Friends can be the best co-conspirators in charting the unknown. -Judith Orloff
Area Resources
Social/ Extra-Curricular
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Athletes Helping Athletes (AHA)
Creating a World of Broader Acceptance For All. AHA exists to better the lives of those in the special needs community through athletics and other fun events
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Programs created for individual with disAbilities, such as swimming, sports, and fitness.
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Bucks County Challenger Flag Football and Cheerleading
The program provides skill training and game experience in Flag Football for athletes with special needs. The special needs athletes are instructed by local high school football players on Sundays from 1100 am - 1230 pm during the season from September to November.
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The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.
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It is the mission of the Goofy Gators to enhance the lives of our children with autism and other special needs. We will work on the strengths of our children to create a better future through social skills and family activities while providing plentiful community resources
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Created by parents and for parents, Keeping Kids Connected is where you can find all the best local, family-friendly events and activities! We also have menus full of information such as local classes, sports teams and leagues, and party-planning resources.
Keeping Kids Connected is primarily focused on the Montgomery and Upper and Central Bucks counties of Pennsylvania, but occasionally we like to let you know about fun stuff happening in other areas, too. Visit us often and stay connected!
U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States that have been medically determined to have a permanent disability (does not have to be a 100% disability) may get a free, lifetime pass that provides admittance to more than 2,000 recreation sites managed by five Federal agencies, including Lake Mead National Recreation Area
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PALS programs creates inclusive camp experiences for people with and without Down syndrome. Our volunteer-led programs change attitudes, transform lives, and inspire a world of belonging.
Special Olympics Unified Sports
Special Olympics Unified Sports® creates an opportunity for people without intellectual disabilities to join in the sports experience by playing on a team with athletes with intellectual disabilities. Not only do the players all have fun, but attitude change and transformation happens on the playing field and the experiences create lifelong friendships.
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The Children’s Charity Our mission is to build independence and self-confidence in children and youth with physical and developmental disabilities. Variety offers educational, recreational and social enrichment activities while connecting families to resources.
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The Victory Vipers Cheer Abilities Team
(All ages welcome) We are proud to offer our Cheer Abilities team (Snake Charmers), under the umbrella of USASF’s Exceptional Athlete Division. The goal of this program is to empower individuals with disabilities to participate in cheerleading while developing friendships, independence, confidence, mental focus, and, of course, physical fitness. This team practice 1 day each week, September through March and attends 2 - 3 local competitions. There is no specific age requirement for this team.
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VSA: The Kennedy Center, The International Organization on Arts and Disability
Creating a world where people with disabilities of all ages can learn through, participate in, and engage with the arts
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We Rock the Spectrum NE Philly is committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and fun environment to foster learning, exploration and safe sensory experiences. Through our nonprofit My Brother Rocks The Spectrum Foundation, we provide social skills groups and activities for children across the spectrum. We Rock the Spectrum NE Philly provides children with a fun and motivational environment to help them in the areas of strength, movement, sensory processing, communication, positive behavior modification, social interactions, and self-care skills. Our unique equipment assists all children in their neurological growth and development.
Local Community/County Social Resources
If you need to connect with resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, PA 211 is a great place to start. From help with a utilities bill, to housing assistance, after-school programs for kids, and more, you can dial 211 or text your zip code to 898-211 to talk with a resource specialist for free.
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PA Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
Pennsylvania's Children's Health Insurance Coverage. Whatever the reason, if your child or teen is uninsured and ineligible for or enrolled in Medical Assistance, the Children's Health Insurance Program — or CHIP — may be able to help.
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AMIGOS was originally created to respond to the needs of the growing Latinx/Hispanic population in Hatboro, Horsham, Warminster, and Warrington, Pennsylvania. Programs include the Anawim Latino Music School, The Meeting Tent/La Tienda del Encuentro after-school program, GED and adult education in Spanish, bilingual counseling, free immigration clinics, and a support program for newcomer families (10 Families at a Time / Diez Familias A La Vez).
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Between Friends Outreach, Inc., "BFO," is a volunteer, faith based, nonprofit 501(c)(3) agency. We work with homeless, domestic violence victims, low income, & Veterans in our community. We work one-on-one with clients in Central and Upper Bucks County and Montgomery County by providing resources to prevent homelessness and to assist clients transitioning out of homelessness.
The Bucks County LIFE Program is a countywide program that serves Bucks County families who have a child or adolescent that struggles with emotional, behavioral, social and/or learning issues. As a team of both experienced parents and professionals, we work closely with families to offer invaluable support as well as provide information and referral resources.
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Bucks County Intermediate Unit #22
The Bucks County Intermediate Unit operates as a regional educational service agency to provide cost-effective, management-efficient programs to public and private K-12 schools, school districts, and the community of Bucks County. Addressing both traditional and emerging needs, serving as an essential link for learning in Pennsylvania, and as a liaison between local schools and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
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Bucks County Resource Directory Spring 2021 Assistive and Supportive Services for Children, Youth, Families, and Other
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Bucks County Right to Education Task Force
Provides a public forum that promotes collaboration among parents, educators, community agency professionals to address issues affecting all students receiving Special Education services in order to strengthen and improve programs and supports in Bucks County
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Bucks County Opportunity Council
Connecting people with resources to thrive. BCOC currently operates five programs in Bucks County: a food program, emergency services, home energy program, volunteer income tax assistance and economic self-sufficiency. BCOC is the lead food agency in Bucks County providing public and privatedonated food to over 60 food pantries and distribution sites.
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Quality Childcare Coalition of Bucks County
Broadening and bettering early care and education in Buck County. OIN US. Our children are our future and they deserve the best start in life that our community can offer. Contact Us to learn how you can support quality early learning in Bucks County.
Regional/State Resources
AID in PA is a resource collection for Pennsylvanians in the autism and intellectual disability communities.
A joint effort between ASERT (Autism Services, Education, Resources, and Training) and the statewide HCQUs (Health Care Quality Units), the site is designed to connect individuals with disabilities, families, professionals, and community members with resources that can best serve them in different situations.
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COMPASS is an online tool for Pennsylvanians to apply for many health and human service programs and manage benefit information.
A service through the PA Department of Education, Office of Special Education, Office of Dispute Resolution. The ConsultLine is designed to assist parents and advocates of children with disabilities or children thought to be disabled. If you have any questions concerning your child's special education program or the laws relating to the provision of services in your child's IEP (Individualized Educational Program), the special education specialists at ConsultLine may be able to assist you.
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Department of Mental Health/Developmental Programs - Bucks County
Responsible for the administration of services to Bucks County residents with a mental illness or developmental program services, and their families. The purpose of the services is to support individuals to live in the community and to assist them in actively participating in community life.
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Achieva
“ACHIEVA, formerly Arc Allegheny, is western Pennsylvania’s largest provider of comprehensive services and supports for children and adults with disabilities and their families.
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The Arc of Pennsylvania
“The Arc is the largest advocacy organization in the United States for citizens with cognitive, intellectual, and developmental disabilities, and their families. The Arc of Pennsylvania is the state chapter of The Arc. The Arc’s mission is to work to include all children and adults with cognitive, intellectual, and developmental disabilities in every community. We promote active citizenship and inclusion in every community.” Find you local chapter at:, http://www.thearcpa.org/who_we_are/local-chapters.html
Are you looking for reliable, up-to-date information about resources in the Philadelphia area for children and families? You’ve come to the right place! Cap4Kids will help you find many community agencies that exist to improve or enhance the lives of children, teens and families.
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Services provided by a Nurse or Service Coordinator to PA residents in their home environment without discrimination at no charge. Services include: ​Provide in-home service coordination services; Advocate for an individual’s legal and human rights; Provide information regarding resources and services available; Assess needs and help to access equipment; Advocate for appropriate educational services; Assist with finding activities within the community; Offer instruction regarding home care; Provide emotional support; Help with vocational goals; Assist with residential options; Provide referrals to appropriate agencies in the community; Interpret clinical findings and act as a liaison between health care providers
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The PEAL Center is Pennsylvania’s parent training and information center serving Western and Central Pennsylvania. The mission of the PEAL Center is to ensure that children, youth, and adults with disabilities lead rich, active lives and participate as full members of their schools and communities by providing training, information, and technical assistance based on best practices to individuals, families and all people who support them.
TechOWL PA is Pennsylvania's Assistive Technology Act (AT Act) program. The AT Act of 2004 specifies the statewide activities required of programs receiving funds under Section 4 of the AT Act. These include four “state level” activities designed to help people with disabilities, their families, service providers and others access and acquire assistive technology devices. Provided through Institue on Disabilities at Temple University.
Parent to Parent of Pennsylvania
Links families and friends of children with special needs, provides technical assistance, training
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Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation
PATF is a statewide, non-profit organization that helps individuals with disabilities and older Pennsylvanians acquire the assistive technology devices and services they want
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Mental Health Partnerships
A statewide organization that assists parents or caregivers of children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders.
Provides information, helps parents find services and will advocate on their behalf with any of the public systems that serve children. These include the mental health system, education, and other state and local child-serving agencies.
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A multi-cultural resource hub for people helping children with special needs to share resources and information. This site is for families, educators, clinicians, therapists and friends in Philadelphia PA, USA and beyond. Our purpose is to make it easy for others to find out how to help a child with special needs to learn how to do things that will improve their quality of life. This is a non-profit resource that promotes evidence-based information.
Parent Alliances from other area districts
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The PA Inclusion Collective is a grassroots parent-run group representing parent support organizations from six school districts in suburban Philadelphia. Our purpose is to pool our resources to bring nationally known speakers on inclusive education to families, teachers, administrators and support staff within our schools. The goal is for attendees to take the information learned to advocate for individual students, create change in classrooms and schools, and ultimately to incorporate inclusive and equitable education for all within our communities.
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Parent to Parent of Pennsylvania
Parent to Parent connects the families of children and adults with disabilities and special needs through peer to peer supporters.
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The Right to Education Task Force brings together all stakeholders in the education of children with disabilities to make recommendations in improving, strengthening, expanding, and monitoring programs and services for school age children with special needs.
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SE United Central Bucks Parent Group
Support and Information for the Central Bucks School District Special Education Community
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Special Education Advisory Council of Upper Dublin (SPEAC)
“Special Education Advisory Council (SPEAC) of Upper Dublin in Montgomery County, PA, is a grassroots parent organization which works in partnership with the Upper Dublin School District to provide information and support to parents and teachers of special education and gifted students; to increase awareness of the needs of special education students; to promote inclusion and accommodations for these students; and to support the school district’s effort to meet the needs of all students.”
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Our mission is to create a network of support for families in the Upper Moreland School District who have children with disabilities. We promote communication and collaboration between families, our school, and our community. Our goal is to build a welcoming community that provides opportunity, respect, and acceptance for students of all abilities.