The list of community resources below is not a complete list and may change or be updated without notice. Please email [email protected] if you see a link is no longer working, or if a resource is no longer in service.
REGIONAL RESOURCES
United Way 211
United Way 2-1-1 is your 24/7 connection to agencies and resources near you. Serving United Way of Greater St. Louis’ service area and the entire state of Missouri, United Way 2-1-1 connects people to services that help them live their best possible lives – from basic needs to child care to disaster relief to counseling.
IDD Gateway Resource Guide
The IDD Gateway Resource Guide was developed as a resource for service providers, individuals, and families to have access to information about regional resources in one place.
This tool is designed to be interactive and will often link users to other agency sites to gain a deeper understanding of their services.
This tool is owned and operated by the Productive Living Board of St. Louis County.
FOOD/DIAPER DISTRIBUTION RESOURCES
St. Louis City and County Libraries Offering After School Meals
Participating City Libraries – click here
Participating County Libraries: click here
St. Louis Metro Market – A program from Operation Food Search
Click here for more information.
St. Louis Area Foodbank Food Distribution
For more information, please click here.
St. Louis Area Food Pantries
To find food pantries in your area, please click here.
Diaper Distribution at St. Louis City and County Libraries
Click here for branch locations and times.
Emergency Diaper and Period Supplies Distribution
To find a St. Louis Area Diaper Bank distribution site near you, please click here.
St. Louis County Police Potentially Impaired or Non-Verbal Persons Sticker Program (P.I.N.)
Click here for more information.
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Family & Community Engagement (FACE) Department at Special School District Workshops and Resources For a list of workshops and resources offered through FACE, please click here.
Special School District’s ECSE Free Video Series w/ Handouts
For more information, please click here.
Debunking Myths about Inclusive Education for Students with the Most Significant Cognitive Disabilities – TIES Center
There are many myths about including students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in general education classrooms. This brief debunks six of them. To read the brief, click here.
Special Education Resources in Spanish
The Arc@School has new resources in Spanish on special education for families and professionals that support them. Topics include: A general overview of special education; Parent’s rights; Early intervention services; Individual education programs; Section 504. Click here for more information.
Navigate STL Schools
Navigate STL Schools is a St. Louis City focused non-profit organization that helps families learn about the local school system and the school options available to them. Services include a searchable database and support from a School Navigator. For more information, please click here.
Supporting Families Through the Individual Support Plan (ISP) Process
Click here to view the video. The family guide is available for downloading on the Division’s Supporting Families webpage. Click here to view the guide.
SUPPORT GROUPS
Family Support Groups Sponsored by Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital
Ranken Jordan support groups allow families, patients, and caregivers to heal through their journey and are open to the general public, including current and previous patients and all community members. Click here for more information.
Bridges Grief Support Group Sponsored by Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital
This 8-week virtual support group offered three times throughout the year is inclusive to anyone grieving the death of someone in their life. Groups are available for kids, teens, and adults and no affiliation with Ranken Jordan is necessary. Click here for more information.
Love Will Presents: ESpecial Families Support Group
Monthly meetings the last Saturday of the month, 9:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. (Check calendar for date confirmation.) For more information, please click here.
RESPITE AND SENSORY RESOURCES
Buddy Break Respite Program
Hope Church is offering parents a free three-hour respite program one Saturday per month. For more information, please click here
The Synapsory
The Synapsory offers calming kids and sensory/motor rooms for children. For more information and a list of their sensory/motor room locations, please click here.
ADVOCACY TRAINING RESOURCES
Missouri Lay Educational Advocate On-Line Training (No Cost)
This 13-course online training is being offered for free. Please click here for more details. Enroll through moleapnetwork.org. Spanish versions of MoLeap online materials and training videos are available for bilingual advocates and families.
MPACT Virtual Trainings
Free webinars covering a wide range of special education topics. Please click here for more information.
Partners in Policy Making Introduces On-Line Courses
Partners has created five on-line courses on topics like education, advocacy, and self-determination, allowing participants to increase knowledge at a pace and time most convenient for them. For more information, please click here.
National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) – Videos for Caregivers
Videos produced as a collaboration between the National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) and The TIES Center (Increasing Time, Instructional Effectiveness, Engagement, and State and District Support for Inclusive Practices).
Helping Your Child with Routines at Home(link is external)
Helping Your Child with Communication at Home
Helping Your Child with Academics
Missouri Parents Act (MPACT)
Missouri Parents Act (MPACT) empower families to advocate for themselves so that children with special educational needs can reach their full potential in education and life – through support, training, and education. To learn about how they can provide support, click here.
Wright’s Law Article on Parent Advocacy
Please click here to read “Parent Advocacy: What You Should Do . . . and Not Do”.
FINANCIAL/MEDICAL/AGING RESOURCES
ABLE Accounts
The Arc of the US has new resources available about ABLE Accounts for people with disabilities. For more information, please click here.
Gwendolyn’s Gifts
The mission of Gwendolyn’s Gifts is to provide emotional and financial support to families of children on palliative and/or hospice care. For more information, please click here.
Caroline’s Cause
Providing scholarships to students with demonstrated financial need who have siblings with special-needs and raising awareness of the financial challenges facing special-needs families. Click here for more information.
My Health Passport
Free downloadable form that is completed by parents for their child(ren) and provided to hospital / medical personnel. For more information, please click here.
Medicaid Renewal Information
For more information about the renewal process and other helpful resources, please click here.
Organizations Providing Medical Equipment or Supplies at Free or Low-Cost
Please click on the names below to be directed to these organizations’ websites to learn more about services and supports offered to families:
St. Louis Health Equipment Lending Program
The Parker Lee Project, Inc.
The Oley Foundation
Special Needs Tracking & Awareness Response System
The STARS program helps coordinate and coach ambulance districts, fire districts and community hospitals to recognize the special needs of patients inside their coverage area and undergo the appropriate, specialized training to care for these patients’ special medical needs. For more information, contact Shelby Cox, NR, EMT-P, 314.808.7599 [email protected] . You can also read more about STARS by clicking here.
Free Vision Screenings
If your child is over 6 months of age, free vision screenings are available on the third Tuesday of each month from 10am – 12pm at the Delta Gamma Center, 1750 S. Big Bend Blvd., 63117. Call or text Noreen Conte at 636-236-4236 to make an appointment.
Lift Me Up – Free Baby Carriers
Free baby carriers are provided to families of children with special needs. For more information, please click here.
Safe Sleep Missouri
New website resource available in Missouri to provide information on safe sleep practices and product recalls. Please click here for more details.
National Council on Aging – aging resources and information for adults without disabilities. Staying healthy and financially secure as you age can be a challenge. Get the information and tools you need to manage your money, maintain your health, and improve your life.
Midwest Special Needs Trust – Midwest Special Needs Trust administers trusts that protect public benefits for people with disabilities. Find out how we can help, today!
CHILDREN AND FAMILY ACTIVITIES
The Missouri Historical Society
For more information, please click here.
Artist First Open Access Studio for Children in St. Louis County
Youth ages 5 – 18 have full access to the Artist First studio in Maplewood through a grant from the St. Louis County Children’s Services Fund. The program is free and is held every Thursday from 3:00 – 6:00pm. To learn more and to join, please click here.
June Jessee Memorial Foundation Events
To learn more about Yoga, Music Therapy, Coffee Talk, and other events, please click here.
CRISIS ASSISTANCE RESOURCES
BHR Helpline
Struggling with a young child’s behavior? Mental health worries? Get some help, 24/7. Anyone with children 0-8 in the City of St. Louis eligible 314-819-8752.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
Safe Connections Crisis Textline
Safe Connections added a Crisis Textline to the 24-Hour Crisis Helpline. It uses the same phone number: 314-531-2003. The textline is currently available M – F, 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The crisis and textline are available to adults, youth, people of all genders experiencing domestic or sexual violence as well as friends and family members who are concerned for a loved one.
AUTISM RESOURCES
Free Safety Resources for Families of Children with Autism
The National Autism Association offers a variety of resources for caregivers and educators including their Big Red Safety Box that supports safety in children that are prone to wandering. Please click here to learn more.
Early Autism Services Free Online Self-Guided Courses
To sign up for our free self-guided courses, please click here.
Sesame Street Workshop Resources on Autism
For more information, please click here.
Anti-Bullying from Autism Speaks
To read more, please click here.
Family Support Tool Kits
Autism Speaks offers four specific guided tool kits to help family members and friends of individuals who have Autism to better understand the diagnosis and the effects it can have on families. For more information and to access a tool kit, please click here.
TECHNOLOGY/RECREATION RESOURCES
“How to” Adapt Toys
See informational videos on how to make your own toys or devices switch activated. Please click here.
FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program
Based on household income, your household might qualify for internet and device discounts. For more information and qualifying factors, please click here.
Recreation Council E-Connect Technology Initiative (Tablets)
For more information on qualifications and applying, please click here.. Families with children ages 0-5 may apply. Awardees will need to pay a $30 co-pay at pick up.