ALPHA Santa Barbara

Our mission is to help families and children with special needs reach their fullest potential; to enable parents to help their children to be all they can be; and to build community awareness of the rights and contributions of all individuals.

Becca's Buddies-Professional Pet Services

Quality pet care is critical in keeping a happy, healthy pet. Becca’s Buddies will provide friendly, reliable pet care in your own home at a low cost. No need to call and drive for you pet to receive the care they need, Becca’s Buddies will come to your home, walk your dog, play with your cat, clean the litter box and keep your pet happy and healthy. Call Becca at 805-448-7423 or email her at beccasbuddies@cox.net

Breakthrough Parenting for Children with Special Needs

Cottage Hospital News and Events

Visit this site for the latest postings for news and events by Cottage Health Systems.

Click here for classes, lectures and seminars from Cottage.

Click here for health fair and screening info by Cottage. 

Dial 2-1-1

2-1-1 is a program put on from the Family Service Agency. 2-1-1 is an easy to remember phone number for non-emergency information and referral, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention. 2-1-1 is to health and human services what 911 is to emergency services.

2-1-1 HelpLine is the first point-of-access to all community services, including shelter and housing, food, drug and alcohol abuse prevention and treatment, health facilities, counseling, mental health services, senior issues, financial assistance, legal assistance, child care, child and elder abuse services, recreation, disaster relief, crisis intervention and suicide prevention, and much more. 2-1-1 is also the number to call when you are looking for ways to give back to the community, find volunteer opportunities, and other ways to support local organizations.

Family Service Agency of Santa Barbara

FSA is Santa Barbara County 's first and oldest non-sectarian, human-service nonprofit. Its programs help people help themselves. FSA services prevent family breakdown, intervene effectively where problems are known to exist and help individuals and families build on existing strength. Family Service Agency programs are available throughout Santa Barbara County. We offer programs addressing the unique concerns of youth, individuals, couples and seniors.

Hollister Day Program

This program is offered through Genesis Developmental Services. This is a person-approached center supporting meaningful activity, community involvement, giving back and is assisted by a registered nurse. For more information or to schedule a tour, call JoAnna Chandler at 805-968-8502. 

The IOD Bookstore

The Institute on Disability/UCED (IOD) at the University of New Hampshire was established in 1987 to provide a coherent university-based focus for the improvement of knowledge, policies, and practices related to the lives of persons with disabilities and their families.

The IOD advances policies and systems changes, promising practices, education, and research that strengthen communities and ensure full access, equal opportunities, and participation for all persons.

The IOD values the participation of people with disabilities, the community, family members, and a culturally diverse membership in its governance and research, teaching, and service activities. The IOD works to advance principles of choice, family and consumer-directed supports, community inclusion and cultural competence throughout the life span. 

Joni & Friends Family Retreats

Check out these family retreats organized by Joni & Friends of the International Disability Center. Retreats include:

• Wounded Warrior Getaway in Pine Valley, October 18-21, 2012
• International Family Retreat - Cuba - November 1-11, 2012
• International Family Retreat - El Salvador - November 2-8, 2012

Knowledge Powers Solutions for Parents

KPS4Parents KPS4Parents was formed with a singular vision: to ensure that all eligible children, regardless of disability, receive the Free Appropriate Public Education ("FAPE") to which they are entitled.

Parent training gives you, the parent, a working understanding of "the system" and how it works. It equips you to become your child's best advocate. Parent training helps you understand what you can ask for, when you should ask for it, and to whom you should make your requests.

Parent training is provided in a number of ways. Much of the parent training we do is simply through free email-initiated consultation with parents on individual issues on an as-needed basis. Parents email us at info@kps4parents.org with their questions and we reply via email or schedule to speak with them on the phone regarding their concerns. 

Kristen's Mobile Hair Cutting Service

Kristen will come to your house to cut your family's hair.  Contact her at 805/252-6062.

Melissa Fitch Family Photography

Want your family photos taken? This special needs mother works great with families and individuals with special needs! Contact Melissa at (805) 886-4411 or melissa.fitch@verizon.net 

PARENT EDUCATIONAL ADVOCACY TRAINING CENTER

This site offers an IEP Checklist via iPhone App!
Find more info about this app here!

Passport to Adaptive Living

Passport to Adaptive Living (PAL) is an organization that supports individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities acquire the necessary skills to succeed in the inclusive home, school, and community environments. By teaching individuals with develop- mental disabilities to build positive community and peer relationships and build skills to adapt, communicate, and socialize they may develop the necessary skills to live and function success- fully, independently, and safely within their home, school, and community environments.

Respite, Inc

Respite is a vendored service through state regional centers and overseen by the Department of Developmental Services, under CCR Title 17, Sections 56780 - 56802.

Service Definition -In-home respite services means the intermittent or regularly scheduled temporary non-medical care and supervision provided in the consumer's own home, for a regional center consumer who resides with a family member. These services are designed to do all of the following:

• Assist family members in maintaining the consumer at home.
• Provide appropriate care and supervision to ensure the consumer's safety in the absence of family members.
• Relieve family members from the constantly demanding responsibility of caring for the consumer.
• Attend to the consumer's basic self-help needs and other activities of daily living including interaction, socialization, and continuation of usual daily routines which would ordinarily be performed by the family members. 

Santa Maria & Lompoc Autism Support Groups

Santa Maria Autism Support Group has an online support group for parents of children diagnosed with autism. There is also a weekly playgroup that meets a local park. Contact: (805) 714-1187 or email begeasykr@yahoo.com

The Lompoc Autism Support Group is for parents and other caregivers of children diagnosed with autism. Contact: Polly Bleavins @ (805) 347-2775 or email pollyb@alphasb.org

SELPA Santa Barbara

Visit SELPA's family resources here!

Check out the SELPA calender for a huge selection of upcoming events in the 2012 - 2013 year! For more information about Santa Barbara SELPA, please follow the link to their website as well!

SELPA Upcoming Events 2012-13