Online Resources
Mental Health Services
- Los Angeles Department of Mental Health http://dmh.lacounty.gov/index.html
- Los Angeles Department of Mental Health Community Resource Guide
The Online Community Resource Guide has been developed to help you locate services related to Health and Human Services in Los Angeles County such as Mental Health Providers, Child Care, Health Care, Local Emergency Resources etc. http://crg.lacounty.gov/dmh/
- National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, California NAMI California is a grass roots organization of families and individuals whose lives have been affected by serious mental illness. NAMI California advocates for lives of quality and respect, without discrimination and stigma, and provides leadership in advocacy, legislation, policy development, education and support throughout California. www.namicalifornia.org
Special Education
The education system is complex and sometimes difficult for the parent of a child with special needs to navigate. The following websites provide educational material that may assist in understanding your child’s educational rights and how to advocate for them.
- Los Angeles Unified School District www.lausd.net
- LAUSD Division of Special Education is a great resource for questions regarding Special Education Services. In addition, it contains an e-Library with a wealth of information. http://sped.lausd.net/
- California State Department of Education, Specialized Programs, Division of Special Education
Extensive information on programs and services available to students with disabilities, publications, training and technical assistance opportunities, and recruitment resources and materials. http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se/sr/#srpub
- Mental Health Advocacy Services, Inc
Provides manual in English and Spanish on Special Education Services for Parents. http://www.mhas-la.org/special_education08.htm
Services for Children 0-5 years
- First 5 LA Parent Helpline
888-First5LA (888-347-7855) The First 5 LA Parent Helpline provides information, support, and assistance to expectant parents and parents/caregivers of children up to age 5 years of age living in Los Angeles County. http://www.first5la.org/
- Child Care Resource Center
Tel 818-717-1000 Provides information on services and programs for children 0-5 years and their families.
http://www.ccrcla.org
- North Valley Regional Center
North Los Angeles County Regional Center provides lifelong partnerships and planning to persons with developmental disabilities by providing comprehensive information, and consumers, promoting and providing quality services, and supporting full participation of consumers and families in all aspects of community life. http://www.nlacrc.com/
Additional Helpful Websites
- WE Connect the WE Connect campaign is a public/private partnership designed to help the nation’s working families become more financially secure by connecting them to important programs and resources. Many of these programs, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Women, Infant and Children’s Program (WIC), are available to individuals and families, but are not fully taken advantage of. This nationwide campaign connects those eligible with the information and tools they need to access these valuable resources, empowering them to live their dreams. http://www.weconnect.net/
- Public Counsel Law Center, Children’s Rights Project They offer manuals written for teens and parents on topics such as Special Education, Immigration, Understanding the Juvenile Delinquency System, Sealing Juvenile Records, Guide to Welfare and Health Care Program, and Emancipation. Most are available in English and Spanish http://www.publiccounsel.org/publications
- LawHelpCalifornia.org LawHelpCalifornia.org is a free website that helps the public find legal help and self-help information. They offer extensive Self-Help Materials/educational information such as fact sheets and brochures on the following topics: Housing, Public Benefits, Health, Consumer & Small Claims, Disability, Family and Kids (Education, Divorce, Custody, foster care, Support, Protection from Abuse (restraining orders, Domestic Violence, Child & Elder Abuse), Immigration (deportation, naturalization, citizenship, Asylum), Seniors, Life & Estate Planning, and Individual & Civil Rights. www.LawHelpCalifornia.org
- LACountyHelps.org LACountyHelps.org is a website that assist individuals to determine their eligibility for public services. In addition, it can help you figure out what programs you may be eligible for by offering an online initial screening. They provide information on CalWORKs, Health Insurance Programs, Food Stamps, General Relief, Community and Senior services, In-Home Supportive Services, Supplemental Security Income and others. www.LACountyHelps.org
- Los Angeles County, 211 LA County, formerly known as INFO LINE of Los Angeles, is dedicated to providing an easy-to-use, caring, professional source of guidance, advocacy, and 24 hours 7 days per week access to a comprehensive range of human services. You can call 211 directly to speak with someone who can assist you with locating a resource or go to the 211 website to locate services on your own. http://www.211lacounty.org/Index.asp
- Healthy City Health City is a search engine that helps you locate services in your local community. http://www.healthycity.org/