Special Education Resources for Parents: 

Educational, Transition, Self Advocacy

Education Resources

Child Find-

If a student is not improving, there are state laws that require all educators to find students that are not performing on grade level and not improving despite Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) interventions to determine if they have a disability. This law is called "Child Find".

Child Find Legal Requirements

• Child Find is a legal requirement that schools find all children who have disabilities and who may be entitled to special education services.
• Child Find covers every child from birth through age 21. Public schools age 3-21
• The school must evaluate any child that it knows or suspects may have a disability.

https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/your-childs-rights/basics-about-childs-rights/child-find-what-it-is-and-how-it-works (Links to an external site.)

DOE: Laws and Resources 

• Article 7
• Navigating the course
• Notice of Procedural Safeguards, multiple languages are available
• Federal Laws and Related Resources

Common Special Education Acronyms

Special Education Eligibility Areas

Transition Planning Handbook, age 14 and up

Indiana Graduation Pathways

IN*SOURCE

• Provides information about the special education process and provides IEP support to families.

College and Post-Secondary Services for Persons with Disabilities in Indiana

Transition Resources for the State of Indiana

Arc of Indiana

• Provides information, referrals, and advocacy regarding services for people with developmental disabilities.

Area Agencies on Aging

• Provide case management, information, and referrals to various services for persons who are aging or developmentally disabled.

Bureau of Developmental Disabilities

• Services for individuals with developmental disabilities that enable them to live as independently as possible in their community.

Erskine Training Institute

• Mission to provide opportunities for postsecondary vocational training

First Steps

• • Early Intervention system for infants and toddlers with special needs

Indiana Council on Independent Living

• Provides information and peer support to individuals with disabilities regarding independent living services

Indiana Secondary Transition Resource Center (IIDC)

• Center on Transition provides resources and technical assistance to families and professionals.

IRCA (Indiana Resource Center for autism)

• Providing workshops, articles, materials and resources designed to support individuals with autism

Janus Developmental Services

• Providing individuals with disabilities the opportunity to participate and contribute within the community

Medicaid / Hoosier Healthwise

• Public health insurance for children, young adults, and those with disabilities.

Medicad Waiver Information

• Medicad Waivers allow an individual to use traditional Medicaid services and the additional services available

Indiana Medicaid Waiver Disability Services and Waivers

Noble of Indiana

• Expanding opportunities and enhancing the quality of life with individuals with disabilities

Social Security Administration

• Provides cash assistance to low-income children and adults with disabilities.

Ticket to Work

• A program that can help Social Security beneficiaries go to work, while they keep their Medicare or Medicaid.

Vocational Rehabilitation Services

• Provides individualized services to enhance and support people with disabilities to prepare for, obtain or retain employment.

Self Advocacy

Indiana Legal Services

• Provides civic legal assistance to low-income people throughout Indiana.

Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services

• Provides information and support about the rights of children and adults with disabilities.

Self Advocates of Indiana

• Statewide advocacy organization that empowers people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.