If you would like to adopt a state and help us complete this resource page, please Contact CHASA.
National Listings
Most of these have searchable maps.
ILRU Directory of Centers for Independent Living and Statewide Independent Living Councils
National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities
Regional Parent Technical Assistance Centers – focus is on helping families to understand special and general education laws and evidence-based practices and to actively participate in planning and decision-making about supports and services for early intervention, education, and transition to adult life
State Protection and Advocacy Agencies – federally designated legal protection and advocacy agency (P&A) for people with disabilities
State Assistive Technology Programs
State Disability Department Websites
Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD) – Advocacy for individuals with disabilities – searchable state map
Family Voices -Family Voices aims to achieve family-centered care for all children and youth with special health care needs and/or disabilities. Through a national network, they provide families tools to make informed decisions, advocate for improved public and private policies, build partnerships among professionals and families, and serve as a trusted resource on health care.
Alabama
CHASA Alabama – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Alaska
CHASA Alaska – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Arizona
CHASA Arizona – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke. Director: Tina Pixler-Martinez
Arkansas
CHASA Arkansas – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
California
CHASA California – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
San Diego, CA Meetup Director: Molissa Murad
San Diego currently has two support groups for families of children who have hemiplegia. One group is for families of children ranging in age from newborns to 18 years old. The other group is a playgroup for children ages 2 to 3 years old. This group meets for dinner and play dates.
Northern California Meetup Director: Courtney Osiow
Courtney is a college student and a childhood stroke survivor. She also serves as Vice-president of CHASA’s Junior Advisory Board.This group is for families of children who have hemiplegia, hemiparesis, or hemiplegic cerebral palsy, and meets in the Greater Sacramento area.
Camp Bennett – Constraint Induced Movement Therapy Camp – San Francisco
Chinese Parents Association for the Disabled
University of California San Francisco Pediatric Stroke & Cerebrovascular Center- Pediatric Stroke Research Facility
Colorado
CHASA Colorado – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Children’s Hospital Colorado Stroke Program
Connecticut
CHASA Connecticut – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Connecticut Meetup Group Director: Annette Brennan
This support group for families of children who have hemiplegia, hemiparesis, or hemiplegic cerebral palsy, meets in Connecticut.
Washington, D.C.
CHASA Washington, D.C. – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Delaware
CHASA Delaware – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Florida
CHASA Florida- Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Florida Department of Education – Includes information on the McKay Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program
Georgia
CHASA Georgia – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Hawaii
CHASA Hawaii – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Idaho
CHASA Idaho – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Illinois
CHASA Illinois – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Illinois Meetup Group Director: Tiffaney Carlisle
This support group for families of children who have hemiplegia, hemiparesis, or hemiplegic cerebral palsy, meets in Chicago, Illinois.
CHASA Central Illinois – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke – Champaign-Urbana, Bloomington, Decatur, Springfield areas. Central Illinois Meetup Directors: Emily Bernotas and Megan Duckett
Indiana
CHASA Indiana – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Iowa
CHASA Iowa – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Kansas
CHASA Kansas – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Kentucky
CHASA Kentucky – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Louisiana
CHASA Louisiana – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Maine
CHASA Maine – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Maryland
CHASA Maryland, DC, Northern VA – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke. Director Mary Ellen.
Physically Challenged Sports & Recreation Program – Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD
Constraint Induced and Bimanual Therapy Kennedy Krieger Institute – 2013 Summer Camp in Baltimore, MD aimed at promoting increased use, strength and coordination in affected limbs through fun-filled activities including crafts, games, self-care activities and field trips. This is a great opportunity for kids ages 5 and older, to enjoy a summer camp atmosphere while also encouraging recovery under the supervision of trained occupational and physical therapists. If you are interested in signing up for camp or would like more information, please contact Kristine Mauldin 443-923-4587
Massachusetts
CHASA Massachusetts – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Boston Children’s Hospital Cerebrovascular Disorders and Stroke Program
Massachusetts Meetup Group Director: Eliza and Kevin Maltby. The Maltbys are proud parents to Hannah and Noah. When Noah was 48 hours old, he was diagnosed with having survived a perinatal ischemic stroke due to a clot. The family has been a part of the CHASA/HemiKids listserv since their son’s diagnosis in 2009. Eliza reports that, “CHASA has provided us with a tremendous amount of support and guidance. We are looking forward to raising awareness and providing support to families in Massachusetts, specifically the western MA region.”
Michigan
CHASA Michigan – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Michigan Meetup Group Director: Melanie and Jeff Domrase
Shortly after their son, Nolan, was diagnosed with right hemiparetic cerebral palsy due to an in-utero stroke of an unknown cause in early 2008, Jeff and Melanie Domrase were looking for families like themselves and found CHASA and the Hemi-Kids group online. After attending a group picnic with local pediatric stroke families in the summer of 2008, Jeff and Melanie quickly realized the value of knowing families who have traveled this road before. Along with a group of families, they organized the Michigan summer picnic where families could come together to enjoy a day with families like their own and learn about local doctors, therapies and their children could meet friends like them. The Michigan summer picnic has historically met in Plymouth, Michigan with plans for remaining in the metro-Detroit area for the coming years. The Domrase family lives in Berkley, Michigan where Jeff is a graphic designer for local ad agencies and Melanie is a client project coordinator for a healthcare law firm in Troy.
Power Her Pride – Michigan Girls with Disabilities Event
Michigan Alliance for Families – connects families of children with disabilities to resources to help improve their children’s education
Michigan Victory Games – A competitive sporting competition for athletes with various abilities
Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan
Minnesota
CHASA Minnesota – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Mississippi
CHASA Mississippi – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Missouri
CHASA Missouri – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Montana
CHASA Montana – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Nebraska
CHASA Nebraska – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Nevada
CHASA Nevada – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
New Hampshire
CHASA New Hampshire – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
New Jersey
CHASA New Jersey – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Children’s Lightening Wheels – a Paralympic Sports Club sponsored by Children’s Specialized Hospital in New Jersey
New Mexico
CHASA New Mexico – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
New York
CHASA New York – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
New York Meetup Director: Maria Casella
This support group, for families of children who have hemiplegia, hemiparesis, or hemiplegic cerebral palsy, meets in Long Island, NY.
New York Health and Human Services – Children With Special Needs
North Carolina
CHASA North Carolina – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
North Carolina Meetup Director: Monica Sparzak
This group for families of children who have hemiplegia, hemiparesis, or hemiplegic cerebral palsy, meets near Eastover, NC.
Transitions: Legal Issues for Parents and Caregivers of Special Needs Children Transitioning to Adulthood – The South Carolina Bar is pleased to announce that it has developed a handbook for parents of special needs children which addresses guardianship and conservatorship issues that arise as these children turn 18 and become legal adults
North Dakota
CHASA North Dakota – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Ohio
CHASA Ohio – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps (BCMH)
Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD)
Nationwide Children’s Stroke Research
Nationwide Children’s Pediatric Stroke and Vascular Anomalies Clinic
Oklahoma
CHASA Oklahoma – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Oregon
CHASA Oregon – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Pennsylvania
CHASA Pennsylvania – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke. Director: Robin Shane
Baby Strokes is a support group for moms of neonatal stroke survivors. The purpose of the group is to give moms some time away from the family where they can talk with others who can relate to their experiences. Moms of children with hemiplegia of all ages are welcome. Baby Strokes meets on the third Monday of every month at 7 pm in the Lansdale area. Contact Jill Conti at babystrokes2010 @ gmail.com for additional information.
CHOP Support Group for Brain Injuries - These may be limited to CHOP patients and their families.
Camp Cranium – summer camp for children who have had brain trauma, stroke, brain tumors, or other brain-related conditions
Pediatric Stroke Program at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia – Pediatric Stroke Research Facility
Rhode Island
CHASA Rhode Island – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
South Carolina
CHASA South Carolina – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
South Dakota
CHASA South Dakota – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
South Dakota Meetup Group Director: Jana Smoot White
Jana began fundraising and volunteering with the Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Association (CHASA) in 2008 when her daughter was newly diagnosed. Jana is President of the CHASA Board of Directors. In addition to her work with CHASA, Jana is a practicing attorney in South Dakota where she and her husband James are raising their two beautiful daughters, Evie and Delaney. Evie has right side hemiplegia due to an in utero stroke. Jana has a degree in Sociology and Journalism from the University of Kansas and a J.D. from the University of Kentucky College of Law. She and her husband are die hard Jayhawk fans.
Tennessee
CHASA Tennessee – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Texas
CHASA Texas – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
North Texas Meetup Director: Stephany Fawcett
The Dallas-Fort Worth Support Group for families of children who have hemiplegia, hemiparesis, infant or childhood stroke, or hemiplegic cerebral palsy, meets every three months at a restaurant in the DFW area and at area homes or parks for family outings.
San Antonio, Texas Meetup Director: Julie Ring
Julie discovered Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Association (CHASA) shortly after her son, Evan, was diagnosed with having suffered a stroke, and she had an instant desire to get more involved and begin volunteering with the organization. She and her husband, Marvin, have three children – Nicholas, Olivia, and Evan – and live in San Antonio, Texas. Julie serves as the CHASA board’s Vice President and handles much of the marketing and public relations efforts. In addition to being featured and quoted in several articles about children and strokes, Julie works hard in her own community to raise awareness for pediatric stroke. To that end, she started the Pediatric Stroke Stroll in San Antonio to raise money, generate awareness, and bring families of stroke survivors together to participate in a fun and worthwhile event. Julie is currently the Vice President of Marketing for SWBC, a financial services company headquartered in San Antonio.
Texas Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) – Medicaid Waiver Program. Ask to be placed on waiting list; not based on parent income. This program can begin in childhood and continue into adult years. Contact your county MHMR. Website also has search engine where you can put your zip code and find number to call to apply.
CLASS Program in Texas – Medicaid Waiver Program. Ask to be placed on waiting list; not based on parent income. This program can begin in childhood and continue into adult years. 817-438-5658 for interest list.
Texas Medically Dependent Children Program (MDCP) – Medicaid Waiver Program. Ask to be placed on waiting list; not based on parent income. Must be 21 or younger. 817-438-5658 for interest list.
HIPP - Texas Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) program. HIPP helps families pay for private health insurance. It is a program for families with at least one person who gets Medicaid.
Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services – Contact Information
CLASS Approval of Vehicle Modifications as Adaptive Aids
All Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services
Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services – Early Childhood Intervention Services - 1-800-628-5115
Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)
Texas Assistive Technology Network
Family Support Council of Tarrant County
Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities – helps people with developmental disabilities achieve their potential for independence, productivity and integration into their communities by working to develop a comprehensive system of service and supports in Texas.
Disability Rights Texas – federally designated legal protection and advocacy agency (P&A) for people with disabilities. Their mission is to help people with disabilities understand and exercise their rights under the law, ensuring their full and equal participation in society.
State of Texas Calendar of Events pertaining to disability issues
Resource Guide for Students with Disabilities – Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities
From Disability Rights Texas – Data from the Texas Education Agency for the 2010 – 2011 school year regarding use of Out of School Suspension by all Texas school districts indicates that special education students are subjected to out of school suspension statewide at almost double the rate of all students.
Texas Children’s Hospital Pediatric Stroke Clinic
Utah
CHASA Utah – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Vermont
CHASA Vermont – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Virginia
CHASA Virginia – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Virginia Resources for Children with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy or Pediatric Stroke
Washington
CHASA Washington – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
West Virginia
CHASA West Virginia – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Wisconsin
CHASA Wisconsin – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Sticks n’ Stones Bully Prevention Curriculum for Wisconsin Schools
Wyoming
CHASA Wyoming – Meetup Group – For Families of Children with Hemiplegia or Pediatric Stroke
Canada
Canadian Pediatric Stroke Support Association
Calgary Pediatric Stroke Program
