Special Needs Guide

Agencies Focusing on Special Needs’ Populations      Back To Special Needs Categories

Augusta Developmental Specialists
Specializes in helping people with special health care and developmental needs get the services they need. The group provides developmental assessment, care coordination working with therapists and school staff to help your child, wheelchair clinic and more. Led by Karen Carter, M.Ed., M.D., the group includes a licensed massage therapist and recreational therapist. The clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. 1303 D’Antignac St., Suite 21000, Augusta. 706-396-0600.

Easter Seals East Georgia
Easter Seals has programs for adults and children. There are work programs, which help disabled teenagers transition from school into the workplace, as well as work-related programs for disabled adults. Easter Seals also recently received funding for the Champions for Children program which provides financial assistance to families of special needs and medically fragile children and do not meet the eligibility requirements for the TEFRA/Katie Beckett Medicaid program.
706-667-9695
www.eastersealseastgeorgia.org

Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Division of
Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addictive Resources.
The agency provides support to people with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities. Services include in-home personal care, respite care, work programs and state funded hospitals.
706-792-7733
http://bhdd.georgia.gov

National Federation of the Blind of Georgia and South Carolina
The organization provides public education about blindness, information, referral services, literature, and publications about blindness, adaptive equipment for the blind, advocacy services and job opportunities for the blind and support for blind persons and their families.
315 West Ponce De Leon Ave. Suite 1020, Decatur, Georgia
404-371-1000
www.nfbga.org

119 S. Kilbourne Road., Columbia, South Carolina
803-254-3777
www.nfbsc.net

PSA Healthcare, Inc.
Offers private duty nursing and a day treatment center for medically fragile children with on-site pediatric nurses, speech, physical and occupational therapy.
444 Park West Drive, Grovetown, Georgia
706-868-6543
www.psahealthcare.com

Tri-Development of Aiken County
A United Way funded agency, which provides services for children and adults with autism, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, mental retardation and related disorders.
1015 Vaucluse Road, Aiken, South Carolina
803-642-8800
www.aikentdc.org

United Cerebral Palsy Georgia
Headquartered in Atlanta, the organization offers services in the Augusta area. Some of its statewide services include information and referral, employment services and residential services.
770-676-2000
www.ucpga.org

United Cerebral Palsy South Carolina
In South Carolina, UCP offers adult day services, family support and residential services.
803-926-8878
www.ucpsc.org

United Cerebral Palsy Georgia
Headquartered in Atlanta, the organization offers services in the Augusta area. Some of its statewide services include information and referral, employment services and residential services.
770-676-2000
www.ucpga.org

Education      Back To Special Needs Categories

Augusta Christian School of Talent Development
The school is designed for students with a specific learning disability and/or those with attention deficit disorder. Classes are available in grades 1-12, offering low teacher-student ratios and individualized instruction. The curriculum is designed for students with special learning needs while incorporating a standard curriculum.
313 Baston Road, Martinez, Georgia
706-863-2905, extension 130
www.augustachristian.org

College Board Services for Students With Disabilities
The College Board works to provide appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities when taking the SAT, AP tests and PSAT/NMSQT.
609-771-7137
www.collegeboard.com/ssd/student/index.html

Georgia Learning Resources System
The system is a network of 17 centers throughout the state providing training and resources to educators and parents of students with disabilities.
706-826-1128
www.glrs.org

Kumon Math and Reading Center
The center strives to have each student performing at their full potential by using techniques that improve speed and accuracy to master the basics in reading and math. Students meet with a highly trained Kumon Instructor during the week and continue with home assignments daily to fill in any learning gaps that may be hindering them. Preschool through high school.
500 Fury’s Ferry Road. Unit 502-5, Martinez, Georgia
706-993-2232
reenathomas@ikumon.com   |    www.kumon.com

Learning Enhancement Centers
Through the PACE Program, the centers seek to identify and successfully treat learning problems in ages 6 to 21. Locations in Aiken, North Augusta and Waynesboro
1-866-237-4260
www.mchalker.processingskills.com

M.A.E.S. Education Center
Offers tutoring, high school success classes, home school classes, college counseling and building skills in reading comprehension. 4116 Evans to Locks Road., Evans, Georgia
706-860-8585
email: info@maeseducationcenter.com

Oxford Learning Center
Help in study skills, homework, reading,
writing, math, spelling, grammar and more.
4536 Washington Road., Suite 4, Eagle Point
Shopping Center, Evans, Georgia
706-650-2225
www.oxfordlearning.com

Partners in Achievement
PIA offers programs for children with attention problems or learning disabilities.
3990 Columbia Rd., Martinez, Georgia, 706-650-1877, www.pialearningcenters.com

Reading Success Plus, Inc.
Provides remediation for elementary school students and adults at all levels of academic needs. They also provide a full range of testing services.
4205 Columbia Road, Martinez, Georgia
706-863-8173
www.readingsuccessplus.com

Information and Referral      Back To Special Needs Categories

Parent to Parent of Georgia
The organization has a comprehensive Web site with a database for families of special needs children to find out anything from adaptive clothing to insurance.
706-802-5309
www.parenttoparentofga.org

United Way of the CSRA
The 211 system provides a link to information and referral on a variety of services in the community. The phone number 211 works on most land lines, but not from all cell phones.
The alternate number is 706-826-1495
www.uwcsra.org

Recreation and Sports      Back To Special Needs Categories

The Family Y, Wilson Branch
3570 Wheeler Road, Augusta
Financial assistance is available for all Family Y programs.
706-922-9622
www.thefamilyy.org

Adapted Aquatics Special Populations
Individual ½ hour classes, one-to-one ration, for all physically and developmentally challenged individuals of all ages. Specially trained staff uses swimming and aquatic fitness skills to improve participants’ independence and quality of life.  Sessions are by appointment only. Taught in the Wilson Family Y’s indoor pool.
Contact Claudia Collins, Aquatics Director at 706-922-9664

Adapted Kardio Kidz
Fun fitness class for children affected by physical or developmental challenges.  Taught by specially trained instructors.  Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:15-6:00 p.m. Classes resume September 7, 2010.
Contact Beth at 706-922-9619

Adapted Wii Special Populations 
Individual ½ hour classes, one-to-one ratio, for all physically and developmentally challenged individuals of all ages. Specially trained staff uses the Wii Interactive Computer Games to improve participants’ independence and quality of life.  By appointment only.
Contact Claudia at 706-922-9664

Adapted Gymnastics
Individual ½ hour classes, one-to-one ratio, for all physically and developmentally challenged individuals of all ages. Specially trained staff uses the Wii Interactive Computer Games to improve participants’ independence and quality of life. By appointment only.
Contact Claudia at 706-922-9664

Family Y BlazeSports Team
Swim team for all ages of physically challenged swimmers to train for competition.  (Part of the BlazeSports Clubs of America training future Paralympians.) Practice Monday & Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Saturday, 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Miracle League Baseball
Provides a barrier-free field for children and adults with disabilities.  A special, rubberized surface and flat bases allows safe play for those in wheelchairs or who use other assistive devices such as crutches or walkers. Registration is open for ages 4 and up.  Sports Complex Uptown VA, 1 Freedom Way, Augusta, Georgia, Season: October 2-November 20.
Contact JD McCauley at 706-922-9597
Scholarships and financial assistance available.
 
Kathryn M. York Adapted Aquatics Center (Katie’s Pool)
Dedicated to improving the quality of life of individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities. Shallow and deep water therapy pool with a wheelchair ramp at the shallow end. Includes adapted changing rooms with a lift system to accommodate disabled
individuals and a state of the art sanitation system.
Contact Claudia, 706-922-9655.

Support Groups      Back To Special Needs Categories

Walton Options
Its mission is to empower people of all ages and all types of disabilities to reach their highest level of independence.
948 Walton Way, Augusta, Georgia
706-724-6262
www.waltonoptions.org

The CSRA EOS
Support group for families and individuals with Eosinophilic Disorders meets at 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the MCGHealth Sciences Building, Augusta, Georgia, and in alternate locations during the summer.
Contact Melinda Garrett at 706-868-1874
www.csra-eos.blogspot.com

The Georgia Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
This organization has the Family Network, which provides support, encouragement and programming for families of children with diabetes. 
404-420-5990
www.jdrfgeorgia.org

The Autism Exchange
Meets the 3rd Saturday of every month, 10: a.m.-11:30 a.m., at Martinez Elementary School, Martinez, Georgia, Stacy Anton, 706-541-2723, extension 5204.
www.theautismexchange.com
stacy.anton@ccboe.net

ALS Support Group
Meets the second Thursday of each month from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the MCGHealth Ambulatory Care Center, 1447 Harper Street, 4th Floor, Room BP 4306. The meetings provide opportunities for individuals to share their personal experiences and learn more about strategies for preserving the independence and quality of life for ALS patients and their loved ones. Meetings are free and open to all patients, family members and friends. Lunch is provided.
888-636-9940
www.alsaga.org

Brain Tumor Support Group
Meets the third Tuesday of each month from 12:15-1:15 p.m. at MCGHealth Children’s Medical Center, 1446 Harper Street, 1st Floor, Family Services Conference Room. For patients with brain tumors, their families and loved ones.
706-721-0193
www.mcg.edu/som/neurosurgery/BrainTumorProgram/BTpatientSupport.htm

Blood Cancer/Stem Cell Transplant Support Group
Meets the last Thursday of the month from 5:30-7 p.m. at the MCG Alumni Center, Garden Room, 919 15th St. The goal is to provide educational and emotional support to bone marrow transplant patients, as well as their families, friends and caregivers. Refreshments are provided. Carole Gallagher, Bone Marrow Support Group Social Worker, can be reached at
706-721-2752
www.hcghealth.org/cancer/McgContentPage.aspx?nd.

Common Bond Parent Support Group
For parents of children of all ages and diagnoses with challenging disabilities but remarkable perseverance and resilience in Augusta, Georgia.
706-729-0012

Statewide Assistance      Back To Special Needs Categories

Georgia PINES
(Parent Infant Network for Educational Services)
Information/assistance to families of vision/hearing impaired, multi-handicapped, sensory impaired children, under age four. Parent advisors make home visits to teach families how to help their child.
800-522-8652  |  404-298-4882
www.gapines.info

Georgia Learning Resources System, (GLRS)
Statewide network of 17 resource centers offering free services to parents and educators of students with disabilities.
800-282-7552
www.aadd.org

Social/Recreational Groups & Play Centers      Back To Special Needs Categories

Monkey Joe’s
Monkey Joe’s Inflatable play center, wall to wall inflatable slides, jumps, obstacle courses, walk-in play and birthday parties, for ages 12 and younger. Special Needs Night is held the first Sunday of each month after general store hours to ensure a calm environment for special needs children and their parents, 6-7 p.m.
368 Furys Ferry Road, Martinez, Georgia
706-922-5867
www.monkeyjoes.com

RECing Crew
Based in North Augusta, South Carolina, the RECing Crew is an umbrella name for several different subgroups and programs for all ages and disabilities. The Cruisers is a social group, which meets monthly for dances or field trips. The Alley Cats is a weekly bowling league. The TRecS is an adaptive basketball and baseball program. They also added a program called ARTS-Ability Studio, which meets the second Saturday of every other month. Fees vary but are nominal.
Pam Strickland at 803-279-8820
www.therecingcrew.com

Georgia-Carolina Council Boy Scouts of America
Scouting programs are available for special needs children.
706-733-5277
www.gacacouncil.org

Military Families     Back To Special Needs Categories

Exception Family Member Program, Fort Gordon, Georgia
This program helps military families with a physical, emotional, developmental or intellectual disorder requiring specialized treatment. It provides information and links to services as well as respite care.
Pam Rachal at 706-791-4872
www.gordon.army.mil/acs/EFMP/index.htm

Therapeutic Horseback Riding for Children with Disabilities      Back To Special Needs Categories

Canterbury Trails
Horseback riding lessons for special needs children, as well as hayrides and horse rides in the show ring. They work closely with the CSRA’s special education departments.
5581 Wrightsboro Road, Grovetown, Georgia
706-556-1287
www.canterburytrails.org

Blue Ribbon Riders 
Equine assisted activity and Hippotherapy program for ages 3 and up NARHA premier accredited center (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association)
987 Reynolds Farm Road, Grovetown, Georgia
Claudia Morin at 706-854-0644

Assistance with Issues Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits      Back To Special Needs Categories

Gerald Powell
Used to be affiliated with Able Disabled, which is no longer in existence. Gerald is semi-retired and offers assistance/advice on a volunteer basis, to children and adults who are having problems receiving social security disability benefits.
Augusta, Georgia
706-796-6856