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Association for Talent Development – Kansas City
Established in 1949, joined ATD in 1952, with over 180 members working in multi-national organizations as well as small to medium sized companies in industries representing a wide spectrum of the workforce. Our mission is to promote excellence in the field of learning and development. We encourage active participation, learning and the exchange of ideas to assist members in career and leadership development, organizational effectiveness and profitability, performance improvement and the advance of human resource development. Learn more at here.
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
NAEYC is the world’s largest organization working on behalf of young children. NAEYC strives to raise the quality of education for all children from birth through age eight. Accreditation systems are major part of NAEYC’s efforts to improve early childhood education; they allow programs to provide the best learning experiences for young children and their educators by meeting national standards of quality. Learn more at www.naeyc.org
Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation (CARF)
The mission of CARF is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process and continuous improvement services that center on enhancing the lives of persons served. Learn more at www.carf.org
First Steps
First Steps is Missouri’s Early Intervention system that provides services to families with children, birth to three years of age, with disabilities or developmental delays. The program is designed to meet the needs of families related to enhancing their child’s development, learning, and participation in family and community life. Learn more at https://www.mofirststeps.com
Department of Social Services (DSS)
The Department of Social Services is responsible for coordinating programs to provide public assistance to children and their parents, access to health care, child support enforcement assistance and to provide specialized assistance to troubled youth. While many programs give needed financial assistance and services, other units work toward reducing financial dependency of the citizens on government. Learn more at www.dss.mo.gov
The Missouri Division of Developmental Disabilities
The Missouri Division of Developmental Disabilities (DD) serves individuals with developmental disabilities such as cognitive disabilities, cerebral palsy, head injuries, autism, epilepsy, and certain learning disabilities. Learn more at http://dmh.mo.gov/kcro/
Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
The Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services is responsible for the promotion and protection of the public’s health through education, disease and injury prevention, regulation, and direct delivery of health services. Learn more at http://health.mo.gov/index.php
Clay County Public Health Center
Clay County Public Health Center’s mission is to deliver the essential public health services of prevention, promotion, and protection to the communities of Clay County. Learn more at www.clayhealth.com
Platte County Health Department
Platte County Health Department mission is to improve and protect the health of all residents of the Platte County. Learn more at www.plattecountyhealthdept.com
Kansas City Regional Center
Kansas City Regional Office is the primary point of entry for the following counties: Platte, Clay, Ray, Jackson, Lafayette, Cass, Johnson, and Bates. Support Coordination is available in every county. Support Coordinators provide case management and are responsible for assisting with advocacy, linking people to services and assuring the health and safety of the individual supported. Learn more at http://kansascity.mo.networkofcare.org
Liberty School District
The Liberty Public School district serves the residents of approximately 85 square miles in Clay County. Located just northeast of Kansas City, the school district serves more than 11,800 students in preschool through12th grade. The district has seen rapid growth over the past 12 years; so much, in fact, that it has become the 2nd fastest growing school district in the state. Learn more at www.liberty.k12.mo.us
North Kansas City School District
Known for innovation and excellence, North Kansas City Schools is a district of learners including a little more than 19,200 students. Located in Kansas City’s Northland, NKC Schools offers academically rigorous learning for young people in grades K-12. NKC Schools is among the largest districts in KC metro area with 21 elementary schools, 5 middle schools and 4 high schools. In addition, the state and nationally accredited school district offers optional Pre-K and before/after school programs, expansive gifted/honors opportunities, career and professional academies, A+ certified high schools, as well as nationally recognized adult and community education programs for learners of all ages. Learn more at www.nkcsd.k12.mo.us
Park Hill School District
The Park Hill School District encompasses most of southern Platte County, Missouri, in the Northland region of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. There are eight cities and towns that are partly or entirely within the district boundaries, including Parkville, Riverside, Weatherby Lake, Platte Woods, Lake Waukomis, Houston Lake, Northmoor and Kansas City, Missouri. Park Hill has two high schools, three middle schools (including a sixth-grade center), ten elementary schools, a day school, an early childhood education program and a community education program. Learn more at www.parkhill.k12.mo.us
Platte County R-III School District
Platte County R-3 School District has more than 100 square miles within its boundaries. The District stretches from Barry Road to north of Platte City. The District’s central office (District Education Center) is located in Platte City, six miles northwest of Kansas City International Airport. However, more than 40 percent of its 105 square miles is within the city limits of Kansas City. With a district encompassing a large amount of square miles, Platte County R-3 maintains two campus areas, one in the north end of the District, and one in the south end of the District. The District hosts seven traditional education buildings, one early childhood center, and one area career technical school. Learn more at www.plattecountyschooldistrict.com
The Family Conservancy
The Family Conservancy helps more than 53,000 families and child care providers create brighter futures for their children. Through a unique portfolio of services and expertise, we help families foster the healthy social, emotional, physical and intellectual development of children in our community. Learn more at www.thefamilyconservancy.org
Mid Continent Library
Mid-Continent Public Library’s mission is to enrich our citizens and communities through expanding access to innovation, information, ideas, and inspiration. Learn more at www.mcpl.lib.mo.us
Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Bob and Suzanne Wright, grandparents of a child with autism. Their longtime friend Bernie Marcus donated $25 million to help financially launch the organization. Since then, Autism Speaks has grown into the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Learn more at http://www.autismspeaks.org/about-us
Down Syndrome Innovations
Down Syndrome Innovators provide support and services for people with Down Syndrome at every age. They have a wide range of services and resources to help our community get educated and support the people in our community with Down Syndrome. Visit their informative website to learn more and to get connected to their events. https://kcdsi.org/about-us/
Enchanted Learning
Enchanted Learning, LLC produces K-12 educational material that is published online. They have 35,000 pages on their website covering a wide range of topics. Enchanted Learning’s mission is to produce educational materials that emphasize creativity and the pure enjoyment of learning. The underlying message of their materials is that curiosity and exploration lead to delightful learning experiences. They hope to maximize the student’s creativity, learning, and enjoyment. Learn more at www.enchantedlearning.com
Preschool Education
Preschool Education has many ideas to help with your Pumpkin, Halloween and Fall time theme lesson planning. Whether it is for your kids at home or for your preschool classroom, we can help. Learn more at www.preschooleducation.com
Zero to Three
ZERO TO THREE is a national, nonprofit organization that provides parents, professionals and policymakers the knowledge and know-how to nurture early development. Learn more at www.zerotothree.org
Special Needs Planning Center
The Special Needs Planning Center was formed specifically to work with families who have children with special needs. The firm was created out of the need for a comprehensive planning service which would assist families in coordinating their legal and financial planning with the intent of preserving government benefits such as social security. Learn more at https://www.cacu.com/special-needs-planning-center/
Numotion
Numotion specializes in providing mobility solutions for individuals with complex medical mobility limitations. Their team of professionals will support you throughout the equipment evaluation and selection processes. They will deliver equipment and provide training to you and your family or caregivers on how to operate. Learn more at www.numotion.com
United Way
United Way 2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember central phone number connecting people with available community resources and volunteer opportunities. You’ll reach a trained, caring professional 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. All for free, all confidential. Learn more at http://www.unitedwaygkc.org/our_work/211.html
Children’s Mercy
Children’s Mercy is nationally recognized for delivering high-quality, compassionate pediatric care. Learn our history, explore career opportunities, learn about services and more. Children’s TLC partner with Children’s Mercy to provide early intervention services to children in Kansas City. Learn more at https://www.childrensmercy.org
Autism Society The Heartland
Autism Society The Heartland focuses on the needs of individuals and families affected by the autism spectrum disorder. They promote public awareness, support, and self-advocacy. Learn more at www.asaheartland.org
Sharing Our Strength’s
Sharing Our Strength’s (SOS) is Missouri’s parent to parent/peer support network for parents of children with developmental disabilities or special healthcare needs, individuals with disabilities, and professionals. Learn more at http://www.sharingourstrengths.com/
MPACT
MPACT is a statewide parent training and information center that serves parents of children with all disabilities. Their primary goal is to assist parents in their effort to effectively advocate for their children’s educational rights and services. Learn more at http://www.ptimpact.org/
Child Care Aware
Child Care Aware is the nation’s most respected hub of information for parents and child care providers. A program of Child Care Aware® of America, Child Care Aware® helps families learn more about the elements of quality child care and how to locate programs in their communities. Learn more at www.childcareaware.org
The Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City
The Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to provide support and resources for individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the professionals who serve them. DSG seeks to provide the entire community with information and education to broaden awareness and foster positive attitudes regarding people with Down syndrome. Learn more at www.kcdsg.org/
United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Kansas City
The mission of United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Kansas City is to positively affect the quality of life for people with disabilities and their families by providing supports which enhance interdependence within the community. Learn more at http://ucpkc.org/
Y Challenger
Y Challenger gives young people with special needs the opportunity to grow stronger and make friends through sports and recreational activities adapted to fit their abilities. The volunteer buddies who assist the Challenger athletes also form connections and, most importantly, have fun. Learn more at http://www.kansascityymca.org/youth-development/challengerspecial-needs/why-challenger
Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS)
The CLASS system provides solutions that support improvement efforts. Learn more at http://class.teachstone.org
Core Competencies
The Core Competencies define what professionals need to know and be able to do to promote quality early childhood, school age and youth activities and interactions; serve as the foundation for decisions and practices carried out by early childhood, school age, and youth development professionals in all settings; define standards for early childhood, school age, and youth development professionals. Learn more at www.openinitiative.org
Cerebral Palsy Group
The Cerebral Palsy Group is a free online resource for anyone who has been affected by cerebral palsy, birth injuries or brain injuries. Their team can answer any questions you may and provide assistance to help improve the quality of life for loved ones and family members with cerebral palsy. Learn more at www.cerebralpalsygroup.com
