Achievement Centers for Children
Achievement Centers for Children has served the community since 1940 with a mission of empowering children and adults with disabilities to achieve their greatest potential through holistic and family-focused services. It is home to Camp Cheerful, Ohio’s first recreational camp for those with disabilities, which today provides year-round camp programs. The agency’s programs also encompass Adult Services, Family Support, Therapy and Recreation (including Adapted Sports and Therapeutic Horsemanship). To learn more, call 440-577-8886 or visit achievementcenters.org.
Beck Center for the Arts
Each participant in Beck Center’s Creative Arts Therapies program receives attention that is individualized with personally-designed goals tailored to meet their needs. Staffed by board certified arts therapists and professional adapted instructors, Beck Center’s program is the first of its kind in the state of Ohio. 216-424-7634, beckcenter.org/education/creative-arts-therapies
Blossom Hill
Since 1968, Blossom Hill has provided personalized, loving care. Its history includes the first group home in Cuyahoga County designed to meet the unique needs of each individual within its care. Today’s services range from family-style group living (respite and long-term residential care) to supported living services for individuals in their own homes to day programming. All care is delivered by a trained, dedicated staff of nurses, cooks, direct support professionals, activities directors, housekeepers, Qualified Developmental Disability Professionals (QDDPs) and shift managers. 440-892-2042, blossom-hill.org
Community Fund Ohio
For more than 30 years, Community Fund Ohio has empowered individuals with disabilities across the state of Ohio to live fuller, more secure lives. It protects access to vital government benefits while supporting current and future needs through pooled special needs trusts. It also provides education and related services to help individuals, families and professionals navigate the complexities of disability planning with confidence. Learn more at communityfundohio.org
Connecting for Kids
Connecting for Kids is a group in Northeast Ohio that helps parents. It supports families who are worried about their child — whether it’s autism, ADHD, anxiety, school or just a hard time in life. It offers free programs, help finding resources and a caring community where parents feel welcome. Programs for adults include support groups and presentations. Hands-on programs such as Music Therapy & More and Adapted Playgroups allow parents and children to interact together. Ask Us! provides a Family Resource Specialist who meets with families to help them navigate resources. It also offers Facebook groups, resource fairs and online resources. 440-570-5908, connectingforkids.org
Cuts N Curls
Cuts N Curls is a unique adult and children’s hair salon, retail store and birthday party venue that prides itself on being sensitive to your family’s needs. The specially-trained staff makes sure your experience is both safe and fun. Solon, 440-542-1750, cutsncurls.net
Cuyahoga DD
Independence is a common goal: living away from parents, getting that dream job, finding your people! The Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities helps youth and adults with DD to live, learn, work and play, confidently. From innovative housing and job support to assistive technology and local accessibility, Cuyahoga DD helps you live your best life. Because everyone deserves their independence! To learn more or check for eligibility, please visit cuyahogadd.org
The Down Syndrome Association
of Northeast Ohio
DSANEO provides support, education and advocacy for individuals with Down syndrome, their families and communities. DSANEO is the primary resource for families and communities regarding Down syndrome, where all people with Down syndrome are accepted, included and empowered. DSANEO supports individuals with Down syndrome through their lifetime with family support programs, education enrichment for toddlers to teens, life skills classes, social programs, medical outreach and advocacy. DSANEO supports more than 1,100 individuals with Down syndrome and their families throughout 16 Northeast Ohio counties. 216-447-8763, dsaneo.org
Education Alternatives
Education Alternatives provides specialized education for K–12 students at seven locations across Northeast Ohio. It uses a compassionate, experience-informed approach to help children with behavioral challenges and autism, with personalized plans based on each child’s needs and ACE score. Students receive both academics and therapy, including ABA therapy, counseling, behavior support, and psychiatry. REACH Behavioral Health delivers therapeutic services at every site. Education Alternatives is also an approved provider for the Jon Peterson, Autism and EdChoice Scholarships through the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. Learn more at easchools.org
Eisner, Gohn Group
Eisner, Gohn Group is a leading resource for life insurance, long-term care insurance and long-term disability insurance. Its team has subject matter experts in each of these disciplines so it can craft and deliver the most cost effective and efficient plans for clients. eisnergohngroup.com
Friendship Circle of Cleveland
Friendship Circle of Cleveland creates meaningful, inclusive experiences where children, teens and young adults with social needs can connect and flourish. Through social programs, one-on-one friendships, camps, holiday events, family programs and community gatherings, Friendship Circle helps individuals build friendships, strengthen social skills, gain confidence and discover a true sense of belonging. By bringing together participants, teen volunteers and families, Friendship Circle provides a supportive community where every individual is welcomed and empowered to create lasting connections. 27900 Gates Mills Blvd., Pepper Pike, 216-377-3000, friendscleveland.com
I Am Boundless
For more than 40 years, I Am Boundless, a statewide nonprofit, has provided people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and behavioral health challenges the freedom and opportunity to live boundless lives. It serves all ages and abilities in autism services, primary care and dental appointments, job training, counseling and residential support. It proudly provides person-centered care that celebrates each individual and encourages them to become active participants in the communities where they live, work and play. To learn more about how Boundless can help you or your loved ones, visit iamboundless.org
Julie Billiart Schools
Julie Billiart Schools educate, empower and nurture K-8 students with social and learning differences. JB serves mild-to-moderate special learning needs including ADHD, anxiety, autism, dyslexia and executive function support. With campuses in Akron, Brecksville, Lyndhurst and Westlake, we provide an exceptional learning environment including a maximum 8-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio and intervention specialists in each classroom. Our facilities feature safe and sensory-friendly spaces, onsite occupational, speech, art and music therapies, behavior supports and a nurturing whole child approach. Learn more or set up a time to visit; call 216-716-8318 or go to juliebilliartschool.org
Lake County Board of DD/Deepwood
The mission of the Lake County Board of Developmental Disabilities/Deepwood is to empower individuals with developmental disabilities to engage in activities that enrich their lives and contribute to their community. In the ever-changing landscape of federal and state regulations, the LCBDD’s overriding vision remains constant: to offer Lake County citizens the highest-quality, most-inclusive, collaborative, and person-centered services and supports available within resources. Working closely with other agencies and community partners, the LCBDD helps individuals and their families identify and receive services needed for a safe, healthy and fulfilling life. Learn more at lakebdd.org or follow
@deepwoodlakeDD on social media.
Lifeworks Autism Services
Lifeworks Autism Services supports individuals with autism in leading healthy, enriched and self‑directed lives. It provides essential, evidence‑based clinical services across the lifespan, delivered by highly trained and credentialed professionals. The programs include Supported Living, Day Habilitation, Prevocational and Life Skills, Behavioral Health Community‑Based Services, OhioRISE Behavior Respite, Applied Behavior Analysis, and the Milestones Autism Resource Program, its newest division. Milestones connects individuals and families with trusted resources and offers professional trainings statewide, strengthening providers and expanding community support. Together, the Lifeworks programs create a continuum of care that empowers individuals, families and the professionals who serve them. Visit lifeworksautism.org
LiveSpecial.com
With more than 2,000 providers, LiveSpecial.com assists families in finding therapists, financial planners, doctors, recreational opportunities, and many other resources for individuals with special needs and those who develop special needs. LiveSpecial.com, a project of Jewish Women in Action Cleveland, helps make connections for a long-term or temporary need that one may encounter due to illness or an accident. LiveSpecial.com partners with many other agencies to provide free educational programs that deal with the different obstacles and challenges that individuals face with their loved one over time, especially as they age out of the public school’s responsibility at 22 and beyond. LiveSpecial.com facilitates inclusive/integrated activities and programs in the community. It advocates for access for ALL in ALL areas of life. LiveSpecial.com magazine is published yearly and is available in print and online. Go to LiveSpecial.com to find providers, to read all past issues of the magazine, visit the video library, and to see the many more resources available. 216-378-2204, livespecial.com
LLA Therapy
LLA Therapy is a therapist-owned pediatric therapy practice serving families across Northeast Ohio through five clinic locations in Fairlawn, Hudson, Medina, Alliance and Mentor. LLA provides speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), music therapy, reading therapy and intervention services using a collaborative, whole-family approach. The LLA team focuses on individualized, evidence-based care that helps children build confidence, strengthen skills and reach their fullest potential. LLA partners closely with families, schools and healthcare providers to support long-term success for every child. Follow LLA on Instagram and Facebook, call 330-867-2240, or visit llatherapy.org for more information.
Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities
The Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities is the community resource responsible for connecting, coordinating and funding services for individuals of all ages with developmental disabilities. It helps with everything from early intervention and education opportunities for children to employment and community inclusive living for adults so they can live, learn, work and socialize in the community. mcbdd.org
NPower Services
NPower Services finds and creates social, fitness, artistic and kindness opportunities throughout Northeast Ohio for neurodiverse adults, including: RockAbility, a rock band of neurodiverse and neurotypical musicians; Geauga Joggers & Walkers, a jogging and hiking group for all abilities; Inside Circle, drum and ukulele circles for all abilities; Power Ups, TNT & cardio drumming fitness groups for all abilities; and Project: Kindness, which puts neurodiverse adults on the giving end of service. npowerservices.com
Stark County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Stark DD)
The Stark County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Stark DD) supports more than 5,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families, helping people live, learn, work and thrive in their communities. It provides funding and coordination for early intervention, school-age services, community living supports, employment services and advocacy education. By partnering with individuals, families and community providers, it connects people with personalized supports that promote independence, inclusion and a good life. To get started, visit starkdd.org or contact the team.