Resources and support for parents and their families in Florence, and Williamson County area.

 Mental Health Support

The Christi Center offers free, ongoing support groups for adults grieving the loss of a child, spouse, parent, sibling or other loved one.

Christi Center Williamson County Weblink

Wonders & Worries ensures that children and teenagers can reach their full potential, despite a parent’s serious illness. We’re in this, together.

Wonders & Worries provides free, professional support to children and teens (ages 2-18) who have a parent (or direct caregiver) with a serious, physical illness. • Services are always free, regardless of income or insurance. • Sessions are offered in English or Spanish. • Wonders & Worries supports serious illnesses and traumatic injuries including cancer, heart disease, neurological conditions, kidney disease, strokes, paralysis, and traumatic brain injuries.

Wonders and Worries Flyer

Wonders and Worries Website

Wonders & Worries Helpline: 1-844-WE-WONDER (1-844-939-6633)

Wonders and Worries Brochure (English)

Wonders and Worries Brochure (Spanish)

Texas Child Study Center – Mental Health Services

Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas and The University of Texas at Austin Educational Psychology Department joined forces to create the Texas Child Study Center, a place where children and adolescents with emotional, developmental, and behavioral challenges can seek care. Texas Child Study Center is committed to providing the highest quality of emotional and cognitive treatment for the youth and families of Central Texas.

http://www.dellchildrens.net/services_and_programs/texas_child_study_center__mental_health_services/

Agencies & Non-profits

CPATH Equipment Closet  

CPATH  acts as an interim between families and organizations, accepting donations of equipment that children may have outgrown or no longer need, and connecting the equipment with families that can greatly benefit from their use.  We give equipment to families not loan it. Once a family no longer needs the equipment, CPATH will gladly accept it back.

This program allows families and individuals to exchange very expensive and necessary equipment with one another.  Equipment, even necessary for mobility, is often denied by insurance or takes a very long time in the approval process.  Children quickly outgrow equipment, yet it is in excellent condition. We will be finding new homes for such pieces and ensuring that every child and person can have access to equipment that will meet their needs. There are no programs in Central Texas for pediatric equipment.  Wheelchairs, walkers, standers, car seats, or adaptive bikes…CPATH is here to help!  Contact equip@cpathtexas.org 

Any Baby Can's CARE and Candlelighter's Resources

Any Baby Can’s CARE and Candlelighter’s programs provide medical case management services to families with children ages 0-20 who have a special healthcare diagnosis, mental health diagnosis, or a cancer diagnosis.

We assist families through medical case management. One component of this is helping caregivers search for health care specialists that address the child’s specific physical or mental health needs. Medical case management can also include advocating for their child’s needs in school, helping parents prepare for ARD meetings, applying for Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI), navigating insurance options, and more. Our services are typically provided through a home-visiting model, but we have switched to telehealth and phone call services during covid-19. Additionally, our services are of no cost to families. If you work with families who live in Travis, Williamson, Hays, Caldwell, Fayette, Burnet, Bell or Bastrop counties who would be interested in medical case management services, you can fax a completed referral form to 512-477-9205 or follow this link to submit a referral online:

Connect  Contact Liz Sidener, LMSW CARE Team Licensed Social Worker Any Baby Can 6207 Sheridan Avenue Austin, Texas 78723 Cell: 512-647-0835, for more information https://anybabycan.org/programs/care-cdl/

CSNN (Children's Special Needs Network) 

Take Advantage of All We Have to Offer

We would like to start the year by making sure that everyone is aware of the great services and resources that CSNN has to offer! Don’t forget, all CSNN services and resources are provided at no cost to our families.    In the near future, we will be sending detailed descriptions of each resource.
Saturday Afternoon Respite – CSNN offers four hours of free childcare to children with special healthcare needs and their siblings. We currently offer these center-based respites once a month in Killeen, Temple and Waco. 

Diaper Closet – Children with special needs are eligible to receive two packs of diapers twice a month. Please call the CSNN office before you stop by to confirm that we have the size you need available.

In-Home Respite Assistance – If you have a trusted childcare provider to watch your children in your home, you may be eligible for reimbursement of those costs.

Resource Assistance – CSNN has funds available to help you cover medical costs not covered by insurance. These costs include copays, medications, etc. Contact the CSNN for a better idea of what costs may be eligible for reimbursement.

CSNN Library – We currently have many great books for caregivers of children with special needs. Feel free to stop by and browse through our selection. We also have a computer available to use to obtain further information or resources.

Camp Scholarships – Summer will be here before we know it and Central Texas has many great camps for children with special needs or chronic illness. CSNN has a list of camps and may be able to provide a camp scholarship for your child.

Recreational and Social Experiences – CSNN offers many fun recreational and social experiences throughout the year for families of children with special needs or chronic illness. Be sure to be added to our email list, like us on Facebook, and check our website (www.special-children.org) to get information on all of our exciting activities.
All resources and services require certain paperwork and some must be reviewed by our Allocations committee. Please feel free to call us at 254-933-7597 if you have any questions and for step by step instructions on how to take advantage of what we have to offer!  http://www.special-children.org

Protecting and Advocating for  the Rights of Texans with Disabilities   Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas (DSACT) Our Mission is to provide education, support, and resources to individuals with Down syndrome, their families, professionals, and the community while building public awareness and acceptance of the abilities of individuals with Down syndrome. DSACT Website   Epilepsy Foundation Central & South Texas The Epilepsy Foundation Central & South Texas leads the fight to stop seizures, find a cure and overcome the challenges created by epilepsy http://www.efcst.org/ NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) NAMI Central Texas Founded in 1984, NAMI Central Texas, formerly NAMI Austin, is a member of the largest grassroots mental health organization in the United States, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Through innovative education, support and advocacy programs, we are changing the way our community addresses mental health. NAMI Central Texas Website NAMI Online Programs 2020 Flyer NAMI Lighthouse Flyer (English & Spanish)

RISE for Families

RISE for Families offers free emotional, educational, and logistical support to families of children with special needs. We will listen to your story and help you learn about the resources and services available to meet the specific needs of your family. We will research and locate free services, such as public education and support groups. We will also help you navigate the tedious insurance process for obtaining medical services, such as speech, occupational, and behavioral therapy.  https://www.riseforfamilies.org/

Texas Parent to Parent

TxP2P empowers families to be strong advocates through parent-to-parent support, resource referral, and education.  In case you don't know about some of the many services offered by TxP2P, here's a short list:

Medical Education Program: https://www.txp2p.org/services/medical-education-program-med

Peer Parent Mentor Program: https://www.txp2p.org/services/talk-to-another-parent/peer-parent-mentor-program

Statewide and Regional Conferences (All virtual until Summer 2022):  https://www.txp2p.org/conference/conference

Parent to Parent Transition Center of Central TX.  Working 1-1 with parents of teens and adults with disabilities: https://www.txp2p.org/services/services-for-parents-pathway-to-adulthood/transition-center

http://www.txp2p.org/

U. R. Our Hope

Our mission is to serve individuals with undiagnosed and rare disorders through education, advocacy, and support in order to bring hope through knowledge, empowerment, and healing. http://www.urourhope.org/

VELA

Do you have a child with special needs? It can be confusing and overwhelming. Through our hands-on group courses, case management sessions, workshops and family events all with specialized childcare, we are here to walk this journey with you!

https://velafamilies.org/