and state resources, publication list, and various booklets
Sibling Support Project www.siblingsupport.org
Texas Center for Disability Studies, U.T. www.tcds.edb.utexas.edu
Texas Parent to Parent
www.txp2p.org
Helps parents to be advocates
for their children through peer support, referrals, and public awareness
www.disabilityresources.org
ADULTS/TEENS/TRASITION
ISSUES
Heath Resource Center
www.heath.gwu.edu
Online clearing house for
college and education options for individuals with disabilities
It’s Time to Transition!
www.cdphe.state.co.us/ps/hcp/transistion/workbook.pdf
Workbook for
young adults, their families, and their medical providers. The goal
of this workbook is to organize the medical transition process into a smooth,
successful move from pediatric focused to adult focused health care.
Spina Bifida Association of America
www.sbaa.org
Guide to health care for
adults living with spina bifida notebook or CD has
forms for transitioning and managing health care
Imagine
Enterprises 1-800-572-7159 in Seabrook, but
serves all of Texas. Provides help in getting and keeping
jobs; transistion toolkit CD; self-determination workshops
Association for Development Disabilities 713-926-3025 Provides a transitional bridge from high
school to competitive employment
www.coalitionforbarrierfreeliving.com
Provides information and
referral, peer support, individual and systems advocacy,
inpedendent
living skills training and coordination of services
Brazoria County Center for Independent Living Angleton 929-849-7060
Fort Bend
County
Center for Independent Living 281-890-2219
Houston Center for Independent Living 713-974-4621
Resource, Information, Support
and Empowerment Beaumont 409-832-2599
Crockett Resources Center for Independent Living 936-544-2811
Vocational Advancement and
Social Skills Training (V.A.S.T) and the Office Skills Training Program for
Students with Development Disabilities
Houston
Community College Central
www.college.hccs.edu/contract/vast
Open Doors to Postsecondary
Education, Training, and Planning for Life after High School 800-441-4653
www.dpi.state.wi.us/sped/pdf/tranopndrs.pdf
Students with Disabilities
Preparing for Postsecondary Education – Know Your Rights and
Responsibilities
www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transtion.html
Career and Recovery Resource Center 713-754-7000
Gulf Coast Community Service Association 713-393-4700
Houston Works 713-654-1919
Job Corps 800-733-5627
Memorial Assistance Ministries 713-468-4516
MHMRA Employment Services 713-970-7614
Texas Rehabilitation Commission 713-735-3470 or 800-628-5115
Texas Workforce Commission 713-688-6890
Sork Source 281-807-9462
National Collaborative on
Workforce and Disability
www.ncwd-youth.info
Association for Persons in
Supported Employment www.apse.org
CLINICS
Shriners Hospital for Children Houston 713-797-1616 or 1-800-237-5055
www.shrinershq.org/Hospitals/Houston
Texas Children’s Hospital Spina Bifida Clinic 832-822-4308 www.texaschildrenshospital.org
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston New patient appointment 409-772-2222 or
1-800-917-8906 www.utmb.edu/pedi
DENTAL CARE
Alvin Community Health
Endeavor 1111 West Adoue Street 281-331-1036
Ben Taub
Oral Surgery Clinic
713-643-3691
Dental Center San Jose Clinic 713-228-9411
Good Neighbor Dental Clinic 277 West
Gray 713-529-3260
Harris County
Dental
Health Center
1612
Fannin 713-757-0572
Houston Dental Society Dental
Referral Services 713-961-4337
www.ghds.com
Houston Department of Health
and Human Services Dental Health Services 713-794-9363
University of Texas
Health
Science
Center
Dental Branch 713-500-4000
EYE OR VISION CARE
Americas medical Clinic 7575 San Felipe 713-266-8840
Good Neighbor Healthcare Center Eye Clinic 277 West Gray 713-527-8480
Harris County Hospital District 713-526-6077
or 713-566-6400
Harris County Optometric Society Eye Doctor Referral Services 713-331-3311
Houston Eye Association Foundation 713-558-8760
University Eye Institute,
University of Houston
College of Optometry 713-743-1886
EDUCATION
Sandi
Project 832-842-2007
www.uh.edu/~sandi
Research
project for individuals with spina bifida to identiy key outcomes in children, teens, and adults. To address
these goals they evaluate skills and abilities, academic and vocational
achievement, and behavioral and social adjustments; do MRI of the brain and
analyze genetic material. The
results of these studies will be discussed with the parent and if requested by
the parent can be made available to school for IEPs or 504 planning
Parents as Partners in Special
Education Support Group
713-789-5628 Free meetings in
English and Spanish on the 2nd Monday in August through June at 11am
to 1pm; organized by ARC of Houston; main focus is helping families understand
and navigate special education services available through public schools
www.texasprojectfirst.org Bilingual website dedicated to providing
accurate and consistent information on the special education process
Families and Advocates
Partnership for Education (FAPE)
www.fape.org
Partnerships that aims to
improve the educational outcomes for children with disabilities
Office of Special Education Programs
www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/osep/index.html
Texas Education Agency –
Special Education Page
www.tea.state.tx/us/special,ed
Special Education Information
Line 1-800-252-9668 Special education staff are available to
help parents with concerns about their child’s education
Early Childhood Intervention
(EDI) of Texas
www.dars.state.tx.us/ecis/index/shtml
Technical Assistance Alliance www.taalliance.org
Features
research-based information on special education and related topics. The site
includes a wide selection of news, publications, resources, and directory of the
nations’ Parent Centers
PACER WWW.PACER.ORG
A parent
training center. Has many free resources translated to
Spanish
Foundation for Children with
Behavioral Challenges www.explosivekids.org
Includes many resources and lins
www.touchmath.com
www.ideapractices.org
www.waisman.wisc.edu
Special Education Exchange www.sped.com
LEARNING DISABILITIES
Learning Disabilities
Association of America
www.ldanatl.org Information also available in Spanish
www.ldonline.org Learning disability resources
www.nldline.com Non-verbal learing
disorders
www.nldontheweb.org Non-verbal learning disorders
www.NLDS.org Non-verbal Learning Disorders Association
EQUIPMENT
Disabled
Children’r
Relief Fund (DCRF) www.dcrf.com
516-377-1605
P.O. Box 89
Freeport, NY
11520
Provides equipment,
prostheses, and rehabilitative services through grants
Project MEND
www.projectmend.org 713-641-0777
8305 Telephone Road
Houston, TX
77061
Toy Tech – United Cerebral
Palsy of Greater
Houston 713-838-9050
Toy lending library and
playgroups
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Supplemental Social Security Income (SSI) 1800-772-1213
www.ssa.gov/disability/
www.disabilitysecrets.com Information about making a clain or appeal for SSI or SSD
Career and Recovery Resources 713-754-7000
Christian Rescue Mission 713-659-7750
Emergency Aid Coalition 713-522-0667
Guadalupe Social Services 713-227-9981
Gulf Coast Community Services 713-393-4700
Harris County Cold Card 713-463-3691
For health care through county
clinics, Ben Taub, and LBJ
Houston Urban League 713-393-8700
Medically Needy Program 800-250-8263
The Medicine Program 713-996-7300
Social Security Administration 800-772-1213
HEALTH INSURANCE
Your employer or carrier can
provide information about your coverage, such as limits or caps on the amount
they will pay for treatment of certain conditions or types of therapy. While a child is under the age of 3 and
qualifies for Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) use it and save your insurance
for later or other health problems.
Texas Department of Insurance 1-800-252-3439
www.tdi.state.tx.us
Helps
parents of children with disabilities that have insurance problems. Offers “What Texans with Disabilities Should Know about Insurance” a
free booklet explaining the rights of
Texas
with disabilities. To order
it call 1-800-599-7467
Health Insurance Premium
Payment Reimbursement Program (HIPP) 1-800-440-0493
HIPP is a Medicaid program
that pays the cost of insurance premiums, co-insurance, deductibles, and other
cost sharing. HIPP will reimburse
the health-insurance premiums of payroll deduction sfor
Medicaid-eligible persons, but only when Medicaid determines it would be cost
effective. The advantage of this
program is that members of your family who are not eligible for Medicaid will be
covered under your private health insurance plan.
Government Programs explained
in more detail www.projectdocchouston.org
It is important to fill out an
application even if there is a long waiting list.
Medicaid,
HHSC
www.hhsc.state.tx.us/medicaid/index.html
For local office address call
713-767-2000 or 211 for information
EPSDT – Teas Healthsteps www.dshs.state.tx.us/thsteps
Children’s Health Insurance
Plan (CHIP HHSC) 1-800-647-6558
The Children’s Health
Insurance Program (CHIP) is for families who earn too much money to quality for
Medicaid, yet cannot afford private insurance
Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool www.txhealthpool.org
Children with Special Health
Care Needs Division (CSHCN), TXDSHS www.dshs.state.tx.us/cshcn
To apply call 713-767-3111 or
1-800-252-8032
In Home and Family Support
(IH&FS), Tx. Department of Aging and Disability
Services (TxDADS)
Provides
funding for yearly grants. The grant monies can be used for
specialized equipment, home modifications, medical services, personnel
attendants, training, and respite.
There are income limites (much higher than Medicaid) and co-pays may apply.
Has a waiting list
Community Living Assistance
and Support Services (CLASS) Community Care Services, TXDADS
www.dads.state.tx.us/services
To be placed on a waiting
list, call 1-877-438-5658 (state office); for information only, call
Vita-Living, Inc. 713-271-5795.
CLASS provides home and community services such as therapy and
personal-attendant care, counseling, home medication and respite care for
persons with disabilities.
Qualification is based on approved needs.
Once accepted, the child also qualifies for regular Medicaid benefits.
Note: Long waiting list. Program is not statewide.
HOME REPAIRS
City of Houston Emergency Repairs 713-868-8400
Community Development of Baytown 281-420-6597
Fort Bend Corps 281-313-2677
Harris County Housing
and Economic Development
713-578-2000
Home Savers Modification Program 713-659-2511
LEGAN AND ADVOCACY
Advocacy Inc. 713-974-7691 or 1-800-880-0821 (Houston
Office) www.advocacying.org
Supports rights protection of
persons with disabilities, provides literature and speakers.
Disability Law Research
Project (DLRP) 1-800-949-4232
www.dlrp.org
The DLRP is a resource on the
American Disabilities Act (ADA) related laws.
Experts staff are available to provide training and publications as well
as respond to your inquires.
Houston Volunteer Lawyers 713-228-0732
Houston Bar Association – free legal line on 1st
and 3rd Wed. 5-9 pm 713-759-1133
Legal Aid Clinic University
of Houston Law Center 713-743-2094 Servers families whose income meets
federal poverty guidelines.
Takes a limited number of cases.
Long Star Legal Aid 713-652-0077
Mental Health Association
Guardianship Handbook
713-523-8963
Texas Guardianship Association www.texasguardianship.org
South Texas
School of Law (Social Security Issues) 713-652-0009
www.TexasLawHelp.org
Estate and Financial Plans for
Special Needs Trust funds are private arrangements made by the families of
children with disabilities. Trust
funds may take many different forms.
For further information, call your attorney or Estate Planning for Disabiliteies, Steve
Rhatigan 281-364-7211
www.stemark.com
Center for Education and
Employment Law www.oakstonelegal.com
PARENT SUPPORT GROUPS
Bilingual Group for Hispanic
Mother’s (Pasadena
Harris County Health Departmetn Southeast
Clinic Dana
Wallace, Social Worker 713-7405025
El Grupo
de Apoyo Ripley Community Center 713-921-3036
For Spanish speaking families of children with mental retardation,
autism, and other development disabilities, meets the last Tuesday of the month
at 10 am.
Houston Federation of Families
for Children’s Mental Health 281-335-5600
www.houstonfederation.org
Contact: Barbara Sewell Information,
referral, education, and advocacy parent groups.
Mom to Mom 281-412-7284
www.momtomomsupport.com Supports moms with newly diagnosed baby
with a disability or illness
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Metropolitan
Houston
713-970-3455 www.manimetrohouston.org
Several chapters of NAMI in
the Houston
area offer supports groups. Call for dates, times, and location. Newsletter available.
Special Kids, Inc. (SKI)
Grassroots Consortium
713-754-5355 or 713-643-9576
www.specialkidsinc.org
Contact: Rose Ferguson Meets
the 2nd
and 4th Tuesday of the month at Outreach
Baptist Church
at 5055 Belfort, Houston, Texas 77033
THERAPEUTIC HORSEBACK
RIDING
CARE Group Stables at South Houston Equestrain Center 713-383-2100 9299 Kirby Dr, Houston
Flying Free Equitherapy
Santa Fe, Tx.
409-925-1942 www.flyingfree.org
Leap of Faith Equine Willis, Tx. 936-648-4606
www.leapofaith.org
Assisted
Riding Center
Morning Glory Ranch Waller, Tx. 936-372-2212
www.morninggloryranch.org
Ride On, Inc.
Richmond,
Tx. 77469 281-342-7273 Contact Hannah Mac Brown
S.H.A.R.E Special Horses and Riders Excelling College Stations, Tx. 979-690-2364
Self-Improvement through
Riding Education (SIRE) Therapy Program Spring and Missouri City, Tx.
281-353-6160
www.sire-htec.org
Southern Breeze Equestrian
Center 281-431-4868
West
Houston
Medical
Center
RESPITE CARE
The ARC of Greater Houston 713-957-1600 www.thearcofgreaterhouston.com
Ages 4-25 with mental
retardation, autism, and other autistic spectrum disorders
Hermann Respite House Herman
Children’s Hospital
713-704-2394
Application required.
Medically fragile and developmental delay.
Respite Program of mental
Health mental Retardation (MHMR) of
Harris
County 713-970-7617 or
713-970-7621
Bayshores House Houston
MHMR Gulf
Coast
Center – MR Division 1-800-615-4763 or 281-585-7460
Texana MHMR Services 281-208-6672
Tri-County MHMR 936-521-6226 Apply
through intake
United
Cerebral Palsy of Greater Houston, Inc. 713-838-9050
www.ucp.org
Montgomery County Respite Services, UCP of Greater
Houston,
Conroe, Tx. 936-441-0789 ext. 472 or
1-888-825-9682 ext 472 www.ucp.org
Parent’s Night Out Program, Houston Area Respite Center 713-271-6001
www.harc-hou.org
Special Kids’ Night Out, Lake
Houston YMCA, Kingwood, 381-360-2500 For children with disabilities 5
and older, siblings included one Saturday amonth from
6:30 pm to 10 pm. Pre-registration
required.
TRANSPORTATION
Harris County Coordinated
Transportation Services
713-313-1765 www.ss.hctx.net Subsidized transportation for the elderly
and people with disabilities for those living outside the Metro service area.
Medicaid
Transportation 1-877-633-8747 Transportation assistance for medical
appointments can be obtained for those who receive Medicaid; mileage
reimbursement for Medicaid appointments.
Metrolift 713-225-0119 Metrolift offers transportation services for mentally and
physically disable persons. Minimal fee.
RECREATION AND SPORTS
Camp That Love Built 281-447-2707
www.sbahgc.org Overnight camp for individuals ages 6 and
up with spina bifida.
Buckaroo Day Camp
Erin
Hauder
713-838-9050
www.ucphouston.org/camp_buckaroo.html
Week long
day camp for children with disabilities (2-14) and siblings (2-10. The week
long camps begin in Jun and end in July.
Campers may attend one week only and provide transportation and their
lunch.
Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp
1745 West Gray, Houston, Tx Contact Peggy
Turner 713-284-1973
Day Camp ages 6-19 independent
in self-care
Camp –
Childrens
Association for Maximum Potential 210-292-3566
www.campcamp.org
Camp is located near Comfort,
Texas P.O. Box 27086, San Antonio,
Tx. 78227
Provides a wide range of recreational, rehabilitative, and respite
services for children with disabilities and their families.
Camp LIFE –
Leadership, Independence,
& Friends Through Experience This respite weekend is held 2
times a year at Camp for All. It
provides recreation for children with disabilities and their siblings and a
weekend respite for parents.
Dionysus Theatre 5601 Braeswood, Houston,
Tx 7706 713-728-0041
www.dionysustheatre.org
Dionysys Theatre is a non-profit organization that provides
experience for teen and young adults who are disabled, disadvantaged,
chronically ill, or those able-bodies actors who want to help spread messages of
love, dignity, and tolerance for people of all abilities. Classes and auditions
available.
The River 713-520-1220
www.riverperformingvisualarts.com A barrier free curriculum arts enrichment
program for children ages 3 – 19 involving those with disabilities, chronic
illness, homeless, and siblings.
High School Tech Program
through the UCP Foundation
Contact Erin
Linksey 713-838-9050
Program for high school students with disabilities that encourages the
exploration of science, engineering, and technology related careers.
West Gray Adaptive Sports
Center 1475 West Gray, Houston, Tx 77019 713-284-1973
Provides recreational activities for children and adults with
disabilities. Programs include free
water exercise, open swin, & swimming lessons.
Participants must have independent functioning mobility sills or bring an adult
attendant. They also have an adult recreation
fitness center for those 16 and older. Weekly strength and conditioning program for youth participating on
wheelchair sports teams 12 and older.
Adult wheelchair football and basketball teams for 16
and older. Introduction to
wheelchair sports held at various times and locations – call for information.
Ray of Light youth group education, socialization, play, and networking group
for youth with multiple disabilities ages 2-19 and their families.
Parents are required to participate in activities with their child. Meets the 2nd
Saturday of each month. For
information call Rosario Vasquez at 281-870-0093.
Greater Houston Athletic
Association for Physically Disabled 713-521-3737 Wheelchair soccer and bocce
TIRR Sports 713-797-5997 Coordinates a variety of sports
activities, swimming, kayaking, basketball, etc.
Texas Adaptive Aquatics Sports
Center , Lake
Houston 281-324-4653
www.taasports.org
Water sports for children and
adults with disabilities
Challenger Sports in College Station 979-764-3486
www.projectsunshine.tamu.edu
Church Ministries – Special
Life Network www.speciallife.org Churches offer different types of
programs such as special Sunday School, volunteer buddies, respite, or parent
group.
