Resources

Education, advocacy and support

We provide education, advocacy and support to parents and professionals living and loving ASD. We are a PA, parent run organization, have 70 support groups in 44 counties, a free lending library and personal experience with ASD.

• Website: https://autismofpa.org/
• Email: help@autismofpa.org

Early Intervention, Housing Options, Employment Support, Trusts & Finances, Family Support

Achieva advocates with, empowers, and supports people with disabilities and their families throughout their lives. Achieva envisions a community where all people with disabilities lead lives of personal significance.

• Website: https://www.achieva.info/
• Phone: 1-888-272-7229

Pathways to Independence and Social Inclusion for Neurodivergent Individuals

The Autism Employment Network started as a pilot project at Progress City which was founded in 2018 as an organization dedicated to finding innovative solutions to real world problems. We’ve become leaders in the adult autism community focused on empowering adults with autism to live independently through a balanced approach of life skills, coaching, counseling and vocational programs. In 2021 the Autism Employment Network was created as a 501 (c)(3) organization to house many of our autism-focused programs. We’ve assembled a team of autism experts, and over 50% of our staff self-report some form of neurodivergence, including autism.

• Website: https://autismemploymentnetwork.com/
• Email: aen@progresscity.net

Access, Rights, Opportunities, Empowerment

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network seeks to advance the principles of the disability rights movement with regard to autism. ASAN believes that the goal of autism advocacy should be a world in which autistic people enjoy equal access, rights, and opportunities. We work to empower autistic people across the world to take control of our own lives and the future of our common community, and seek to organize the autistic community to ensure our voices are heard in the national conversation about us. Nothing About Us, Without Us! The Autistic Self Advocacy Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization run by and for autistic people. ASAN was created to serve as a national grassroots disability rights organization for the autistic community, advocating for systems change and ensuring that the voices of autistic people are heard in policy debates and the halls of power. Our staff work to advance civil rights, support self-advocacy in all its forms, and improve public perceptions of autism. ASAN’s members and supporters include autistic adults and youth, cross-disability advocates, and non-autistic family members, professionals, educators, and friends.

• Website: http://www.autisticadvocacy.org
• Phone: 202-558-4864
• Email: info@autisticadvocacy.org

Reducing Stigma and Offering Support & Education

The families and members of NAMI Butler County PA are here to help! We offer understanding to anyone concerned about mental illnesses and the treatment of mental illness. Mental illness can affect persons of any age and occur in any family.

We work with NAMI Pennsylvania and NAMI to bring mental health issues to the attention of local, state and national governments. We support legislation that benefits the lives of people with mental illness and spread awareness of that legislation to the larger community. We deliver insights and techniques to families and mental health service providers to ensure the best methods are known and in practice.

NAMI Butler County PA works to reduce stigma and build better lives through educating and supporting those affected by mental illness.

• Website: namibutler.org
• Email: info@namibutler.org

Child Advocacy Center

Child Advocacy Centers are child-friendly locations where members of the multidisciplinary investigative team (MDIT), consisting of child welfare personnel, law enforcement officials, medical and mental professionals, prosecution and victim advocates meet to coordinate a response to allegations of child abuse, including child sexual abuse and child physical abuse. Our mission is empowering our community to ensure the safety, health, and well-being of children and families.

• Website: https://www.butlercountycac.org/
• Email: info@butlercountycac.org

Community and Residential Empowerment Services Inc.

C.A.R.E.S. is an organization providing person-centered services to individuals with developmental disabilities and behavioral health challenges. We are comprised of three separate companies providing services to individuals throughout the state of Pennsylvania. We specialize in connecting our self-advocates with opportunities to be family focused, self- determined, individualized, person centered, strength based and optimize opportunities for job training, employment, growth, independence, involvement in the community, vacation services and to provide long-term support to families in a residential setting.

• Website: http://www.cares4u.org
• Phone: 724-687-7880
• Email: bsparks@cares4u.org

Connecting People to Services

Center for Community Resources is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit, headquartered in Butler, Pennsylvania. Since our founding in 2002, we have and continue to be a conflict-free point of contact for individuals and families seeking supports and services for their human service needs.

• Website:https://ccrinfo.org/
• Phone: 724-431-3700

Optometrist

Dr. Robert Runser sees clients at the Cranberry Office of America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses.

Our Mission is to deliver the best value in quality eye care and eyewear at the low prices America deserves…every day. All areas of our company focus on delivering this promise to our customers.

• Website: America’s Best, Dr. Runser
• Phone: (724) 553-7957

Here, Caring is Everything.

At Family Behavioral Resources, our passion is you – our consumers! Our team of talented and dedicated clinicians and therapists provide world class mental health care to consumers of all ages. We work in local schools, homes and communities, serving children with diagnosed behavioral and mental health disorders. We also provide Outpatient Mental Health Therapy in numerous locations throughout the states of Pennsylvania and Ohio.

If you or a loved one are in need of mental health care, Family Behavioral Resources and the Autism Education and Research Institute have the capability, devotion and clinical expertise to treat you. We put clinical excellence above all else. It is for this reason that we are the superior choice for your mental health care needs.

• Website:  https://familybehavioralresources.com/
• Phone: Butler Office: (724) 282-9010

Community Theater

Hollywood Theater, located in Dormont, is a community theater offering first and second run movie screenings, specialty programming and event hosting. The theater partners with non-profits far and wide to engage with the community and meet the needs of it’s audiences.

• Website: http://Hollywoodtheaterpgh.org
• Phone: 412-564-1225

Helping Families of Disabled & Chronically Ill Children

Jonah & The Whale Foundation, is a 501{c}3 nonprofit organization that helps families of disabled & chronically ill children throughout the United States, Canada, and beyond. The Foundation provides parents with advocacy guidance, resource materials, durable medical equipment, family networking, and other support services if needed.

• Contact: Mannie Taimuty-Loomis, MAHED
• Website: http://www.JTWF.org
• Phone: 1-877-49-JONAH (56624)
• Email: info@JTWF.org

Amazing Kids, Amazing Place

For more than 120 years, the passionate team at The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh has been dedicated to the amazing kids and families we serve. Today, we help nearly 9,000 children and families each year reach their full potential through educational services, autism services, outpatient physical and behavioral health services, early intervention, and family support services

• Website: https://www.amazingkids.org/
• Phone: 412.420.2400

Guardianships and Estate Planning Services for Special Needs Children and Their Families

I offer guardianships and estate planning services at a reduced cost to special needs children and their families. If your have not obtained a guardianship over your special needs adult child who does not have the legal capacity to sign a power of attorney, please call me. If you have questions about a special needs trust or estate planning in general for you or your child, I can assist you. I also handle family law matters like child support, custody, adoption, and divorce.

• Website: https://www.mcmorrowlaw.com/
• Phone: 724-940-0100

Vocation Rehabilitation Services

Vocational rehabilitation services which may include: psychological assessments, vocational evaluations, driving evaluations, assistive technology evaluations, possible funding for post-secondary training at colleges or trade/technical schools, recommendations for accommodations, job placement services, job coaching services, on-the-job training contracts, and more.

• Website: OVR Main Page
• Phone: 724-656-3252 (Serving Beaver, Butler and Lawrence Counties)

Learning Redefined

At Pace, We Believe Kids Can!

Through effective planning, focused effort and intentional strategy, we believe all students can acquire the skills necessary to lead safe, productive and integrated lives.

Pace School is one of only 33 Approved Private Schools (APS) licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the State Board of Private Academic Schools and approved by the Secretary of Education to provide a free appropriate special education program for students with severe disabilities. Costs for school age students placed at Pace are shared between the school district of residence and the Commonwealth.

Pace teachers and staff deliver high quality, rigorous academic, functional and social emotional curriculum tailored to meet each student’s individual needs as identified within his/her Individual Educational Program (IEP).

Pace School is licensed to serve students eligible for special education services with a(n):

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Emotional Disturbance
• Intellectual Disability
• Specific Learning Disability

• Phone: 724-656-3070
• Website: https://www.paceschool.org/

Alert First Responders to Your Needs

Pennsylvania’s Yellow Dot Program was created to assist citizens in the “golden hour” of emergency care following a traffic crash when they may not be able to communicate themselves. Placing a free yellow dot in your vehicle’s rear window alerts first responders to check your glove compartment for vital information to ensure that you receive the critical medical attention you need.

• Website: https://www.penndot.gov/TravelInPA/pages/yellow-dot.aspx

Social Services

This program provides free counseling and assistance to expectant parents and their baby. People in Need offers to qualified individuals the Columbia Gas CAP Program and the Dollar Energy Program. People in Need also provides a food bank for individuals meeting the guide lines. This program is offered for Lawrence County residents only. Offices are open Monday through Friday 8:30AM to 4:30PM.

• Website: http://www.pinpa.org
• Phone: 724-657-3303
• Email: director@pinpa.org

Helping children, families, older adults and individuals with disabilities lead better lives.

Lifesteps helps along life’s journey by offering services such as FREE child developmental and Autism screenings; Early Education Centers for children of every ability; services for adults with disabilities and those with intellectual/developmental disabilities, including Autism, such as Employment Services, Day Programs, Community Homes and Life Sharing/Family Living. Lifesteps is dedicated to providing quality care in a family-focused environment.

• Website: https://lifesteps.net/
• Phone: 724-283-1010

Igniting Engaging, Relevant, and Equitable Learning Practices

When learning is engaging, learners have the time, resources, support, environment, and encouragement to be active problem-solvers, creators, innovators, advocates, and citizens. When learning is relevant, it resonates today with a learner’s interests, culture, context, community, identity, abilities, and experiences, while allowing room for exposure and growth. When learning is equitable, more supports and opportunities are afforded to those of greatest need. Based on national and regional research, this means particular attention is paid to working alongside, as well as uplifting and supporting the voices, strength, and potential of: learners in poverty; learners of color; learners in rural areas; girls in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math); and learners with exceptionalities.

• Website: http://www.remakelearning.org
• Email: info@remakelearning.org

Theater Program

Theatre Horizon has an Autism Drama Program that inspires imagination and social development in individuals on the autism spectrum. Capitalizing on the strengths and the interests of the participants, our classes encourage interpersonal relationships, verbal expression, flexible thinking, and a sense of self-worth and accomplishment. Programs include the Youth Drama Program for students ages 10 – 1, and Playwriting and the Art of Storytelling for ages 17 – 30+.

• Contact: Dawn
• Website: http://www.theatrehorizon.org
• Email: dawn@theatrehorizon.org

Music Therapy

Three Rivers Music Therapy, LLC is a private practice in the greater Pittsburgh area. We provide individual, group and contract music therapy services to children, adolescents and young adults.

• Contact: Allison Broaddrick
• Website: http://www.3riversmusictherapy.com
• Email: 3RiversMusicTherapy@gmail.com

Transformational Support for Children and Families

Wesley Spectrum bases autism treatment on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) because we value quality service and evidence-based practices. Our staff utilize data-based decision making and positive, proactive strategies. Wesley Spectrum is committed to continuous improvement in the services we provide, and we strive to create an environment in which children are able to build lifelong skills and staff are able to successfully transfer abilities. We hold ourselves accountable for treatment outcomes, and we support our clients in becoming more independent, responsible, and caring members of their community.

• Website: http://www.wesleyspectrum.org
• Phone: 724-443-4888

Enriching the lives of children and adults with disability and chronic illness

Our barrier-free environment encourages everyone, of every ability and disability, to safely explore what’s possible and discover new levels of independence. Hands-on experiences guided by our caring staff help to reinforce social, cultural, environmental, recreational and spiritual growth. Participation is encouraged at every level, and celebrated in a welcoming and approachable group setting such as our camps, retreats, clubs and events. Nestled on serene, private wooded property, our grounds feature: an indoor heated pool, 48-bed lodge, dining hall, creative arts and computer lab, activity center, camping area, sports court, nature trail, adapted zip line, amphitheater, adapted kitchen, adapted archery range, and a par-3 adapted golf course. Every experience at The Woodlands is made to be as accessible as possible – so participation can be enjoyed by all individuals and families ready to see what’s possible!

• Website: http://www.mywoodlands.org
• Phone: 724-935-6533