Links listed by Topic or Category
Advocacy~Support~Compliance
Capital Clubhouse in Olympia
Olympia's first consumer-run program for people with mental health issues. We opened our doors in 1989 and celebrated our 20th anniversary in August 2009. We are located at 618 7th Ave SE in Olympia, Washington. For a map to our location and photo of our building, go to our About Us page. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM - 5PM. Open second Saturday of the month, 10AM - 1PM. Holidays, 10AM - 1PM. Phone: (360) 357-2582
Consumer Voices Are Born
A person-centered, recovery-oriented, supportive community for people with mental illness.
Disability Rights Washington
Disability Rights Washington (DRW) is a private non-profit organization that protects the rights of people with disabilities statewide. We provide free advocacy services to people with disabilities. If you have a question about your rights or need assistance, please contact us! (800) 562-2702 or (206) 324-1521 from 9 am til 2 pm Monday - Friday
Freedom from Fear
Lots of helpful resources on this site. Freedom From Fear is a national not-for-profit mental health advocacy association founded in 1984 by Mary Guardino. Ms. Guardino founded FFF as an outgrowth of her own personal experiences of suffering with anxiety and depressive illnesses for more than 25 years. The mission of FFF is to impact, in a positive way, the lives of all those affected by anxiety, depressive and related disorders through advocacy, education, research and community support.
IDEA Council
Speaks to an effort for creating a statewide council, promoting systems change for special education through
structural change and realizing that although there may be eligibility criteria that is deficit based, it is
student strengths that turn challenge into success. Visit the website to find more information.
National Alliance for Mental Illness
NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots organization for people with mental illness and their families. Founded in 1979, NAMI has affiliates in every state and in more than 1,100 local communities across the country. Website includes numerous resources and helpful information.
Northwest Seeds of Change
Social networking site for people living with mental illness. "Staying connected with each other and avoiding isolation is one of the most important elements of staying healthy while recovering from a mental illness. Yet sometimes it’s hard to reach out to others and talk openly about mental health issues. The members of the Capital Clubhouse out of Olympia hope that their new website, named Seeds of Change, will fill a gap for people living with mental illness as a social networking tool and a fun place to “hang out” and chat." Quote from Rena Shawver, January 7, 2009
Office for Civil Rights
The mission of the Office for Civil Rights is to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence throughout the nation through vigorous enforcement of civil rights.
WADads
A statewide organization that serves male caregivers of children with mental health, behavior, or emotional concerns.
Washington Youth n' Action
Youth 'N Action provides a voice to at-risk young people, ages 14-24, in Washington State. Our mission is to empower youth with the resources and tools required to: Advocate successfully to meet their needs in education, treatment, mental wellness, and overall health and happiness; Understand their rights and responsibilities in government; Participate in fun activities; Support and encourage one another
Washington State's Plan for Suicide Prevention
Education/Special Ed (state & national) &
Section 504/Accommodations
Guidance for Families about Special Education Services (OSPI)
Great new tool created by the special ed ombudsman and recently posted on the special ed section of the state education agency website.
Office of the Education Ombudsman
Lots of Information, referral, resources and help with resolving conflicts, call 1-866-297-2597
Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
State Education Agency
Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports
The OSEP-funded National Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavior and Intervention Supports was established to address the behavioral and discipline systems needed for successful learning and social development of students. The Center provides capacity-building information and technical support about behavioral systems to assist states and districts in the design of effective schools.
Section 504
This article provides extensive explanation of the similarities and differences between Section 504 of the ADA (American's with Disabilities Act). Section 504 is administered under the Office for Civil Rights, which is based in Seattle (link on this page - above) and this is the office you must contact to file a complaint about 504, but be sure to do it in a timely manner. Every school district in our state is required to have a 504 officer.
Special Education Section/OSPI
Information & Resources for parents and professionals - call 1-360-725-6075
State Special Education Ombudsman
Email by clicking on Kristin Hennessey or call 1-360-725-6075
WA State Department of Early Learning
Childcare & preschool options, child development & safety, partnerships, laws/rules, providers including ECEAP,publications, resources/links, forms, and more.
Washington PAVEOur state parent training and information center. PAVE provides training for groups upon request and you can call the 1-800-5-PARENT toll free number for individual parent assistance for the IEP (Individual Education Plan) process. PAVE staff and volunteers are also very knowledgeable about 504 (accommodation/plans) as well as special ed laws (federal/state) and rules.
Law
Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
For three decades, the Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law has been the nation's leading legal advocate for people with mental disabilities. Our precedent-setting litigation has outlawed institutional abuse and won protections against arbitrary confinement. In the courts and in Congress, our advocacy has opened up public schools, workplaces, housing and other opportunities for people with mental disabilities to participate in community life.
Columbia Legal Services
Columbia Legal Services (CLS) is a nonprofit law firm that protects and defends the legal and human rights of low-income people.CLS represents people and organizations in Washington State with critical legal needs who have no other legal assistance available to them. For information about CLS’s mission and work for clients, please see About CLS and Our Work.
COPAA (Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates)
The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Inc. (COPAA) is an independent, nonprofit, §501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization of attorneys, advocates and parents. Our primary mission is to secure high quality educational services for children with disabilities. COPAA is premised on the belief that the key to effective educational programs for children with disabilities is collaboration -as equals- by parents and educators.
Dussault Law Group
The values of this firm are deeply rooted in the belief that all individuals deserve our full respect, regardless of their apparent disabilities or the labels that society may have applied to them. Each of our clients will be treated as an important, capable, and independent individual and will be provided with the highest quality legal services available. We will vigorously challenge the status quo whenever necessary by working with our clients, their families, and society as a whole to effect systemic change for the benefit of the individuals we serve. (206) 324-4300
Wrightslaw
Parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities.
Parents/Families
Goalforit
Create goals for children or adults. This one came from a family that was using it for their child with behavior challenges.
Family Education and Support Services
Mission: To support and inspire healthy child development through the provision of quality child care services, education and family support programs.
Family to Family Health Information Center
Resources and support for healthcare systems navigation for children and youth with special healthcare needs.
Joys of Adoption and Special Needs
Adoptive mother of children with special needs shares her journey.
ParentHelp123
Apply for Food & Health insurance. Check your eligibility for food stamps, medicaid (the medical coupon), Basic Health Insurance and WIC - apply online for your family today.
Parent Warrior
Resource for Parents and Professionals
WithinReach
This site has mutliple resources for connecting families to food and health resources using toll free hotlines and online sources. WithinReach is a private nonprofit organization whose mission is to serve as the foremost catalyst for improvements in maternal, child and family health.
Public Online Schools
Insight School of Washington
Full time-only public online high school.
Washington Virtual Academies (WAVA)
K-12 public online school.
Public Mental Health& Related Resources
Evidence Based Practice Institute at UW
The Evidence Based Practice Institute (EBPI) serves as a resource for state entities in identification, evaluation, and partnering with various communities (e.g. families, providers) on evidence based practices and offers provider training and consultation on the implementation of EBPs in communities, as well as the promotion of evidence based or promising practices.
Behavioral Health Resources
Public mental health services for Thurston and Mason counties for medicaid eligible under access to care standards. Contact them for more information.
Regional Support Network (Thurston/Mason)
Administers public medicaid mental health care system/community mental health services.
Division of Behavioral Health & Recovery Services/DSHS/HRSA
Washington state public mental health services and resources. Left hand column shows Children & Families items including a guide for parents.
Regional Crisis Line & Youth Serving Agencies/Programs
Community Youth Services
South Sound programs for youth that include but are not limited to familly reconciliation and preservation, safe shelter,GED, youth diversion, foster care services, readiness to learn...visit the site for more information.
Crisis Clinic
Emotional support and help with figuring out where to to get help with individual situations. Main phone is 360-586-2800 or Youth Help Line is 360-586-2777. Dial 211 for Health & Human Services Info & Referral
Yes! Community Technology Program
Funded by a state Community Technology Opportunity Program (CTOP) grant. The project operates out of the basic computer learning center at the Shelton Armory, 601 Franklin St. Contact: Michael Diamond, Director at 360-462-7625
Specific Diagnosis Information/Organizations/Resources & FDA
Attention Deficit Disorder Resources
Attention Deficit Disorder Resources (ADD Resources) is a membership-based, nonprofit organization that serves both adults and children with ADD/ADHD
Blogspot with Diagnosis and Resources
This is a great place to visit for blogging with those who have similar experiences, finding information on many diagnosis
and resources.
Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation
The Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation (CABF) is a parent-led, not-for-profit, Web-based membership organization of families raising children diagnosed with, or at risk for pediatric bipolar disorder.
Child and Adolescent Depression and Anxiety Toolkit
The kit includes online health information resources focused on anxiety and depression in children and adolescents. This site is from the Center for Children with Special Healthcare Needs, a program of Childrens Hospital & Regional Medical Center.
Children and Adults with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder
CHADD is a membership organization, produces the bi-monthly Attention! magazine (for members), and sponsors an annual conference. The National Resource Center on AD/HD (NRC) is the CDC-funded national clearinghouse for evidence-based information about AD/HD
CURE Epilepsy
Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy
Linea and Cinda Website
Mother and daughter who created a website to combat stigma and create hope.
"The Mystery of Epilepsy" Newsweek April 2009
Nice background information that demystifies seizure disorder along with a doctor's perspective on treatment.
The American Epilepsy Outreach Foundation
Awareness, Advocacy, Education
Food and Drug Administration
The FDA site is filled with lots of consumer resources including safety info that includes warnings and alerts. You can look up medications and much more. Might be helpful, in addition to always discussing with your doctor, to check out a medication under consideration or if you have concerns about current medications.
Learning Disabilities Association of Washington
The Learning Disabilities Association (LDA) of Washington promotes and provides services and support to improve the quality of life for individuals and families affected by learning and attentional disabilities.
Psychiatryonline
Lots of information not only for professionals, but families too.
Schizophrenia-National Institute of Mental Health
Lots of information & resources. Signs & Symptoms: Symptoms usually develop in men in their late teens or early twenties and women in the twenties and thirties, but in rare cases, can appear in childhood. They can include hallucinations, delusions, disordered thinking, movement disorders, flat affect, social withdrawal, and cognitive deficits.
National Organizations -
includes Suicide Prevention Resources
Interactive Stories of Hope and Recovery
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has launched the Lifeline Gallery: Stories of Hope and Recovery, in which users can easily create online representations of themselves as a way to enable suicide survivors, suicide attempt survivors, and suicide prevention supporters to share their stories of hope and recovery.
National Alliance for Mental Illness
NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots organization for people with mental illness and their families. Founded in 1979, NAMI has affiliates in every state and in more than 1,100 local communities across the country. Website includes numerous resources and helpful information.
National Institute of Mental Health
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is the largest scientific organization in the world dedicated to research focused on the understanding, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders and the promotion of mental health.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service available to anyone in suicidal crisis. If you need help, please dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You will be routed to the closest possible crisis center in your area. With more than 130 crisis centers across the country, our mission is to provide immediate assistance to anyone seeking mental health services. Call for yourself, or someone you care about. Your call is free and confidential.