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RESOURCE PACKETS
These packets were written for families of young children with disabilities in Northern Nevada and are separated by diagnosis. Each packet contains information about the diagnosis, local parent-to-parent support, topical books and websites, respite care options, and financial support. They are available for download below, more topics will be added soon!
Special Guide for Dads! (Even more detailed resource information than above packets) - Click Here
NEVADA EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES
NEIS is a State Agency that provides intervention services to children birth to 3 years old with developmental delays and disabilities at no cost to the parents. They also can help refer you to other community organizations that may assist your family. If you have questions about any of the resources in the above packets, contact Shauna Buxton, Family Resource Coordinator at 688-1341.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Supplementary Security Income (SSI)
SSI, or Supplemental Security Income, is a federal program that provides monthly cash payments to people in need. SSI is for people who are 65 or older, as well as for blind or disabled people of any age, including children. To qualify you also must have little or no income and few resources. A “disabled” person under the age of 18 is someone who meets the definition of disability for children in Social Security law. That is, he or she must have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that results in marked and severe functional limitation(s), and which can be expected to result in death, or has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.
If you are not a U.S. citizen, but you are a resident, you still may be able to get SSI. For more information, ask for a copy of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) For Noncitizens (Publication No. 05-11051). If you get SSI payments, you usually can get medical assistance (Medicaid). However, you must apply for Medicaid at your local county welfare office.
For more information and to find copies of Social Security publications, visit www.socialsecurity.gov or call toll-free, 1-800-772-1213 (for the deaf or hard of hearing, call the TTY number, 1-800-325-0778). They can answer specific questions and provide information by automated phone service 24 hours a day.
FINANCIAL MEDICAL SUPPORT
The state of Nevada offers several options to qualified individuals to aid in providing financial assistance for medical costs for children and their families. The Nevada Health Division handling Children With Special Healthcare Needs administers programs such as Medicaid, Nevada Check-Up, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Katie Beckett Medicaid, Healthy Kids and more. To learn more about the programs and to get applications, visit: http://health2k.state.nv.us/cshcn/financialsupport.htm
or call 1-866-254-3964
If you need more help in figuring out these sometimes confusing healthcare programs, you can contact Nevada Covering Kids and Families at 702-933-7335 (Las Vegas office). . They are a non-profit organization that assists families in determining eligibility and applying for these state and local programs.
RESPITE CARE
Caring for a child with a disability can be hard work for parents and it is important for them to get time off every once in a while. Finding appropriate childcare for a special child can be difficult and expensive, but there are community organizations that can help provide a break for parents. This is called respite care and it is intended to give caregivers some time off – it is generally not allowed to be used to allow parents to go to work. The following programs all work differently and parents who qualify can use any or all of them:
Sierra Regional Center
This is a center in Reno that provides supports to Nevadans of all ages who have developmental disabilities. If your child qualifies as having a developmental disability, you may be able to receive respite care funds. Here’s how it works:
1. You choose the caregiver and they register as a vendor with the state (this can be anyone BUT a parent, grandparents are OK)
2. You schedule care with the caregiver at the times and rates you and the caregiver agree on
3. You submit a timecard to SRC once a month
4. The caregiver receives a check from the state
There is a limit to the funds you will receive. At the time of this writing, a family is given $600 for a six-month period. To apply for this program contact:
Eric Dewitt-Smith
Intake Coordinator at Sierra Regional Center
775-688-1930 Ext. 2132
Respite is only one of the programs that SRC provides, all programs that your family may qualify for will be explained at your intake interview.
Eagle Valley Children’s Home
Eagle Valley is a residential facility in Carson City that provides trained respite care in the home to families of children with developmental disabilities. Providers are trained in the care of your child and you schedule with the respite coordinator at Eagle Valley. There is a sliding fee scale dependent on family income and if the family participates in the Sierra Regional Center respite care program, Eagle Valley will bill SRC on behalf of the family. The caregivers will also care for siblings. There is often a waiting list for this program. To apply contact:
Mary Huetig
775-882-1188 Ext 21
www.eaglevalleychildrenshome.org
RAVE Family Center
This is center-based care for children with disabilities. It is completely free to families. The center is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 8:30pm and Saturdays from 10-1pm. There is a maximum of 12 children with disabilities and up to 13 caregivers. The location is behind Sparks High School in the Community Learning Center. They take children from 3 months to six years old, no medically fragile children. To apply to the program, contact RAVE at 775-334-9647 and they will send an application packet to be completed prior to respite services. RAVE also has a voucher program for families in rural areas. Call the number above for more information.
OTHER RESOURCES
Family Resouce Books on a variety of disabilities and delays. There are books for siblings, parents, grandparents.
New To You Computers
If you or your child have a disability you may qualify for a free refurbished computer. A New to You Computer comes with a CPU, monitor, keyboard, mouse, power cords and are installed with Windows 98. These computers are great for internet research, home work, word processing, games, art and graphics, etc. These is a non-refundable donation requested that is based on income levels to insure that the donation does not infringe on your lifestyle or well being. Application is required. 775-329-1126, 155 Glendale Ave. Suite 11, Sparks, NV
FamilyTIES
Family TIES is a non-profit organization whose mission it is to ”increase the hope, confidence and independence of people with disabilities of all ages and their circle of support through training, information, emotional support and advocacy.” Their website has an extensive resource directory. Contact Family TIES at:
Family TIES of Nevada - Main Office
3100 Mill Street, Suite 117
Reno, NV 89502
Phone: (775) 823-9500
Fax: (775) 323-2205
Email: info@familytiesnv.org
Project ASSIST
Project ASSIST is a central resource directory for anyone seeking information about organizations, programs or agencies that may provide services and supports for children and young adults up to 21 years with disabilities, and their families.
Information is available on:
* Parent Support Groups
* Respite Care
* Screening, Diagnosis or Assessment
* Early Intervention Programs for Infants and Toddlers
* Preschool Special Education Services
* Education, Health, and Social Service Agencies
* Physical, Occupational, Speech Therapy
* Counseling or Psychological Services
* Advocacy Organizations
* Life Planning, Financial or Legal Assistance
Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., telephone calls are answered promptly when staff is available. There is 24-hour voice mail and calls are returned generally within two working days. The Project ASSIST data base yields a printout describing each selected resource and automatically generates a packet of information that is mailed to you on the same day, at no cost. CALL: 1-800-522-0066
CARE Chest
http://www.carechest.com Serving individuals in need by providing medical resources free of charge. Call to inquire about medical supplies. CARE Chest is a partner in the Northern Nevada Infant Toddler Assistive Technology Lending Program. 829-2273, 7910 N. Virginia, Reno, NV 89506
Childrens Cabinet
www.childrenscabinet.org Dedicated to the well being of area children and families. Children's Cabinet offer day care subsidies for qualified families and a multitude of other resources to support all types of families. 856-6200
Down Syndrome Network of Northern Nevada
http://www.dsnnn.org A network of individuals with Down Syndrome, their parents, families and friends joining together to unify and inform the community through events and information. Contact Theresa Grant @ 828-0431 for more information.
Camp Lots A Fun
http://www.camplotsafun.com Our mission is to provide recreational, therapeutic, and educational programs for children, teens, and adults while providing respite services for their families.
Early Intervention Family Alliance
http://www.eifamilyalliance.orgAn organization of families and professionals involved with early intervention around the country. Provides information, resources and support.
The Arc's Monday Morning in Washington, DC
http://www.thearclink.org
The Arc Monday Morning in Washington, DC is a weekly e-newsletter that
is chocked full of links to relevant and timely resources. It primarily,
but not exclusively, focuses on developmental disabilities, and it
covers the age span from birth through senior years. Resources across a
wide spectrum of service systems are cited, including education,
physical health, mental health, vocational rehabilitation,
transportation, and social services. The Arc of the United States
advocates for the rights and full participation of all children and
adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Resources for Fathers
Fathers Network
NEIS Parent Advisory Committees
Nevada Early Intervention Services (NEIS) has established regional Parent Advisory Committees (PAC) to share concerns and provide input to program policies and procedures that guide services for young children with disabilities and their families. They may conduct surveys, collect information for parents, create resource libraries, serve as community liaison for disability awareness and inclusion. They advise, teach, and support their program, families and communities.
If you are interested in participating on your regional committee, please contact your program service coordinator (Shauna Buxton, 688-1341 in Northern Nevada) or resource parent and advise them of your interest. Or you may call Project ASSIST at 1-800-522-0066 for information.
Partners in Policymaking
The goal of Partners in Policymaking is to educate participants to be active partners with those who make policy. They will become partners in policymaking. The idea is to develop partnerships that are based on positive relationships. In today's political climate of radical change, Partners graduates must work harder than ever to prevent the loss of basic rights for people with disabilities. Partners in Policymaking graduates can change the future by influencing public policy today.
This program is designed for persons with disabilities and parents of young children with developmental disabilities. Participants are required to attend eight weekend. The sessions are held on Friday and Saturday. Breaks and lunches are included in each weekend session. There is no charge to attend.
A sampling of topics to be addressed through a variety of informative and interactive sessions include:
* The history of the parent, self-advocacy, and independent living movement
* School and community inclusion
* The importance of whole life planning
* Critical federal/state policies and issues facing people with disabilities
* Skills for providing public testimony and changing public policy
* Assistive Technology: Understanding difficult behaviors
For more information on this exceptional program, contact FamilyTIES Nevada at (775) 823-9500.
Nevada Interagency Coordinating Council
The Nevada Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC) was established by Nevada's Governor in 1987 pursuant to the requirements of Public Law 99-457, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The Council's primary mission is to advise and assist the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services in the development of and implementation of a statewide system of early intervention services for really young children with developmental delays or disabilities and their families.
The IDEA determines who is on each state's ICC. Membership includes representatives from public or private providers of early intervention services, members of state agencies involved in the provision of, or payment for, early intervention services who have sufficient authority to engage in policy making, State Department of Education personnel responsible for preschool services to children with disabilities, Head Start, State Legislators, University or college system, child care, parents, and other members selected by the Governor. The Governor appoints all members.
ICC Family Support Resource Committee
Nevada's Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC) established a "Family Support Resource Committee" made up of parents of young children with special needs. They support ICC activities and help ensure the ICC responds to issues important to families, strengthen and broaden family involvement at all policy and service levels, increase ICC communication with families, provide public awareness support, and identify and support efforts to improve early intervention services and programs within communities.
More information about the ICC or Family Support Resource Committee may be requested by calling Nevada's Project ASSIST at 1-800-522-0066 or you can email Dan Dinnell at ddinnell@dhhs.nv.gov
