Living with FASD

Available Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI provides cash benefits to eligible individuals with disabilities. In most states, children who get SSI also qualify for free medical care through Medicaid. Financial and disability rules apply.

For information about eligibility, call the Social Security Administration's toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (EST).

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
SSDI provides monthly cash payments to eligible workers and sometimes to their dependent children. Rules of eligibility apply for workers. To apply or learn more about eligibility, contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.

Medicaid
Medicaid is the federal-state program that provides free medical care to children and adults. Eligibility varies among states. To apply, go to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medicaid/statemap.asp [1] for a list of the state Medicaid toll-free numbers.

Family Support
Some states set aside special funds to support families raising children with disabilities. Rules for eligibility vary among states. A list of family support programs is available from the National Center for Family Support at http://www.familysupport-hsri.org [2].

Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
The WIC program provides free food and formula to eligible women and children. It also educates women about proper nutrition and provides referrals to health care providers.

For a list of toll-free numbers in your state, go to http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic [3].

Adopting Children with Disabilities
Parents who adopt children with special needs may qualify for assistance. The National Adoption Information Clearinghouse can provide information about adopting a child with special needs. Go to http://naic.acf.hhs.gov [4] and click on "Prospective and Adoptive Parents," then on "Preparation for Adoption " and then click on "Introduction to adoption."

For a more comprehensive list of assistance services, contact the Arc at http://www.thearc.org [5] or 301-565-3842.

Build Your Own Care Notebook

http://www.medicalhomeinfo.org/tools/care_notebook.html [6]

FAS Community Resource Center
http://www.come-over.to/FASCRC/ [7]
Information resource for parents about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)

FASD Forums/Discussions/Support Groups
From www.elpidaeducation.com [8]

FASLink Mail List
http://www.acbr.com/fas/faslink.htm [9]
Large discussion list for parents, professionals and persons with FASD

FASD Connections Forum
http://fasdconnections.ca [10]
Resources and forum for adolescent and adults with FASD

FAS Resource Mail List
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/FASResources [11]
Open list to learn more about FAS

FAS FORUM Mail List
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/fasforum [12]
For discussion of FAS/FAE

AdoptFASD2 Mail List
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AdoptFASD2 [13]
For families who have adopted kids with FAS or FAE

RAD-FASD Mail List
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/RAD_FASDkids [14]
For families whose adopted children are alcohol exposed and have symptoms of Reactive Attachment Disorder

OLDER FAS Mail List
http://come-over.to/FAS/JoinOlderfas.htm
[15]Support list for parents of teens/adults only

FASHOMED Mail List
http://www.topica.com/lists/FASHOMED [16]
For parents who wish to home school their children with FAS/FAE

HISFAS Mail List
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/HISFAS [17]
Christians who are either family members or individuals with FASD or who have been diagnosed themselves.

PrimoMadre Mail List
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/FASDBirthparents [18]
For birth moms with kids with FAS/FAE