Community Advocacy Organizations

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

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.

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

Internet resources, use search to find local resources.

Supporting International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR)

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

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 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

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: All walk-in and in-person appointments are suspended. For services, please call or go online. ADDITIONALLY Temporary Rental Assistance is available to those directly affected by COVID-19 and not eligible for unemployment; please call for specific information.

COVID-19 - UPDATE: As of July 31, 2020 the temporary Rental Assistance is now open to those who are receiving unemployment benefits. Additional funding has been received and eligibility requirements have changed. Those who quality can receive up to $2000 for rent and utility purposes.

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

Provides awareness, education, 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
• Health/Disabilities Related Volunteer Opportunities
• Independent Living Skills Instruction
• Disease/Disability Information
• Prescription Drugs for Specific Health Conditions

Promotes civil rights issues surrounding discrimination against United States citizens. Provides college and youth scholarships that help members avoid the traps of discriminatory loans and lending practices.

• 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.

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

Litigates precedent-setting cases at the trial and appellate court levels; advocates for equitable public policies affecting the LGBT community; provides free legal assistance to LGBT people and their legal advocates; and conducts community education on LGBT issues.

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

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

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.

Provides outreach, training, support, education, information, and activities for individuals with Down syndrome, parents, families and the community.

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