Resources (Click on name of organization to link to their website)

Arkansas' First Volunteer Autism Registry and Resource Site

Arkansas families affected by autism have their first chance to participate in a volunteer registry that will track how many people in the state have autism spectrum disorders with the debut of a new website, ArkansasAutismAlliance.org. Families will also find a host of autism resources compiled on the site, which is a collaboration between Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH), the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI) and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). This website, developed by Jill James, PhD, will help families understand what’s happening with autism in Arkansas.  Dr. James is the director of the Autism Metabolic Genomics Laboratory at ACHRI, a professor of Pediatrics in the UAMS College of Medicine, and an autism researcher. At ArkansasAutismAlliance.org, families can find links to local organizations, support groups, opportunities to participate in research, bios of Arkansas autism specialists and more. The registry component will help researchers at the collaborating institutions find out more about how many people in Arkansas have autism spectrum disorders and where they live. “Right now, we don’t even know how many families in Arkansas are affected by autism,” Dr. James said. “The registry could be a huge resource for helping us allocate resources to communities and understand where the needs exist.”  Families are encouraged to explore ArkansasAutismAlliance.org and volunteer their information in the registry. The info will be maintained in a database, and families can agree to be contacted if they wish to participate in surveillance activities and research projects.

National Alliance on Mental Illness - Arkansas

1012 Autumn Road, Suite 1

Little Rock, AR 72211

501-661-1548

800-844-0381

Information line: 877-227-0007

Fax: 501-312-7540

nami-ar@nami.org

Website: http://ar.nami.org<http://ar.nami.org/

Arkansas Autism Resource and Outreach Center (AAROC)

Non-profit organization whose mission is to provide hope, direction and support to individuals and families impacted by autism spectrum disorders. Housed at Partners for Inclusive Communities.

501/ 526-6084 (V); 501-682-9902 (TDD)

800/ 342-2923 (V/TDD)

2001 Pershing Circle, Suite 300, North Little Rock, AR 72114

varadyd@uams.edu

Arkansas Can Do, Inc.

Collaborative group of individuals with disabilities, family members and agency representatives whose purpose is "to increase the positive perceptions of all people regarding the vitality, importance and value of persons with disabilities."

Arkansas Department of Health

Arkansas Department of Human Services

Arkansas Disability and Health Program

Mission is general health promotion of people with disabilities and prevention of secondary conditions; joint offices at the Arkansas Department of Health and Partners for Inclusive Communities.  

Arkansas Disability Coalition
Current information and advocacy services for dealing with the school system for school age children with a developmental disability.

501/  614-7020  (V/TTY)
501/  614-9082  (FAX)
800/  223-1330  (V/TTY)

1123 S. University, Suite 225, Little Rock, AR 72204

adc@alltel.net

Arkansas Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health
A national parent-run organization focused on the needs of children and youth with emotional, behavioral, or mental disorders and their families. 

501/  537-9060  (V)
501/  537-9062  (FAX)
888/  682-7414  (V)

For persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, please use the Arkansas Relay Service
   From a  TTY -- call:  1-800/  285-1131
   From a  phone -- call:  1-800/  285-1121

5800 West 10th, Suite 101, Little Rock, AR 72204

jane@arkansasfederation.org

Arkansas Governor's Developmental Disabilities Council
Information about available disabilities services and training.

501/  661-2589  (V/TTY)
501/  661-2399  (FAX)
800/  482-5400, ext. 2589  (V/TTY)

5800 W. 10th Str., Suite 805, Little Rock, AR 72204

Executive Director - Mary Edwards mary.edwards@arkansas.gov

http://www.ddcouncil.org/index.html

Arkansas Increasing Capabilities Access Network (ICAN)

Arkansas’ statewide assistive technology program designed to make technology available and accessible for everyone who needs it.

Arkansas Independent Living Council
Information about independent living programs and services that promote self-empowerment and self-determination for persons with disabilities. 

501/  372-0607  (V/TTY)
501/  371-0598  (FAX)
800/  722-0607  (V/TTY)

323 S. Louisiana Str., Suite 305, Little Rock, AR 72201

ailc@alltel.net

Arkansas People First
Information for people with disabilities to become better self-advocates. 

501/  770-4000
501/  927-1373  (FAX)
888/  488-6040

For persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, please use the Arkansas Relay Service
   From a  TTY -- call:  1-800/  285-1131
   From a  phone -- call:  1-800/  285-1121

614 E. Emma Ave., Suite 235, Springdale, AR 72764

peoplefirstark@yahoo.com

Arkansas Rehabilitation Services

Arkansas Spinal Cord Commission

DisabilityResources.Org - Arkansas
An Internet website with information about additional resources for persons with disabilities and their families in the State of Arkansas.

Community Mental Health Center Partnership Pilot Projects with Early Childhood Programs
The purpose of the Arkansas Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation pilot project is to facilitate collaboration between Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC’s) and early childcare programs.

Disability Rights Center of Arkansas, Inc.
Disability Rights Center of Arkansas provides equal rights and public access protection for people with all types of disabilities. We advocate for basic rights (like access to public places), guard against abuse and neglect in public facilities (such as the use of deadly restraints or the seclusion of children) and provide legal oversight of state agencies to ensure accountability in housing, treatment, employment, education and other direct services. We are the only legally based advocacy organization established by Congress to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities. As a part of that mandate, every state and U.S. territory has a protection and advocacy system in place working to provide legal protection and advocacy services for people with disabilities.

501/  296-1775  (V/TTY)

501/  296-1779  (FAX)

800/  482-1174  (V/TTY)

1100 N. University, Suite 201, Little Rock, AR 72207

panda@arkdisabilityrights.org

Parent Advisory Council, Inc.
Information to help you understand how to get special health care services for children with disabilities.

501/  682-1461  (V)

501/  682-6789  (TTY)  (Please ask for Rodney Farley)

501/  371-3464  (FAX)

800/  482-5850 ext. 2277  (V)

877/  708-8191  (TTY)  (Please ask for Rodney Farley)

P.O. Box 1437, Slot S-380, Little Rock, AR 72203-1437 

refarley@juno.com

The Family Map: An Integrated Assessment of the Parenting Environment in Early Childhood
The Family Map is an assessment tool designed to be used with families to improve outcomes for young children 3 to 5 years old.  Identifying family needs and strength is a critical step in the success of early childcare programs to improve outcomes for children.  The Family Map has been used to interview parents of children during home visits and in parent teacher conferences in classroom settings.

Welcome the Children Project

The goal of the Welcome the Children project is to assist early childhood professionals to better understand diversity, appreciate cultural differences and similarities, learn strategies to support English Language Learners, and promote inclusion. To accomplish this goal, statewide personalized training and technical assistance is available to  early childhood professionals.  Administered by Partners for Inclusive Communities and funded by Arkansas DHS, Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education.

Contact Us
Partners for Inclusive Communities
David Deere,  M.S.W., M.Th., Director
2001 Pershing Circle, Suite 300 ● North Little Rock, AR 72114
501-682-9900 (V) ● 501-682-9902 (TDD) ● 1-800-342-2923 (V/TDD)
501-682-9901 (Fax)
E-mail us at Partners@uams.edu