Resources For Parent and/or Familial Support:

Adoptive and Foster Family Support

Autism: Are you seeking general information on autism? Please visit this website: http://www.asaphilly.org/.

Autism Cares Foundation: Resources and events for families that have loved ones with autism. http://www.autismcaresfoundation.org/

Autism Support Network: Need free help with autism? Seeking information about symptoms and treatments? Do you wish to know more about Asperger’s or Fragile X? Are you seeking to connect with others who are going through the same thing as you?

The Autism Support Network connects families and individuals touched by ASD with each other, provides support and insight, and acts as a resource guide for education, treatments, strategies and therapies for autism. https://community.autismsupportnetwork.com/

B.I.L.Y. Group (“Because I Love You”): Because I Love You’ Parent Support Group; working to achieve communication, safety, and demonstrated goal growth for families experiencing the challenges of behavioral and/or addictive concerns. For specific Bucks County location and meeting information, please call (888) 443-4481 or visit http://www.bily.org/helping-parents/locations/ or  www.becauseiloveyou.org.

Bucks County Resource Directory: Resource directory for Bucks County residents. Guide provides description of programs and contacts for services designed to assist children, youth, families and other individuals who are struggling with various issues. Access the directory here.

Cerebral Palsy: A comprehensive informational website on cerebral palsy From information on cerebral palsy symptoms to financial assistance to daily living articles, CerebralPalsyGuidance.com.

Educational Support Group: For Family Members and Friends of People with Traits of Borderline Personality Disorder
This educational support group will address the challenges that may be affecting you if you have a loved one with traits of borderline personality disorder and/or mood disorder symptoms. The group meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month, from 7:00pm – 9:00pm at Belmont Center for Comprehensive Treatment, 4200 Monument Road,  Room 139, Philadelphia. No charge if you or your loved one live in Philadelphia. Otherwise, there is a fee of $25/person, $35/couple, $45/family of 3 (max), payable by cash or check made payable to TEC/MHASP.  For more information or to register, please contact Edie Mannion at 215-751-1800 ext. 3863 or emannion@mhasp.org, or visit www.mhasp.org/about-tec.

Families and Friends of Special Needs Children Support Group: Providing parents of disabled children with information and resources that would be helpful to them. Provides a safe, supportive setting for parents of children with special needs to discuss topics of concern and to network with each other. The group meets the first Tuesday of each month from 7:00pm – 9:30pm, at the First Baptist Church of Morrisville. For more information or to register for this group contact Bethany S. LeBedz, BSW at 215-295-6482 or blebedz@hotmail.com.

Families of Children with Disabilities Support Group: Queen of the Universe Church Parish Center, Levittown, contact Maria Miller at sharinglifewithdisabilities@gmail.com or forever1@verizon.net.

Family Friends: This program matches volunteers (age 50+) with school age children who have special needs such as autism, developmental delays and multiple disabilities. Volunteers visit their assigned child once a month at school and visit the family at home weekly. For more information contact Dawn Hoopes at 1-800-770-4822 ext. 1729 or dhoopes@bucksiu.org.

Family Service Association: Educational programs, support groups, discussion groups and workshops planned to assist participants in developing life skills necessary to strengthen family life, enhance interpersonal relationships and reduce everyday stress. Contact Family Services Association for more information at 215-757-6916 or www.fsabc.org.

Heads on Straight Brain Injury Support Group: Support for parents of children with brain injuries. Contact Anne Sears, 8 Westover Court, Yardley, PA 19067, 215-208-0851.

Housing Continuum of Care of Bucks County (HCoC-BC): The mission of the HCoC-BC to prevent and work to eliminate homelessness throughout Bucks County so that all residents may live in adequate housing and many achieve economic self-sufficiency. Visit www.hcocbc.com or call 1-800-810-4434 for more information.

“IT’S MY LIFE TOO”: A group providing support, education and resources for parents, caregivers and other adult supporters of all youth and those who have experience with mental health, substance abuse, foster care or juvenile justice issues. Meetings will be scheduled concurrently with the MY LIFE youth meetings. We will share our experience, resources and ideas. For more information, please call Debbie Moritz at 1-866-399-NAMI(6264), or email info@namibuckspa.org.

Kids Together, Inc.: all volunteer and non-profit, provides information on inclusive communities. Includes an inclusive education listserv, email newsletter and website information. P.O. Box 45, Quakertown, PA 18951, staff@kidstogether.org or www.kidstogether.org.

Learning Disabilities: To ensure success for all individuals with learning disabilities in school, at work and in life. Please visit this website for more information: http://www.ncld.org/.

NAMI: Provides support and education for families with children with mental illness, developmental disabilities and autism. For more information, visit www.namibuckspa.org or email info@namibuckspa.org.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/index.htm

Parenting Resource Center at St. Mary Hospital: Trained and certified parenting educators help evaluate families’ individual needs and goals of parenting. They also offer parenting workshops, Play ‘N Share groups and Puppets for Children. They also hold Night Out with author seminars featuring acclaimed parent authors. https://child-care-preschool.brighthorizons.com/pa/langhorne/stmary/parent-resources

Parent to Parent of Pennsylvania: “Linking families and friends of children and adults with special needs”. Matches parents, foster parents and adoptive parents of children and adults with special needs on a one-to-one basis according to need, whatever that need may be! Help parents or family members locate a support group in Pennsylvania that meets their needs. For more information, call 1-877-727-2706 or visit their website at www.parenttoparent.org.

Parents Rights for Special Education Law:A brief summary of Procedural Safeguards for students with disabilities receiving special education services.  http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se/qa/pssummary.asp

Pennsylvania Step Families: Meetings take place in Allentown. Contacts Joseph Maher or Deb Romberger. Call 610-791-3581 or 610-437-3612 for meeting time and location.

The Peace Center: Located in Langhorne, Pa. Programs are designed to help reduce violence and conflict in our schools, homes and communities through a multicultural, community-based approach. We are dedicated to furthering peace by understanding and managing conflict in our community, our nation and our world. Bullying prevention, school mediation, and support groups. Contact 215-750-7220 or www.thepeacecenter.org.

Selective Mutism: Meetings at McCaffery’s Food Market, 2nd floor, 635 Heacock Road, Yardley, PA 19067. Contact Ann Fishman at 215-891-8210.

Spectrum Family Support Group: Doylestown United Methodist Church. Contact Pamela P. at spectrumdumc@gmail.com.

The Parenting Resource Center of St. Mary Medical Center: 2nd level of outpatient care facility, Langhorne-Newtown Road, Langhorne, PA 19047. Program Coordinator, Kelly Pagliei can be reached at 215-710-5976. For more, visit http://www.stmaryhealthcare.org/parentingresourcecenter.

The Parenting Resource Centers of Bensalem School District: The Bensalem Schools AND The Family Resource Center are located at 2546 Knights Road, Bensalem, PA 19020. Program Coordinator, Kelly Pagliei, can be reached at 215-245-8563.

The Parenting Resource Centers of Neshaminy School District: Albert Schweitzer Elementary and Joseph Ferderbar Elementary Schools. Program Coordinator, Kelly Pagliei can be reached at 215-710-5976.

The Quakertown Community Parenting Center: Educational workshops, discussion groups, lending library and play n’ share groups. Located at, 10th and Juniper Streets, Quakertown, call 215-538-4797.

Tough Love International: : A self-help weekly support group for parents or caregivers of children with problems ages 8 to 50. Parents work together to regain control in their community and help their children take responsibility for their action. Weekend workshops, six week sessions and an alternate suspension school program are also available. There is a $5 weekly family fee and a one-time $30 for an orientation packet. For more information call 215-752-3778 or toll free 1-800-333-1069, email service@toughlove.org or visit www.toughlove.org.

Tourette Syndrome Support Group: Parent support group meeting, 4th Wednesday of each month at 7:30pm. Location St. Mary Medical Center, Langhorne-Newtown Road, Langhorne, PA 19047. Classroom #4, easiest to access via the parking garage. Contact Debbie Massa at 215-741-1044 or Mary Brennan at 215-860-1325.

Turner Syndrome: Penn-Philadelphia Turners Syndrome in the U.S. PA Chapter Contact Eileen Wolfe (Co-President), Langhorne, PA at 215-962-2773, email wolfepac5@comcast.net or visit www.turnersyndrome.org.

Women for Sobriety, Inc. (WFS): WFS is a national organization with local units that address the specific needs of women with alcohol and drug addictions. The program can be used in combination with other alcohol treatment programs or as an alternative to other mutual-help groups. For more info about WFS and local support groups call 215-536-8026 or visit their website www.womanforsobriety.org/beta2.

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For Children:

Autism Assessment Service: Bethanna is proud to announce a new Pediatric Developmental Evaluation service for children affected by Autism. The evaluation team is led by Maureen Fee, MD, JD, Chief, Developmental Pediatrics at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children. Dr. Fee is board certified in Pediatrics, Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Drexel University’s College of Medicine.

The assessment conducted by Dr. Fee and Bethanna’s clinical team of psychologists, therapists and social workers includes a complete developmental history, medical examination and assessment of developmental and social functioning including specific testing tools for autism. Evaluation results will be used to recommend a full range of services for children diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum.
For further information or to make an appointment please call Christine Schoppe at 215.355.6500.
http://www.bethanna.org/.

Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Bucks County: The mission of Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Bucks County is to provide quality volunteer and professional youth services primarily through mentoring and leadership development, to positively achieve their full potential as they grow to become responsible adults. For more information, please contact Maura Bocan, Enrollment & Match Manager  215-343-8265 ext 121 or Maura@bbbsbc.org or visit their website at http://www.bbbsbc.org/.

Hopes and Dreams Foundation: A Bucks County, nonprofit organization for children with disabilities and their families with a goal to create programs for children in the areas of art, music and drama. Contact Tina Gagliana at 215-264-2859 or http://hopesanddreamsfoundation.org/.

Plant-A-Seed Foundation: This foundation provides financially challenged children between the ages 8-21 with the opportunity to pursue their passions while interacting with positive role models. For more information, please email Michele@plantaseedfoundation.org or visit their website at http://plantaseedfoundation.org/.

RDI Support Group: Bucks County/Philadelphia RDI (Relationship Development Intervention) support group meets monthly during the school year in various Bucks County locations. RDI is a treatment program for children on the Autism Spectrum that is parent-based and places emphasis on “Relationship Intelligence”. Meetings are currently being held at 111 Pheasant Run Carriage House #2 (Red Barn in back) Newtown, PA 18940. For more information contact Amy Accardo, M.S. Ed. At 215-579-1523 or email aaccardo@buckscountylearningconnections.com.

Sharing and Caring Sib Shop: A support group for siblings of children with any special needs. Siblings must be seven years of age or older. Group meets in Oct, Nov, Jan, Feb, March and April. Contact Cathy@sharingcaringbuckscounty.org for more information.

SIMCHA – Special Individuals Meeting Challenges with Heartwarming Activities: Support for parents/kids with special needs. Rabbi Yair Robinson or Debby Chaiken. Located at Shir Ami, 101 Richboro Road, Newtown, PA 19047. Call 215-968-3400 or visit http://shiraminow.org/education/s-i-m-c-h-a/.

Special Kids Network: Organization that helps parents find resources for their special needs child and provides technical assistance to help groups develop, expand and maintain programs and support systems that serve children with special needs. Please call 1-800-986-4550 or visit http://www.health.pa.gov/My%20Health/Infant%20and%20Childrens%20Health/Special%20Kids%20Network/3%20Components/Pages/default.aspx#.Vs31KaMo7rc.

Special Olympics: Looking into getting your child with special needs involved in athletics? For more information please visit the website: www.specialolympicspa.org.

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For Adolescents and Transition Age Youth:

Bucks County Workforce Board: Connects employers to job seekers to the most efficient manner possible. Visit http://www.bucksworks.org.

Bucks County Center for Independent Living: The mission of the Center for Independent Living is to assure that all individuals residing in Bucks County, PA regardless of disability are provided with the tools to achieve an attainable level of independent living to which they aspire based on their individual needs or desires. For more information, please call 215-781-5070 or visit their website at https://buckscil.org

Coffee House Center/AACES (Asperger’s Awareness, Community Education and Supports Programs: This is a community based program that serves young adults with Asperger’s, PDD/NOS offering an opportunity to learn positive social skills and establish relationships. For more information please call 215-757-6916 or visit their website www.fsabc.org.

CollegePlus: CollegePlus is a division of Lumerit Education, a company which works to impact the lives of students through expanded access to affordable higher education. For more information, please visit the Lumerit Education website. Go to http://collegeplus.org for more information.

HIV/AIDS Program: Includes prevention education, case management, support groups, dental care, complimentary therapies, mental health & psychiatric care, transportation, food & nutritional services, volunteer support, housing assistance & emergency financial assistance. For more information contact Family Service Association at 215-757-6916 (Langhorne) or 215-345-0550 (Doylestown) or visit http://www.fsabc.org/.

Latino Leadership Alliance of Bucks County: Two office locations with case managers/counselors who are bi-lingual for information on their support groups, adult education programs, drug & alcohol, life skills education, ESL classes, Spanish classes for adults, computer classes for youths and adults, health/employment fairs, after school program, summer day camp. Located at 227-229 Mill St, Bristol, PA. Located at Bucks Landing Apartments, Apt. L4-1, Warminster, PA. Contact latinos@llabc.org

National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association: Chapters and support groups. We’ve Been There, We Can Help. Location: Reach Out Foundation, 229 Plaza Blvd. Morrisville, PA, call 215-428-0404 or email ROFBucks@aol.com, contact person Kathy Sharp. Hours of operation Monday-Thursday 9am-6pm, Friday 10am – 5pm.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: A 24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. By dialing 1-800-273-TALK (8255), the call is routed to the nearest crisis center in our national network of more than 150 crisis centers. The Lifeline’s national network of local crisis centers provide crisis counseling and mental health referrals day and night.

Pennsylvania OCD Support Group: meeting location is in Allentown. Contact Marilyn at 610-821-8929 or email Mgbw@enter.net.

PRO-ACT, Pennsylvania Recovery Organization–Achieving Community Together: Family education program for drug and alcohol issues. Contact Babette Benham, PRO-ACT, 252 W. Swamp Road, Unit 12, Doylestown 215-345-6644 or 1-800-221-6333.

Rainbow Room: A LGBTQA+ youth group providing a safe, supportive and empowering environment for LGBTQA+ youth. In our programs, youth can be themselves and experience the freedom of knowing they are accepted totally and without reservation. Our weekly meetings facilitated by trained Planned Parenthood educators feature a blend of education, recreation and advocacy. Program topics include sexuality education, life skills, LGBTQA+ history, guest speakers, game nights and activities to promote health, wellness and a strong sense of belonging within LGBTQA+ communities and the world. Our programs are confidential, free and provide a space where LGBTQA+ youth can learn, build support networks and have fun. For more information please contact us at:
The Rainbow Room – RainbowRoom@planitpa.org 267.282.4117

Survivors of Suicide, Inc.: Meet 4th Tuesday of each month at Frankford Hospital Bucks County Campus. Contact person Patricia Lufkin at 215-545-2242; 2705 Old Bethlehem Pike, Quakertown. Contact Craig and Anne Landis at 215-536-5143; St. Paul’s Methodist Church, Warrington. Contact Nancy Heacock at 215-545-2242.

Tabor Children’s AIP Mentoring Services: This is a program for adult volunteers to mentor foster youth ages 16-21 through providing friendship to someone who has limited or no family support as we as offering stability, wisdom, and guidance to the youth. For more information, call 215-348-4071 or visit their website at https://www.taborservicesinc.org/programs/mentoring

Teen Center at Oxford Valley Mall: The Teen Center is a free and confidential place for teens ages 13-21. Teens who come to The Teen Center are struggling with a variety of problems including: substance abuse, relationship difficulties, homelessness, difficulties in school, thoughts of suicide, depression, just to name a few. For more information contact Jane Shuster at 215-757-6916 ext. 232 or jshuster@fsabc.org.

TIP Program: Supports youth and young adults ages 16-26 with mental health concerns with planning for their futures as they move from the youth system into adulthood. TIP is an empirically supported model that works to engage and support young people in planning their own futures across five transition domains: Educational Opportunities, Living Situation, Employment and Career, Community Life Functioning, and Personal Effectiveness and Wellbeing. Call 484-934-8039 or email tip@accessservices.org.

The Synergy Project: A Street Outreach Program of Valley Youth House that provides assistance for runaway, homeless, nomadic, and street youth ages 12-21. For more information, please call 215-990-3962.

Ventures in Peace, (VIP Program): 12 week anger management and conflict resolution program for teens ages 11 – 17 and their parents. Sessions are held at the Middletown Barn. There is a fee involved. For more information, contact the Peace Center at 215-750-7220.

Voices, Visions, and Other Unusual Experiences: A peer support group for young people hearing voices or seeing things that other people don’t. This group takes place every Tuesday from 7:00pm-8:30pm at 2935 Byberry Rd. Hatboro, PA 19040. For more information, please contact Berta Britz at 484-681-9432 or berta.britz@rhd.org.

Youth Connections: If you are a youth interested in finding your voice, sharing your gifts, developing leadership skills, building friendships, networking with representatives from other youth groups in Bucks County, and helping educate the community about the issues that affect youth and young adults today become a member of the Youth Leadership Council! For more information, call 1-800-734-5665  or email graham@voiceandvisioninc.org.

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