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Welcome to ROCHESTERfamilies.com's Special Needs page.
This page provides information on local organizations that provide services to individuals with special needs. Whenever possible
we've indicated if the organization works with youth, adults, or both.


ROCHESTERfamilies.com's Special Needs page was created in partnership with SNOC (Special Needs Organizations Committee). SNOC's purpose is to pool together information on activities, services, and resources for children and youth with special needs and better make this information available to the youth and their families. For more information on SNOC contact Karen Meyer (Rochester Park and Rec, Adaptive Rec) at 287-7980. If you know of an additional resource for youth or adults with special needs, please email lindy@rochesterfamilies.com.


ABILITY BUILDING CENTER (ABC) • Becky Vagt • 535-7132
The mission of the Ability Building Center is to improve the quality of life in Southeastern Minnesota by providing rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities and other special needs. ABC provides vocational rehabilitation and production services of individuals and businesses throughout SE MN. Individualized, person centered programs and service options allow each person to choose their own path toward becoming productive and fulfilled members of their own community.


A PUZZLED WORLD • Jessica & Jeff Raschka • 3110 Wellner Dr. NE Suite 300, right behind Whistle Binkies North • 696-1874 • apuzzledworld@yahoo.com
A Puzzled World has fun things for all ages and abilities. The store has things related to disabilities like autism, down syndrome, cp, AD/HD and more. You will find books, toys, OT/PT stuff, speech stuff, weighted blankets/vests apparel and so much more. In the spring of 2008, A Puzzled World established a rental system of toys, games, learning tools and therapy equipment. The rental program works similar to popular programs like Netflix. For a monthly fee, a customer can check out items and exchange them on a regular basis for new things. Parents that have children from birth to 13 will have hundreds of items to choose from. Plans start at $29.99 a month.


ARC OF SOUTHEASTERN MINNESOTA • Debbie Monahan • 2200 2nd Street SW • 287-2032 • www.arcse-mn.org
Arc of SE MN is a non-profit volunteer driven organization that builds inclusive communities by providing support, education and advocacy to persons with developmental disabilities and their families. Arc works with persons of all ages, including families that have received a prenatal diagnosis. Arc provides community awareness through newsletter, seminars and media contacts. Parent training and education, as well as information and referral, scholarships, and support groups are all part of Arc services.


ARSYS, LLC • Kevin Smith, Todd Natzke, Kevin Ward • 536-9221
The mission of ARSYS (A Road to Support Your Self) is to provide the clients they serve with opportunities and experiences that enrich their lives. ARSYS is dedicated to providing the highest quality of service and to being the best choice for their clients. ARSYS currently provides support to clients from age 5 to 62, serves approximately 100 clients and employs approximately 80 staff. They have a variety of different services to meet people’s needs. ARSYS offers 1:1 in-home or in the community support services for those who live on their own, with family, or in foster care. Another service is a group program called CHIP (Community Home Integration Program) that provides support for clients to work on skill building and social skills in a 3 client to 1 staff ratio. A respite home serves up to 4 clients every weekend, during the week the home is used for the CHIP and 1:1 clients to work on skill development in a home setting. ARSYS also provides residential supports (SLS), and supports people in three group homes in Rochester, as well as having a division in Anoka, MN, that serves approximately 20 people through 1:1 and SILS services. All the services are designed by the clients and their team to meet their goals and desires.


BEAR CREEK SERVICES • Liz Crawford • 288-7195 ext. 208 www.bearcreekservices.org
Bear Creek Services is a non-profit agency in Rochester providing support to adults (age 18 and older) with Developmental Disabilities and Traumatic Brain Injuries. Bear Creek Services provides residential options and support for each individual’s needs for housing, employment, emotional support and recreational opportunities. Their vision is for each individual to reach their highest potential as citizens in the Rochester community. Contact Bear Creek Services for more information or to become a volunteer.


CARING PARTNERS ADULT DAY PROGRAM – THE SALVATION ARMY • 288-5191 • 20 1st Ave, NE
Caring Partners offers supervised, structured, and comprehensive programming with a variety of health, social and related support services in a protective setting. The services are offered to adults ages 18 and older (currently their population is mostly senior citizens). A variety of daily activities (arts and crafts, men's and women's groups, community outings) are available to encourage social interaction, recreation, rehabilitative training and skill building. In addition a physical therapist outlines the daily 30 minute exercise routine.


DISABILITY LINKAGE LINE • 1-866-333-2466 • www.minnesotahelp.info
The Disability Linkage Line (DLL) is a FREE Information, Referral and Assistance service that helps you connect to services and programs that meet your needs. The DLL service in our area is coordinated by Southeastern Minnesota Center for Independent Living (SEMCIL). The public can access this service Monday - Friday during regular business hours. With a SINGLE CALL you can locate disability services and supports as well as other resources to help assist you in choosing the most suitable service options. Trained Referral and Assistance Specialists access a statewide database of resources to direct you to services and supports available in your area. The DLL is available to people with disabilities and/or chronic illness, their family members, and service providers. Staff is available to FOLLOW UP with you to insure that you find the services to meet your needs. There is no wrong call to Disability Linkage Line. Common requests include information and referrals on disability benefits programs, building accessibility home modifications, assistive technology, personal assistance services, transition services, finding accessible housing, employment and disability awareness and rights, financial assistance, county services, in-home services, to name a few.


GIRL SCOUT COUNCIL OF RIVER TRAILS • Marlene Jehnke • 288-4703 ext. 108 • www.rivertrails.org
Girl Scouting is for every girl, everywhere! In addition to school-based troops, Girl Scouts also offers a troop for girls with special needs. The troop includes girls of all ages and various physical and mental disabilities. Some bring a caregiver with them. The girls participate in "typical" Girl Scout meetings, where they learn the Girl Scout Promise, learn about what it means to be a Girl Scout, have a craft, a snack, a song, and end with a friendship circle. This group starts up every school year in late September. Meetings are held at the Rec Center. "Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.”


GREAT RIVER EARTH ADVENTURE TRIPS
Great River Earth Adventure Trips • www.greatrivertrips.com/default.aspx • (507) 273-2636
G.R.E.A.T. was established to help mentally and phisically disabled individuals experience the wonders and beauty of the outdoors. We believe that being in the outdoors is an ideal way for our participants to experience independence, improve social skills, and increase self-esteem in a very exciting environment. Our programs our designed to meet the needs of the various people with whom we work and are often further refined upon speaking with individuals and organizations so we can provide the precise kind of wilderness and outdoor experience that our participants seek. We have a ratio of roughly one leader for every 3-4 participants. Not only will you have fun on a G.R.E.A.T. trip, individuals will learn and participate in a variety of things which can include: canoeing, tent camping, cooking, fishing, camp crafts, plant and animal identification, natural history, discovering wild edibles, safe ecological practices and much more. No trip is the same. There will always be something new to see or do on any of our trips. Visit our website to check out upcoming trips.


HIAWATHA HOMES, INC. • 1820 Valkyrie Drive NW • 289-7222 • www.hiawathahomes.com
Hiawatha Homes, Inc. is a local non-profit agency that is dedicated to establishing and conducting home and community based services for people with disabilities and specialized medical needs. Hiawatha Homes and the Family Support Services program serves people of all ages and offers opportunities for: lifetime skills and personal needs training; recreational and social activities; community involvement. Services are specifically defined for each individual and can be community based or in the home of the individual.


IRONWOOD SPRINGS RANCH • 7291 County Road 6 SW Stewartville • 533-4315 • www.ironwoodsprings.com
Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch is a non-profit, non-denominational, year-round camp located along the Root River in SE Minnesota on 200 acres of woods, trails, and wildlife. Ironwood serves over 22,000 people annually. Ironwood annually offers Wheelchair Sports and Recreation Camp (for adults and youth - activities include road racing, tennis, basketball, water-skiing, scuba, trail riding, bowling and canoeing). According to their website, Ironwood has hosted this event for 20-plus years and "This is known as the most fun and challenging sports camp in the world." In addition to Wheelchair Camp Ironwood hosts various horseback riding week-long and day camps, teen camps, grandparent and grandchild camp, and family camp.


Janet Lang Dance Studio • 2625 Highway 14 West • 288-9653
Janet Lange is now offering Adaptive Dance Classes. FALL 2006 CLASS INFO: Classes run for 9 weeks, Fridays, starting September 8 at 4:30pm. Classes cost $50 and are appropriate for kids ages 4-12.


MAINS’L SERVICES, Inc. • Tanya Keller • 289-4463 • www.mainsl.com
Mains’l provides community alternatives for children and adults with mental health considerations (both developmental disabilities and mental illness). Mains’l can help with all aspects of a person’s life, both self enrichment and daily living routines. Supports are individually tailored, and focus on ensuring the person’s health, safety and welfare, as well as encouraging people to work toward their independence.


NAMI WARMLINE
Warmline is a non-crisis phone line for people with depression, ADHD, Bi-Polar and other mental illnesses. Open from 4-8pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Warmline will be open on Sunday evenings from 4-8 beginning on Sunday, January 6, 2008.OCCUPATIONAL SKILLS PROGRAM – RCTC • Vicky Keller • 529-2722
The Occupational Skills Program provides individuals with mild to moderate disabilities the vocational training necessary to obtain and maintain competitive entry level employment. The target population is individuals outside of a sheltered work environment who are unable to succeed in traditional college coursework. OSP is a nine month diploma program. Specific skills needed for employment are taught at the workplace where the student receives training.


OLMSTED COUNTY MANAGEMENT SERVICES • Jane Clark • 529-4575 • Don Parsons (Home & Community Care) • 529-4585 www.dhs.state.mn.us
Olmsted County Community Services are for persons (both youth and adults) with developmental disabilities and related conditions. A social worker reviews the family’s specific needs and determines if there is a need for Case Management Services. Once service eligibility is established, the case manager will: offer assistance in identifying the needs for supports and services; help develop an individual service plan; locate, access and authorize needed services; coordinate delivery of services; monitor services to ensure needs are being met.


PAIIR Parenting a Child w/ Special Needs • 201 8th St NW (Northrup Education Center) • 285-8033 • www.rochester.k12.mn.us/school86
PAIIR is a public school program available to all Minnesota families (it is not an income-based program) with children from birth to kindergarten enrollment. The Parenting a Child w/ Special Needs class is designed specifically for parents with children birth to kindergarten enrollment with the added concern of a delay, disability or illness, as well as the general concerns all parents share. Discussion is led by a licensed parent educator. Parents can relax in the parent discussion group, knowing that their children are in a safe and fun environment, learning with experienced early childhood teachers. This series meets once a month at the Northrop Education Center, 6-7:30pm. Child care for preschoolers will be provided. There is no fee for this class.


PARK AND RECREATION DEPT. ADAPTIVE RECREATION PROGRAM • Karen Meyer • 287-7980 • www.ci.rochester.mn.us
The Adaptive Recreation program is a year-round therapeutic sports and leisure program for persons 3 years and older with developmental disabilities. It is sponsored by the Rochester Park and Recreation Department. Activities include: swimming, bowling, soccer, softball, music therapy, choir, crafts, movie night, dances, summer day camps, etc.


Pathways to Wellness Counseling Services, LLC • Jennifer A. Baumgardner, MSW, LGSW • 261-7392 • www.pathways2wellness.net.
Pathways to Wellness is a private therapy practice. We provide individual, couple, and family counseling to all ages, specializing in children, adolescents, and young adults. Services may include, but are not limited to, work with anxiety, depression, behavioral concerns, adolescent struggles, substance use, parenting skills, social skill building, and relationship skills. We concentrate on serving our clients' diverse needs in a way that meets each client where he or she is at in life. Our goal is to provide a supportive environment that will challenge clients to consider their current life paths, as well as potential alterations needed to take charge of their life journey. Together we explore paths of change towards wellness of mind, body, and spirit.



PLAN OF SOUTHEASTERN MN (Planned Lifetime Assistance Network) • 287-2032 or toll-free 1-888-732-8520 • www.arcse-mn.org (find out more about PLAN by visiting ARC's homepage and clicking on the PLAN link)
PLAN addresses the question, “Who will watch after my loved one when I am no longer able to do so?” PLAN provides supplemental care for persons with developmental or physical disabilities, mental illness and/or brain injury, on behalf of parents or caregivers who are no longer able to do so themselves. PLAN of SE MN serves: Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Olmsted, Wabasha and Winona counties.


POSSABILITIES YOUTH RECREATION PROGRAM • Kim Luckey 208-6248/281-6116 • 1808 3rd Ave SE (administrative office) • www.possabilities.org
PossAbilities Youth Recreation Program is a recreation program for youth with disabilities from the ages 2.5 – 21. They offer an After School Program that is based out of the Rochester YMCA with hours being from 2:30 – 6:30 pm. The After School Program is full of community activities, such as: bowling, nutrition classes, gymnastic classes, Girl Scouts, horse back riding, craft classes, swim lessons, and all kinds of sporting activities (t-ball, soccer, flag football). PossAbilities Youth Recreation Program also offers a Morning Recreation Program for ages 2.5 – 6 that gets kids active in the community with swimming, sensory classes, story time, gym time, and much more. The After School and Morning Program run through the school year and we also offer a full day summer program. The focus of all of the Youth Recreation Programs is to provide kids with disabilities recreational opportunities and integrate them in activities with kids who do not have disabilities.


POSSABILITIES • Linda Driessen 281-6120/281-6116 • 1808 3rd Ave SE (administrative office) • www.possabilities.org
PossAbilities Student Employment Services assists individuals with disabilities in obtaining and maintaining employment. PossAbilities uses a person-centered, individualized approach to help clients develop meaningful careers and balance their work and personal lives. PossAbilities Life Enrichment Services provides the support and experiences necessary for individuals to develop and maintain meaningful relationships and connections to the community. PossAbilities Senior Services – Adult Day Center is designed to provide services for people over the age of 50 who have decided to retire from work. It also provides relief for primary caregivers assisting adults with Alzheimer’s Disease and/or Dementia.


PROJECT LIFESAVER • www.RTAutismAwareness.org
By forming a partnership with the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office, RTAAF and Project Lifesaver deploys specially trained teams with the most reliable technology available to quickly locate and return wandering adults and children to their families and caregivers. Project Lifesaver relies on proven radio technology and a specially trained search and rescue team of the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office. Applicants that are enrolled in the Project Lifesaver program wear a personalized wristband that emits a unique tracking signal. When caregivers call 911 and state that the applicant is a member of the Project Lifesaver program and that the applicant is missing, a search and rescue team responds to the wanderer's last known area and starts searching with the mobile locater tracking system. Search times have been reduced from hours and days to minutes. In over 1000 searches, there have been no reported serious injuries or deaths. Recovery times average less than 30 minutes.

Project Lifesaver teams are specially trained, not only in search and rescue and the use of the electronic tracking equipment, but also in the methods necessary to communicate with a person who has Autism or a related disorder. Locating the individual is only part of the mission. The person who is located will be disoriented, anxious, and untrusting. The Project Lifesaver team knows how to approach the individual, gain their trust and put them at ease for the trip home. To find out more about Project Lifesaver or to get an application log onto their website.



REGION 10 QUALITY ASSURANCE COMMISSION • Dan Zimmer 289-2032 • http://mn-voice.org/contacts.html
Initiated by the Region 10 Stakeholders Group, the QA Commission is comprised of people with disabilities, parents/advocates, providers and supports. The Quality Assurance Commission’s mission is to ensure and enhance the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities. This is accomplished through the person-driven VOICE (Value of Individual Choices and Experiences) review process. This process is approved as an alternative licensing process in the participating counties. The QA Commission office is co-located with ARC SE MN.


REGION 10 STAKEHOLDERS, BRAIN INJURY WORKGROUP • Harry R. Nevling • 289-8989
The Region 10 Stakeholders is a group that called themselves together in December, 1985. The Stakeholders group is comprised of people with disabilities, parents/advocates, providers and supports. The Stakeholders promote information on disabilities and support through quality of life and legislative issues for those with disabilities. The BI workgroup is involved specifically with issues relating to BI survivors. The workgroup serves both youth and adults.


RIDEABILITY • Jeanie Michelizzi • 356-8154 • www.rideability.org
RideAbility provides therapeutic, recreational and instructional horseback riding lessons and equine-related activities to individuals with disabilities and their families. RideAbility is run by 100% volunteer staff. Classes are offered in four sessions per year. Youth from 4 to 21 years of age are served in June and July, and adults are served in the spring and fall. Private lessons are also available.


ROCHESTER AREA BRAIN INJURY COMMUNITY COMMITTEE (BICC) • Harry R. Nevling • 289-8989
The BICC is comprised of persons with brain injury, members of families affected by brain injury, and representatives from many agencies which provide services for persons with brain injury. Its mission is to coordinate and promote development of community resources for persons with traumatic and other acquired brain injury to enhance quality of life and community involvement. The committee serves both youth and adults.


ROCHESTER AREA DISABLED ATHLETICS & RECREATION (RADAR) • 539 North Broadway, #117 • 280-6995 • http://radarsports.tripod.com
Rochester Area Disabled Athletics & Recreation, Inc., is a non-profit organization promoting recreational and sporting opportunities for individuals (including youth) with disabilities. The RADAR sports and recreation programs include: archery, basketball, bowling, billiards, crafts, current events, fishing, games, gardening, golf, movies, outings, workshops and more.


ROCHESTER CENTER FOR AUTISM • Mandy Eggert •  424-3234 • www.rcautism.com
The Rochester Center for Autism is a center-based program that provides one-on-one Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism. ABA therapy works on the three main impairment areas: communication, social interaction and stereotyped, restricted patterns of behavior. The Center provides assessment, recommendations and administers treatment with ongoing consultation to families in the program.


Rochester Shining Stars • Karen Meyer, Coordinator, Adaptive Recreation, Park & Recreation Department 201 4th Street SE #150 • 287-7980
Rochester Shining Stars Cheer Team is ready to perform and will be competing in upcoming competitions during the months of December (2006), January, and February (2007) in Rochester and the Cities. The Shining Stars is comprised of 15 athletes ranging in age from 11-39 with developmental disabilities. The team performs a 2 ½ minute choreographed routine including cheer, dance, gymnastics, and stunting. The Rochester Shining Stars premiered in the winter of 2005/2006 as the only adaptive cheer team in the State of Minnesota and performed center stage for at a Timberwolves Game last March after being seen by Team Representatives at a State Competition! If you have an event in which you might like to have the team exhibit their talents, call Karen Meyer.


RT AUTISM AWARENESS FOUNDATION • Vesna Sloan (Board member) • 289-1882 • www.rtautismawareness.org.
The RT Autism Awareness Foundation, Inc. is an organization devoted to making people aware of autism and the effects it has on children and their families. The foundation aims to enhance the quality of life for children with autism and their families through support, advocacy, awareness and education. The foundation hosts an annual golf benefit and walk, coordinates autism awareness day with the Minnesota Twins and is very much involved in advocacy for children with autism and their families. The RT Autism Awareness Support Group is for parents and families of children who have autism.


SEMCIL • 2720 N Broadway • 285-1815/1-888-285-1815 • www.semcil.uhhc.org
The Southeastern Minnesota Center for Independent Living (SEMCIL), Inc., is a non-profit organization that assists people with disabilities (both youth and adults) to become independent and productive community members. The Independent Living and Personal Care Assistance Programs promote self-sufficiency and help assure that persons with a disability have equal access, opportunities, and choices.


SPECIAL OLYMPICS ROCHESTER • www.specialolympicsrochester.com • specialolympicsrochester@hotmail.com
Special Olympics Rochester serves children (age 5 to train, 7 to compete) and adults with mental disabilities. We offer sports training programs in Basketball, Golf, Aquatics (swimming), Track & Field, Bocce and Bowling. All training is free for the athletes with the exception of Bowling. This program is offered in conjunction with RADAR.


SOUTHEASTERN MINNESOTA NAMI WARMLINE • 1-888-334-7754 or 287-7161
Southeastern Minnesota NAMI Warmline is a non-crisis peer-centered telephone support line for people with mental illness. The Warmline is open each Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 4-8pm. Using the Warmline has been shown to reduce the number of hospitalizations for mentally ill patients.


STANLEY JONES AND ASSOCIATES INC. THERAPY SERVICES • Pat Hanks • 288-0064 • 2746 Superior Drive NW • www.sjatherapyservices.com
Stanley Jones Therapy Services offers speech/language, occupational and physical therapy services for children (ages birth and older) and adults. Stanley Jones provides homecare, outpatient rehabilitation and contract services to enable patients to achieve maximum independence and an enhanced quality of life.


5 STAR KIDS • Marion Imhauser • 252-6926 • 2625 Hwy. 14 Suite J&K (behind Janet Lang Dance Studio) • www.5starkids.com
5 Star Kids offers integrated parent/caregiver and tot classes for children ages 15 months-3 yrs and special needs and integrated gymnastics classes for children ages 3 and up. The special needs classes focus on motor, social and sensory development. The concentration is on kinetic/motion activities that help develop coordination and better spatial and body awareness. 5 Star Kids also offers a variety of week-long day camps over the summer.


WING HOUSE, CORPORATION • LaDeane Peterson • 282-0868 • www.winghouse.org
Wing House is a 22-bed transitional care facility designed to assist adult survivors of traumatic brain injuries. A home-like environment is provided for people with brain injuries who exhibit cognitive impairments and behaviors which prevent them from living independently. The trained professionals of Wing House provide a structured environment which includes supportive supervision and behavioral intervention.