Children and Education

Early Childhood Resources

Association for Children with Down Syndrome (ACDS)ACDS programs deliver on our mission statement – to serve individuals with developmental disabilities throughout their lifetime. Our programs encompass three broad age categories: Early childhood and preschool years, 5 years plus, and adult years.

Birth Injury GuideA Comprehensive Resource for families coping with birth trauma. The mission of Birth Injury Guide is to help answer the questions that parents and families have about birth injuries.

Center for Parent Information and Resources (NICHCY)Much of the rich library of materials and publications that NICHCY produced over the years has a new home here, on this website of the Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR).

DEL ConnectMembers of the Early Learning Advisory Council (ELAC) gathered for their final meeting under the Department of Early Learning (DEL) earlier this month. The council discussed topics ranging from the new early learning facilities grant program to the July 1, 2018 transition to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).

DEL Facebook PageWashington Department of Children, Youth and Families

Infant and Early ChildhoodThe former Children’s Administration is now part of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. The former Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery is now part of the Health Care Authority.

Infant Toddler Early Intervention Program (ITEIP) System Improvement Project – The former Children’s Administration is now part of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families and the former Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery is now part of the Health Care Authority. Content that previously was bookmarked through the Department of Social and Health Services website no longer is available. July 1, 2018, the Department of Early Learning became the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).

Informing Families (Spanish)

Resources in Washington StateEnglish, Spanish and Vietnamese (from Informing Families) Strategies to Support Real Lives: Connecting to Resources in WA State

Supporting and Protecting Children, Youth and FamiliesJuly 1, 2018, the Department of Early Learning (DEL) became the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).

Education Resources

Academic Accommodations for Students – As the number of individuals being diagnosed with learning disabilities has increased, so have the understanding and utilization of academic and technological strategies for accommodation. Achieving equal access through accommodations and universal design. Members of the largest group of students with disabilities have learning disabilities.

Acronyms in the Developmental Disability World

Association for Children with Down Syndrome (ACDS) – ACDS programs deliver on our mission statement – to serve individuals with developmental disabilities throughout their lifetime. Our programs encompass three broad age categories: Early childhood and preschool years, 5 years plus, and adult years.

Attention Deficit Disorder Association(ADDA) Information, resources, articles, services, support groups and more for individuals with attention deficit disorder.

Autism Speaks: School Community Tool KitA tool kit to assist members of the school community in understanding and supporting students with autism.

Bookshare: Accessible Books and Periodicals for Readers with Print DisabilitiesBookshare makes reading easier. People with dyslexia, blindness, cerebral palsy, and other reading barriers can customize their experience to suit their learning style and find virtually any book they need for school, work, or the joy of reading.

Brain Injury Association of AmericaBIAA’s mission is to advance awareness, research, treatment, and education and to improve the quality of life for all people affected by brain injury.

Brain Injury Association of WashingtonThe Brain Injury Alliance of Washington (BIAWA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing public awareness, support, and providing hope for those affected by brain injury.

Bullying Report – How are Washington State Schools Doing? This preliminary report, issued by the Washington State PTA and The Safe Schools Coalition, is a result of the passage of HB 1444 in 2002. View these preliminary findings to see how our schools are dealing with issues of harassment, intimidation and bullying.

Center for Change in Transition ServicesCCTS is a state- and contract-funded project housed in the College of Education at Seattle University.

Center for Parent Information and Resources (NICHCY)Much of the rich library of materials and publications that NICHCY produced over the years has a new home here, on this website of the Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR).

Center on Human Development and Disability (UW)The Center on Human Development and Disability (CHDD) at the University of Washington makes important contributions to the lives of people with developmental disabilities and their families through a comprehensive array of research, clinical services, training, community outreach, and dissemination activities.

CHADD – Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity DisorderChildren and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) creating and implementing programs and services in response to the needs of adults and families affected by ADHD through collaborative partnerships and advocacy, including training for parents and K-12 teachers, hosting educational webinars and workshops, being an informative clearinghouse for the latest evidence-based ADHD information, and providing information specialists to support the ADHD community.

Compassionate Schools: The Heart of Learning and Teaching – The Compassionate Schools Initiative within Student Engagement and Support at OSPI provides resources to schools aspiring to consider a trauma responsive infrastructure. Compassionate Schools support all students and are focused ultimately on helping Washington teachers understand fundamental brain development and function, learning pedagogy, recognize a mandate for self care, correctly interpret behaviors, manage negative behaviors successfully with compassionate and effective strategies, and engage students, families, and the community.

Disability History Museum/Library and Education – Teacher Resources Course Packets

Disability Resource CommunityThe Disability Resource Community is a platform designed for people with disabilities, their family members and caregivers to ask questions, share resources and build community around the things that matter most.

Family Resource Center (Spanish) Providing education, information and support Seattle Childrens (Spanish)

Going to CollegeA resource for teens with disabilities.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)Welcome to the U.S. Department of Education’s Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) website, which brings together IDEA information and resources from the Department and our grantees.

Informing Families (Spanish)

Office of the Education OmbudsmanIn 2006, the Washington State Legislature passed House Bill 3127 to establish the Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) to reduce the opportunity gap by supporting families, students, educators, and communities in understanding the public K-12 education system and resolving concerns collaboratively. The legislature placed us within the Governor’s Office to ensure our independence from the public education system.

OSPI Publications – The Special Education Resource Library is intended to provide guidance and professional development resources on behalf of students with disabilities.

Paraeducator Training and Testing On-line CourseESD 112 offers the SW Washington region introductory level training for competencies 1-6, 7-11, and 13. These competencies are required for paraeducators working in special education. Although beneficial for all paraeducators, they are not required for those in general education. Please follow the link to register for the paraeducator online training courses.

Resources in Washington StateEnglish, Spanish and Vietnamese (from Informing Families) Strategies to Support Real Lives: Connecting to Resources in WA State

Seattle Children’s Continuing Education

Special Education Technology Center (SETC)

STOMP: Specialized Training of Military Parents – Provides families with federal information to gain a a better understanding of how to navigate through educational and medical systems when they have a child who has exceptional/special needs.

Transition Notebook (Adolescent Health Transition Project)

United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) – UCP affiliates provide services and support on a community-by-community basis, serving the unique needs of people with disabilities in their region.

Winning In College: A Guide For Students With DisabilitiesA guide to transitioning into college life.

Employment and Transition Resources

Center for Change in Transition Services – CCTS is a state- and contract-funded project housed in the College of Education at Seattle University.
Checklist for Transitioning to Adult Health Care
Disability Government InformationGoing to Work: A Guide to SS Benefits
Informing Families (Spanish)
National Center on Workforce and Disability – One Stop Career Center
Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) At the Department of Labor (grants for employment)
Social Security Online Ticket to Work  – Contact the Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY) M-F 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. ET, or Send Us an Email Message support@choosework.ssa.gov
Transition (Spanish) – Transition information compiled by Children’s Village (Yakima) in Spanish
Transition Notebook (Adolescent Health Transition Project)
Una lista para la transición a la atención de adultosChecklist for Transitioning to Adult Health Care (Spanish version)– Created by parents for parents to help understand what may lie ahead in planning for transitioning their child to an adult healthcare provider
US Office of Personnel ManagementInformation on Federal Employment for People with Disabilities.
Walla Walla Transition Checklist(created by Walla Walla Parent to Parent Support Program)
Washington Human Rights Commission (HRC) – The mission of the Washington State Human Rights Commission is to prevent and eliminate discrimination through the fair application of the law, the efficient use of resources, and the establishment of productive partnerships in the community.
Washington Initiative for Supported Employment (WISE)
Washington State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)
Winning In College: A Guide For Students With DisabilitiesA guide to transitioning into college life.

Sex Education Resources

Beginning the Conversation: From Children Now and the Kaiser Family FoundationTalking with Kids about Tough Issues
Growth and Development Ages 13 to 17 (What Parents Need to Know) –
Advocates for Youth
Resources About Sexuality & Children/Youth with Disabilities and Chronic IllnessesFrom the University of Michigan.
Sex Education for Parents of Children on the Autism Spectrum – Manual.
Sexuality and Autism: Sex Education for Children and Teens with Autism
Sexuality and Autism: TEACCH Report – Sex Education for Individuals with Autism – Matching Programs to levels of functioning
The Circles Curriculum – This program helps students “see” social distance and explains levels of intimacy and how those levels can change over time.
Tips on Talking With Your Young Child About Sex – American Academy of Pediatrics and HealthyChildren.org