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Resources

The Internet can provide a wealth of information to parents and educators about current issues pertaining to special education. Below is a listing of frequently searched web sites used by parents and professionals. 

***Please note that the web links are located outside of the Central Dauphin Domain. It is neither owned nor operated by the Central Dauphin School District or the Office of Special Programs and thus the quality and safety of its content is unknown.

The ARC of Pennsylvania  - Phone: 800-692-7258

The Arc of Pennsylvania promotes the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.

Autism Society of the Greater Harrisburg Area

To promote opportunities for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) to participate in the same valued life experiences as do other citizens, the Autism Society of the Greater Harrisburg Area will:

To promote opportunities for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) to participate in the same valued life experiences as do other citizens, the Autism Society of the Greater Harrisburg Area will:

  • Provide the latest information on interventions, services, and research to our membership and the community
  • Facilitate access to supports, education, and services needed by individuals with ASD to reach their fullest potential
  • Create opportunities for families to network, share information, and offer support
  • Advocate for the interests of our members, children and adults with ASD, their family members, and the adults who work with them
  • Support the efforts of local and national therapeutic, educational, and research communities
  • Solicit and receive funds for the accomplishment of the above purposes

Bureau of Special Education’s ConsultLine, A Parent Helpline

Phone: 800-879-2301

The ConsultLine is designed to assist parents and advocates of children with disabilities or children thought to be disabled. If you have any questions concerning your child's special education program or the laws relating to the provision of services in your child's IEP (Individualized Educational Program), the special education specialists at ConsultLine may be able to assist you. The ConsultLine has special education specialist who will explain federal and state laws relating to special education, describe the options that are available to parents, inform parents of procedural safeguards, identify other agencies and support services, and describe available remedies and how parents can proceed.

Capital Area Intermediate Unit

The Capital Area Intermediate Unit will achieve educational excellence with families, schools and communities through leadership, partnership and innovation.

Disabilities Rights Network - Phone: 800-692-7443

Disability Rights Pennsylvania (DRP) is a statewide, non-profit corporation designated as the federally-mandated organization to advance and protect the civil rights of adults and children with disabilities. DRP works with people with disabilities and their families, their organizations, and their advocates to ensure their right to live in their communities with the services they need, to receive a full and inclusive education, to live free of discrimination, abuse and neglect, and to have control and self-determination over their services. DRP works to ensure that people with disabilities have equal and unhindered access to employment, transportation, public accommodations, and government services; to enforce their rights to vocational, habilitative, post-secondary educational, health, and other services; and to protect them from abuse and neglect.

Hispanos Unidos Para Niños Excepionales (Philadelphia Hune, INC) - Phone: 215-425-6203

HUNE is a not for profit organization that provides free bilingual English and Spanish training, technical assistance and individual assistance to parents of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities and to professionals who work with children. This assistance helps parents to participate more effectively with professionals in meeting the educational needs of children and youth with disabilities. HUNE works to improve educational outcomes for children and youth with all disabilities (emotional, learning, mental, and physical) from 0-26 years of age.

Keystone Autism Services: Adult Community Autism Program (ACAP)

ACAP is a program of the Bureau of Autism Services, with services provided by Keystone Autism Services (KAS), and it is designed specifically for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Whether a person needs many or few supports, ACAP's services and supports are individually tailored to each person's strengths and individual goals. These comprehensive services integrate health care, improve social skills, support vocational and leisure activities, and assist families and caregivers. Because services are flexible, they can be readily modified as a person's needs change over time.

Local Task Force

The Local Task Force #15 is a group of parents and professionals working together to ensure the right to education for persons receiving special education services in the Cumberland, Dauphin, Perry and northern York counties.  The Local Task Force is comprised of parents, school district representatives, county mental health/intellectual disabilities office (MH/ID) representatives, a CAIU representative, and representatives from the local ARC offices.

Mission Empower - Phone: 814-825-0788

Serving as a Community Resource Center, Mission Empower provides advocacy, education, and the promotion of inclusion, assisting families and their children with disabilities to enable their children to use their gifts and talents to reach their potential and become productive members of our community.

Office for Dispute Resolution - Phone: 800-222-3353

The Office for Dispute Resolution (ODR) provides the resources for parents and educational agencies to resolve educational disputes for children served by the early intervention system, students who are gifted (or thought to be gifted), and students with disabilities (or thought to have disabilities). Pennsylvania has been named an Exemplary Dispute Resolution System in Special Education by the Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education (CADRE).

Parent Education and Advocacy Leadership Center (PEAL) - Phone: 866-950-1040

The mission of the PEAL Center is to ensure that children, youth, and adults with disabilities and special health care needs lead rich, active lives and participate as full members of their schools and communities by providing training, information, parent leadership, and technical assistance based on best practices to individuals and families and all people who support them.

Parent Education Network

Parents Education Network is a coalition of parents collaborating with educators, students and the community to empower and bring academic and life success to students with learning and attention differences.

Pennsylvania Bar Association - Phone: 800-932-0311

The PBA's updated pamphlet series on consumer legal issues helps Pennsylvanians understand their rights. The pamphlets, written in layman's terms, address many important legal topics - from child custody and identity theft to traffic violations and buying a home.

The Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTaN) - Phone: 800-360-7282

The mission of the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network is to support the efforts and initiatives of the Bureau of Special Education, and to build the capacity of local educational agencies to serve students who receive special education services.

Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia - Phone: 215-627-7100

The Public Interest Law Center uses high-impact legal strategies to advance the civil, social, and economic rights of communities in the Philadelphia region facing discrimination, inequality, and poverty. We use litigation, community education, advocacy, and organizing to secure their access to fundamental resources and services.

State Task Force on the Right to Education - Phone: 1-800-446-5607 ext. 6828

The Pennsylvania State Task Force is charged with ensuring that the mandate and spirit of the Right to Education Consent Agreement are carried out throughout the commonwealth. This brochure provides information about the Pennsylvania State Task Force and Local Task Forces.