Aaron’s Staff Respite Care Ministry
Locations:
Alabaster– 205.261.9914
First United Methodist Church- 10903 Highway 119, Alabaster, Alabama 35007
Calera– 205.253.2020
The Church at Shelby Crossings- 532 George Roy Parkway, Calera, Alabama 35040
Helena– 205.261.9914
2698 Highway 58, Helena, Alabama 35080
Mountain Brook– 205.901.3576
Mountain Brook Community Church- 3001 Highway 280 East, Birmingham, Alabama 35243
Aaron’s Staff is dedicated to providing respite for parents and guardians of children with special needs. This program provides free respite care two evenings a month.
While parents enjoy an evening to themselves, children enjoy fun-filled activities including music therapy, pet therapy, arts and crafts, and more. Children ages 0-21 with a wide variety of disabilities and their siblings are welcome (only excludes those with self-injurious behavior or severe psychiatric disorders).
Staff are thoroughly trained, interviewed and background checked and medical personnel are on site.
Family and individual counseling and support groups are available.
Ady’s Army
- Support for individuals with autism and their families
- Campaigns are run to help raise money for specific needs for individuals with autism.
- Campaigns are also run to raise money for fences, service dogs, swim lessons, and music therapy.
- Events are hosted for individuals with autism and their families to enjoy stress-free time together.
Alabama Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments
205.492.2059 (AAPVI State President, Sherry Scelsi)
AAPVI is a support group for parents of children with visual impairments that provides a forum of information, and access to experts in the vision field.
- Coordinates group events and fundraising endeavors
- Currently has over 200 families
Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities
Email: email@mh.alabama.gov
Aims to promote independence, advocacy, productivity and inclusion for Alabamians with developmental disabilities by helping them:
- Reach their educational potential
- Find and thrive in paid employment
- Rent, own, or modify an apartment or home
- Gain access to, and use, transportation
- Participate in recreational, leisure, and social activities
- Learn leadership, self-determination, and self-advocacy
Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program
ADAP’s mission is to provide quality, legally-based advocacy services to Alabamians with disabilities in order to protect, promote and expand their rights.
ADAP provides trainings for consumer, family member, and professional groups on a broad range of disability rights issues.
- Information and Referral Services
- Individual Case Advocacy
Alabama Lifespan Respite Resource Network
Alabama Lifespan Respite is a statewide program providing respite to caregivers caring for individuals of any age with a disability, chronic or terminal illness. Respite is provided by in-home care, out-of-home facilities, and faith-based and volunteer programs.
- Information and Referral
- Public Awareness and Advocacy
- Voucher Respite Programs
- Technical Assistance
- Sharing the Care Initiatives
Autism Society of Alabama
205.951.1364 (Toll free information and referral line: 1.877.4AUTISM)
4260 Cahaba Heights Court, Suite 188, Birmingham, Alabama 35243
https://www.autism-alabama.org
The mission is ensuring every county has a procedure for individuals who may wander or bolt. Enrollees wear a small personal transmitter around wrist or ankle. If wandering occurs, parents notify Project Lifesaver and an emergency team searches for lost individual.
- Education and Awareness
- Adult Services
- Bully Prevention
- Camps
- Conferences
- First Responder Training
- Network Groups
- Safety Net Campaign
Also sells merchandise including Autism Acceptance license plates.
Disability Rights and Resources
1418 6th Ave. N, Birmingham, AL 35203
- Training in independent living skills and peer support
- Transition into the community: receive assistance relocation from an institution into your own place.
- Nursing Home Diversion
- Youth Transition Services (14-21)
- Home Modification
- Employment Assistance
- Assistance traveling to Montgomery for special events
- Advocacy: help contacting government officials, writing letters or making phone calls
Down Syndrome Alabama
1929 Canyon Road, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216
Email: downsyndromealabama@gmail.com
https://downsyndromealabama.org
- Education Connection and Learning Program
- Education, Inclusion, and IEP Assistance
- Transition: All Stages
- Lifelong Learners
- Interests, Skills, Employment, and Community Inclusion
- Healthcare Referral Program
- Financial, Legal, and End-of-Life Planning
- Resources and Service Providers
- Activities and Recreation
Epilepsy Foundation of Alabama
251.341-0170 (Toll Free: 1.800.626.1582)
Email: bjones@efa.org
3100 Lorna Rd Ste 300, Vestavia Hills Alabama 35216
https://www.epilepsy.com/alabama
https://www.epilepsy.com/local/alabama
The epilepsy foundation is a research and education program connecting families.
- Overnight camps offered by the network of local Epilepsy Foundations are special places where kids with epilepsy can play, explore, learn, and make friends with others living with epilepsy. Trained counselors and medical professionals on staff allow individuals to swim, climb, and participate in activities that might otherwise be dangerous.
- Information on parent and family networks, support groups, children’s programs, respite care, and more
- Patient assistance that offers financial help with the cost of medications
24/7 helpline: 1-800-332-1000
Family Voices of Alabama
Email: info@familyvoicesal.org
1050 Government Street, Mobile, AL 36604
http://familyvoicesal.org/index.php
- Provides families with tools to make informed decisions
- Advocates for improved public and private policies
- Builds partnerships among professionals and families
- Serves as a trusted resource on health care
Mustard Seed Ministries
Email: jjones@ompc.org
Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church
Provides respite for parents caring for a child with a disability
PIRC Program
https://www.childrensal.org/pirc
- Psychiatric Intake Response Center for children with intense behavioral issues that are at risk of committing self-harm or harm to others
- Will transport the individual to their facility for help or connect them with needed resources
8am-11pm
Shades Mountain Baptist Church Special Needs Ministry
Email: akirby@shades.org
2017 Columbiana Road, Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35216
http://www.shades.org/ministries/special-needs
Provides a loving atmosphere for children with special needs where they are taught God’s word while feeling safe and secure
- Provides a welcoming place for the special needs child so that parents can fully participate in worship
- Events including Parents’ Night Out, Moms’ Morning Out, Dads’ Serve Day and more
- Parent/Caregiver support group that meets once a month (childcare provided)
- VBS accommodating special needs children of any ability
Special Needs Alliance
Email: info@specialneedsalliance.org
Find an attorney near you: www.specialneedsalliance.org
The Special Needs Alliance is a national organization of attorneys dedicated to the practice of disability and public benefits law. Individuals with disabilities and their families rely on SNA to connect them with nearby attorneys who focus their practices in disability law.
Special Siblings Birmingham
Email: specialsiblingsbham@gmail.com
- A support group for children with special needs siblings
- Promotes understanding, advocacy, support and acceptance
- Sessions are held once a month
The University of Alabama Autism Spectrum Disorders Clinic
Email: autismclinic@ua.edu
603 Hackberry Lane, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487
https://autism-clinic.ua.edu/new/clinical.htm
- Diagnostic Evaluations and Support
- Psychological Intervention
- School and Professional Group Consultations
- Community-Based Training
Currently accepts BCBS and Alabama Medicaid Insurances