If your child has a disability, and you do not know where to find help, check out this list of essential resources available in your state. These essential contacts offer the most commonly needed services and can provide you with referrals to other appropriate services as well. If you have difficulty contacting any of these resources, please feel free to email me at: learningdisabilities.guide@about.com.
1. Department of Education - Special Education - Ages 3 - 21
States' departments of education oversee disability education services to children. It monitors school districts for compliance with IDEA and state special education regulations. The Department of Education handles formal complaints, due process hearings, and mediation on special education issues.
Bureau of Special Population Services
Idaho Department of Education
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0027
Telephone: (208) 332-6800
Website: Special Education Programs
2. Disability Advocacy Services
Protection and advocacy offices offer information and referrals relating to disability issues, a resource database for self-advocacy, education and training in disability rights, and individual case advocacy.
Comprehensive Advocacy, Inc.
Idaho’s Protection and Advocacy System
4477 Emerald Street, Suite B-100
Boise, ID 83706-2066
Telephone: (208)336-5353 (TTY and Voice)
Toll Free: (800)632-5125
Website: Idaho Protection and Advocacy
3. Mental Health Services Agency
State mental health agencies provide services to individuals and families dealing with mental illness, mental retardation, and substance abuse. Services include advocacy, nursing home screening, psychiatric services, intervention, coordination of treatment, case management, and more.
Adult and Children's Mental Health Programs
Division of Family and Community Services
Department of Health and Welfare
P.O. Box 83720-5th Floor
Boise, ID 83720-0036
Telephone: (208)334-0969 Website: Idaho Department of Health - Mental Health
4. State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency
Vocational rehabilitation services help people with disabilities live more independent lives by providing education, support, and services to assist them with becoming employed. The department works with middle schools, high schools, and higher education to help students with disabilities access appropriate supports for employment and independence such as job coaching, teaching skills, support in job placement, assistive and adaptive supports, and more.
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0096
Telephone: (208)334-3390 (TTY and Voice) Website: Vocational Rehabilitation
5. Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers with Disabilities
Services to children with disabilities include instruction, speech, physical, and occupational therapies.
Birth - 2:
Children's Developmental Services
Family and Community Services
Department of Health and Welfare
P.O. Box 83720
450 W. State Street, 5th Floor
Boise ID 83720-0036
Telephone: (208) 334-5514
Toll Free: (800) 926-2588
Website: Infant Toddler Programs
Ages 3 - 5:
Bureau of Special Population Services
Idaho Department of Education
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0027
Telephone: (208)332-6800
Website: Special Education Programs
6. Programs for People with Developmental Disabilities
Division of Family and Community ServicesDepartment of Health and Welfare
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0036
(208) 334-5536
http://www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov
Councils on Developmental Disabilities Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities
802 W. Bannock Street, Suite 308
Boise, ID 83702
(208) 334-2178
http://www.icdd.idaho.gov
7. Protection and Advocacy Agencies
Comprehensive Advocacy, (Co-Ad, Inc.)Idaho’s Protection and Advocacy System
4477 Emerald Street, Suite B-100
Boise, ID 83706-2066
(208) 336-5353 (V/TTY)
(800) 632-5125
http://www.icdri.org/legal/IDAHOPADD.htm
Client Assistance Program Comprehensive Advocacy, (Co-Ad, Inc.)
Idaho’s Protection and Advocacy System
4477 Emerald Street, Suite B-100
Boise, ID 83706-2066
(208) 336-5353 (V/TTY)
(800) 632-5125
8. Programs for Children with Special Health Care Needs
Children's Special Health ProgramBureau of Clinical and Preventive Services
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0036
(208) 334-5962
http://www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/Default.aspx?TabId=160
State CHIP Program - for Low-Income Children
2-1-1 Idaho CareLine
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0026
(800) 926-2588; or dial 2-1-1
www.idahocareline.org
http://www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/Children/ChildSupportServices/ChildSupportServices/MedicalSupport/tabid/376/Default.aspx
9. Programs for Children and Youth who are Blind or Visually Impaired
Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired341 W. Washington Street
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83702-0012
(208) 334-3220
(800) 542-8688
www.icbvi.state.id.us
10. Programs for Children and Youth who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Idaho Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing1720 Westgate Drive, Suite A
Boise ID 83704
(208) 334-0879 (V)
(208) 334-0803 (TTY)
(800) 433-1323 (Voice -- in ID only)
(800) 433-1361 (TTY -- in ID only)
www.cdhh.idaho.gov
