Special Resources

We all need a little help sometimes.

We’ve provided a list of many local resources related to children and adult’s special needs. From support for health related issues, to grief counseling, you will find lots of information here. Many of these resources are FREE while others may charge a small fee. Visit the websites for specific details. Email us at rhonda@rvaonthecheap.com with other valuable resources to include.

Arc of Virginia – Advocacy is a key component of our identity as The Arc of Virginia. We speak out on issues that affect people with intellectual and related developmental disabilities and their families. But more importantly, we help people with disabilities, family members, friends, and others become advocates themselves.

Aspergers Group – Creating a place where people diagnosed with Asperger’s, HFA, and sensory processing disorders and their families can connect, network, and bond. Working to form neurodiversity bridges between spectrum and neurotypical individuals.

Autism Society of Central Virginia – To improve the lives of all affected by autism by maximizing the self- sufficiency, independence, and quality of life for all living with autism.

Autism Speaks – Achieving a Better Life Experience.

Care.com – Special needs providers available.

Care Connection for Children – The Central Virginia Care Connection for Children offers a wide variety of services, including education. We see education as a key component to our team approach as we help you and your child. Below is a list of online resources that can help you.

CARITAS – CARITAS helps to break the cycles of homelessness and addiction in the Metro Richmond area so that people can lead stable lives. We are the largest provider of homeless services in the area, and we are innovative because our four programs fill the gaps in this system. CARITAS helps the most vulnerable among us, which makes for a stronger community. We strive to make a long lasting impact, not merely offer bandaid solutions.

Children’s Hospital of Richmond – Parents of children with mental and behavioral health problems look for help from the professional expertise offered by Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. Services are provided through two separate and distinct programs, each with its own special areas of focus in caring for troubled children and their families.

Comfort Zone Camp – Comfort Zone Camp is a nonprofit 501(c)3 bereavement camp that transforms the lives of children who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, or primary caregiver. The free camps include confidence building programs and age-based support groups that break the emotional isolation grief often brings.

Diabetes Support – Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund – JDRF is the only global organization with a strategic plan to progressively remove the impact of T1D from people’s lives until it is no longer a threat to anyone.

Down Syndrome Association of Greater Richmond – The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Richmond is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that strives to improve the quality of life for individuals with Down syndrome and their families by providing access to current and accurate information on Down syndrome and by fostering programs that focus on education, community services, public awareness, medical issues, research, advocacy, legal issues and parenting.

Dominion School for Autism – We provide a full-day, year round educational experience for individuals with autism, ages 2-21 years. We assess the strengths and deficits of each child to create individualized programs for every student. Student to staff ratio is based on each individual student’s educational and behavioral support needs.

Full Circle Grief Center – Full Circle was established as a free comprehensive grief resource center for children and their families to find a variety of creative ways to express their grief.

Mesothelioma – MesotheliomaSymptoms.com is dedicated to helping mesothelioma victims and their families. Their FREE Mesothelioma Guide will help you understand your diagnosis. (Also, see TreatMesothelioma).

PRAI Kids Organization. Neuroimmune disorders refer to a group of illnesses that are the result of acquired dysregulation of both the immune system and the nervous system, most often resulting in chronic illness and disability. Also known as PANDAS (pediatric autoimmune neurological disorder affected by strep).

Pregnancy Resource Center – Becoming fully informed about your options and what services are available can help you face the challenge of an unplanned pregnancy. Since we opened our doors in 1983, we’ve learned that each woman’s experience and her questions are unique. We are a safe place where you can come to talk about your feelings and ask questions. Our trained, objective, and caring counselors listen to your story, and can help you navigate this decision-making process by providing information about your options.

Safe Harbor Women’s Shelter – Safe Harbor empowers survivors of sexual and domestic violence to transform their lives, and promotes healthy relationships for all.

SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now) – SCAN’s mission is to prevent and treat child abuse and neglect throughout the Greater Richmond area by protecting children, promoting positive parenting, strengthening families and creating a community that values and cares for its children.

Treat Mesothelioma – Our mission is to guide mesothelioma patients and all those dealing with asbestos related cancers toward answers, care options, and free health solutions that improve their lives and everyone around them.

Virginia Parent Advocates – Virginia Parent Advocates LLC knows the special education system, the laws that provide the guidelines and safeguards to protect the educational rights that secure excellence in education for children with disabilities. They have the expertise to apply these to make sure your child’s educational needs are met.

Weinstein JCC – They are dedicated to the well-being of people of all ages and faiths, and are aware that the needs of their membership include individuals, their families and the greater Richmond community.

YMCA Richmond – You have a right to be safe. Resources for women dealing with domestic violence.

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