Community Advocacy Organizations

Advocates for public policy affecting all people in the State of Utah who have disabilities. 

Meetings are the first Thursday of each month from 12:30-2:00 pm MST. 

Works to reduce barriers to healthcare through health promotion, community engagement and development, education, and policy analysis. Designated by the Federal Bureau of Primary Health Care as the state Primary Care Association and receives federal program support to develop and enhance services for members.

COVID-19 UPDATE: Please call nearest health center before going to the center to find out the availability of COVID-19 screening and testing. Health center staff can often assess by telephone or telehealth whether it is safe to come to the clinic, stay home, or go to a hospital or other emergency facility.

• Government Reform Groups
• Organizational Consultation/Technical Assistance
• Public Awareness/Education

Find the nearest CHC location here: http://www.auch.org/community-health-centers/chc-profiles
Community Health Worker Program employs 5 CHWs who are based out of Community Health Centers in high-need areas across the Salt Lake Valley.

Provides educational information, literature, community outreach, advocacy and referral services to the blind, parents of blind children, and newly blind persons.

COVID-19 UPDATE: Following all CDC and state guidelines.

• Specialized Information and Referral
• Braille and Tactile Aids
• Voluntary Health Organizations
• Health Related Advocacy Groups

NFB of Utah has 5 chapters located in St. George, Utah County, Salt Lake, Weber/Davis, and Logan; as well as 3 divisions that work specifically with students, seniors, and parents of blind children.
President Everette Bacon

Empowers individuals, strengthens families, and builds communities through education and self-sufficiency programs. Programs and services include crisis intervention for housing (may include rent and/or deposit assistance depending on funding, for qualifying families with children or individuals), food, and utility assistance or assistance with utilities, homeless diversion programs and services, employment services and job finding assistance, and other services listed as separate providers (See the Community Action Agencies service term). Offers coordinated homeless services through the Homeless Resource Line.

COVID-19 UPDATE: Rent payment assistance application related to COVID-19 are no longer being accepted at this location, however other rent payment assistance remains available. All walk-in and in-person appointments are suspended.

• Food Production/Preparation/Delivery Volunteer Opportunities
• Court Community Service Sites
• Specialized Information and Referral
• Case/Care Management
• Homeless Diversion Programs
• Tenant Readiness Education Programs
• Landlord/Tenant Dispute Resolution
• Community Action Agencies
• Utility Service Payment Assistance
• Rent Payment Assistance

Provides advocacy, builds capacity, and encourages systems change to support people with developmental and intellectual disabilities and their families to fully and independently participate in their communities.

COVID-19 UPDATE: No walk-in; must have appointment. Masks are required.

• Advocacy
• Protection and Advocacy for Individuals With Disabilities

Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake is a non-profit organization that promotes safety, stability, and self-sufficiency for low income families and individuals, as well as victims of domestic violence, through effective, efficient legal advocacy and assistance. Includes self representation, child custody, and divorce assistance.

COVID-19 UPDATE: Following all CDC and state guidelines. Services are by appointment only, and some are offered virtually. Computers are not available at this time; please call or visit website for service specific guidelines.

• Self Representation Assistance
• Legal Representation
• Divorce Assistance
• Child Custody/Visitation Assistance
• Domestic/Family Violence Legal Services

Non-profit organization dedicated to addressing the challenges of living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Provides a wide variety of programs, fundraisers for research funding, activities, advocacy, and services throughout the area for people with MS, their families, and friends. Related volunteer opportunities also available.

COVID-19 UPDATE: Following all CDC and state guidelines.

• Health/Disability Related Support Groups
• Health/Disabilities Related Volunteer Opportunities
• Voluntary Health Organizations
• Health Related Advocacy Groups
• Disability Related Sports

• Disease/Disability Information
• Voluntary Health Organizations
• Health/Disability Related Support Groups
• Health Related Advocacy Groups
• Stroke Rehabilitation

Provides information and assistance to those with low income, regarding nutritional programs, rights, and benefits of program/participants. Also provides advocacy on hunger and poverty issues and training on all federal food programs for individuals and groups. Utahns Against Hunger is not an emergency food provider but instead works to expand the reach of nutritional programs to 1 in 9 households in Utah struggling to afford food.

COVID-19 UPDATE: The Pandemic-EBT program provides students who were eligible in March for free or reduced-fee lunches a prepaid Horizon Card with Pandemic EBT benefits of $308 per eligible child, for addressing emergency food needs during the pandemic.

• Advocacy
• Welfare Rights Assistance
• Public Relations Volunteer Opportunities
• Food Stamps/SNAP Applications

Provides support and education for parents, families, and friends of lesbian, gay, transgender, and bisexual people. Peer support by others who have worked through acceptance problems.

Creates and delivers diverse, cutting-edge programming that increases community involvement and address its ever changing needs. By providing a safe school environment for all youth, Colors of Success seeks to empower and mentor through self-esteem, strengthening relationships, espousing scholastic achievement, and embracing the necessity for tolerance and compassion towards all individuals.

An independent council working to foster collaboration, communication, and learning among families and agencies, aiming to promote access to resources and responsible information for individuals of all ages who have, or are affected by autism, or related conditions.

COVID-19 Update: Website remains available 24/7, with updates on virtual opportunities, and a list of pandemic related resources are available for those who have or are affected by autism.

• Disease/Disability Information
• Health Related Advocacy Groups
• Specialized Information and Referral

Advocates for the underserved population of Utah regarding health care, provides information about the new federal health care reform law (also known as Obamacare) and how it will impact Utahns from every walk of life. Helps consumers enroll in public and private insurance, and educates consumers on how to make the best use of their benefits.

COVID-19 UPDATE: Office is closed until further notice; no walk-ins. Staff are working remotely; working on developing technology to better assist remotely; please call.

• Health Related Advocacy Groups
• Advocacy
• Navigator Programs
• General Health Insurance Information/Counseling

Services provided by TakeCareUtah.org

• Health/Disability Related Support Groups
• Voluntary Health Organizations
• Health Related Advocacy Groups
• Specialized Information and Referral

Works to prevent and cure diabetes and improve the lives of all people affected by the disease.

• Disease/Disability Information
• Health/Disability Related Support Groups
• Health Related Advocacy Groups
• Voluntary Health Organizations
• Health/Disabilities Related Volunteer Opportunities
• Court Community Service Sites

Region includes Colorado, Montana, Utah and Wyoming.

Provides awareness, education, support groups, support services, and advocacy for and in behalf of all those dealing with the many challenges of epilepsy/seizure disorders.

• Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
• Health/Disability Related Support Groups
• Therapeutic Camps
• Health Related Advocacy Groups
• Voluntary Health Organizations
• Prescription Drugs for Specific Health Conditions
• Disease/Disability Information
• Independent Living Skills Instruction
• Health/Disabilities Related Volunteer Opportunities

Information about Fabry disease, research and clinical trials information, funding programs, and more. Programs, include:

• Annual conference
• Family camp
• Personal support
• Research and educational information

ASHA's work is focused around three important objectives:
Educate: Be the source of scientifically-based and accessible information
Build Alliances: Collaborate with other organizations to expand the understanding and acceptance of the sexual health model
Advocate: Advance supportive changes in sexual health policy

The NAACP is the oldest and largest civil rights group in the U.S. Its principal objective is to ensure political, educational, social, and economic equality among minority citizens.

The National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) is the nation's leading public policy center dedicated to promoting the economic security, health, and well-being of America's low-income families and children. NCCP has a list online of publications on the following topics:

• Child Poverty
• Children’s Mental Health
• Early Care and Learning
• Healthy Development
• Immigrant Families
• Infants and Toddlers
• Integrated Systems
• Low-Wage Work
• Social Security
• Welfare
• Work Supports

The Autism Research Institute (ARI) is the hub of a worldwide network of parents and professionals concerned with autism. ARI was founded in 1967 to conduct and foster scientific research designed to improve the methods of diagnosing, treating, and preventing autism. ARI also disseminates research findings to parents and others worldwide seeking help. The ARI data bank, the world's largest, contains over 40,000 detailed case histories of autistic children from over 60 countries.

Services:

• Online educational events for parents and caretakers
• Continuing medical education credit for physicians, teachers, dietitians, and occupational therapists
• ATEC treatment assessment tool for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Resource Line
• Research updates and newsletters

The mission of United Way is to improve people's lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities.

United Ways across the country activate community resources to make the greatest possible human impact. The United Way system includes approximately 1,400 community-based United Way organizations. Each is independent, separately incorporated and governed by local volunteers.

As community leaders, United Ways address the most critical local issues and mobilize resources beyond the dollars that are pledged through their fund-raising efforts. Community partners often include schools, government policy makers, businesses, organized labor, financial institutions, voluntary and neighborhood associations, community development corporations and the faith community.

United Spinal Association is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of all people living with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D), including veterans, and providing support and information to loved ones, care providers and professionals. Offers options to request assistance, connect with a mentor, connect with a chapter, advocacy, and product and service information.

Spinal Cord Resource Center: Submit questions on any aspect of Spinal Cord Injury/Disease or get information and resources that may help you resolve a situation including local support.

Disability Products & Services Guide: Search the United Spinal Association Disability Products & Services Directory to discover providers and organizations that specialize in optimizing the health, independence and quality of life of people with a spinal cord injury or disease.

• Health/Disability Related Support Groups
• Information and Referral
• Legislative Advocacy
• Self Advocacy Support