Resources for Fathers, Caretakers, and their Families
Welcome to our collection of Resources for Fathers, Caretakers, and Their Families, a curated hub designed to support you as you navigate parenting, care giving, disability services, and community systems. Whether you’re seeking guidance, advocacy tools, financial support, mental health resources, or age‑specific service navigation, this page brings together organizations and programs across Washington State and beyond to help you and your family thrive. While not exhaustive, these resources are regularly updated, so we encourage you to check back often for new information and support.
General Disability Support & Advocacy
The Arc Washington State - promoting and protecting the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supporting their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.
Informing Families – a resource provided by the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council. It offers news and information to individuals and families that empowers them to be active participants in planning and building a network of support and opportunities.
Supports for People with Disabilities in Washington - highlights the many services available to individuals with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities and those with other/functional disabilities.
Disability Resource Center – resources for Individuals and Families with Disabilities or Special Needs: provides information and links to resources including disability organizations, raising children with special needs, K-12 special education, transition resources and employment information.
LifeSPAN – helps individuals and families living with disabilities take action to achieve their goals. We do this through caring connections, personalized support networks, and future planning.
Supported Decision Making (SDM) is an Option for Adults with Disabilities - is a Washington State–recognized alternative to guardianship that allows adults with disabilities to make their own decisions while receiving help from trusted supporters of their choosing. It preserves the individual’s rights and autonomy, using flexible agreements tailored to their needs.
Disability Rights Washington - is a private non-profit organization that protects the rights of people with disabilities statewide. Their mission is to advance the dignity, equality, and self-determination of people with disabilities. We work to pursue justice on matters related to human and legal rights.
Northwest ADA Center – is committed to providing information and training about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Their mission is to ensure that individuals and organizations have the resources they need to understand the spirit and guidelines of the ADA, promoting equal opportunities and accessibility for all.
PAVE: List of Camps for Individuals with Special Needs or Disabilities - offers a list of many camps across WA State that serve individuals with disabilities, from pre-K to adult.
Financial Support
Northwest Access Fund - offers financial products and services designed to meet the unique needs of people with disabilities and seniors in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.
Washington State ABLE Savings Plan – is a flexible and convenient way for people living with disabilities to invest in their quality of life.
PAVE: ABLE: An Account to Overcome the SSI Resource Limit for Adults with Disabilities - living with a disability can be challenging, especially with financial limitations. The Stephen Beck Jr. ABLE Act of 2014 allows individuals with disabilities to save up to $20,000 annually without losing their benefits. These ABLE accounts can be used for various Qualified Disability Expenses, such as housing, education, and health. Learn more about how ABLE accounts can help improve your quality of life and financial independence.
Family & Caregiver Support
WA State Parent to Parent Programs – is a network of 26 Local County Programs that provide outreach and support to all counties in the state.
Changes Parent Support Network (CPSN) – is a structured, peer-led program that provides support to parents struggling with children who are engaging in oppositional and self-destructive behaviors. Changes offer hope, help, support and relief from feeling overwhelmed and alone. We invite you to explore this website for information about our philosophy, our structured approach and meeting schedules.
Safe Families for Children through Olive Crest - works with families in crisis by providing short-term Safe Homes for the children in those families on a voluntary basis. The family in crisis keeps all parental rights and can have their children back at any time. Olive Crest works with a lot of different types of families and crises can include homelessness, DV, hospitalizations, medical emergencies, etc. They work with kids from 0-18 in King and Pierce County along with some in Thurston and Snohomish.
WISe Wraparound Services – case management to help parents trouble-shoot and access services. Good fit for overwhelmed parents needing help with follow-through and accessing services. Each county has their own WISe wrap team. Parents can self-refer.
Help Me Grow WA – a free service that connects parents and caregivers to resources in their community.
Transition Care Program (TCP) at University of Washington Medical Center: Moving from pediatric to adult care - this brochure explains the program and answers questions about moving from pediatric to adult-centered care and describes the services offered by TCP.
Autism & Developmental Disability Services
Washington Autism Alliance & Advocacy – helping families access ASD & DD health insurance benefits, effective services in schools, and supportive community-based services, regardless of their personal financial situation.
Seattle Children’s Hospital Autism Center – provides assessment, diagnosis, treatment and support for autism spectrum disorders.
Resource Guides & Directories
Washington State Department of Health List of Disability Organizations (WASILC) – comprehensive list of disability organizations throughout the state.
Washington Statewide Independent Living Council – offers a list of disability services and other community resources.
Seattle Children’s Center for Children with Special Needs Resource Guide – directory of statewide resources for advocacy, childcare, dental care, insurance and more.
Informing Families Resource Library – is a directory of information for families.
Cost Guide for Families with a Disabled Child – helps parents learn about lifelong costs associated with cerebral palsy and other disabilities.
Early Learning Toolkit: Overview of Services for Families of Young Children – overview of early childhood services.
Disability Rights for Littles - key rights information for families of babies, preschoolers, and young school-age children.
Navigation Guides (Ages & Stages)
Navigating Your Way Series:
Navigating Your Way: ages birth to 3 - overview of early supports and services.
Navigating Your Way: ages 3-6 - overview of preschool‑age developmental supports.
Navigating Your Way: Ages 6-14 - navigation of school-age disability services.
Navigating Your Way: Ages 14-21 - guidance for transition to adulthood.
Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) – Eligibility & Enrollment
DDA Access Series 1 – Eligibility - introduction to DDA eligibility criteria.
DDA Eligibility Flowchart - visual summary of DDA qualification steps.
How to enroll in DDA services - step-by-step enrollment guidance.
How to Prepare for a DDA Assessment - tips for completing your assessment.
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Eligibility and Services Guide - overview of state disability services.
Early Childhood & Intervention (Birth–3)
ParentHelp123 – for Washington State residents, this website provides information on topics such as health benefits, food resources, pregnancy, child development, and childcare. There is also a section specifically for families who have children with special needs.
Early Intervention: How to Access Services for Children Birth to 3 in Washington - guide to enrolling in early intervention services.
Youth Behavioral & Mental Health
Washington Mental Health Referral Service for Children and Teens - connects families to mental health providers across WA.
Respite & Kinship Services
Care and Respite – a guide from the Arc of King County to help you understand respite services and navigate systems to access care. You will also find resources to help you find a care provider in your home or in a community-based setting.
Pathways to Respite – resources and Information for those who support a child or adult with disabilities, traumatic brain injury, and older adults living at home.
Kinship Families: Early Intervention, Special Education, and 504 Plans - kinship families are created when a relative or close family friend raises a child or children when parents can’t. The relative or friend is often referred to as a “kinship caregiver”. This resource is for new kinship caregivers and long-term kinship caregivers if their child or children has or develops a disability.
Washington State Disability Agencies and Councils
Governor's Committee on Disability Issues & Employment (GCDE) - provides state level advocacy and leadership with the disability community to obtain equity in economic opportunity and community inclusion.
Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council (WADDC) - is one of 56 Councils nationwide that are guided by the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act. They bring together community partners to address critical issues, provide leadership, training, and advocate for equitable policies, programs, and practices on behalf of people with developmental disabilities and their families.
Washington State Department of Services for the Blind – they work with individuals who are Blind, Deaf-Blind, or Low Vision so they can flourish in their homes, communities and workplaces.
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation - believes that all people can do meaningful work. People with disabilities can work with DVR to get a job and learn about job options. DVR offers tools, services, and support. Jobs can lead to more independence and connect people to their communities. Success in a job can also improve quality of life. DVR has offices all over Washington state and has been a community partner for more than 80 years.
Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing - offers programs and services for Deaf, DeafBlind, Deafdisabled, Hard of Hearing, Late Deafened, and Speech Disabled individuals, their families, and service providers in Washington State. We work to ensure that services and resources are accessible and inclusive to our diverse communities.
Washington State Rehabilitation Council - partner with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) to ensure customers receive quality services on the road to employment. They are committed to increasing employment, enhancing independence, and improving the quality of life for every person with a disability in Washington State.
Department of Social and Health Services Resources
Children’s Administration, Washington State – Children’s Administration staff in 44 field offices work with children and families to identify their needs and develop a plan for services that support families and assure safety and well-being for children. These services are designed to reduce the risk of abuse, prevent out-of-home placement, and assure safety and permanency for children in care. In many instances, the Children’s Administration can provide referrals to local services in your community.
Finding State and Federal Benefits – this resource helps you find and apply for additional benefits and assistance for your child’s or family’s needs.
Washington Prescription Drug Program – The Prescription Drug Program has developed several tools, released discount card programs, and pooled resources with other organizations with the same goal in mind by providing information and programs that serve the residents of Washington and their current needs for prescription drug purchasing assistance.
Children’s Long Term Inpatient Program (CLIP) – The CLIP Administration is responsible for policy and clinical decision making regarding admission to Washington state’s five CLIP Programs. The CLIP Administration is also the statutory placement authority for adolescents involuntarily committed for up to 180 days of inpatient care. The CLIP Administration assists the Mental Health Division of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS/MHD) with monitoring the care provided by the CLIP Programs.
Kinship Care in Washington State – Are you a grandparent or other family member raising a relative’s child? You are not alone. Over 35,000 people in Washington State care for a relative’s child. The financial, legal, and emotional issues of raising a relative’s child can be challenging. Services and support when raising a relative’s child can be lifesavers. Getting answers to questions and finding services, programs, and support can be confusing and overwhelming.
Department of Children, Youth, and Families - DCYF is the lead agency for state-funded services that support children and families to build resilience and health to improve educational outcomes. They accomplish this by partnering with state and local agencies, tribes and other organizations in communities across the state of Washington. Their focus is to support children and families at their most vulnerable points, giving them the tools they need to succeed.
Other Resources
Port of Seattle: Hidden Disabilities Support - the Port of Seattle’s Seattle‑Tacoma International Airport (SEA) offers several services to support travelers with hidden or non-visible disabilities such as autism, PTSD, hearing loss, and other conditions.
Washington State Parks: Disability Pass - the Washington State Parks Disability Pass provides free or discounted access to state parks for eligible Washington residents with qualifying disabilities. It is designed to make outdoor recreation more accessible and affordable.
National Fathers Groups
21st Century Dads Foundation – their mission focuses on improving the lives of children by raising awareness and resources for greater father involvement; and inspiring dads to be present —physically, emotionally, financially and spiritually.
The Washington State Fathers Network (WSFN) does not provide legal services or legal assistance for fathers. For more information, please visit the following link: Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA).
The above is offered as information and does not reflect endorsement by Sherwood or the WSFN.