Organizations

The Parent and Educator Connection (PEC) is a statewide network that assists parents and educators as they work together to improve communication between home and school for children and young adults with special needs. PEC Coordinators located in Area Education Agencies across Iowa are available to provide information about local and regional training opportunities.

The ASK Family Resource Center is a "one-stop-shop" for children and adults with disabilities and their families. Through its partner organizations, ASK provides a broad range of information, advocacy, support, training and direct services.

The Iowa Association of Community Providers is comprised of over 150 community-based organizations whose missions & core services are consistent with the association.  All member organizations provide quality (licensed & accredited) services to children & adults with mental illness & mental health related issues, intellectual disabilities, brain injury & other developmental disabilities. The Association's website provides links to events, trainings, and resources.

Iowa Advocates for Mental Health Recovery creates opportunities for advancing hope and recovery for all, by transforming community attitudes and the mental health system to reflect respect and trust through education, advocacy and empowerment. The IAMHR website features links to its annual conference and quarterly newsletters, and provides extensive information on recovery.

NAMI Iowa offers the Family-to-Family Education Program, a free 12-week course for family members and significant others of individuals with mental illnesses. Trained family members lead the course, focusing primarily on schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. A peer-to-peer education program is also available.

The Autism Society of Iowa website contains information on training conferences, scholarship opportunities, local activities, the organization's newsletter, and state and national advocacy initiatives.

The Brain Injury Association of Iowa wants to create a better future through brain injury prevention, advocacy, education, research and support. BIAIA is partnering with the Mayo Clinic on a study to determine the best way to teach self-advocacy to individuals who experience brain injury. The website contains comprehensive news and events, a “Virtual Tote Bag” of information and resources, and links to the association's newsletters.

The CHADD website contains resources on Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder for parents, teachers and adults experiencing ADHD. The site also contains links to annual and regional conferences, continuing education opportunities and a calendar of events.

The mission of the Iowa Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) is to strengthen the voice of Iowans with disabilities on issues affecting their lives, to build a statewide network of centers for independent living, and to collaborate with our partners in advancing the independence, productivity, and full inclusion of Iowans with disabilities. The SILC website provides a comprehensive overview of the Independent Living Movement as well as links to Iowa Centers for Independent Living and national Independent Living organizations.

The Sibling Support Project is a national effort dedicated to the concerns of brothers and sisters of people who have special health, developmental, or mental health concerns. The project's mission is to increase peer support and information opportunities for brothers and sisters impacted by disability and to educate parents and providers about sibling issues. This mission is accomplished through workshops, publications, and listservs.