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.
Department of Education - Special Education
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.
Office of Special Programs, Extended and Early Learning
Department of Education
1900 Kanawha Boulevard East Building 6, Room 304
Charleston, WV 25305-0330
Toll Free Telephone:(800)642-8541
Telephone: (304) 558-2696
Website: Special Education
Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers with Disabilities
Services to children with disabilities include instruction, speech, physical, and occupational therapies.
Children Ages Birth - 3
Office of Maternal, Child and Family Health
Bureau of Public Health
350 Capitol Street, Room 427
Charleston, WV 25301
Toll Free Telephone: (800) 642-9704
Telephone: (304) 558-5388
Website: Early Childhood Programs
Children Ages 3 - 5
Office of Special Programs
Extended and Early Learning
1900 Kanawha Boulevard East Building 6, Room 304
Charleston, WV 25305-0330
Telephone: ((304) 558-2696
Website: Special Education
State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency
Vocational rehabilitation helps people with disabilities live independently. The department works with middle schools, high schools, and higher education to help students with disabilities access appropriate supports for employment and independence.
Division of Rehabilitation Services
State Capitol Complex
P.O. Box 50890
Charleston WV 25305-0890
Telephone: (304)766-4601
Website: Vocational Rehabilitation
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.
Department of Health and Human Resources
350 Capitol Street, Room 350
P.O. Box 45320
Charleston, WV 25301-3702
Telephone: (304) 558-0298
Website: Mental Health Services
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.
West Virginia Advocates
1207 Quarrier Street, 4th Floor
P.O. Box 50890
Charleston, WV 25301
Toll Free Telephone: (800)950-5250 (Inside West Virginia)
Telephone Voice and TTY: (304) 346-0847
Website: Advocacy Services
