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View our list of Special Needs articles
View our list of Special Needs Facilities
SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS
Adoption & Foster Care
Autism
- Autism Connection of Pennsylvania
412-781-4116
800-827-938
www.autismofpa.org
- Highlands Hospital Regional Center for Autism
724-603-3360
www.highlandhospital.org/services/
autism
- Pace School
www.paceschool.org
412-244-1900
Every child with ASD is an individual, and like all individuals, has a unique personality and combination of characteristics that Pace School considers in the learning process.
- Pathways
724-229-0851
www.yourpathways.org
- Research Programs for Adults, Children and Teens
If you would like to help make miracles for individuals with ASD by participating in research studies, or for more information, contact (412) 246-5485, 1-866-647-3436, or autismrecruiter@pitt.edu.
To contact Carla Mazefsky, Ph.D., email mazefskyca@upmc.edu.
- University of Pittsburgh REAACT Program (Regulation of Emotion in ASD Adults, Children and Teens)
1-866-647-3436
REAACT.pit.edu
The REAACT lab currently has seven ongoing research studies and is recruiting participants from the community for all of them.
Behavior Support
Blindness / Vision Loss
- Western PA School for Blind Children
1-800-444-1897
www.wpsbc.org
Camps and Recreation
Day Care/Day Programs
Dentistry
Development and Early Intervention
- Children’s Therapy Center of Washington Health System
www.whs.org/ctc
- Pace School
www.paceschool.org
412-244-1900
Every child with ASD is an individual, and like all individuals, has a unique personality and combination of characteristics that Pace School considers in the learning process.
- Pathways
724-229-0851
www.yourpathways.org
- The Alliance for Infants and Toddlers
412-885-6000
www.afit.org
Extended School Year Programs
Food Insecurity
Home Healthcare
Living with a Disability
- ACHIEVA FAMILY TRUST
ww.achievafamilytrust.org
Trust administration for Special Needs Trusts for persons with disabilities. In addition, AFT provides no-cost Future Planning Services for families who are trying to plan for the future of their children.
Recreation and Socialization
- Camp Laugh-A-Lot
724-624-7472
mccloskey.amanda@archumanservices.org
- Dis+Abilities Connection - Networking events for adults with disabilities
724-219-3290
- The 24-Hour Friendship Line
800-971-0016
www.ioaging.org
- TRPIL (Transitional Paths to Independent Living)
724-223-5115 • TTY: 724-228-4028
Toll-Free: 1-877-889-0965
www.trpil.com
- Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center Summer Camp Woodlands
724-935-5470
Schools
- Pace School
412-244-1900
www.paceschool.org
Pace School’s Extended School Year (ESY) Program educational supports and services based on each eligible student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to assist them with maintaining skills acquired during the regular school year.
Trusts and Future Planning Services
- ACHIEVA FAMILY TRUST
412-995-5000 x565
www.achievafamilytrust.org
Trust administration for Special Needs Trusts for persons with disabilities. In addition, AFT provides no-cost Future Planning Services for families who are trying to plan for the future of their children.
SERVICES FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES
Access Products
- Voices for Independence
724-223-5115 | TTY: 724-228-4028
Toll-Free: 1-866-407-0064
www.vficil.org
Adult Day Programs
- PACC (Pa Connecting Community)
412-621-6151
Advocacy
Disability Resources
- Community Living Care
724-836-8747
www.communitylivingcare.com
CLC offers provision of care at your place of residence as needed, 24 hour residential care at one of our community living homes or community participation supports at our day program, as well as transportation to and from services.
- Lifesteps
724-283-1010
www.lifesteps.net
Lifesteps is proud to be an independent, non-profit, human services agency. Lifesteps works to meet the needs of our community by helping children, families, older adults, and individuals with intellectual, developmental, or physical disabilities lead better lives by offering care and support through family-focused services and programs.
- Pathways
724-229-0851
yourpathways.org
For individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through innovative programs, life long services, and individual attention, we empower people of all ages and abilities to reach their full potential.
- TRPIL (Transitional Paths to Independent Living)
724-223-5115 TTY: 724-228-4028
Toll-Free: 1-877-889-0965
www.trpil.com
Our Programs include Peer Support, Home Care and Nursing Home Transition, Youth Programs, Advocacy, and Information on equal access, assistive technology, education, employment, housing, and transportation. Through our affiliate TRPIL Community Services, we provide Medicaid based Home and Community Based Services.
- UPMC Disability Resource Center
Forbes Tower
412-605-1483
- Voices for Independence
724-223-5115
TTY: 724-228-4028
Toll-Free: 1-866-407-0064
www.vficil.org
Education – College Bound
- ACCLAIM – Watson Institute
412-914-8800
- AHEADD – Achievement in Higher Education with Autism & Devel Disability
412-856-7223
Employment/Job Training
- Achieva/ARC Bidwell Training Center
412-322-1773
- Goodwill Job Training
412-632-1706
- Life’s Work
412-471-2600
- CLASS
412-683-7100
- Mainstay Life Services
mainstaylifeservices.org
(412) 477-7785
Mainstay Life Services offers compassionate, specialized support that helps people with developmental disabilities achieve their greatest life goals.
- PACC
412-621-6151
- Pathways
724-229-0851
www.yourpathways.org
- Project Freedom (technology skills training)
412-246-4434
- TRPIL (Transitional Paths to Independent Living)
724-223-5115 • TTY: 724-228-4028
Toll-Free: 1-877-889-0965
www.trpil.com
General Resources
Human Services and Disabilities
- Mainstay Life Services
mainstaylifeservices.org
(412) 477-7785
Mainstay Life Services offers compassionate, specialized support that helps people with developmental disabilities achieve their greatest life goals.
Independent Living
- Disability Options Network (Center for Independent Living)
1-866-652-5121
- CLASS – Community Living & Support Services
412-683-7100
- Transitional Paths to Independent Living
724-223-5115
- PACC
412-621-6151
In-Home & Community Support
- Live-in Disability Solutions
412-704-5162
www.liveindisabilitysolutions.org
- Mainstay Life Services
mainstaylifeservices.org
(412) 477-7785
Mainstay Life Services offers compassionate, specialized support that helps people with developmental disabilities achieve their greatest life goals.
- Pathways
724-229-0851
www.yourpathways.org
- TRPIL (Transitional Paths to Independent Living)
724-223-5115 • TTY: 724-228-4028
Toll-Free: 1-877-889-0965
www.trpil.com
- Voices for Independence
724-223-5115
TTY: 724-228-4028
Toll-Free: 1-866-407-0064
www.vficil.org
Medicaid
Mental Health
- Merakey
www.merakey.org
Merakey is a leading developmental, behavioral health, and education non-profit provider offering a wide range of services for individuals and communities across the country.
Residential Services
Special Needs Dentistry
- Pitt School of Dental Medicine
412-648-3039
- Accessible Dentists
724-775-0448
- East Liberty Family Health Center
412-661-2802
Transition to Adult Health Care
- Children’s Hospital Advisory Network for Guidance and Empowerment
412-647-2345
- PA Department of Health Transition Health Care Checklist
724-830-2701
- TRPIL (Transitional Paths to Independent Living)
724-223-5115 • TTY: 724-228-4028
Toll-Free: 1-877-889-0965
www.trpil.com
Transportation
- ACCESS Shared Ride Service
412-562-5353
- Community Living Care
724-836-8747
www.communitylivingcare.com
- MATP
888-547-6287
- Travel Training - Allegheny Intermediate Unit 3
412-394-5700
Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles
- Drivers Education – Special Needs
866-672-9466
- Port Authority of Allegheny County
412-442-2000
- Wheelchair Getaways (van rental)
800-642-2042
CAMPS AND ACTIVITIES
Blind & Vision Rehabilitation Services Summer Camp for Teens
Blind & Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh's Summer Youth Program is for students who are blind, deaf blind or visually impaired. This five-week summer Career and Community Adjustment Program helps students ages 16 through 21 transition smoothly into work and adult life. For information, call 412-368-4400 ext. 2246.
Camp Can Do
This special summer camp program sponsored by the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Division of the American Cancer Society provides children with cancer the opportunity to enjoy a traditional summer camp experience. Any child (age eight to 17) who is or has been treated for cancer in Pennsylvania or Delaware, or who lives in Pennsylvania regardless of where they receive treatment, is eligible to attend Camp Can-Do. Two week-long sessions are held each August at beautiful Mt. Gretna in Lebanon County. Camp-Can-Do is provided free of charge to cancer patients.
For more information, call (717) 273-6525.
Camp Discovery
The Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf is proud to offer a camp experience for Deaf and Hard of Hearing children, between the ages of 7 to 17. WPSD's Camp Discovery offers campers an exciting week of activities and events that will be sure to create life-long memories and friendships. Their are a limited number of slots so be sure to sign up early. Please visit psd.org for more information and to register online.
Camp Frog
At YMCA Camp Fitch, North Springfield, PA (near Erie), Camp Frog is a fully integrated week-long overnight camp for children ages 8-17 (having completed 3rd grade but not yet graduated high school) with a primary diagnosis of epilepsy. Camp Frog staff includes a neurologist, nurse, and specially trained counselors.
Please call for more information and eligibility requirements 1-800-361-5885.
Camp Huff-n-Puff
Camp Huff-n-Puff is a four-day overnight camp adventure for children aged 8-13 with asthma. Camp is held each August at the Jumonville Camp and Conference center in Hopwood, PA. A dedicated group of volunteer physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists work alongside camp counselors to ensure that all campers have a safe and fun experience.
To register, visit www.healthylungs.org or call (800) 220-1990.
Camp Laugh-A-Lot
Camp Laugh-A-Lot, a popular inclusive day camp for children and adults with developmental, intellectual and physical disabilities, and mental illness, is offered by Arc Human Services. The camp takes place twice each year; there is a seven-week summer camp plus a one-week winter camp, during school break between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Participants must be at least five years old, and there is no upper age limit. Camp Laugh-A-Lot is in its nineteenth year of operation and is attended by 60 or 70 participants, with a staff of 25. The camp takes place at the Vernon C. Neal Sportsplex, an indoor recreation center in Washington PA, Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. The 2021 summer camp begins June 18 and ends on August 3, with an agency-wide carnival which the public can attend. Amanda McCloskey, Activities Coordinator for Arc Human Services, manages Camp Laugh-A-Lot, which consists of a wide variety of structured, supervised activities: arts and crafts, music, games, swimming, dances, parties and field trips. The registration fee is $100 per week, which covers all activities, the swimming pool, and outings plus lunch. Financial assistance available. To register for Camp Laugh-A-Lot, go to archumanservices.org/camp-laughalot. To contact Amanda McCloskey, call 724-624-74725, or email mccloskey.amanda@archumanservices.org.
Chatterbox Express Basic Social Skills Training
Chatterbox Express is a program to help preschoolers through teenagers (ages 6 to 14) build confidence and express themselves effectively when interacting with others. The program is offered by the Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. Sessions are held at the Center for Independence in Wexford and at Children's South Communications Disorders in Bethel Park and is open to all children who may be experiencing difficulties with social communication, regardless of diagnosis. More information is available at (412) 692-5580 or www.chp.edu
Summer Therapeutic Activity Program (STAP)
New Story operates therapeutic programs during the summer months throughout Pennsylvania. Our Summer Therapeutic Activity Programs (STAPs) are designed to meet the needs of children with the most serious and/or complex behavioral challenges. New Story provides a day program offering recreational and social activities within a therapeutic environment to support each child’s continued growth and development.
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