SharonKingWorldWide October 2026 Newsletter

Helping families find support, understand their options, and advocate with confidence.

Welcome, my beautiful special needs community! At SharonKingWorldWide, we believe every child and adult with a disability deserves dignity, opportunity, inclusion, and belonging. Parents and caregivers deserve information, encouragement, and support along the way.

This resource center brings together national and California organizations that can help with education, health care, disability services, financial assistance, and family support.

Start Here: Find the Support You Need

• Questions about school, an IEP, or accommodations? Start with a Parent Training and Information Center.
• Concerned about your baby or toddler’s development? Explore early intervention services.
• Need help paying for care or meeting daily needs? Explore SSI, Medi-Cal, IHSS, and community assistance.
• Feeling isolated or overwhelmed by caregiving? Connect with parent support organizations.
• Preparing for adulthood? Explore employment, independent living, and workplace accommodations.

1. Special Education, IEPs & School Support

Center for Parent Information and Resources — Nationwide

Find a Parent Training and Information Center or Community Parent Resource Center serving your area. These organizations help families understand special education and participate in decisions about their children’s education.

Find your local parent center⁠. (parentcenterhub.org⁠)

Understood — Nationwide

Explore family-friendly information about learning differences, ADHD, IEPs, Section 504 plans, assistive technology, and everyday learning challenges.

Explore Understood⁠. (understood.org⁠)

California Department of Education — California

Learn about parents’ special education rights and locate information about resolving disagreements with a school district.

Understand parents’ rights⁠ | Explore dispute resolution⁠. (cde.ca.gov⁠, cde.ca.gov⁠)

2. Disability Rights & Advocacy

Disability Rights California — California

Find information about special education eligibility, assessments, IEP meetings, related services, discipline, bullying, and advocacy. Its Special Education Rights and Responsibilities manual explains options when families disagree with a school district.

Read the special education rights manual⁠ | Browse advocacy resources⁠. (serr.disabilityrightsca.org⁠, disabilityrightsca.org⁠)

A helpful family practice: Keep an organized folder with evaluations, IEPs or 504 plans, service records, school communications, and your questions. After an important conversation, send a brief written summary and keep a copy.

3. Early Intervention & Developmental Services

California Early Start — California

Information and referrals for early intervention services for eligible infants and toddlers under age three. Families with developmental concerns can contact Early Start for guidance.

Early Start BabyLine: 800-515-2229

Explore Early Start⁠. (dds.ca.gov⁠, dds.ca.gov⁠)

California Regional Centers — California

Find your regional center and learn about eligibility, assessments, individual program planning, and developmental disability services. Ask the center which supports may be available for your family.

Find regional center information⁠. (dds.ca.gov⁠)

4. ADHD, Autism & Learning Differences

CHADD — Nationwide

Access ADHD information and parent toolkits covering school support, diagnosis, treatment information, and family concerns.
Explore CHADD’s parent toolkit⁠. (chadd.org⁠)

Autism Society — Nationwide
Find autism information, educational resources, and connections to local Autism Society affiliates.
Explore resources and local support⁠. (autismsociety.org⁠)

Understood — Nationwide
Find resources about dyslexia, dyscalculia, language disorders, organization, attention, and learning support.
Browse learning resources⁠. (understood.org⁠)

5. Health Care & Care Coordination

Family Voices — Nationwide
Connect with family-led organizations and Family-to-Family Health Information Centers supporting families of children and youth with disabilities or special health care needs. Resources include navigating health systems and preparing for adult health care.
Find support through Family Voices⁠. (familyvoices.org⁠)

Medi-Cal — California
Find official information about California’s Medicaid program, eligibility, applications, and health care services.
Explore Medi-Cal⁠. (dhcs.ca.gov⁠)

6. Financial Assistance & In-Home Support

Supplemental Security Income — Nationwide
SSI provides monthly payments to eligible children and adults with disabilities who meet financial and other requirements. A diagnosis alone does not establish eligibility.
Check SSI eligibility and application information⁠. (ssa.gov⁠)

In-Home Supportive Services — California
IHSS may help eligible people with disabilities receive assistance to remain safely at home. Children may qualify; services depend on the child’s assessed needs and program requirements.
Learn about IHSS for children⁠ | Find your county IHSS office⁠. (cdss.ca.gov⁠, cdss.ca.gov⁠)

211 — Nationwide
Find local referrals for food, housing, utilities, health care expenses, caregiver resources, and other community assistance.

Call: 211
Find community assistance⁠. (211.org⁠)

7. Parent, Caregiver & Emotional Support

Parent to Parent USA — Nationwide
Find parent-to-parent support and connections with families raising children with disabilities or special health care needs.
Connect with parent support⁠. (p2pusa.org⁠)

NAMI Family Support Groups — Nationwide
Peer support for adults who have a loved one experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition.
Find family support groups⁠. (nami.org⁠)

Your well-being matters, too. When contacting a service coordinator or family support organization, ask about caregiver support, respite options, accessibility, and language assistance.

8. Assistive Technology & Communication

Assistive technology resources can help families explore tools for reading, writing, learning, communication, and independence.

• Understood⁠ includes assistive technology information for learning.
• California Department of Rehabilitation⁠ links to California’s Assistive Technology Supplier Directory. (understood.org⁠, dor.ca.gov⁠)

When seeking support, describe the activity the person wants to do and the barriers they encounter. Ask about an individualized assessment before purchasing equipment.

9. Transition to Adulthood, Employment & Independence

California Department of Rehabilitation — California
Explore employment and independent living services for Californians with disabilities. Ask about student services, vocational rehabilitation, and current eligibility and availability.
Explore rehabilitation services⁠. (dor.ca.gov⁠)

Job Accommodation Network — Nationwide
Free, confidential guidance about workplace accommodations for employees, job seekers, and employers.
Explore workplace accommodations⁠. (askjan.org⁠)

10. Recreation, Inclusion & Community Connection

Special Olympics
Explore sports training, competition, and community participation opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. Find a local program and ask about eligibility and available activities.
Find Special Olympics opportunities⁠. (specialolympics.org⁠)

Before You Contact a Resource

Have these items ready when available:

• Your main concern and the support you are requesting.
• The person’s age and county or state of residence.
• Relevant evaluations, education plans, or service records.
• Questions about eligibility, costs, waiting lists, and application steps.
• Any interpreter, communication, or accessibility needs.

Share sensitive records only through the organization’s appropriate, secure process.

A message from Sharon Mae King, Founder of SharonKingWorldWide:
“You do not have to figure everything out in one day. Start with one question, one resource, and one step forward. You and your loved one deserve to be heard, respected, and supported.”

This directory is a starting point, not an exhaustive list. Resources serve different disabilities, ages, and locations. Eligibility, costs, and availability vary; confirm details directly with each organization. Information is educational and does not replace individualized medical, legal, or financial advice. Listing an organization does not imply a partnership with SharonKingWorldWide.