Children and Youth with Special Needs

Search for Services that Meet Your Needs. Click on the tabs below to search for frequently requested services.

Medical Care Expense Assistance

Programs that pay or provide vouchers for hospital bills, doctor bills, laboratory expenses or other health care expenses of people who are unable to obtain necessary health care without assistance.

Medical Equipment Expense Assistance

Programs that provide financial assistance that helps patients whose care is being managed in the home (or other private facility managed by a nonprofessional caregiver or family member) obtain required medical equipment and supplies.

Prescription Expense Assistance

Programs that provide financial assistance or reimbursement for necessary prescription drugs to people with a variety of medical conditions or disabilities.

Incidental Medical Expense Assistance

Programs that provide financial assistance to individuals having a designated health condition/disability or requiring a transplant to pay for related non-medical expenses.

Disability Savings Accounts

Programs that provide opportunities for people with disabilities to establish special accounts where they can save money to pay for education, health care, transportation, housing and other expenses.

Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Programs

Pharmaceutical companies or pharmacies that make prescription drugs available to patients who cannot afford to pay market price and those organizations that help qualifying patients access these programs.

Social Security Disability Insurance

A federal program administered by the Social Security Administration that provides monthly cash benefits for disabled workers who are fully insured under the program and are not capable of substantial gainful work.

Education Resources

Transition Services for Students With Disabilities

Programs that provide support for children with disabilities who are moving from one kind of program setting or service provision system to another.

Public Special Schools

Specialized public schools for children with disabilities whose needs cannot be met in special classes or centers in a regular school.

Nonpublic Special Schools

Specialized private schools for children with disabilities.

Independent Living Skills Instruction

Programs that assist people with disabilities to learn the basic skills of daily living.

Developmental Disabilities Social/Recreational Programs

Community-based programs that provide training in community integration and self-advocacy related to recreational and leisure activities.

Adult Development Centers

Community-based programs for adults with developmental disabilities that provide support services for community involvement, self-advocacy, self-care and/or employment training.

Developmental Disabilities Activity Centers

Community-based day programs that provide social and recreational opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities who generally have acquired most basic self-care skills, have some ability to interact with others, are able to make their needs known and respond to instructions.

In Home Developmental Disabilities Habilitation Programs

Programs that provide services to keep or improve daily living skills and functioning for those with developmental disabilities who reside within the family home.

Employment Resources

Comprehensive Disability Related Employment Programs

Programs, available to individuals having any disability type, that provide vocational assessment, job development, job training, job placement, specialized job situations and/or other supportive services.

Vocational Rehabilitation

Programs that enable individuals with disabilities, people who abuse drugs or alcohol, or people who have emotional problems to obtain the training and employment experiences they need to achieve economic self-sufficiency.

Disability Related Center Based Employment

Programs that provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities to learn and practice work skills in a separate and supported environment.

Supported Employment

Programs that find meaningful paid work, assign a “job coach”, provide training in basic job skills, work-related behaviors, and specific tasks.

Non-Emergency Medical Transportation

Programs that provide nonemergency transportation for individuals who require routine medical services and who, because of financial problems or their physical condition, are unable to use other available means of local transportation.

Disability Related Transportation

Programs that provide door-to-door (or curb-to-curb) transportation for purposes of shopping, banking, social events, medical appointments, getting to and from work, and similar activities for people with disabilities who need special accommodations and are unable to utilize other available means of transportation. Also included are programs that provide transportation for youngsters with disabilities who have no other means of accessing necessary specialized services and activities. Some but not all vehicles used for this purpose are equipped with wheelchair lifts.

General Paratransit/Community Ride Programs

Programs that provide flexibly scheduled and routed door-to-door (or curb-to-curb) transportation services for the general public.

Service Animals

Programs that provide and train recipients in the use of animals who have been taught to help individuals who have disabilities increase their mobility and independence and/or maximize their ability to communicate effectively.

Vehicle Adaptation Services

Programs that pay for or provide the labor and/or equipment to adapt vehicles owned by people with disabilities allowing them to operate the vehicles or ride in them as passengers.

Travel Training for Older Adults/People With Disabilities

Programs that provide comprehensive, intensive instruction that is designed to teach older adults and/or individuals with disabilities how to travel independently and safely using accessible public transportation.

Health Related Advocacy Groups

Organizations that are dedicated to protecting and improving the quality and affordability of health and long-term care for all individuals and advocating for changes in the health care system that will achieve these goals; or which advocate more broadly for legislation and other measures such as bans on smoking that have a positive impact on public health.

Disability Rights Groups

Organizations that support the passage and enforcement of laws or other social measures that protect the rights of people who have physical, mental, developmental, or learning disabilities and that maximize these individual’s ability to enjoy the same opportunities, resources and privileges as the mainstream population.

Protection and Advocacy for Individuals With Disabilities

Programs that provide assistance for individuals with disabilities who are having difficulty understanding and/or obtaining the full benefits and services to which they are entitled by law.

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Transition

Centers for Independent Living

Centers across Colorado that provide an array of services to support people to live independently in their communities. These centers serve families with children with disabilities and adults with disabilities.

Care Coordination

Child Development Classes

Programs that offer classes for families (with or without their children) focusing on the developmental stages from infancy through adolescence, and the child rearing challenges that arise within each stage.

Disability Related Parenting Programs

Programs for families of children with disabilities that provide educational and supportive services so that families can acquire the knowledge and skills needed to be effective in their parenting role.

Early Intervention for Children with Disabilities/Delays

Programs that identify, support or provide services to infants, toddlers, and (in some cases) preschoolers who lag in skills typically developed during the first three years of life, such as: physical (reaching, rolling, crawling, and walking); cognitive (thinking, learning, solving problems); communication (talking, listening, understanding); social/emotional (playing, feeling secure and happy); and self-help (eating, dressing).

Support Groups

Caregiver/Care Receiver Support Groups

Meetings for caregivers (family, friends, or paid professionals), and for those receiving care (people with temporary or chronic disabilities, illnesses, or age-related issues), where attendees share experiences, information, and emotional support with each other.

Parent Support Groups

Meetings where parents/guardians with a common characteristic or circumstance (such as being single parents, dual career parents, multiple birth parents, parents with children demonstrating difficult behaviors, or parents of children with disabilities) share experiences, information, and emotional support with each other.

Health/Disability Related Support Groups

Meetings where people living with specific disabilities, illnesses or other health conditions (and sometimes their families and friends) share information and provide encouragement, support, and practical tips for daily living.

Mental Health Related Support Groups

Meetings where people living with specific social, emotional or other mental health problems (and sometimes their families and friends) share information and provide encouragement, support, and practical tips for daily living.

Mental Health Counseling

Community Mental Health Agencies

Community-based outpatient facilities that offer mental health services including: counseling (individual, group, conjoint and family), therapy groups, and medication, especially for those who: are indigent, have acute or chronic psychiatric disorders, may be experiencing difficulty resolving personal or interpersonal conflicts, or are finding it difficult adjusting to stressful life situations (such as separation, divorce, loss of a spouse or a child, poor health, unemployment, family violence, delinquency or substance abuse).

Mental Health Associations

Organizations whose membership includes: mental health service providers, those receiving services, parents, and advocates, and whose purpose is: improving mental health services, preventing mental illness, promoting healthy social environments, and advocating for awareness and tolerance.

General Mental Health Information/Education

Programs that provide information about a wide variety of mental health issues and opportunities in an effort to help people make choices which promote personal mental health, take advantage of opportunities for early detection, develop an awareness of available treatment options, as well as to increase the public’s understanding about the nature of mental illness.

Mental Health Crisis Lines

Programs that provide immediate assistance (via the telephone, email, live chat, texting or instant messaging) to people experiencing emotional distress ranging from having difficulty in coping with daily pressures to being in the crisis of a psychotic episode.

Parenting Helplines

Programs that provide counseling and information over the phone to parents who have questions about childhood development, need advice regarding a specific parenting problem, or need a referral for parenting resources.

General Counseling Services

Programs that provide emotional support, information and guidance to help people resolve whatever personal or interpersonal difficulties they are experiencing.

Adolescent/Youth Counseling

Programs specializing in the treatment of adolescents, usually 12-17, who are experiencing mental illness (such as adjustment disorder, behavior problem, emotional disturbance, or personality disorder) and who may be struggling with teen issues (such as low self-esteem, bullying, family problems, sex, drugs, alcohol, or suicidal thoughts).

Home Based Mental Health Services

Mental health services provided in one’s home for people whose condition is so severe that they are unable to leave their home or may be at risk for hospitalization or placement in a residential treatment facility.

Mental Health Drop In Centers

Programs that provide a nonresidential environment for people who have mental, emotional or social problems and which may offer recreational activities, socialization, counseling, support groups, and information.

Community Mental Health Agencies

Community-based outpatient facilities that offer individual, group, conjoint and family counseling, therapy groups, medication and other mental health services for community residents, especially those who are indigent, who have acute or chronic psychiatric disorders or who may be experiencing difficulty resolving personal or interpersonal conflicts or making personal adjustments to stressful life situations such as separation, divorce, loss of a spouse or a child, poor health, unemployment, family violence, delinquency or substance abuse. Included may be city and county-operated and nonprofit facilities.

Respite Care

Children’s In Home Respite Care

Programs that provide a brief period of rest or relief for parents, grandparents, guardians, family members or others who are regular caregivers for dependent children by offering temporary or intermittent care for the child in their own home.

Children’s Out of Home Respite Care

Programs that provide a brief period of rest or relief for parents, grandparents, guardians, family members who are regular caregivers for dependent children by offering temporary or intermittent care for the child in a community setting/facility.

Adult In Home Respite Care

Programs that provide a brief period of rest or relief for family members, guardians or others who are regular caregivers for dependent adults by offering temporary or intermittent care for the adult in their own home.

Adult Out of Home Respite Care

Programs that provide a brief period of rest or relief for family members, guardians or others who are regular caregivers for dependent adults by offering temporary or intermittent care for the adult in a community setting/facility.

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Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

A federal income maintenance program administered by the Social Security Administration that provides basic financial assistance in the form of monthly checks for people who are age 65 and older, blind or have a disability and who have little or no income and resources.

Medicaid Information/Counseling

Programs that offer information and guidance on Medicaid such as eligibility requirements, application process, benefits covered, provider referrals, and payment process.

Long Term Care Options Counseling

Programs that offer an interactive decision support process that helps individuals in need of long term care and their families understand their strengths, needs, preferences and unique circumstances and weigh the pros and cons of available alternatives.

Certified Application Counselor Programs

Programs other than official navigators or in-person assisters (IPAs) that connect consumers to the Affordable Care Act’s expanded health care options and facilitate enrollment through the marketplace.

In Person Crisis Intervention

Programs that provide an opportunity for people who are emotionally distressed and/or for their significant others to meet face-to-face with someone who has been trained to assess and resolve the immediate crisis, if possible, and to link the person with appropriate resources for ongoing assistance.

General Crisis Intervention Hotlines

Programs that provide immediate assistance for people who are emotionally distressed with the objective of defusing the crisis, ensuring the person’s safety and helping the person to take the next immediate steps toward resolving the problem.

Developmental Assessment

Programs that provide a comprehensive, structured evaluation of a child’s cognitive/intellectual functioning, language and communication skills, independent living skills, social and emotional development and perceptual/motor functioning.

Developmental Screening

Programs that offer a procedure designed to identify children who should receive more intensive assessment or diagnosis for potential developmental delays.

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Child Development

Disease/Disability Information

Programs that provide information about specific illnesses or diagnoses; and may have information about latest research.

Developmental Assessment

Programs that provide a comprehensive assessment of a children’s (or sometimes an adult’s) performance in the areas of intellect, language and communication, living skills, social and emotional development and motor functioning, in order to compare results with typical children of similar age.

Developmental Screening

Programs designed to detect the possibility of a developmental delay in a child’s performance in any or all of these areas: intellect, language and communication, living skills, social and emotional development, or motor functioning; and to refer child for further assessment if any area of concern arises.

Specialized Information and Referral

Programs that maintain information and provide referrals about specific community resources (such as youth programs or addiction services).

Functional Needs Registries

Voluntary programs (used by emergency responders) that maintain information about people having physical, medical, or other needs which may require special assistance in the event of a disaster or crisis.

Respite Care

Children’s In Home Respite Care

Programs that provide a brief period of rest or relief for parents, grandparents, guardians, family members or others who are regular caregivers for dependent children by offering temporary or intermittent care for the child in their own home.

Children’s Out of Home Respite Care

Programs that provide a brief period of rest or relief for parents, grandparents, guardians, family members who are regular caregivers for dependent children by offering temporary or intermittent care for the child in a community setting/facility.

Adult In Home Respite Care

Programs that provide a brief period of rest or relief for family members, guardians or others who are regular caregivers for dependent adults by offering temporary or intermittent care for the adult in their own home.

Adult Out of Home Respite Care

Programs that provide a brief period of rest or relief for family members, guardians or others who are regular caregivers for dependent adults by offering temporary or intermittent care for the adult in a community setting/facility.

Caregiver Support

Caregiver Training

Programs that provide training for informal caregivers (such as family members) which focuses on care-related activities including medication management, personal care, and home safety.

Caregiver Consultation and Support

Programs that provide information, guidance and assistance to support family members and other informal caregivers to make decisions and solve problems related to their caregiving role.

Mental Health/Counseling

Community Mental Health Agencies

Community-based outpatient facilities that offer individual, group, conjoint and family counseling, therapy groups, medication and other mental health services for community residents, especially those who are indigent, who have acute or chronic psychiatric disorders or who may be experiencing difficulty resolving personal or interpersonal conflicts or making personal adjustments to stressful life situations such as separation, divorce, loss of a spouse or a child, poor health, unemployment, family violence, delinquency or substance abuse.

Mental Health Associations

Organizations whose members are mental health service providers, consumers, parents and advocates who have affiliated for the purpose of improving mental health services, preventing mental illness, promoting social conditions which enhance the potential for good mental health and advocating for an environment of awareness and tolerance.

General Mental Health Information/Education

Programs that improve the public’s understanding of mental health and mental illness and help people make choices which promote personal mental health, take advantage of opportunities for early detection, develop an awareness of available treatment options and support their ability to deal with mental health problems when they arise.

Mental Health Hotlines

Programs that provide immediate assistance for people experiencing a mental health crisis such as a psychotic episode with the objective of defusing the crisis, often working closely with mobile crisis teams on standby, and helping the person develop a plan to link with resources for ongoing assistance, if required.

Parenting Helplines

Programs that operate a telephone counseling and information line that parents can call when they have childhood development questions, need advice regarding a specific parenting problem or need a referral for parenting resources.

General Counseling Services

Programs that provide emotional support, information and guidance to help people resolve whatever personal or interpersonal difficulties they are experiencing. The counselor can address any issue that is troubling the individual, but does not specialize in the treatment of any particular problem area.

Adolescent/Youth Counseling

Programs that specialize in the treatment of adolescents, usually age 12 or 13 through 17, who have adjustment problems, behavior problems, emotional disturbance, a personality disorder or incipient mental illness. The programs may help youth troubled by low self-esteem, social isolation, peer pressure, bullying, school performance issues, truancy, anger management issues, family problems, grief and loss, sexual promiscuity, sexually transmitted disease, alcohol or drug addiction, eating disorders, oppositional and defiant behaviors, depression and anxiety, suicidal thoughts or other difficult issues.

Home Based Mental Health Services

Programs that provide clinical therapeutic services, medication, daily living skills assistance and other mental health services for people who are unable to leave their homes because of the severity of their mental or emotional disturbance or the disabling effects of complicating medical conditions; for families with children experiencing a crisis that is so severe that the child is at imminent risk for hospitalization or placement in a residential treatment facility; or for people for whom home-based services are the most appropriate option.

Mental Health Drop In Centers

Programs that provide an alternative, nonresidential environment for people who have mental, emotional or social problems and which may offer recreational activities, socialization, individual or group counseling, mutual support group meetings, information and referral or other similar services. Included are centers that are staffed by consumers of psychiatric services as well as centers that are managed by professional staff.

Community Mental Health Agencies

Community-based outpatient facilities that offer individual, group, conjoint and family counseling, therapy groups, medication and other mental health services for community residents, especially those who are indigent, who have acute or chronic psychiatric disorders or who may be experiencing difficulty resolving personal or interpersonal conflicts or making personal adjustments to stressful life situations such as separation, divorce, loss of a spouse or a child, poor health, unemployment, family violence, delinquency or substance abuse. Included may be city and county-operated and nonprofit facilities.

Additional Links