RESOURCES
Family Resources
Looking for information on community resources or supports?
Capernaum has gathered links to websites that you may find useful. The information in linked websites is not necessarily endorsed by Capernaum, and we are not responsible for the outside content. Always check with your child’s pediatrician regarding any questions you may have about your child’s unique needs.
Assistive Technology/Equipment:
Closing the Gap – Provides a comprehensive examination of the most current uses of technology by persons with disabilities and the professionals who work with them.
Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute – Provides assistive technology assessment/consultation and training, augmentative and alternative communication, and home environmental control displays.
Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute >
Minnesota STAR Program – A System of Technology to Achieve Results – STAR’s mission is to help all Minnesotans with disabilities gain access to and acquire the assistive technology they need to live, learn, work, and play. Services provided include device demonstration, device loan, device exchange, and reuse/recycling assistive technology.
Simon Technology Center – Provides a variety of core services to help children, families, and professionals including: technology consults, lending library, individualized training sessions, and a forum for buying/selling used equipment.
Technology for Home (LiveLife Therapy Solutions, Inc.) – Assistive Technology Consultation and Technical Assistance – AT consultants for clients with waiver services.
Community Resources:
Branching Grace – An agency that provides free respite nights to families. Also hosts “The Chat” designed for parents of special needs children covering topics such as OT ideas, academic strategies, behavior modification tips, and stress reduction techniques.
Catholic Charities – The mission of Catholic Charities is to serve those most in need and to advocate for justice in the community.
https://www.cctwincities.org/locations/
Club Mom / Club Dad – Club Mom and Club Dad are African-American community health gatherings for parent support (children 0-5 years).
651-266-1545 | https://www.ramseycounty.us/residents/health-medical/clinics-services/family-health-home-visiting-programs
CLUES – Services to the Latino community: Education programs for children, youth, and adults; family economic advancement; mental health; chemical health; and behavioral health.
612-746-3500 | https://clues.org/
Disability Hub MN – Resource network that helps you solve problems, navigate the system, and plan for your and your child’s future.
1-866-333-2466 | https://www.disabilityhubmn.org/for-families
Disability Minnesota – Provides a single entry point to over 100 Minnesota state agency programs, products, and services that are devoted to a range of disability issues.
Division of Indian Work – Serving the American Indian population with housing for the homeless, teen mothers, domestic violence groups, parenting groups, and counseling and services for sexually exploited youth.
612-722-8722 | https://www.diw-mn.org/
Esperanza United – Provides support, resources, information, referrals, and advocacy for families.
651-646-5553 | https://esperanzaunited.org/en/family-advocacy/
Family Voices of Minnesota and CONNECTED – Family Voices of Minnesota is a non-profit, parent-run organization that serves families of children and youth with special health care needs and disabilities. Family Voices educates and empowers families by helping them access needed services or navigate systems of care. CONNECTED is a free state-wide parent-to-parent peer support program provided by Family Voices of Minnesota for families whose children have chronic or complex special healthcare needs or disabilities.
1-866-334-8444 | www.familtyvoicesofminnesota.org
FamilyWise – Offers a range of support for parents (mentoring, parent support groups, coaching, and parenting classes).
612-617-0191 | https://familywiseservices.org/find-parenting-support/
Help Me Connect – Provides resource information on healthy development and screening; developmental and behavioral concerns; disability services and resources; early learning and childcare; family well-being and mental health; Native American families; caregiving and community support; dental care; basic needs; legal services; and peacetime emergency resources.
https://helpmeconnect.web.health.state.mn.us/HelpMeConnect/
Help Me Grow – Minnesota’s early intervention system includes two programs for eligible children: Infant and Toddler Intervention: Services are provided for eligible children from birth through two years of age who may be experiencing delays in their development for several reasons, including special health conditions. Preschool Special Education: Provides services based on the needs of preschool children who meet state eligibility criteria for developmental delay or other disabilities, and who are experiencing challenges in their learning and development. Children may be eligible if they are not able to learn, speak or play like other children who are the same age.
1-866-693-4769 | www.helpmegrowmn.org
Hunger Solutions – A comprehensive hunger relief organization that serves as a link between government, nonprofit, and corporate sectors in an effort to improve access to public nutrition programs.
http://www.hungersolutions.org/minnesota-food-helpline/
Legal Aid Free – High-quality legal help for low-income individuals and families is available through the following agencies: Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS) 1-888-574-2954 or www.smrls.org serving people in southeast Minnesota, southwest Minnesota and the east metro. Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid (MMLA) www.mylegalaid.org serves Minnesotans in the 20 counties of central Minnesota, including Hennepin, from offices in Minneapolis, St. Cloud, and Willmar. Legal Aid assists families with critical civil issues including safety, shelter, income, or health.
Lutheran Social Services – Connects people with opportunities to live and work with dignity, safety, and hope. Services span physical health and safety and emotional well-being.
1-800-582-5260 | https://www.lssmn.org/services
Main Street Family Services – Provides parent training, support groups, counseling, and play therapy.
763-595-1420 | https://www.mainstreetfamilyservices.org/fasd/
March of Dimes – Works to end premature birth and other problems and provides information on pregnancy and development.
MN Chapter Phone: 952-835-3033 | http://www.marchofdimes.org/index.aspx
Minnesota Children and Youth with Special Health Needs (MCYSHN) – Information and resources, including a link to CYSHN Navigator, a tool that helps connect families of children with special health needs to local community services. If you are seeking help and don’t know where to start, the Navigator can help you figure out what kind of help you may need.
651-201-3650 or toll-free 1-800-728-5420 | https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/childrenyouth/cyshn/family.html
Minnesota Disability Law Center (MDLC) – As part of Legal Aid, MDLC addresses the unique legal needs of Minnesotans with disabilities. MDLC provides free civil legal assistance to individuals with disabilities statewide on legal issues related to their disabilities. MDLC does not generally provide assistance with divorce, child custody, or personal injury cases.
612-334-5970 | www.lawhelpmn.org
Minnesota Help – State of MN website to help navigate over 10, 000 helping agencies in the community.
Mosaic Ministry – Serves the special needs community and their families, providing an inclusive place to gather for worship together.
https://cpcedina.org/special-needs/
PACER Center – PACER Center is a parent training and information center for families of children and youth with disabilities and special health needs from birth through 21 years old. Located in Minneapolis, it serves families across the nation, as well as those in Minnesota. Parents can find publications, workshops, and other resources to help make decisions about education, vocational training, employment, long-term hospitalizations that have impacted their child’s education, and other services for children with disabilities and special health needs.
952-838- 9000 | www.pacer.org
Parent Aware – Tools and information to help families find the best quality child care and early education for their children.
888-291-9811 | www.ParentAware.org
PCA Services – PCA (Personal Care Assistance) services help a person with day-to-day activities in their home and community, health-related procedures and tasks, observation and redirection of behaviors, and instrumental activities of daily living for adults. PCA services are available to eligible people enrolled in a Minnesota Health Care Program.
Parent Support Outreach Program – PSOP is an early intervention program that focuses on a family’s strengths and needs and aims to help children and parents thrive. The program is available through all Minnesota counties and the White Earth and Leech Lake reservations. Families can refer themselves or be referred by community or social service agencies.
The Arc Greater Twin Cities – The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, actively supporting them and their families in a lifetime of full inclusion and participation in their communities. Services include information and advocacy, workshops and forums, sibling programs, abuse prevention and awareness, health care access, networking groups, and lifetime assistance program.
952-920- 0855 | www.arcgreatertwincities.org
United Way 2-1-1 – Free, confidential information about health, housing, jobs, schools, money, family, community resources, support services, and more.
Dial 2-1-1 or call toll-free 1-800-543-7709 | www.211unitedway.org
Washburn Center for Children – Offers Minneapolis area families affordable counseling and crisis stabilization services for children, kids, and teens.
612-871-1454 | https://washburn.org/services/
WIC – A supplemental nutrition and breastfeeding program. Find out if you are eligible!
Community Resources by MN Counties:
ANOKA: Resources for Anoka County Children and Families
https://www.anokacountymn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15371/Who-to-Call-Phone-Numbers-PDF
https://accap.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/BASIC-NEEDS-March-2022-update.pdf
CARVER: Carver County Resource Guide
https://www.co.carver.mn.us/home/showpublisheddocument/11519/637405130926000000
DAKOTA: Dakota County Community Resource Guide https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/HealthFamily/HealthServices/MoreLowCostServices/Documents/CommunityResourceGuide.pdf
HENNEPIN: Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County – Provides housing counseling, food support, energy assistance, case management, financial literacy, tax assistance, and legal services.
952-933-9639 | https://caphennepin.org/what-we-do/community-resources.html/title/family-services
HENNEPIN: CROSS Services – Social services organization that assists local families and individuals in need, with an emphasis on ending hunger through access to healthy food. We serve Rogers, Maple Grove, Osseo, Corcoran, Dayton, and Champlin (West of 169) communities of Minnesota.
763-425-1050 | https://crossservices.org/about-cross-services/
HENNEPIN: Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis – Serves people of all ages and faith backgrounds in Hennepin County. Provides parenting workshops, career services, children and family services, community engagement, and counseling and mental health support.
952-546-0616 | https://www.jfcsmpls.org/
RAMSEY/WASHINGTON: Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties – Provides housing counseling, food support, energy assistance, case management, Head Start, financial literacy, tax assistance, and legal services.
651-645-6445 https://caprw.org/
SCOTT: Scott County Family Resources – Provides support, resources, information, referrals, and advocacy for families.
952-445-7750 | https://www.scottcountymn.gov/2016/Family-Resource-Centers
WRIGHT: Family Home Visiting Wright County – Wright County Public Health works to promote the health and well-being of pregnant and parenting families through the early years.
763-276-0441 | https://www.co.wright.mn.us/886/Family-Home-Visiting
Local County Social Service Agencies
Daycare:
Childcare Assistance – Affordable child care is important! Parents who have low incomes may get help paying for it through various programs.
Parent Aware – A website that rates daycare providers.
Think Small – A website to help parents to find daycare.
Diagnosis-Specific Information:
Apraxia Kids – All kinds of information and resources regarding the diagnosis of Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS).
ASHA’s guide to Feeding and Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia) in Children
http://www.asha.org/public/speech/swallowing/Feeding-and-Swallowing-Disorders-in-Children/
Autism Society of Minnesota (AUSM) – A non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of those affected by autism from birth through retirement. Members include families, educators, caregivers, and professionals who support individuals with autism spectrum disorders and are dedicated to education, advocacy, and support.
651-647-1083 | https://ausm.org/
The Cerebral Palsy Guide provides free educational materials, financial options, and support to help those across the country affected by this disorder.
https://www.cerebralpalsyguide.com/
MN Branch:
https://www.guidestar.org/profile/41-0807591
CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) – Agencies’ goals are to: (1) serve as a clearinghouse for evidence-based information on ADHD, (2) serve as a local face-to-face family support group for families and individuals affected by ADHD, and (3) serve as an advocate for appropriate public policies and public recognition in response to needs faced by families and individuals with ADHD.
Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota
Minnesota Autism Center (MAC) provides therapeutic support for children, adolescents, and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Minnesota Hands & Voices – Provides information, support, and referral to families at any point in their journey with their child who is deaf or hard of hearing.
651-265-2345 | https://www.lssmn.org/mnhandsandvoices/
Educational Resources:
Amhurst H. Wilder Foundation – Provides services that build hope and resiliency for children and families through mental health, education, housing, social adjustment, early childhood, and aging programs.
http://www.wilder.org/Pages/default.aspx
Center for Response to Intervention in Early Childhood – A multi-tier approach to the early identification and support of students with learning and behavior needs.
https://innovation.umn.edu/igdi/projects/crtiec/
ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education) – Fun and affordable for parents and their children birth through kindergarten.
https://helpmegrowmn.org/HMG/HelpfulRes/Articles/ECFEMN/index.html
http://ecfe.mpls.k12.mn.us/uploads/17_sliding_fee_scale_policies.pdf
Gigi’s Playhouse – A Down syndrome Achievement Center that offers free parent networking and provides educational tools, programming tailored for individuals with Down syndrome, and specific, therapeutic or educational learning opportunities to support development of speech-language, social, and motor skills tailored to addressing the universal challenges of individuals with Down syndrome.
https://gigisplayhouse.org/twincities/twin-cities-programs
Help Me Grow – Birth through age five education resources for developmental milestones and healthy development.
http://helpmegrowmn.org/HMG/index.htm
Mad to Glad – A parenting resource that teaches positive, step-by-step strategies to help your child settle down and listen.
https://www.madtogladblueprint.com/
Minnesota Yellow Pages for Kids – Lists providers for therapies, health care specialists, educational consultants, schools, parent supports groups, and more!
https://www.yellowpagesforkids.com/help/mn.htm
PACER (Parents’ Advocacy Coalition for Education Rights) – A Guide to MN parents to the IEP.
http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-a12.pdf
Special Education Guide: Support and Resources for Parents and Teachers – A go-to resource for mastering the terminology, procedures, and best practices in special education.
https://www.specialeducationguide.com/
The Family Partnership – Strives to be a leader in closing opportunity and achievement gaps for children and families living in poverty by providing high impact, multicultural services, building powerful community partnerships, and changing public policy.
http://www.thefamilypartnership.org/programsservices/education/
Washburn Child Guidance Center for Children – The state’s leading children’s mental health center, caring for a wide variety of children’s needs.
Educational Materials for Children:
DLTK’s Crafts for Kids – Features a variety of printable children’s crafts, coloring pages, worksheets, and activities including projects for holidays, educational themes, and some of our children’s favorite cartoon characters.
Do2Learn – Provides 1,000s of free pages of social skills and behavioral regulation activities and guidance, learning songs and games, communication cards, academic material, and transition guides for employment and life skills.
Financial Assistance:
Bridge to Benefits – Find information about the Eligibility Screening Tool for Health Insurance Programs; energy assistance, supplemental nutrition assistance (food stamps), school meals, child care assistance, Earned Income Tax Credit, or Working Family Credit.
http://www.bridgetobenefits.org/Home2
Disability Benefits 101 – A resource for finding out about cash benefits available and health care coverage.
https://mn.db101.org/programs.htm
Hennepin County – Offers a number of programs to supplement families’ and individuals’ incomes. The type of assistance people receive depends on their life circumstances, family size and type, and other factors.
http://www.hennepin.us/residents/human-services/cash-assistance
Housing Benefits 101 – Explore affordable housing options, discover what works for you, connect with an expert for help, and make a plan to get there.
Housing Link – Their mission is “to improve people’s lives through information expanding their affordable rental choices.”
Medical:
Children’s Hospitals and Clinics – One of the largest pediatric health systems in the United States with two hospitals, 12 primary and specialty care clinics, and six rehabilitation sites.
Shriner’s Hospital for Children >
County Medical Center Pediatrics – Hennepin County Medical Center has been serving the needs of children for over a century. The care provided has extended from treating the tiniest of neonates in our Newborn Nursery and Newborn Intensive Care Unit to teenagers and young adults up to age 21 in our clinics, Inpatient Unit, and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
Hennepin County Medical Center Pediatrics >
Gillette Children’s Specialty Health Care – A nationally and internationally recognized leader in the diagnosis and treatment of children, teens, and adults who have disabilities and complex medical conditions.
Gillette Children’s Specialty Health Care >
Medical Assistance – Tax Equity Fiscal Responsibility Act (MA-TEFRA) – The TEFRA option allows Medical Assistance (MA) eligibility for children with disabilities whose parents have too much income to qualify for MA or other Minnesota Health Care Programs or who qualify but the cost would be too high.
Tax Equity Fiscal Responsibility Act (MA-TEFRA) >
MN Dept. of Human Services:
http://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/people-with-disabilities/health-care/health-care-programs/
North Point Health and Wellness – A multi-specialty medical, dental, and mental health center and human service agency located in North Minneapolis.
http://www.northpointhealth.org/
Pediatric Home Service – PHS is a comprehensive home care agency which provides the following services: Infusion Nursing and Pharmacy, Respiratory Therapy and Equipment, Enteral Nutrition, Home Care Nursing (extended-hour nursing), Mental Health, Clinical Online and On-Site Education, and Home Health (skilled nursing visits and social work services).
https://www.pediatrichomeservice.com/
Shriner’s Hospital for Children – Provides quality care to children with neuro-musculoskeletal conditions, burn injuries, and other special healthcare needs within a compassionate, family-centered, and collaborative care environment.
Shriner’s Hospital for Children >
University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital – University of Minnesota Health offers a broad range of primary and specialty care services for children and teens working to transform the health of children.
http://masons.umn.edu/childrens-health/masonic-childrens-hospital