Other Resources
Abuse Hotline
(Texas Department of Family and Protective Services)
800-252-5400 - Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas and New Mexico
512-834-3784 Out of State (Reporting abuse/neglect occurring in Texas)
Report abuse, neglect, or exploitation of children 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
www.dfps.state.tx.us.
Advocacy, Inc.
800-252-9108
512-454-4816 - Austin
800-252-9108 (Voice/TDD)
Advocates for Texans of all ages with disabilities and mental illness. Provides information for parents about their children’s rights in the school system and they can help resolve disputes.
AIDS Line, Texas
800-299-2437
Information center & referrals to HIV testing sites.
Education of Young Children, National Association
Offers opportunities for professional growth to parents
and educators of children, birth to age 8.
Educator Certification, State Board
888-863-5880
512-936-8400 - Austin
Ensures the highest level of educator preparation and
practice to achieve student excellence.
Epilepsy Foundation of America
800-332-1000
Information center for patients with epilepsy, their families,
professionals, and the general public.
Exceptional Children, Council for
Nonprofit organization advocating for individuals who
work with or on behalf of children with special needs,
birth through age 8, and their families. Children with
special needs include those who have disabilities, developmental
delays, are gifted/talented, or are at risk of
future developmental problems.
888-232-7733
Family Forward
Family support and education program. Dedicated to
strengthening families and stopping child abuse. Services
include: parent education courses; parent support
groups; and a statewide support and crisis intervention,
information and referral line for parents.
888-776-0770
512-459-5490 - Austin
Family Law Hotline (The Women’s Advocacy Project Inc.)
Provides legal advice, expands legal education, and
promotes access to justice for Texas women in need.
800-777-3247
Father’s Network, National
Support fathers and families raising children with special
health care needs and developmental disabilities.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Family Resource Institute
Non-profit organization which identifies, understands
and cares for individuals disabled by prenatal alcohol
exposure and their familes.
800-999-3429
Food Stamps
(Texas Department of State Health Services, Division of Family
& Community Health Services)
A federally funded program that helps low income
familes buy nutritious food. General program information,
eligibility requirements and instructions on how
to apply.
800-248-1078 - information
Health & Human Services Commission, Texas (HHSC)
Provides leadership and direction, and fosters the spirit
of innovation needed to achieve an efficient and effective
health and human services system for Texans. HHSC has
oversight responsibilities for designated health and human
services agencies, and administers certain health and
human services programs including the Texas Medicaid
Program, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIPS)
and Medicaid waste, fraud, and abuse investigations.
512-424-6500
Health Services Information & Referral Hotline,
(Texas Department of State Health Services, Division of Family
& Community Health Services)
Information & referral line available for women and
children with special health care needs searching for
health and family support services.
800-422-2956 - texas
Information Center on Disabilities and Gifted
Information on current grants funded by the U.S. Department
of Education, Office of Special Education.
Marriage & Family Therapists, Texas State Board of
Information about Marriage and Family Therapists including
scope of practice, licensing requirements, filing a
complaint, where to go for more information.
800-942-5540 - comPlaints
512-834-6657
Medicaid Program
Provides health-care services including the Texas Health
Steps Program (EPSDT), a preventive healthcare program
which provides screening, diagnosis, and treatment
of medical and dental health problems for Medicaideligible
persons younger than 21.
800-647-6558 (aPPly for meDicaiD)
800-252-8263 (client hotline)
Medical Board, Texas
Investigates complaints and licensure applications, increases
public awareness, and informs regulated professionals
and students of their responsibility to the public.
Allows consumers to search for physicians, including
specialists, in their community.
800-248-4062 (texas)
512-305-7030 (outside texas)
Mental Health Association in Texas
The Mental Health Association in Texas and eight local
affiliates provide mental health information, education
and advocacy.
512-454-3706
Mentally Ill, National Alliance for the
Information, referral and support to all who have questions
about or are affected by serious mental illness.
800-950-6264 (helP line)
Nurse Examiners, Texas State Board of
Licensing, accreditation, endorsement and information
services.
512-305-7400
1-800-821-3205 - comPlaints
Parent Education, Center for (University of North Texas)
The Center for Parent Education responds to the needs
of parents and families through research, advocacy, resources
and leadership for professionals. Includes a Texas
Registry of Parent Educator Resources (ROPER).
888-662- 955
ParentingInformation.Org
This website contains parenting resources especially
related to mental health issues. ParentingInformation.
org is a program of the Children’s Mental Health Public
Information and Community Outreach Project of the
Mental Health Association in Texas.
512-454-3706
Parent to Parent, Texas
Texas Parent to Parent is a nonprofit organization that
was created by parents to provide support and information
for families of children with disabilities, chronic
illness, and other special needs throughout the state of
Texas.
512-458-8600
866-896-6001
Parent to Parent Network, National (MUMS)
A National Parent to Parent Network whose mission
is to help parents who have a child with any disorder,
medical condition, mental or emotional disorder or rare
diagnosis make connections with other parents whose
children have the same or similar condition. If possible,
matches are made according to age, geographical location,
gender, and severity of the symptoms.
877-336-5333 - Parents only
Parent to Parent Support and Information System,
Links families nationally whose children have special
needs and rare disorders. Provides parents with health
care information, resources and referrals. Networks parents
with local parent to parent organizations for ongoing
support at the community level.
800-651-1151 - Parents only
Partners Resource Network, Inc.
Statewide parent support network for parents of children
of all ages with disabilities. Provides training, education
about family rights, and referral information.
800-866-4726
Physical & Occupational Therapy Examiners, Texas
Services provided include roster by city, license qualified
applicants, enforce the PT and OT practice acts, and
provide assistance and general information.
512-305-6900
1-800-821-3205 - comPlaints only
Pregnancy Association, American
Crisis counseling, education and information for women
and those affected by unplanned pregnancy.
800-672-2296
Psychology, Texas State Board of Examiners of
Ensure that psychological services are provided to the
people of Texas by qualified and competent practitioners
who adhere to established professional standards.
512-305-7700 - Austin
800-821-3205 - 24-hour complaint line
Rehabilitation Information Center, National
Library and information center for disability and
rehabilitation-oriented information on employment,
advocacy, finanacial assistance, education, technology
and more.
800-346-2742
Shriner’s Hospital Referral Line
Free medical information and care for children, age birth
to 18, who qualify with orthopedic problems, burns or
spinal cord injuries.
800-237-5055
Social Security Administration Hotline
Information and referrals for Social Security benefits,
insurance and retirement.
800-772-1213
Social Worker Examiners, Texas State Board of
Information about Licensed Social Workers including
a roster of currently Licensed Social Workers, scope
of practice, licensing requirements and how to file a
complaint against a social worker.
1-800-232-3162 (licensing certification board)
512-719-3521 - Austin
Special Needs, Federation for Children with
Center for parents and parent organizations to work
together on behalf of children with special needs and
their families.
800-331-0688
Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Texas
A professional and scientific association concerned with
human communication and its disorders. Membership is
comprised of speech-language pathologists, audiologists,
associates, and students.
888-729-8742
512-452-4636 - Austin
Speech-Language-Hearing Association, American
Information and referral center for individuals with
speech-language-hearing disabilities.
800-638-8255
Speech/Language Pathology & Audiology, State Board
Information about Speech-Language Pathologists and
Audiologists including rosters, Board policies, frequently
asked questions, scope of practice, licensing
requirements, how to file a complaint, where to go for
more information and copies of forms and newsletters
available.
512-834-6627
Spina Bifida Association of America
Promotes the prevention of spina bifida and works toward
enhancing the lives of all individuals affected by
Spina Bifida.
800-621-3141
STOMP (Specialized Training of Military Parents)
STOMP is a program of the Washington PAVE (Parents
are Vital in Education) organization. It is the only
National Parent Training and Information Center for
military families providing support and advice to military
parents without regard of the type of medical condition
their child has.
800-572-7368
Stuttering Foundation, The
Free online resources, services and support to those who
stutter and their families, as well as support for research
into the causes of stuttering.
800-992-9392
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Resource
Provides information, services and technical assistance
on sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and related
topics. Promotes the understanding of SIDS and provides
comfort to those affected by SIDS through information
sharing.
866-866-7437
Supplemental Security Income
Cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing and shelter.
Eligibility is based on citizenship, financial status, and
disability.
800-772-1213
800-325-0778 (tty)
Alliance for the Mentally Ill, National (NAMI Texas)
Family education courses across the state of Texas.
Support groups for family members and persons with
mental illness.
800-633-3760 -Texas
512-693-2000 - Austin
Talking Book Program (Texas State Library and Archives Commission)
Free lending library program for Texans who cannot
read regular print due to visual or physical disabilities
or learning disabilities due to a physical or organic dysfunction.
Books and magazines are available on cassette
tape, flexible disk record, braille, and large print.
800-252-9605
Uniting Parents (Parent Case Management Program)
Services for children ages 0-21 with a diagnosed chronic
illness and/or disability who reside in the upper 32
counties of the Texas Panhandle. Services include: individual
comprehensive case management, information
and referral, quarterly newsletter, bilingual services,
community-based support, family education/support/
advocacy, networking opportunities among families,
coordination of services with other agencies, public
awareness/lending library, community resource development,
consultation, respite, permanency planning and
curriculum training. Services are voluntary and provided
at no charge to families.
888-892-2273
Women, Infants and Children’s (WIC) Program
A nutrition program that helps pregnant women, new
mothers, and young children eat well, learn about nutrition
and stay healthy. Program provides vouchers for
baby formula and healthy food, and breast-feeding and
nutrition education classes.
800-942-3678
Americans with Disabilities Act Hotline, National
Americans with Disabilities Act Hotline, National
(ADA Technical Assistance Centers)
Technical assistance and training related to the rights and
requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
800-949-4232 (Voice/tty) - national hotline
Any Baby Can - ABC
Comprehensive support and crisis assistance for children,
with special health care needs, ages 0 to 12.
800-672-0238
512-454-3743 - Austin
800-373-3400 - KerrVille
210-227-0170 - San Antonio
ARC of Texas
Promotes community inclusion for people with mental
retardation and other developmental disabilities through
advocacy, training and information and referral services.
The ARC also administers a low-cost supplemental needs
trust for people with disabilities.
800-252-9729
512-454-6694 - Austin
Assistance Hotline, Citizens (Texas Governor’s Office)
Maintains a comprehensive directory of state government
agencies. Assists citizens in locating agencies
appropriate to their needs. This line also serves as a
suggestion and/or complaint line.
800-843-5789 - texas
512-463-1782
Assistive Technology (Texas Technology Access Project)
Information and referral regarding assistive technology.
800-828-7839
512-232-0751
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Children and Adults with (CHADD)
Information on AD/HD in children, teens, and adults.
Information for those who may qualify for special education
and related services under the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act solely on the basis of their AD/HD when
it impairs educational performance or learning.
800-233-4050
Autism Society of America
Promotes access and opportunity for individuals with
autism and their families, to be fully participating,
included members of their community. Education, advocacy,
public awareness & the promotion of research.
800-328-8476
Blind Services
Blind Services, Division for(Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services-
The Blind and Visually Impaired Children’s Program)
Assists children who are blind and visually impaired to
develop their individual potential for independent living
and financial self-sufficiency. Emphasis is placed on
restoring vision, reducing dependency, and preparing
for enhanced vocational success.
800-628-5115
Blind & Visually Impaired, Association for Education & Rehabilitation of the (AER)
Advocates, first and foremost, for the issues that affect
the professionals who work with the blind and visually
impaired children and adults. Primary activities relate
to special education and rehabilitation.
877-492-2708
703-671-4500
Brain Injury Association of Texas (Family Help Line)
Information about brain injury, identifying medical, legal,
financial and other local resources. Referral center
for state associations for people with brain injury. Develops
programs for public awareness, education, research
and rehabilitation. Provides family guidance.
800-392-0040
Car Seats - Safe Riders Program
(Texas Department of State Health Services)
Coordinates distribution of car (safety) seats to low
income families throughout the state.
800-252-8255
Caring for Children Program of Texas
Working with local community immunization coalitions,
health providers travel to schools and community shopping
centers in specially equipped care vans to provide
immunizations for medically underserved children.
800-258-5437
Cerebral Palsy (Disability Assistance of Central Texas)
Advocates for people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities.
Provides information and referral, leadership
activities, and public health and education programs.
512-834-1827 (Austin affiliate)
Cerebral Palsy, United (UCP)
National source of information on cerebral palsy and
advocate group for the rights of persons with any
disability.
800-872-5827
Child Care Aware
Child Care Aware is a nonprofit initiative whose mission
is to ensure that every parent has access to good information
about finding quality child care and resources in
their community, through national consumer marketing
and by raising visibility for local child care resource and
referral agencies.
800-424-2246
Child Care Information Hotline
(Texas Department of Family and Protective Services)
Provides information about child care in Texas.
800-862-5252
Child Help USA
Provides treatment and prevention of child abuse. Serves
abused children through residential treatment facilities,
child advocacy centers, group homes, foster care,
preschool programs (including Head Start), child abuse
prevention programs, and community outreach.
800-422-4453
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Provides access to information and resources to help
protect children and strengthen families. Promotes the
safety, permanency and well-being of children and
families by connecting child welfare, adoption and
related professionals and concerned citizens to timely,
essential information.
800-394-3366
Children’s Health Insurance Program in TX (CHIP)
CHIP is offered under the state initiative of the TexCare
Partnership. The partnership offers children’s health
coverage through the CHIP, Medicaid and Texas Healthy
Kids programs. CHIP benefits families who earn too
much for Medicaid but not enough to purchase private
health insurance for their children.
800-647-6558
Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN)
(Texas Department of State Health Services)
Support family-centered, community-based strategies for
improving the quality of life for children with special
health care needs and their families.
800-252-8023
512-458-7111 ext. 3110
Cleft Palate Foundation
The Cleft Palete Foundation (CPF) is a non-profit organization
dedicated to optimizing the quality of life for individuals affected by facial birth defects. Informs parents about cleft palate or other craniofacial anomalies and provides information about cleft palate/craniofacial teams and parent-patient support groups in their local region.
800-242-5338
Community Resource Coordination Groups of Texas
Comprised of public and private providers who come
together to develop individual service plans for children,
youth, and adults whose needs can be met only through
interagency coordination and cooperation.
512-424-6963
Congenital Cytomegalovirus Disease, National Registry of
Center concentrates on isolating viruses and diagnosing
tissue cultures. Provides information about CMV and
access to parent support groups.
832-824-4387
Counselors, Tx State Board of Examiners of Professional
Roster of licensed counselors. Information about the
regulation of licensed professional counselors, including
scope of practice, licensing requirements, filing a
complaint, and Texas law and rules relating to professional
counselors.
512-834-6658
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Supports medical and scientific programs to find the
means to cure cystic fibrosis through research, education
and patient care programs.
800-344-4823
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services, Office for
(Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services)
512-407-3250 (Voice)
512-407-3251 (Voice/tty)
Information and referral for individuals who are deaf or
hard of hearing. Summer camp for children, ages 7 to
17. Also provides car safety stickers and certificates of
deafness for college tuition waiver. Financial assistance
program available to help individuals who are deaf and
hard of hearing purchase special telephone equipment.
Regional Specialist Program works with state agencies
to make their services accessible.
Deaf, Texas School for the
512-462-5300 (Customer relations)
512-462-5353 (Voice/tty) - ResiDential school
Automated line that takes messages by both answering
machine and teletypewriter. Callers may request general
information on the school, or leave a message for a specific
party. Statewide education information.
Dietitians, Texas State Board of Examiners of
512-834-6601
Information about Licensed Dietitians and Provisionally
Licensed Dietitians including roster of dietitians by city,
scope of practice, licensing requirements, filing a complaint
and where to go for more information.
Disabilities - Kids Together, Inc.
Information and resources for children and adults with disabilities.
Disability Assistance of Central Texas
512-834-1827 (Austin affiliate)
Advocates for people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities.
Provides information and referral, leadership
activities, and public health and education programs.
Disability, National Council on (NCD)
202-272-2004
202-272-2074 (tty)
NCD is an independent federal agency making recommendations
to the President and Congress on issues
affecting 54 million Americans with disabilities. NCD’s
overall purpose is to promote policies, programs, practices,
and procedures that guarantee equal opportunity for
all individuals with disabilities, regardless of the nature
or severity of the disability; and to empower individuals
with disabilities to achieve economic self-sufficiency,
independent living, and inclusion and integration into
all aspects of society.
Disabilities, National Disemination Center for Children with (NICHCY)
800-695-0285 (Voice/tty)
National information and referral center that provides
information on disabilities and disability-related issues
for families, educators, and other professionals for children
and youth, birth to age 22.
Disability Resources, The Family Village for
A Global Community of Disability-Related Resources.
Disorders, National Organization for Rare
800-999-6673
Provides literature that explains the disorders and offers
networking to families with children having similar
disorders.
Down Syndrome Congress, National
800-232-6372
National clearinghouse for research information on Down syndrome.
Down Syndrome Society, National
800-221-4602
The mission of the National Down Syndrome Society is
to benefit people with Down syndrome and their families
through national leadership in education, research and
advocacy.
Dyslexia Center
888-446-6389
Provides solutions to reading, writing, and attention
problems.
Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center, National (NECTAC)
919-962-2001
919-843-3269 (tDD)
List of the Part C Coordinators and Infant/Toddler Program
Contacts in States and Jurisdictions.
Education Agency (TEA), Texas (Division of Special Education IDEA)
800-252-9668 (information line)
512-463-9414 - Austin
State education agency in Texas that oversees the public
school systems. The Division of Special Education
within TEA provides information regarding services for
children ages 3 to 21 who qualify for special education.
The agency can answer questions regarding parents’ and
childrens’ rights as well as special education services
within the public school system.
Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)
The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) is a mandatory enrollment program that works with other military and civilian agencies to provide comprehensive, housing, community support, and personnel services to families with special needs.