Resources

SEAS – Single Entry Access to Services for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs supports families and professionals in Whatcom County to find the resources they need. If you have a child up to 21 years old, or are working with a family who does, our Family Resource Navigators can help you navigate programs and services.

AUTISM

• Autism NOW – National Autism Resource & Information Center
• Autism Society of Washington
• Family Resources from Seattle Childrens Autism Center
• Bens Fund – Ben’s Fund provides support to Washington state families and young adults in ‘need’ to help cover services and equipment costs to associated with their autism diagnosis.
• WA Autism Alliance & Advocacy – Support to families and individuals, help understanding and obtaining insurance coverage, access to vetted professional help and services, support group and respite care program, training, review and evaluation of IEPs, and more.
• Autism AS360- We provide resources that help autistic people and their families, caregivers and providers navigate ASD services and be part of an online community with other autistic people and their families.

BOOKS

• Arc of Whatcom County Lending Library – Check out our list of available books. Our office is open Monday through Thursday, 9am – 1pm.

CEREBRAL PALSY

• United Cerebral Palsy

CHILDREN

• Parent to Parent
• Washington Yellow Pages for Kids with Disabilities

DDA (DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ADMINISTRATION)

• Overview of Developmental Disabilities Administration
• What is DDA and why apply for services?
• How to Apply for DDA?
• The Road to DD Services: DDA Eligibility Flowchart
• DDA Waiver Services: What is available and how to find providers

DOWN SYNDROME

• Down syndrome Outreach at The Arc of Whatcom County
• Global Down Syndrome Foundation
• Reece’s Rainbow

DYSLEXIA

• Understood.org – Free resources give people the tools they need to thrive — while helping them understand they’re not alone.
• The Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity
• Decoding Dyslexia Washington -Decoding Dyslexia Washington is a parent-led, grassroots organization made up of parents, teachers, administrators and professionals.

EDUCATION

• Tips for a Successful IEP Meeting – Recording of Parent Coalition Workshop
• Office of Education Ombuds (OEO) – assists anyone with questions or concerns about Washington’s K-12 public schools. Provides information, referrals, and toolkits.
• Wright’s Law – resource where parents, advocates, teachers, and attorneys come to for reliable information about special education law and advocacy for children with disabilities.
• Understood – Free resources give people the tools they need to thrive — while helping them understand they’re not alone
• PAVE: provides support, training, information and resources to empower and give voice to individuals, youth and families impacted by disabilities in Washington.

HOMESCHOOLING SUPPORTS

• Beyond School Walls: – A Guide to Homeschooling in Washington State by PAVE

  Annual Checklist for Home-Based Instruction – to help families maintain compliance with Washington’s homeschool statutes.

  Declaration of Intent to Provide Home-Based Instruction – Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) a sample Letter of Intent

• Washington Homeschool Organization

  FUTURE PLANNING

  • Whatcom County Transition Guide – Resources Directory for individuals with developmental disabilities in Whatcom County
    
  • Future Planning Guide – Helpful resource guide about guardianships, trusts, legal supports, planning tools and more.
  • partners4housing – Partners4Housing is here to help you navigate the complex service agencies and secure housing for your loved one.
  • Helpful Transition Timeline
  • BenefitsU – Offers benefits planning to people aged 14 or older who qualify for Washington State Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)
  • NW Access Fund -Northwest Access Fund offers financial products and services designed to meet the unique needs of people with disabilities and seniors in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.
  • Guardianship and Conservatorship Guidebook

  GOVERNMENT

  • Department of Social and Health Services, DSHS, Washington State
  • Developmental Disabilities Administration (DSHS)
  • Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DSHS)
  • Social Security Online
  • Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council

  HEALTH CARE

  • Well-Visit Planner – Learn about and identify your priorities to prepare for your child’s next well-visit.
  • IDD Toolkit – The IDD Toolkit website provides information for the primary care of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities

  LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY

  • The Arc of Washington State’s Take Action page – A variety of resources on state and national legislative issues
  • The Washington State Legislature

  MENTAL HEALTH

  • NAMI Whatcom – NAMI Whatcom is an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
  • Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT) – A community-based outreach team with the ability to respond to individuals in crisis and provide crisis intervention and stabilization in the community.

  PARENTS AND FAMILIES

  • Fathers Network
  • Helping Parent Match with Parent to Parent
  • Parent to Parent of Whatcom County
  • Sibshops
  • Super Sitter Training

  RECREATION

  • Max Higbee Center – Recreation programs for teens and adults with developmental disabilities in Bellingham
  • Open Doors Organization – Creating opportunities in travel and tourism
  • AIROW Project – Community-based outdoor recreational activities
  • Recreational Activities for Children with Special Healthcare Needs in Whatcom County & WA
  • Special Olympics

  RESPITE

  • All-Stars Club
  • Buddy Break
  • Lifespan Respite

  SAFETY & RELATIONSHIPS

  • Home & Beyond: Staying Safe Together Presentation

  SELF-ADVOCACY

  • People First of Washington
  • The Arc’s Self-Advocacy Group 

  TECHNOLOGY

  • Ershig Assistive Technology Resource Center at WWU

  TRANSPORTATION

  • Transportation Support – Health Care Authority uses NWRC to provide non-emergency transportation to Medicaid eligible recipients.

  Looking for more resources? The Arc of Whatcom County offers Open Office Hours. Staff will be available on zoom to help with resources, support, information, and connection. No RSVP needed. We will not have a password to join, but participants will be in a waiting room, until we admit you.

  Every Thursday on Zoom (unless it is a holiday)
  11am – 12:00pm
  Join Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86909304702