Facing Autism Challenges Together

Information and Support

Email:  HopkinsFACT@comcast.net

Web: http://HopkinsFACT.home.comcast.net

 

Primary ASD Links

Last updated:  3/30/2008

 

 

Get connected!  This is a list of basic and important Internet links for local non-profit and government organizations serving those with autistic spectrum disorders.  You will want to check these sites frequently, sign up for mailing lists and newsletters (see text below), and join as many as you can afford.  They contain a wealth of information and training/education opportunities.  Click on the links below to go to the corresponding website.

 

ARC - Greater Twin Cities                                                                             www.arcgreatertwincities.org

For nearly 60 years, ARC has been helping people with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities and their families overcome challenges and thrive in community life.  One in ten families has a family member with a disability.  Arc’s services range from advocacy and one-to-one assistance to parent and sibling support groups to educational workshops (ArcShops) and What’s the Big IDEA? training on special education law.  Arc also works hard on public policy issues at the local, state and national levels.  You should definitely sign up to be on ARC-GTC’s free mailing list by sending your e-mail address to e-newsletter@arcgreaterwincities.org.  You will receive program and workshop information, notice of upcoming special events, special Value Village thrift shop coupons, membership information, and more.  We strongly encourage you to become a member of ARC-GTC ($30/yr Indiv; $40/yr family).

 

 

Autism Resource Network - Hopkins                                                                        www.autismshop.com

904 Main Street at 9th Ave., Hopkins MN, (952) 988-0088.  A networking center, a bookstore, and more, including visual aids, hand fidgets, and other toys.  Go in and talk to them.  Entrance on the back side of the building.  Go in the parking lot behind the clock-tower.  To get on their mailing list, go to the website, click on Contact Us, and scroll to the very bottom left.

 

 

Autism Society of Minnesota                                                                                             www.ausm.org

MissionThe Autism Society of Minnesota exists to enhance the lives of individuals with autism spectrum disorders.  AuSM seeks to realize its mission through education support, collaboration, and advocacy.  FACT strongly encourage you to become a member ($30/yr Indiv; $40/yr family or $80/yr family to also join Autism Society of America), so you can get their newsletter and have access to their lending library and other resources.

 

 

Fraser Center                                                                                                                   www.fraser.org

Fraser is a Minnesota nonprofit with a nationally renowned reputation, serving children of all abilities and adults with special needs. This multi-faceted human service organization provides direct services, information and support in the areas of education, housing and health care.  To join Fraser’s mailing list, simply email beths@fraser.org with your name, your address (include city and zip code), and how you heard about Fraser.

 

 

Hennepin County Developmental Disabilities Program                                             impossible.web.address

This is a front door to information about disability services in Hennepin County.  Unfortunately, this important source of information is very user-unfriendly and bureaucratic. The newly redesigned website is worse than the old one, producing horrific web page addresses.  To navigate manually, enter http://wwwa.co.hennepin.mn.us/portal/site/HCInternet.   From this page, click on Health, Housing and Social Services.  On that page, click on People We Serve, and finally, from that page, click on Developmentally Disabled.  To get started, contact the Adult Disability Services Initial Consultation Team (regardless of your child’s age) at 612-348-4500 or E-Mail them at hsph.ads.icteam@co.hennepin.mn.us

 

 

Life Pages                                                                                           http://www.lifepages.org/index.asp

Life Pages  is an on-line yellow pages designed to help you find information about recreation and leisure activities, services, advocacy, and other useful things about life in Minnesota.  Life Pages offers information for Minnesotans of all ages and abilities who want to enrich their leisure lifestyle as well as their connections to the greater community.  You can view all the information anonymously, but, if you create a user profile, you can sign up to receive the LifePages eNewsletter and email alerts on activities in any category you choose.  To create a profile, from the home page, click on the My Life Pages tab.  Then click Click here to create a Profile and follow the instructions.  To get email notifications, once you have the profile created, click on the My Life Pages tab, sign in, and then click on Sign Up for Email Alerts and check the alerts and newsletters you want to receive.  There are many options in a variety of categories.

 

 

MN State Disability Services

Minnesotans now have a single source on the Internet - www.mndisability.gov  - for quick and easy access to state government-agency programs, products and services dedicated to disability issues.  Site users can locate resources in any of four ways: by topic - such as education, employment, housing or transportation; by state agency; through an A-Z index; or by a search. The site currently has more than 220 links, each with a brief description of a program, product or service offered by various state agencies. The site will be updated on a regular basis and is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act as well as generally accepted accessibility standards.  Mndisability.gov is a collaborative effort of numerous state agencies, including the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities, Commission Serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing People, Minnesota State Council on Disability, Ombudsman Office for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, State Services for the Blind, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Division, STAR and Rehabilitation Services. The Minnesota Office of Enterprise Technology designed and built the site.

 

 

Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER)                                                  www.pacer.org

The mission of the PACER Center is to expand opportunities and enhance the quality of life of children and young adults with disabilities and their families, based on the concept of parents helping parents.  Through its ALLIANCE and other national projects, PACER, a national center, responds to thousands of parents and professionals each year. From California to Minnesota to New York, PACER resources make a difference in the lives of 6.5 million children with disabilities nationwide.  With assistance to individual families, workshops, materials for parents and professionals, and leadership in securing a free and appropriate public education for all children, PACER's work affects and encourages families in Minnesota and across the nation.  Click on Contact Us to sign up for PACER’s free general mailing list, email list, and/or emal newsletter.

 

 

Reach for Resources                                                                                       www.reachforresources.org

Reach For Resources offers a wide range of services for people with developmental disabilities and their families including: counseling and mental health services, educational classes, one-to-one training in community living skills, support and empowerment groups, recreation and leisure programs, family holiday respite, Information and referral, and transportation.  Reach distributes its information only in print form, not electronically.  To get on its mailing list, call Jennifer McGinnis at 952-988-4177 or send an email with the subject “mailing list” to jmcginnis@reachforresources.org.

 

 

St. David’s Child Development and Family Services                                                           www.stdavids.net

Founded in 1961, St. David’s is a multi-service non-profit that provides an array of programs in 5 primary areas:

·         Early Childhood Education and Special Services

·         Services for children with special needs and their families

·         Prevention and early intervention services for families experiencing multiple life challenges and stresses

·         Individual and family mental health services

·         Outreach, training, consultation, and collaboration

 

 

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