Frequently Asked Questions
What Can a Family Expect From Raising Special Kids?
Trust, confidentiality, understanding and a listening ear.
Our staff is comprised of families of children with disabilities or special health care needs, and understand what you may be feeling.
Within 48 hours of recieiving a referral a member of our Family Support Team will inititate contact with the family to determine how we may best assist them.
Services we provide include:
- Parent-to-parent connections with a trained volunteer family who has a child with a similar diagnosis as yours, and who understands what you are going through.
- Locate and provide you with information related to your child's diability.
Encourage and support families at all ages and stages of a child's development from birth to high school and beyond. - Provide workshops and trainings geared to increase advocacy skills which will assist families with their child's educational and medical needs.
- Locate other agencies and organizations skilled in the area of your child's disability or special health care need who can assist you.
How Does a Family Become Involved with Raising Special Kids?
There are several ways for families to get involved with Raising Special Kids. The most common way is through a referral process initiated by a family's doctor, teacher, clergy or other professional who has the child's best interests at heart.
The family is asked to complete a one-page release that includes their name, contact information and particular area of interest related to their child's diagnosis. After obtaining the signature from the family and the referring professional, simply fax or mail to Raising Special Kids. A Family Support member will contact the family within 48 hours of the referral.
If your office would like to obtain copies of the Release of Information form, please contact our office.
Families may self-refer to Raising Special Kids. Parents, grandparents, relatives and caregivers are encouraged to visit with any of our staff about a child's disability, or other concerns they may have. Simply call us Monday through Friday, and a member of our Family Support team is here to answer your questions.
All of our programs and services are provided in English and Spanish at no charge. We value your confidentiality, and will never release any information without your express written permission.
How is Raising Special Kids funded?
Raising Special Kids is a nonprofit organization funded through state and federal grants, and private donations.
Grants include:
From the US Department of Education - Office of Special Education Programs
Parent Training and Infomation Center for Parents of Children with Disabilities
Special Education - Training and Information for Parents of Children with disabilities
Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
Family Professional Partnership/Children with Special Health Care Needs
If you would like to donate a financial gift online, please go to our donation page or call our office directly at 602-242-4366.