Resources:  Helpful Links to Services and Supports

The Arc Alliance is dedicated to providing resources and supports to enable individuals the opportunity to become as independent, engaged, and as active in their community as possible. Please take a few moments to investigate the categories and options listed.

The Arc of PA http://thearcpa.org/

Disability Rights PA https://disabilityrightspa.org/

Self Advocates United as 1 https://sau1.org/

The Arc of Chester County http://www.arcofchestercounty.org/services/advocacy/

Access Art-Reach https://www.art-reach.org/access-program/access-philly/

Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services https://www.dli.pa.gov/Individuals/Disability-Services/bbvs/Pages/default.aspx

Child Care Works https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Services/Children/Pages/Child-Care-Works-Program.aspx

Community HealthChoices https://www.dhs.pa.gov/HealthChoices/HC-Services/Pages/CHC-Main.aspx

Compass https://www.compass.state.pa.us/compass.web/Public/CMPHome

HCSIS Service and Supports Directory: https://www.hcsis.state.pa.us/hcsis-ssd/ServicesSupportDirectory/ServicesSupportHome

Heating Assistance (LIHEAP) https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Services/Assistance/Pages/LIHEAP.aspx

MyODP https://www.myodp.org/

PA Bureau of Autism https://www.dhs.pa.gov/contact/DHS-Offices/Pages/ODP-Bureau%20of%20Autism%20Services.aspx

PA Homeowner Assistance Fund (PAHAF) https://pahaf.org/

PA Office of Aging https://www.aging.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx

Self-Determination Housing of Pennsylvania https://www.inglis.org/programs-and-services/inglis-community-services/self-determination-housing-of-pennsylvania-sdhp

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Services/Assistance/Pages/SNAP.aspx

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/ssi/

Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Services/Assistance/Pages/LIHWAP.aspx

Dream Partnership: http://dreampartnership.org/

PA Secondary Transition Guide: http://www.secondarytransition.org/

The Peal Center: http://pealcenter.org/

Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network: http://www.pattan.net/

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation: http://www.dli.pa.gov/Individuals/Disability-Services/ovr/Pages/default.aspx

Works for Me PA: http://worksforme-pa.org/

State Employment Leadership Network: http://www.selnhub.org/home

Networks for Training and Development https://www.networksfortraining.org/#welcome

Achieva- Charitable Residual Account https://www.achieva.info/family-trust/charitable-residual-account
ACT-SOS Program https://www.act-today.org/our-funds/autism-care-today-sos/
ACT-Today https://www.act-today.org/apply-for-grant/
Association of Blind Citizens https://blindcitizens.org/assistive-technology-fund/
Aubrey Rose Foundation https://aubreyrose.org/financial-assistance-for-families/
Bill Pay Assistance http://www.needhelppayingbills.com/
Brian J. Wittig Memorial Enrichment Fund https://www.epdsc.net/our-programs/brian-j-wittig-enrichment-memorial-fund/
Brighter Journeys https://www.brighterjourneys.net/grant-application
Cerner Charitable Foundation https://www.cernercharitablefoundation.org/request-funding
Challenged Athletes Foundation https://www.challengedathletes.org/grants/
Different Needz Foundation http://www.differentneedzfoundation.org/
Emily Ann Griffin Foundation https://eagf.org/
Fred’s Footsteps https://fredsfootsteps.org/our-program/
Giving Angels Foundation https://givingangelsfoundation.org/apply-for-help/
Help A Little One (H.A.L.O.) Foundation https://www.halo.org/request
Justin Hope Foundation https://www.justinhope.org/award-application.html
Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund https://dolanfund.org/
Marty Lyons Foundation https://martylyonsfoundation.org/
Mitzvah Circle Foundation https://mitzvahcircle.org/
My Gym Foundation https://www.mygymfoundation.org/apply-for-a-gift/
Patches of Light https://www.patchesoflight.org/assistance
Sunshine Foundation https://sunshinefoundation.org/
Travelers Protective Association (TPA) https://www.tpahq.org/tpa-hearing-trust/apply/

Disability Rights Pennsylvania https://www.disabilityrightspa.org/

Juvenile Law Center http://jlc.org/

Legal Aid of Southeastern PA http://lasp.org/

Legal Clinic for the Disabled https://lcdphila.org/

McAndrews Law http://mcandrewslaw.com/practice-areas/special-education/

PA Health Law Project http://www.phlp.org/

Danny’s Wish: https://dannyswish.org/

IF I NEED HELP: https://ifineedhelp.org/

National Autism Association (NAA): nationalautismassociation.org

PA Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF): https://patf.us/

Team Children: http://www.teamchildren.org/2021-computer-application.html

Temple’s Tech Owl: https://techowlpa.org/service-for-a-person/

Social Groups

https://www.bestbuddies.org/pennsylvania/friendship
Fosters individualized friendships for people with and without an IDD diagnosis, with chapters for middle school, high school, college, and adults.

https://www.facebook.com/GraspPhilly/
A friendly, supportive virtual meeting group for adults ages 18 and older who are diagnosed with autism.

https://www.makingfriendssocialgroup.com/
Offers social strategies for children pre-K through 5th grade diagnosed with ADHD, social anxiety, and language disorder.

https://ourcommunitycup.com/
A welcoming place for all people, offering activities like open mic and games.

https://youthmovepa.wildapricot.org/Thrive-for-Hope/
A virtual, drop-in support group for young adults ages 16-29.

https://www.familiesccanphilly.org/services-programs
Supports families through resource meetings, virtual workshops, service navigation, and more.

https://www.jchai.org/
Free, virtual support group for parents/caregivers of adults (17+) with disabilities.

https://www.parenttoparent.org/
Matches a parent to a “mentor” parent to act as a peer support person.

If you are a parent, family member of a person or individual receiving Intellectual disAbility Services in Philadelphia and looking to make a connection in your area, please contact the following:

  • NW Family Support Group
    Germantown, Mount Airy, Chestnut Hill Representative: Verna Edwards –215-301-0436

  • Heart of the Family
    Center City / South Philly Parent Support Representative: Marjorie Anderson – 267-307-6915

  • There’s A Place For Us Support Group
    North Philadelphia Representative: Cleo Dupree – 215-329-5219

  • Abrienodo Caminos a los Latinos con Families”
    Exceptional Families “ (Latinos Support Group) Liaison: Marisol Ramos – 267-773-5296

  • Roxborough Parent Support Group
    Roxborough Representative: Carol Costello – 215-487-1240

  • West Philadelphia Parent Support Group
    West Philadelphia, Mantua, Overbrook & SW Philadelphia, Winfield Representative: Doreatha Davis- 215-303-3501