Government and private organizations and agencies can be important resources for the young adult. Understanding who can help and how to access that assistance is an important step to independence and confidence.

Community Agencies

Many community agencies (not only those established to serve individuals with special needs) offer assistance, often at no charge. Once contact has been made, add a resource page to the young adult's notebook for future reference.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

• Food pantry

• County health department

• WIC program (supplemental nutrition assistance to women, infants and children)

• Motor vehicle department

• Women's crisis center

• Salvation Army

• Early childhood intervention services

• County housing authority

• Social Security

• Unemployment office

• Utility offices

Create a contact log for each agency that has been accessed. Include the date, name of the contact, and notes about information or requests made of the office.

Specialized Agencies

Some agencies in the community deal primarily with individuals with disabilities as well as making the community aware of their abilities and needs. These agencies should also be included in the individual resource book.

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation provides counseling, training, and various types of funding to qualified individuals. The agency's goal is to assist individuals in becoming as independent as possible and to be working, contributing members of society. Individual aptitude, interests, and special needs are considered in developing each client's plan.

Organizations for specific disabilities offer detailed information about the disability and how it can impact areas of life. This information can be helpful when explaining special needs to family members and employers. Often, organization websites include current research and best practice information. The sites may list strategies for success and links for related products.

Advocacy groups may be connected to an organization for a specific disability. They may be offices that house professionals and volunteers who focus on different areas of special need (hearing, vision, learning disabilities, autism, developmental delay, traumatic brain injury, or mental illness) and serve a geographic area. The young adult establishing independence can get information, support, and referral to other resources through an advocacy group.