Need Resources?
If you would like additional resources that are specific to your child’s diagnosis, click on the link below to email our Family & Community Support Coordinator Anna Valenzuela and she will contact you.
Click below to download the free Autism Resource Guide
Arkansas Children’s Resource Connect
Arkansas Children’s Hospital has a Resource Connect website to help families search for resources such as food, housing, goods, transit, medical care, work, legal assistance & more. Click on the button below then enter your zip code to find service in your area.
Arkansas Division of Developmental Disabilities Service
The Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) helps ensure Arkansans with developmental disabilities and delays get access to services to help them learn and thrive.
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This program is a resource for family caregivers who have limited access to respite care and/or other supports through current systems. The purpose of the program is to meet planned respite needs for unserved and underserved family caregivers by providing financial assistance to access respite.
*This program may not be used to provide ongoing, continuous, or full-time supervision/care for a person with special needs during caregiver’s work hours, etc.
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The Arkansas Department of Health Division of Developmental Disabilities Services has provided a statewide list of all Community & Employment Support (CES) providers with their respective contact information, what services are offered, including any delivery services if applicable, and which county they serve. For more information regarding the CES Waiver, click here.
To learn more about the Arkansas Division of Developmental Disabilities Services, click here.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
The Network's mission is to raise the standard of care and improve access to services for traumatized children, families, and communities.
How to Report Child Abuse & Neglect
Abuse and neglect, also called child maltreatment, can be several things, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation or abandonment by the caretaker of the child (a parent, guardian, custodian, or foster parent). Child maltreatment occurs when the caretaker harms the child or lets harm come to the child, or when the caretaker fails to meet the child’s basic needs.
Anyone who suspects child maltreatment may report their concerns. If you see something that concerns you or just doesn’t look right, we encourage you to say something! Some people, such as doctors, teachers, clergy, and school counselors, must report suspected child maltreatment (it’s the law!). They are called mandated reporters.
If you need to report child maltreatment, it’s easy. Just call the Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-482-5964 or click on the portal button to get started.
Educational Support Videos
General Resources
ABLE Accounts are tax-advantaged investment accounts that help qualified individuals with disabilities and their families save for disability-related expenses.
Arkansas Able
Community Connections is a 501 c3 non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children with disabilities by providing extra-curricular activities for them as well as support & care for their families.
Community Connections
Pathfinder Inc. is dedicated to the development and implementation of individually designed strategies that enable people with developmental disabilities to pursue total access to community life.
Pathfinder Inc.
Transition Resources
The CES Waiver offers services in your community to support clients with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) with all major life activities, such as living independently and working at a job with help from an employment coach. The program promotes inclusion for clients through community experiences and provides care coordination for getting services. The goal of the waiver is simple: it helps clients with IDD to live in the community rather than in an institutional setting such as a nursing home or Intermediate Care Facility.
CES Waiver
Easterseals Arkansas has launched an innovative new model to empower adults with disabilities to live more independently in the community. Leveraging the power of technology, we are unlocking the potential of our community and establish homes that work for people with disabilities.
Jaclyn Dougan, Director of Waiver at Easter Seals, discusses the importance of housing for adults with special needs, the different options available, and the steps to find the right fit for each individual.
Housing Options
Chip Gross, Attorney with the Elrod Firm, discusses Estate Planning, Guardianship and Probate, Trust Administration, and Power of Attorney for parents and guardians of children with special needs.
Guardianship & Trusts
Tonya Cater, Public Affairs Specialist with the Social Security Administration, discusses the requirements for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and how to apply for a child or an adult, ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Accounts, and Medicare and Medicaid.
Supplemental Security Income
Family Support Webinar Series
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Medicaid, TEFRA, Waiver
Community Connections & Arkansas Down Syndrome Association are partnering to bring you Melissa Stone to talk about Medicaid/TEFRA/Waiver.
CLICK BUTTON BELOW & USE THE PASSWORD: ADSAstone2021
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Teaching Gratitude
Community Connections & Arkansas Down Syndrome Association are partnering to bring you Sarah Paul from Curricula Concepts to talk about Teaching Gratitude and Managing Challenging Behaviors.
CLICK BUTTON BELOW & USE THE PASSWORD: YF52z!64
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Behavior Strategies
Community Connections & Arkansas Down Syndrome Association are partnering to bring you a webinar with Dr. Stacy Taylor to talk about Behavior Strategies: Tips for Managing the Holidays.
CLICK BUTTON BELOW & USE THE PASSWORD: ADSAwebinar2021