It is our goal to improve and expand integrated employment opportunities, services, and outcomes for persons with disabilities through employment with supports (supported employment).

Mission:
To serve as an advocate for Alabama's citizens with developmental disabilities and their families; to empower them with the knowledge and opportunity to make informed choices and exercise control over their own lives; and to create a climate for positive social change to enable them to be respected, independent and productive integrated members of society.

The Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services' (ADRS) mission is to enable Alabama's children and adults with disabilities to achieve their maximum potential. We are the only state agency in the country that offers a comprehensive array of medical, educational, psychological, vocational, technological and independent living services for children and adults with disabilities from birth through old age. ADRS is comprised of seven major divisions: Computer Services, Accounting and Purchasing, Human Resources, Legal, Early Intervention System, Children's Rehabilitation Service and Vocational Rehabilitation Service. Please visit the website for a brief description of some of the programs and services, and to locate the field office nearest to you.

Easter Seals children's services help kids with disabilities succeed in school. Easter Seals employment programs help people learn job skills and enter the workplace. Easter Seals physical medicine and rehabilitation services help people return to their everyday lives. Easter Seals services are comprehensive and individualized to meet each client's needs, family-focused to meet each family member's concerns, outcome-oriented with a goal of enhanced independence, and cost-effective benefiting from public support.

The Alabama PTA is the strongest statewide organization working exclusively on behalf of children and youth. Alabama PTA's primary objective is to strengthen the family unit through parent involvement.

Identifies and develops a comprehensive directory of service providers. The Alabama Lifespan Respite Resource Network:

* Provides respite-related information to the community
* Connects families with respite care payment resources
* Coordinates respite and caregiving trainings
* Maintains databases of respite care providers and possible funding resources

ALA-WIN (Alabama Work Incentives Network) is a statewide program that helps Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries, between the ages of 14 and 64, understand their work options so that they may make more informed choices regarding employment. The program provides information about federal, state and local work incentive programs and related issues.

Alabama's health insurance program for families who can't get insurance through their jobs, but earn too much to receive other assistance.

Early Intervention Vendor
State Certified Special Educator K-12
Highly-Qualified
ADvocate/ Consultant/Service Provider for Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism

The Arc of Alabama is committed to securing for all people with mental retardation the opportunity to choose and realize their goals of where and how they learn, live work and pray. There are several Arc locations in the state of Alabama.

Provides diagnostic services, training for families, teachers, and related professionals, outreach consultation, and research opportunities.

The Autism Society is a non-profit organization serving the state of Alabama. Families can call the autism society if they have questions about services/providers in the state. The Autism Society has local support groups in many regions of the state. Families and service providers can access the lending library for needed reference material.

ASA is managed by an Executive Director and governed by its Board of Directors. Volunteers are a critical component to the present and future success of this organization. Every month, the Autism Society of Alabama helps approximately 600 individuals with autism spectrum disorders, their parents, and their service providers (doctors, therapists, teachers, etc.). Our current programs and services include, but are not limited to the following:

Toll free information and referral hotline - we receive approximately 250 calls per month

Resource directory -a preliminary directory of service providers, activities, disability organizations, etc.

Education (parents, providers, family members, etc.) through our quarterly newsletter, exhibitions, speaking engagements, etc.

Parent support groups in 13 counties around the state
Innovative website which receives about 75,000 hits per month.

This website has a direct link to our e-mail addresses. We receive about 15 e-mails a day requesting information and / or referral.

A lending library

Annual Alabama Autism conference for parents, doctors, teachers, service providers, and students

Support groups for siblings called Sib Shops

Collaboration efforts with other state agencies to provide services for persons with autism spectrum disorders. For example, we were instrumental in bringing the Positive Behavior Support model from Marshall University to the state. The Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation now uses this model throughout the state to help individuals with disabilities and their families in planning their futures and insuring that they have a quality of life.

Brewer-Porch Children�s Center is a state-wide social service program and teaching clinic of The University of Alabama. A department within the College of Arts and Sciences, the Center provides multidisciplinary mental health services to children and adolescents and is dedicated to the three missions of The University: service, teaching, and research.

Provide's children's advocacy services, affiliated with National Children's Alliance.

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Stepping Stones Consulting, LLC. is an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) provider. Services provided include but are not limited to assessment/evaluation, comprehensive in-home or on-site ABA programs to teach verbal behavior, learning, academic, social, and self-help skills to individuals who exhibit problem behaviors and are diagnosed with autism and other developmental disabilities. Individualized programs are developed based upon the unique behavioral and educational needs of each person utilizing assessments such as the Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills (ABLLS). Data is continually collected and monitored to verify progress in the reduction of target behaviors and the acquisition of more appropriate alternative skills. Stepping Stones Consulting also provides individual training sessions for parents and other concerned citizens.

The mission of the Civitan International Research Center is to improve the well-being and the quality of life of individuals and families affected by mental retardation and developmental disabilities.

CCARC, Inc. is committed to providing, through advocacy and/or service provision,
-OPTIONS and opportunities that address individual needs and aspirations of all those we serve so that they may discover, set and work toward goals that will enable them to maximize their full participation in all aspects of life
-OPPORTUNITIES to involve families so they may be a part of CCARC's efforts to enhance the quality of life for the people we serve
-EDUCATION, that promotes awareness and acceptance, that will increase inclusion in the community for persons with disabilities.