Special Needs Services

Ability First (formerly the Crippled Children’s Society)
www.abilityfirst.org
Ability First provides programs and services to help children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities realize their full potential throughout their lives.

Provides After School Enrichment, Transition, Extended Day Programs, Socialization, Adapted Recreation, Music and Dance Therapy, Martial Arts, Vocational Training Centers, Supported Employment, Day Camps, Resident Summer Camps, Therapeutic Aquatics, Accessible Housing, Social Service Counseling, Parent Groups, Orthopedic Equipment Loans, Information, and Referrals.

C.H.A.D.D. – Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
www.chadd.org
CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a non-profit organization serving individuals with AD/HD and their families. CHADD has over 16,000 members in 200 local chapters throughout the U.S. Chapters offer support for individuals, parents, teachers, professionals, and others.

C.L.E.A.R. – Community and Law Enforcement Aware Response
www.CLEARscv.org
The mission of C.L.E.A.R. is to reduce criminal involvement of youth with disabilities through a network of educational programs to promote awareness and skills.  C.L.E.A.R. provides educational materials and opportunities for individuals with disabilities, their families, teachers and administrators, law enforcement and first responders, and members of the judicial system.

The C.L.E.A.R. Special Needs Registry allows families to provide a photograph and critical information about a special needs family member of any age to help Sheriff’s respond effectively in an emergency or criminal situation.  The registry is also helpful to reunite persons who are lost and cannot identify themselves.

Down  Syndrome Association of Los Angeles
www.dsala.org
Education, speakers, peer counseling, meetings for parents and caretakers of children with Down Syndrome.  Conferences, library, and information packets available.  Parent education, support groups, newsletters.

Families Caring for Families
(661) 949-1746
Family Resource Center helps families access services for their children who are developmentally disabled, delayed, at-risk of delay, physically disabled, learning delayed, emotionally delayed, and/or medically fragile.  Program assists children of all ages. 

Family Focus Resource and Empowerment Center
www.csunfamilyfocus.com
Support, information, and referrals to families of children with special needs.  Resource directory of services and agencies, peer support to families in multi-languages, parent mentors form IFSP’s and IEP’s, seminars, newsletters, and library.

Foundation for the Junior Blind – Infant Family
www.juniorblind.org
In-home early intervention and support services for visually impaired, multi-disabled infants and toddlers, (ages birth to three years old).  Weekend camps, workshops.  Functional visual assessment, parent education, family recreation, counseling

Independent Living Center
www.ilcsc.org
The Independent Living Center of Southern California, Inc. (ILCSC) is a non-profit, consumer-based, non-residential agency providing a wide range of services to a growing population of people with disabilities.  ILCSC is dedicated to empowering persons with disabilities to exercise independence – professionally, personally, and creatively – while striving to educate the community on their needs.

International Dyslexia Association
www.interdys.org
Clearinghouse with 45 branches providing information on testing, tutoring, and effective teaching methods used to aid people with dyslexia.

John Tracy Clinic
www.johntracyclinic.org
An educational center for deaf children (ages birth to five years old) and their parents. Hearing tests for hearing impaired infants and pre-school children (ages 22 months  to 5 years).  Baby Course (ages birth to 22 months) for child and parents.  English/Spanish, deaf, and blind programs for children of all ages.

Neuro-Vision Rehabilitation Institute & Sensory Learning Program
www.FVCOptometry.com
Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation is an individualized treatment regimen for patients with visual deficits, as a direct result of physical disabilities, traumatic and/or acquired brain injuries. Neuro-Optometric Therapy is a process for the rehabilitation of visual/perceptual/motor disorders.

The Sensory Learning Program is a multi-sensory approach to developmental learning that simultaneously stimulates the visual, auditory and vestibular systems with light, sound and motion. The Program challenges the primary sensory systems to work together and better adapt to multi-sensory input, the foundation of all sensory processing.

Pediatric Therapy of Santa Clarita
26639 Valley Center Drive, #101
Santa Clarita, CA 91351
(661) 254-1842
Offers Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists.

Parents of John Tracy Clinic
www.johntracyclinic.org
Classes for parents of hearing-impaired children.  Classes for parents/family of hearing-impaired children, mail correspondence, classes for methods of teaching children who are hearing impaired.  Free Audiology testing.  Pre‑school available (2 to 5 years old).

The Help Group – Project Safe
www.thehelpgroup.org
The Help Group serves children with special needs related to autism,  Asperger's disorder, learning disabilities, ADHD, mental retardation, abuse, and emotional problems.

The North Los Angeles County Regional Center
www.nlacrc.org
The North Los Angeles County Regional Center serves the health districts of East Valley, San Fernando, and West Valley within the City of Los Angeles.  Regional centers are nonprofit, private corporations that contract with the Department of Developmental Services to provide or coordinate services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities. They have offices throughout California to provide a local resource to help find and access the many services available to individuals and their families.

Santa Clarita Valley SELPA Early Start Program
(661) 298-3292
(661)298-3293 (fax)
Rio Vista Elementary School
20417 Cedarcreek St., Canyon Country, CA  91351
ckozlowski@saugus.k12.ca.us

The Early Start program provides an array of early intervention services for infants and toddlers with special needs from birth to three years of age.  Eligible children include those who are deaf or hard of hearing, have severe orthopedic impairments and/or visual impairment, which may impact their development.  Additionally, the Early Start program provides Regional Center vendored services for children with multiple disabilities that include hearing loss, children with a diagnosis of autism, autism spectrum disorder or significant communication and/or social delays.  Children may be referred by parents, educators, healthcare professionals, the Regional Center or other community service agencies. 

Special Education Local Plan Area
www.saugus.k12.ca.us/selpa
661-294-5398
Fax: (661) 294-5399

The Special Needs Community Calendar
www.scvs.webexone.com
A free directory of special needs services and events in the Los Angeles County Area and Santa Clarita Valley.

Santa Clarita Autism Asperger Network (SCAAN)
www.scaan.org
Support, information, and resources for families affected by autism spectrum and related disorders.  Monthly meetings and newsletter, periodic social events, and playgrounds.

Santa Clarita Valley Special Olympics
www.sosc.org
The mission of the Special Olympics is to provide sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with mental retardation, providing them with opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and share their gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Other Services, Events, and Resources in the City of Santa Clarita
www.santa-clarita.com  (City of Santa Clarita Main Website)
www.santa-clarita.com/cityhall/parks/youthservice.asp (Youth Resource Directory)
www.scyouthandfamily.com  (City of Santa Clarita Youth and Family Programs)
www.justkidsscv.com  (Just Kids Family Guide)
www.scvs.webexone.com  (Special Needs Community Calendar)
Family Survival Guide - (818) 881-FAMILY - (818) 881-3264