Special Needs Kids & Parents in Nevada – Get Help Here!
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Parents of special needs kids have a lot on their plates. They’re driving the kids to and from doctor’s appointments, learning about the latest speech therapy techniques, and preparing for yet another Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting. So we thought we’d lend a helping hand by providing this guide to local resources for parents of special needs kids in Nevada. If you live in Nevada, there is a wealth of resources at your fingertips. One of those resources is Project ASSIST. Read on to find out more…
Project ASSIST
Project ASSIST is the ultimate directory for families with special needs kids. It provides information about agencies, programs, and organizations that can help your family. Project ASSIST is a government-sponsored program from the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services. You can call their toll-free line at 1-800-522-0066 to get information and/or request that an informational packet be mailed to you.
The resources that are listed include parent support groups, advocacy organizations, counseling services, legal services, financial services, and so much more. When you call, specify that you’d also like information on speech therapy services in Nevada.
Advocacy Groups
Nevada is also brimming with advocacy groups for speech disordered kids and those with other disabilities. Check out the Nevada Disability Advocacy & Law Center (NDALC), which is a statewide, non-profit organization. It provides services like training, education, legal counsel, and investigation of alleged neglect or abuse. NDALC also offers mediation and negotiation services.
Also check out Family Ties of Nevada and two autism advocacy groups, the Autism Coalition of Nevada and the Autism Society, northern Nevada chapter.
Legal Aid
The legal aid organizations available in Nevada include the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada. They offer a section on their website dedicated to special education topics, and state that they provide training and advocacy as well as legal representation. Workshops are listed on their website, or you can email them at specialed@lacsn.org.
Special Ed
Amidst all these other organizations that can help you, don’t neglect to check out Nevada’s special education agency. The Department of Education provides a laundry list of all the links you could possibly need for the special education program.
And there is even more information on the early intervention (EI) program at the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services. Read about procedural safeguards and your family’s rights. Check out the parent’s handbook to early intervention in Nevada, which includes information like the basics of the Individualized Family Services Plan (IFSP), family resources, and how to begin planning for transition out of the IFSP and into the IEP. The EI website also contains a list of local offices of service providers around Nevada, including a listing for Advanced Pediatric Therapies, LLC, which notes that communication skills among its areas of expertise.
Homeschooling
If you choose to homeschool special needs kids in Nevada, be aware that homeschooled kids with special needs are not automatically entitled to services. The local public school district will determine the allocation of funding. If your homeschooled child is determined to be eligible for services, a service plan will be put into effect. The service plan is much like an IEP.
