Parent Support Resources
**You may be redirected to different websites when selecting one of the links below. This does not constitute a referral from the School of Imagination**


Parent Support Groups

School of Imagination Parent Support Network.
Sometimes there is no better source of information or support than another parent. To get information about resources in your local area or to connect with another parent contact our Parent Support Network.
1. Join our Online School of Imagination Group.
2. Email parents@schoolofimagination.org.
3. Call 925-829-9552 ext. 705 to leave a message for a Mentor Parent.

Family Resource Centers
(Each parent should contact the center in their county of residence.) 
Family Resource Centers are staffed by families of children with special needs and offer parent-to-parent support to help locate and use needed services. They offer a variety of support services including newsletters, resource libraries, websites, parent-to-parent groups, sibling support groups, warmlines, and referral for parents and professionals.
There is no cost to contact these agencies.
To find additional centers in other counties or for more information go to:
http://www.frcnca.org/

FOR CONTRA COSTA COUNTY RESIDENTS
CARE Parent Network
A one-stop family resource center serving families of children with disabilities. They provide support, information, and resources especially designed to help families meet the unique challenges of parenting a child with special needs.
1340 Arnold Drive, Suite 115
Martinez, CA 94553
Phone: 1-800-281-3023
Hours: M-F 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM
http://www.contracostaarc.com/html/care.html

FOR ALAMEDA COUNTY RESIDENTS
Family Resource Network of Alameda County
5232 Claremont Avenue
Oakland, CA 94618
510-547-7322
Hours: M-TH 9:30am - 4:00pm
Tuesday evening 7:00pm - 8:00pm

Friends of Children with Special Needs
An additional local resource where the majority of members are Chinese American, but there are no restrictions membership. This one may require a fee for membership.
To help children with special needs and their families find hope, love, respect, and support through integrated community involvement. A majority of the members are Chinese American from the San Francisco Bay Area but there are no restrictions on ethnicity and geography.
2300 Peralta Blvd.
Fremont, CA 94536
510-739-6900
www.FCSN1996.org

FOR SANTA CLARA COUNTY RESIDENTS
PHP (Parents Helping Parents)
A 30-year-old nonprofit, family resource center that benefits children with special needs. PHP's mission is to help children with special needs receive the resources, love, hope, respect, health care, education, and other services they need to reach their full potential by providing them with strong families, dedicated professionals, and responsive systems to serve them.
3041 Olcott Street
Santa Clara, CA, 95054
408 727-5775
Hours: M-TH 9:00 to 5:00
Friday 9:00 to 4:00
http://www.php.com/

Alameda County Parent Support Meetings
Parents meet informally to talk about a variety of issues & concerns, share information and provide support. New parents are always welcome.
Date: First Wednesday of every month, 7-9pm
Location: Starbucks Coffee, 7904 Dublin Road, Dublin
RSVP: Louise Glueck (925) 373-6468
http://www.php.com/dosig/autism

East Bay Autism Yahoo Group
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/eastbayautism/

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State Intervention Agencies

California Early Start Program
Department of Developmental Services
PO BOX 944202
Sacramento, Ca  944202-202
(800) 515-2229
www.dds.ca.gov/

California Department of Education
Office of Special Education
Sacramento, CA  95814
http://www.cde.ca.gov/

Regional Center of the East Bay
Provides services for delayed children under the age of 3, then ongoing services as needed for older children including adults.  They can provide respite care funding, vision and hearing testing, child psychology services and behavioral services, among others.  It takes months to get services so contact them as soon as possible if you suspect your child has a delay. You can also have your doctor refer you to the agency.
www.rceb.org

Oakland Main Office
Airport Corporate Center
7677 Oakport Street, Suite 1200
Oakland, CA 94621
Telephone: (510) 383-1200  TDD: (510) 383-1206
Fax: (510) 633-5020

Contra Costa Office
Salvio Pacheco Square
2151 Salvio St., Suite 365
Concord, CA 94520
(925)798-3001

California Children's Services
CCS is a statewide program that treats children with certain physical limitations and chronic health conditions or diseases. CCS can authorize and pay for specific medical services and equipment provided by CCS-approved specialists.
http://www.dhs.ca.gov/pcfh/cms/ccs/
For more information, or help in filling out an application, please contact your county CCS office.
The office can be reached by calling your county health department or clicking here.