Information Links by Topic

Advocacy

The Arc of Colorado
Provides advocacy for families of children with developmental disabilities by influencing public policy, increasing public awareness, supporting and developing local chapters, and collaborating with national, state, and local organizations sharing the same values.

Colorado Children’s Campaign
Through data collection and analyses and advocacy, the Colorado Children’s Campaign strives to encourage decision makers to invest in the children of Colorado.

Family Voices Colorado
Family Voices Colorado employs a part time lobbyist to track state legislative issues that impact children and youth with special health care needs. The staff members also work on many policy committees to ensure that the stories and data regarding this population are presented to the decision makers at all levels.

Family Voices National
This website has a wealth of information on advocacy, policy, financing health care, Title V, parent leadership, and data and research.

Zero to Three

ZERO TO THREE works to ensure that babies and toddlers benefit from the early connections that are critical to their well-being and development.

Bilingual Resources

Multilingual Living is an online magazine about raising bilingual children, with texts submitted by readers. There are many useful ideas and recommendations of textbooks, reading materials, and more. For example, there is an idea by one reader about making up stories while listening to music in the car. The full site for Bilingualbabies.com is found HERE.

 

The Spanglish Baby is a website about raising bilingual children in Spanish and English. It is full of useful information. For example, a recent post by Monica Olivera Hazelton shared ways she is passing on her Latino heritage to her children, teaching them Spanish, and the method she is using to incorporate bilingual and bicultural children’s literature into their routine, describing preferences and materials.

 

Grupo VIDA is a family support network for Latino families who have a child or other family member with a disability. Our mission is to empower individuals with disabilities and their families with information and training that will support them to be their own best advocate and to collaborate with communities to facilitate natural connections for individuals with disabilities and their families. Hablamos Espanol!!!

Blind/Visually Impaired

Anchor Center for Blind Children
This organization provides education and early intervention for children who are blind and visually impaired throughout Colorado. The mission of the Anchor Center is to teach visually impaired infants, young children and their families, and to provide hope and a nurturing environment where children reach their highest potential.

 

Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind
The Early Childhood Program for infants and toddlers who are blind and visually impaired provides home-based services to families in the natural environment.

Breastfeeding

Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition
COBFC is a volunteer organization comprised of physicians, nurses, public health officials, nutritionists, dieticians, lactation consultants, counselors, and members of the business community who have led the way for Colorado children to be breastfed at the highest rates in the nation. This website offers information, resources, and frequently asked questions on many breastfeeding topics.

 

Fussy Baby Network Colorado
All babies cry, but some cry more than others. One in five babies is fussy – difficult to comfort and may have trouble feeding and sleeping. For parents, caring for a fussy baby can be exhausting and frustrating. There is no quick fix, but there is help. Fussy Baby Network Colorado is a program for parents who have concerns about their baby’s fussiness during the first year of life. Infant specialists will work with you to find more ways to soothe, care for, and enjoy your baby. Services are free of charge and no family will be turned away. Services are also available in Spanish.
Call 1.877.627.9227.

Child Abuse

Child Abuse Services at The Children’s Hospital
The Children’s Hospital of Denver offers the only hospital-based multidisciplinary child abuse program, which includes diagnosis, treatment, and services such as family support, emergency department consultations, individual therapy for children, expert testimony in juvenile and criminal courts, and more.

 

The Kempe Center
The Kempe Center offers events, programs, resources, volunteer opportunities, and more, for the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect.

 

Reporting Child Abuse | The Tennyson Center for Children
The Tennyson Center for Children has compiled a list of hotlines from counties across Colorado and Wyoming for reporting suspected child abuse. The website also features abuse statistics and prevention information.

 

Fussy Baby Network Colorado
All babies cry, but some cry more than others. One in five babies is fussy – difficult to comfort and may have trouble feeding and sleeping. For parents, caring for a fussy baby can be exhausting and frustrating. There is no quick fix, but there is help. Fussy Baby Network Colorado is a program for parents who have concerns about their baby’s fussiness during the first year of life. Infant specialists will work with you to find more ways to soothe, care for, and enjoy your baby. Services are free of charge and no family will be turned away. Services are also available in Spanish.
Call 1.877.627.9227.

 

Facts About Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) – How to Calm a Fussy Baby and Prevent SBS:
Shaken Baby Syndrome is the leading cause of death among child abuse cases in the United States. Anyone could be tempted to shake a baby out of frustration. This part of The Children’s Hospital Colorado website has tips to help calm a baby before this happens.

 

Zero to Three
This page of the Zero to Three website has information for parents on child abuse and neglect.

Childcare

A Parent’s Guide to Choosing Safe and Healthy Childcare
This handy guide has information on questions to ask when choosing a childcare provider, including questions about supervision, teacher qualifications, emergency plans, playgrounds, and more.

 

Healthy Kids, Healthy Child Care Colorado
This website contains information on the health and safety of childcare, as well as healthy habits, emotional health, what to do if your child is sick in child care, caregiver preparedness for children with special needs and chronic conditions, and more.

 

Zero to Three
This page of the Zero to Three website has information for parents on child care.

Clinical Studies for Children

Children & Clinical Studies
This page from the website for National Institutes of Health/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute provides parents and health care providers an insider’s guide to children’s medical research. The website combines information about how clinical studies in youth are conducted with videos of children, parents, and healthcare providers discussing the rewards and challenges of participating in research.

Crying Baby

Fussy Baby Network Colorado
All babies cry, but some cry more than others. One in five babies is fussy – difficult to comfort and may have trouble feeding and sleeping. For parents, caring for a fussy baby can be exhausting and frustrating. There is no quick fix, but there is help. Fussy Baby Network Colorado is a program for parents who have concerns about their baby’s fussiness during the first year of life. Infant specialists will work with you to find more ways to soothe, care for, and enjoy your baby. Services are free of charge and no family will be turned away. Services are also available in Spanish.
Call 1.877.627.9227.

Deaf/Hard of Hearing

Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind
The Colorado Home Intervention Program (CHIP) is designed specifically to serve families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing, from newborn to preschool, in the secure surroundings of their own homes. It is one of the wonderful programs offered by the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind.

Development

Born Learning Guides: These 2-page reference sheets for parents from The Blueprint for Educational Change outline what to expect from your child’s development at different early developmental stages. In English and Espanol

 

Zero to Three
The Zero to Three website has information for parents on infant and child brain development and child development.

 

Health Care Program for Children with Special Needs
This part of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment website will direct you to clinics that will evaluate your child if you have concerns about your child’s growth and development.

 

Healthy Steps for Young Children
This national initiative focuses on the importance of the first three years of life and emphasizes a close relationship between health care professionals and parents in regard to the child’s development. Click on “For Parents” and then “Child Health and Development” for information on development.

Early Intervention and Screening

Early Intervention Colorado
Under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA), eligible children are entitled to a multi-disciplinary evaluation, to a single service coordinator who will assist the family in accessing the supports and services that they need, the development of an individualized family services plan (IFSP), the provision of services by qualified personnel in natural environments and the development of a plan for a smooth transition from early intervention to preschool or other appropriate services. To refer your child, go to this part of the Early Intervention Colorado website and select your county, city or zip code to find the contact information of the person in your area who can help you.

 

Child Find
Every school district or Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) have professionals who are trained to evaluate children in a variety of areas, including cognitive functioning, physical functioning, hearing and vision, speech and language, and social and emotional development. Evaluations are conducted by the Child Find team at no cost to parents. This part of the Colorado Department of Education’s website has information about referral, Individual Education Plans (IEP), the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Preschool Special Education services, and more.

 

Health Care Program for Children with Special Needs
This part of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment website will direct you to clinics that will evaluate your child if you have concerns about your child’s growth and development.

 

Zero to Three
The Zero to Three website has information for parents on early care and education.

Early Learning

Zero to Three
This page of the Zero to Three website has information for parents on early care and education.

Fatherhood

“Be There for Your Kids:: This program offered by the Colorado Fatherhood Council aims to strengthen father/child relationships and improve parenting. The website features fatherhood programs across Colorado, data and research, featured fathers, fathers in the news, promotional offers, father/child activities, and more.

 

Fussy Baby Network Colorado
All babies cry, but some cry more than others. One in five babies is fussy – difficult to comfort and may have trouble feeding and sleeping. For parents, caring for a fussy baby can be exhausting and frustrating. There is no quick fix, but there is help. Fussy Baby Network Colorado is a program for parents who have concerns about their baby’s fussiness during the first year of life. Infant specialists will work with you to find more ways to soothe, care for, and enjoy your baby. Services are free of charge and no family will be turned away. Services are also available in Spanish.
Call 1.877.627.9227.

Foster Care and Adoption

Adoption/Foster Care Support
Family Resource Network and Kaleidoscope Counseling offers post finalization services and
adheres to rules and regulations as noted by the Colorado Department of Human Services. This
area of their website provides licensure to foster and adoptive families, kinship, and respite providers throughout Colorado, as well as the following community services: CFI/Mediation; Therapy for individuals, families, and couples; Home studies; Contractual adoptive services in and out of state; Family preservation; Supervised parenting time; First aid; CPR; parenting classes; parent/child interactions, and life skills.  Phone: 719-227-7477 or 1-866-900-KIDS (5437).

Health Insurance

Child Health Plan Plus
Overseen by the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, CHP+ is low-cost public health insurance for Colorado’s uninsured children and pregnant women who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private health insurance. Applications for CHP+ can be accessed here.

 

Colorado Covering Kids and Families
This site provides information on who is eligible for Medicaid and CHP+ and what to do if you encounter problems while enrolling in these programs. This site also has contact information and links to these programs.

 

Health Care Policy and Financing
The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing oversees and handles applications for Medicaid and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+). They also provide information on the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), program rules and more.

 

Family Voices
Family Voices Colorado has information on Medicaid, Medicaid waivers, the Early Periodic Screening Diagnoses and Treatment (EPSDT) benefits package, private health insurance, Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+), school related health care, and social security programs.

 

All Kids Covered Colorado
All Kids Covered, a non-partisan coalition, wants every child in Colorado to have access to affordable health coverage and quality care.

Information and Referral

Family Voices Colorado
If you are looking for a health care provider, help with paying for health or related service providers, program eligibility for children or adults with special needs, connections to other families, advocates, etc. Family Voices Colorado can probably help. 1-800-881-8272

Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council
CBHC provides a statewide network of community-
based behavioral health providers which offer a wide array of services to all Coloradans.

 

Family Voices
Family Voices Colorado employs a part time lobbyist to track state legislative issues that impact children and youth with special health care needs. The staff members also work on many policy committees to ensure that the stories and data regarding this population are presented to the decision makers at all levels.

 

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Statute and Regulations:
This document from the Federal Registry details “Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities and Preschool Grants for Children with Disabilities; Final Rule.”

Literacy

Zero to Three
This page of the Zero to Three website has information for parents on early language and literacy.

 

Early Literacy Development Initiative (ELDI)
ELDI is designed to foster early literacy skills with young children who are deaf and hard of hearing. Also see Colorado Department of Education.

Low Birth-weight Babies

We are in the process of updating this information. Please contact us.

Medical Equipment

Kids Mobility Network
Kids Mobility Network provides durable medical equipment (DME) to children with disabilities. Applications to receive equipment as well as donation information is available.

Medical Home

Colorado Primary Care Collaborative (CPCC): What is a Medical Home?
Is my child receiving the Medical Home model of care s/he deserves? CPCC provides information regarding patient-centered medical home (PCMH) model of care delivery. Questions/Indomation to determine if your child is receiving proper Medical Home services: English or en Espanol

 

Family-Centered Care Self-Assessment Tool (for Families) – PDF
Created by Family Voices, to help families determine if they are getting the family-centered care they deserve.

 

The National Center of Medical Home Initiatives for Children with Special Needs
This website from the American Academy of Pediatrics contains information on Medical Home nationally and what each state is doing, including training programs and materials, screening initiatives, funding opportunities, and more.

Mental Health

Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council
This Council represents Colorado’s statewide network of community behavioral healthcare providers who provide comprehensive behavioral and psychiatric services to defined geographical areas of the state. The website features news, a legislative library, and search engines to find mental health clinics by county.

 

Zero to Three
This page of the Zero to Three website has information for parents on early childhood mental health.

Oral Health

Be a Smart Mouth
Smart Mouths Smart Kids was created to encourage communities to establish sustainable preventive oral health programs in their schools, and to develop relationships with dental providers and community organizations that will assure dental homes for children.

 

There is information in English and Spanish on oral health for young children and pregnant women, a “Find–Provider” section, a “for Kids” section, oral health outreach materials, information on Colorado’s Oral Health Plan, and more.

Parent Education

Bright by Three (formerly Colorado Bright Beginnings)
Bright by Three offers programs that are free for all Colorado parents and are available in both English and Spanish. Parents are given a bag of valuable books and materials that help educate and support them as parents. The interactive visit experience personalizes the discussion and provides parents with resources and tools that support their individualized parenting questions and concerns. Volunteers and staff meet with parents at home, at work, in groups or at any community setting of their choice. Programs are for prenatal to 12 months of age, 12 to 24 months, and 24-36 months.

 

Family Leadership Training Institute of Colorado
The Family Leadership Training Institute of Colorado (FLTI) is a nonpartisan, multi-sector, and community-driven collaborative focused on cultivating healthier, more inclusive communities and systems in which all Coloradans thrive. This 20-week skill-based curriculum is designed to bolster family involvement and leadership skills while promoting the lifelong health, safety and learning of children. Topics include but are not limited to: “Parents as change agents,” “How Systems Work,” “Using Your Voice,” “How does the State work,” and “Language: Packaging & Moving Agendas.”  Contact information is at the end of the Overview.

 

Fussy Baby Network Colorado
All babies cry, but some cry more than others. One in five babies is fussy – difficult to comfort and may have trouble feeding and sleeping. For parents, caring for a fussy baby can be exhausting and frustrating. There is no quick fix, but there is help. Fussy Baby Network Colorado is a program for parents who have concerns about their baby’s fussiness during the first year of life. Infant specialists will work with you to find more ways to soothe, care for, and enjoy your baby. Services are free of charge and no family will be turned away. Services are also available in Spanish.
Call 1.877.627.9227.

Postpartum Depression

Postpartum Support International / Colorado
Information, news, training, materials, helpline, etc., on postpartum depression.

 

Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
A screening test you can complete yourself to see if you are suffering from postpartum depression. In Spanish: PDF 

 

Fussy Baby Network Colorado
All babies cry, but some cry more than others. One in five babies is fussy – difficult to comfort and may have trouble feeding and sleeping. For parents, caring for a fussy baby can be exhausting and frustrating. There is no quick fix, but there is help. Fussy Baby Network Colorado is a program for parents who have concerns about their baby’s fussiness during the first year of life. Infant specialists will work with you to find more ways to soothe, care for, and enjoy your baby. Services are free of charge and no family will be turned away. Services are also available in Spanish.
Call 1.877.627.9227.

 

Postpartum Support International
News, materials, bookstore, legislation information, helpline, studies, etc., on postpartum depression internationally.

Pregnancy

We are in the process of updating this information. Please contact us.

Siblings

The Sibling Support Project
The Sibling Support Project is a national effort dedicated to the life-long concerns of brothers and sisters of people who have special health, developmental, or mental health concerns. The Project provides workshops for siblings (“Sibshops”) and training workshops for the community and professionals. This ABC News 20/20 segment features a Sibshops and a sister of a young man who attends them.

Support Groups

We are in the process of updating this information. Please contact us.

Transportation

We are in the process of updating this information. Please contact us.

RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS