Community Services and Supports
All families need support from time to time. This page lists key community systems and services that can help you meet your child’s needs. It covers Oregon’s developmental disabilities program, education, mental and behavioral health, child care, and recreation. Remember, programs sometimes change, so contact us if you need more resources.
Community Developmental Disabilities Programs (CDDP)
The Oregon Department of Developmental Services (ODDS) is a key resource for families of children, youth, or young adults who have, or may have, Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities. Each Oregon county has a Community Developmental Disabilities Program (CDDP) that will determine eligibility. The eligibility worker in your county will help with the process. Contact your local CDDP office to find out if your child is eligible for services.
If your child is eligible for CDDP services, they may also be eligible for state and federal financial assistance. Going through the eligibility process will help you understand what your family qualifies for.
The program offers a wide range of support to children and families, including in-home family support, intensive in-home support, and 24-hour services in foster care, host homes, or residential placement. Other valuable information can be found on the ODDS website:
Services for children with very high medical or behavioral Needs
CDDP Services for Children with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities brochure
Self-Advocate Guide and Resources
If your child or youth receives CDDP services, you and your family will develop an Individual Support Plan (ISP) in partnership with the CDDP staff. ISP resources are available on the Oregon ISP webpage. You can also view examples.
Individuals with developmental disabilities and their families are urged to get involved. A good place to start is the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities. Learn about the history of the disability rights movement and get involved in changing policies that affect people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
After age 18, there are even more options for services and support.
The Aging and Disability Services Resource Center has a great searchable data base that includes resources for employment, education, financial assistance, health, and much more.
Support Services Brokeragesprovide case management and in-home and community-based services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They offer help with skills training, supportive employment, transportation and more.
The Arc Oregon offersevents and classes for adults and families, as well as tools for Supported Decision Making (SDM) and information about guardianship.
Centers for Independent Livingare programs that offer peer support for developing independence.
If you are raising or caring for a child with special health needs and you are over the age of 55 you are eligible for services through Aging and Disability Services. They provide counseling, respite support, and information for caregivers regardless of income.
Oregon Kinship Navigators supports those who are acting as caregivers to children under the age of 18. They supply resources, information, and activities for caregivers and children.
Families of children over age three who are enrolled in CDDP Services can add respite hours to their Individual Support Plan.
Early Learning and Special Education
Getting started
How do I refer my child or another child to EI or ECSE?
Communicating Well With Your Child's School
Finding Early Intervention (EI) and Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) in my area.
Oregon early education resources
All Oregon public school districts have a process for evaluating students for special education and accommodations. If you feel your child should be evaluated for special education, write a letter or email to the school district, asking them to them to test your child. If you feel your child needs accommodations or special support because of medical condition you can speak to the school nurse and/or ask the school to create a 504 Plan. If your child is struggling with behaviors in school that are dangerous or keep them from learning, you can request that the school do a functional behavioral assessment and behavior plan. There are many people who can help you navigate the school system when your child has special health needs. A good place to start is FACT Oregon.
The following resources may be helpful:
Educational options
Most of our kids attend the neighborhood school along with their peers. But sometimes a different setting is needed. Below is information about some options:
Special education services for military families
Home schooling and special education in Oregon
Options for ill or hospitalized children
Children physically unable to attend school may receive tutoring at home: Contact your local district
Shortened School Days
Schools can only shorten your child's day under special circumstances. Oregon law requires informed consent of parents, before students are placed on a shortened school day.
Abbreviated School Day law SB 819
Disability Rights Oregon: Short School Days toolkit
Get help with special education rights
FACT Oregon: Support around special education rights and planning
Understood.org: Learning your child's basic rights toolkits
Wrights Law: Wright's Law topics A-Z
Steps to Success: Communicating Well with Your Child's School
Disability Rights Oregon and FACT Oregon: Guide to Special Education in Oregon
Oregon Department of Education: Filing education grievances
Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education: CADRE family resources
Twice-exceptional (intellectually gifted students experiencing a disability)
Many students who are twice-exceptional have a delayed identification. Their intelligence might hide their disability, or their disability could hide their giftedness. Many love to learn, but are not fond of school.
Oregon Department of Education: Talented and Gifted Family Resources
Davidon institute for the gifted: Is My Child Gifted?
SENG: Supports the emotional needs of twice exceptional and highly gifted children and adults
Testing for special education
High school options
Special education grievances and support
Oregon Department of Education Mediation Handbook
Disability Rights Oregon legal support for special education grievances
FACT Oregon's resources and support for all students experiencing disabilities
Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education: CADRE family resources
Resources for making school successful
Twice-exceptional (intellectually gifted students experiencing a disability)
Many students who are twice-exceptional have a delayed identification. Their disability might be hidden by their intelligence, or their disability could hide their giftedness. Many love to learn, but are not fond of school.
Oregon Department of Education: Talented and Gifted Family Resources
Davidson Gifted.org: Is My Child Gifted?
SEN Gifted.org: Articles on Intellectually Gifted Students Who Experience a Disability
Education after high school
There are many opportunities to learn once high school is finished. Students who had an I.E.P. or 504 plan are potentially eligible for services and accommodations at colleges and universities. Go to the disability office at the college or university to learn more. If you used accommodations for testing or during high school having a copy of your I.E.P. can be helpful to the office of disability services at your new school. They are not required to follow your I.E.P. but it can give you, and them ideas for accommodations and modifications.
Finding college and trade programs
Special education rights, post-secondary education
Wright's Law on college and continuing education
Scholarships for youth with disabilities
Check with the college or university's financial aid, disability services, or diversity office to find scholarship opportunities.
National Center for Learning Disabilities: Scholarships and awards
Affordable College Resource Center: Scholarships for students with disabilities
25 Scholarships for those with mental health diagnosis or other disabilities
College Scholarships for Students with Disabilities
Scholarships for college and trade programs for those with Autism
Vocational rehabilitation
Some people want to go right to work after high school. Oregon's Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services are available to any Oregonian over the age of 16 with a disability who is having difficulty getting or keeping a job because of their disability. VR also provides training on opening a small business. Determining eligibility for VR is simple and quick.
Vocational Rehabilitation Website
Introductory Vocational Rehabilitation Video
Check out our Finding Work Page
Military service
Some special health needs are disqualifying for United States military service, but it is possible to get medical waivers for medical issues that have not needed medication since the age of 13. Two examples include asthma or ADHD. Expect the military to do a full examination of all medical records before granting a medical waiver.
Housing choices and supports
"There are many different housing options for adults including: at home, in a dorm, in independent living with a caregiver, and in an apartment with a roommate or even owning a house or condo. Another option is a co-housing community.
The groups below can help you find, create, keep, or afford the housing you want:
Housing and Community Living: Autism Speaks
Mental and Behavioral Health Services
Resources to assess young children for social, emotional, and behavioral health issues
Oregon's Children's Behavioral Health System: General information and resources
Oregon's Children's Behavioral Health System: Listing by county
Oregon Council of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry: Multiple resources and assistance in finding a child psychiatrist
Oregon Psychological Association: Find a therapist
Oregon Psychiatric Access Line: Free child psychiatric consultation to primary care providers in Oregon.
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Mental Health Guides for Families
Oregon Department of Education: Early intervention/Early childhood special education assessments
Centers for Disease Control: App for tracking your child's milestones.
Oregon Screening Project: Check your child’s development in the first six years. You can also ask your child’s doctor to screen your child if you are concerned about their development.
These resources lead to publications and organizations that can help you and your child.
NAMI Basics Class for Families
Find a mental health provider
Mental health safety plans for teens
Suicide prevention plan graphic organizer
Dating and relationship safety plan
Planning for future mental health crisis toolkit: Oregon's Declaration for Mental Health Treatment
Other resources
OFSN peer support for families
Managing a mental health condition in college
Parent guide: "Set to Go" mental health support for college
Parent tips to prevent suicide
Talk They Hear You Age-Appropriate Conversations about Alcohol and Other Drugs
Teen substance abuse information
Dating/sexuality : Video
Supporting Transgender, Non-binary, and Gender-Expansive Children: Human Rights Campaign
Early Assessment and Support Alliance EASA: If your child is hearing or seeing things that other people do not
OPAL Oregon Psychiatric Access Line Your child's doctor can consult with a child psychiatrist about medications
Mental health toolkits and safety plans for young adults
Dating and relationship safety plan
Oregon's Declaration of Mental Health Treatment: Planning for a future mental health crisis
Childcare and Respite
Childcare Basics
Zero to Three: How to Choose Quality Childcare
Child Care Brochures including Choosing Quality Child Care for a Child with Special Needs
Tip sheet: Find Your Child Care Fit
Finding childcare and respite care
Inclusive Partners: training and support for families and providers around inclusive childcare
Oregon Department of Early Learning: has information on finding childcare statewide
Family Relief Nurseries offer emergency childcare and parenting support
Oregon Home Care Commission has a registry of all providers in the state.
Finding Respite Caregivers tip sheet
Autism Society of Oregon: "Take a break on us"
United Cerebral Palsy: family support page including "Respitality" program
Center for Medically Fragile Children temporary residential care for medically fragile children
Other ideas
- Contact your local congregation, gym, or school
- Swap a night with friends or neighbors
- Sign up for day camps, or other programs, at local parks
- Create a "kids night out" co-op with your friends
Childcare during the school year, summer, and breaks
211info: Childcare Resource and Referral
Many parks and recreation departments and private camps offer extended hours which can be used for childcare.
Inclusive Childcare
Relief/Respite care
Autism Society of Oregon: "Take a break on us"
United Cerebral Palsy: Family services including "respitality" program
Center for Medically Fragile Children: Long term and short term respite care.
Oregon Home Care Commission: Help finding registered in-home caregivers
OR F2F HIC: How to find a child respite care provider
Play, Sports, and Recreation
Get Outside
Whether it is in a yard, at a playground, or out in nature, being outside offers a rich experience for your child.
State Parks and Recreation Sites
National Park's Lifetime Access Pass
Harper's Playground: Creating fully accessible playgrounds around the state
AMBUCS provides adapted therapeutic tricycles
Some camps offer a Family Camps for all age family members. A good way to get away and to meet other families.
Story Time
Most local libraries have story times for infants and families. The free children's programs often have music, puppets, animals, crafts and more! Do not forget to take something home to read, listen to, or watch. The State of Oregon Library also offers Oregon Talking Books.
Classes and Activities
There are lots of organized classes and activities that your child can join. If you let the teacher know ahead of time they can make accommodations for physical difficulties or adjustments for sensory needs. Music, sports, gymnastics, art, dance, and swimming all can bring fun and joy to your child's life with some planning.
Outings
Check with local business, museums, and entertainment venues. Many jump places and gyms have sensory times. Theaters can play a movie with a lower volume or shorten a play for a specific showing. If you do not see any of these options check with your local family network or even approach the manager to see if they might be willing to create one. Make sure you attend so businesses are happy to do it again. When you are ready for a trip out of town consider Morgan's Wonderland
Getting Outside
Explore your local parks! Check out Oregon's State parks and recreation sites. The National Park's Lifetime Access Pass is free for national lands and parks.
Consider camp! Check out our camp list, and read helpful articles like: Choosing Summer Camp for Kids with Disabilities from special needs alliance, Camps for Kids With Special Needs from Kids Health.org, and from Friendship Circle Seven Resources on Finding a Summer Camp for Your Child With Special Needs.
Bikes and Trikes: AMBUCS provides adapted therapeutic tricycles sent to your occupational therapist.
Theme Parks have accessible options or try Morgan's Wonderland which fully accessible.
Join In
With planning, your child can join many groups, such as Girl Scouts/Boy Scouts and 4-H. There are tee-ball, little league, and soccer leagues that would love to include your child no matter their physical or intellectual challenges. Many schools have sports teams and clubs for special interests. In your community there are activities your whole family can enjoy. Remember what you enjoyed as a child, then, look online for ideas and activities.
Any community center that accepts federal funds also provides access and support for children and youth with special health needs. Most call it adaptive recreation call your local parks and recreation or community center or look at their on line listings
If your child receives Developmental Disability Services you can write camps and classes into your Individual Service Plan (ISP). This allows them to help support the activity with money and/or a support person to go with them.
With support, kids with disabilities or special health needs can take part in all of the same activities typical kids enjoy. Look for activities for them like you would for any child. If your child would prefer to participate in activities with others who experience special health needs, consider some of the programs below.
Adaptive Sports Northwest: equipment, team, and individual sports
Challenger League: adaptive little league ages 4-100
Easter Seals: activities for people with disabilities.
Federal lands: National Parks Lifetime Access Pass, free lifetime pass
Oregon Adaptive Sports : outdoor recreation
OR F2F HIC: Consider Camp List
Oregon Talking Books: free audio books
Special Olympics: sports for people with disabilities.
State parks: recreation sites, and accessibility information
Theme Park: Morgan's Wonderland
If you are looking at camps or travel for the first time check out this helpful guide for teens: Planning Time Away From Home for Teens with Special Needs
Being a part of your community is part of having a happy well rounded life. In addition to these resources, there are many community and family support organizations that offer activities that help you connect with your community.
Disclaimer
Inclusion of resources on our site does not imply endorsement nor does exclusion mean we do not think it is valuable. We work to keep our list of resources current and relevant but it is not exhaustive.
Contact us: 855-323-6744 (English) 833-990-9930 (Spanish) orf2fhic@ohsu.edu