Today, it is known that not only can children with Down syndrome learn to read, but they can become strong readers, and reading can be a strength that opens the door to further learning, particularly to the development of speech and communication skills. We explore more.

Teaching Reading to Children with Down Syndrome

What’s changing with proposed updates to federal education, what’s not changing, and what do we need to know to protect our children’s rights?

Special Education Updates: How Federal Proposals Could Affect Our Kids

CEO of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA), Denise Marshall, explains how these grants provide essential training, resources, and support services that directly impact the quality of special education and advocacy efforts.

How IDEA Part D Grants Help Families & Educators

CEO of COPAA (Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates), Denise Marshall, breaks it down and explains what it could mean for education and disability rights across the country.

Can the Federal Government Withhold Funding From States that Don't Comply with Executive Orders?

Thinking about using a voucher program for private school placement? Denise Marshall, CEO of COPAA (Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates), shares key considerations every parent should understand. Learn how voucher programs can impact your child’s rights and access to special education services.

What to Know Before Using Vouchers for Private School

Follow along as CEO of COPAA, Denise Marshall, shares why this could threaten the rights and protections of students with disabilities.

Why Advocates are Concerned About Moving the Department of Ed Under Health and Human Services (HHS)?

IDEA is a federal law that entitles every child with a disability to a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) and provides funding for children with disabilities.

What is IDEA?

Learn about potential changes to federal law that could affect our kids who need special education services to access a free, appropriate public education.

Potential Changes in Education This Fall — and What We Can Do Now to Protect Our Kids’ Rights

If your child recently became a Regional Center client, this can take months, so talk to your service coordinator about the fastest way to begin paid services.

What is the fastest way to get on the Medi-Cal waiver for Regional Center clients?

Call your representative at your DME provider and ask if they have experience with working around the insurance challenges.

Will insurance cover a new wheelchair if my child outgrows theirs?

It may be possible to advocate for your health plan to cover an out-of-network provider at the in-network rate if no providers are available within six months.

What do I do if all the in-network providers covered by insurance have long wait lists?

Make calls to all in-network providers within a 20-mile radius or one-hour drive time of your home zip code to confirm that none are able to deliver the care your child requires.

What do I do if there are no in-network providers close to my house?

Special Education Services and Individualized Education Programs

Learn about special education services, everything you need to know about IEPs, and how to advocate for the services and supports your child needs.

Education and IEPs

Insurance Options for Parents of Kids with Disabilities

Whether you’re using private insurance or public benefits like Medi-Cal or a combination of the two, get tips on how to fund the supports and services your child needs.

Insurance

What to Do When Your Child Has Received a New Diagnosis

Has your child received a new diagnosis? Are you concerned about a developmental delay? Check out these resources to help you navigate medical services, funding, and more.

New Diagnosis

Public Benefits - Government Programs for Children with Disabilities

Depending on your income, your child’s age and diagnosis, and other factors, there are a variety of government programs available to you.

Public Benefits

Mental Health

Learn how to help your child manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges with these resources from therapists and other experts.

Financially Supporting Your Child With Disabilities into Adulthood

Check out our resources to help plan your child's transition into adulthood and set them up for success.

Future and Financial Planning

Family Life - Advice for Parenting Children with Disabilities

Parenting a child with disabilities comes with unique joys and challenges. Learn how to meet your family's diverse needs and how to talk about disability together.

Family Life

Self-Care for Parents Raising Children With Disabilities

Raising a child with disabilities can place a lot of demands on parents. Check in with your own mental and physical health needs through these resources.

Self-Care for Parents

Review your child's current IPP as well as the goal-writing process to prepare for your annual IPP meeting.

Find a respite provider

Explore Regional Center services

Complete the parent vendorization process with Regional Center

Prepare for annual Individualized Program Plan (IPP) meeting

Get a step-by-step walkthrough to help you prep for your upcoming annual IEP meeting, from assessments to goals to follow-up.

Request an Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting

Ensure my child's Individualized Education Program (IEP) is being followed

Prepare for my annual Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting

Confused at how to best fill out your child's annual Medi-Cal application? Get your questions answered here.

Use Medi-Cal and private insurance together

Complete my child's annual Medi-cal application and renew coverage

Find out what you need to know to prepare for the annual IHSS visit.

Apply for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) paramedical services

Become an In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) parent provider

Apply for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) protective supervision

Prepare for my annual In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) home visit

IHSS hours can include measures that protect your child from harming themselves or others. Learn what you need to include in your application for this service.

If you want to request more IHSS hours because your child's needs have changed, follow this step-by-step guidance to help you understand the categories for IHSS hours and prepare for reassessment.

Add a second IHSS provider

Hire a third-party In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) provider

Review IHSS hours

Regional Center

Regional Center Early Intervention (Ages 0–3)

Self-Determination Program

Medi-Cal

IHSS: In-Home Supportive Services

Other Public Funding Sources

IEP: Individualized Education Program

IEP Meeting Preparation

Preschool IEP

IEP Assessments

Strength-Based IEP Goals

Educational Accommodations, Modifications, and Curriculum

Educational Transitions

Learning At Home

Educational Placement

Educational Inclusion

Parenting

Camps and Travel

Supporting Therapies and Education at Home

Disability Culture and Advocacy

Private Insurance

Public Insurance Programs

Mental Health In Children with Disabilities

Therapies

Education-Based Therapies

Behavioral Intervention Therapies

Funding Sources For Therapies

AAC: Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Therapy at Home

504 Educational Plans

Medical

Therapies (Ages 0-3)

IEP-Related Services

After the IEP

How do you know what you don't know? Hear an education advocate's tips for seeing if your child's IEP supports and services are helping them at school.

How to Tell If Your Child’s IEP Is Working as It Should

How is Congress posing to cut Medicaid, and how can we advocate to protect federal Medicaid funding? Learn from the executive director of the SCDD.

Understanding Proposed Cuts to Medicaid and How You Can Make a Difference

We’re here to keep you updated with plain language about how new California budget proposals could impact how our families access public benefits and special education.

What California’s Budget Proposals Could Mean for the Disability Community

If your child has dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, or another specific learning disability, these example accommodations for 504s and IEPs can help you explore school supports.