• Child Find

All school systems provide “Child Find” screening, available to children 0-5. The purpose of Child Find, mandated by the IDEA legislation, is to identify, locate and evaluation children who are suspected of having or have a disability or developmental delay in order to provide special education. Children see a speech therapist, audiologist, special education teacher, and social worker. In addition to measures of development, they have their hearing and vision tested. This screening is very useful to give parents an evaluation of their child’s development, and if they are over 36 months,to see if they qualify for any services from the school district. For Billings School District 2 call 406-601-1800. You can find the flyer on the Billings Public School’s website by searching for Rimrock Learning Center and then Preschool Screening.

If you do not live within Billings School District 2, then inquire at your local elementary school for “child find”.

• Support Services for Children with Developmental Delays:

If your child is under 3 years of age, and you have any concerns about their development, please contact your early evaluation program. In Billings this is Early Childhood Education (ECI) at 406-281-5885. You can find your early intervention agency at https://dphhs.mt.gov/ecfsd/childcare/montanamilestones They will send a representative to evaluate your child at your home or somewhere else you choose. If the child qualifies for early intervention, they will provide early intervention services for free.

If your child is over three, then they may qualify for support from STEP. They provide guidance, parent coaching and support for children with developmental disabilities who are over three. Call 406-248-2055 and check them out on the web at https://step-inc.org/services-for-families-children/

• Young Families Early Head Start

Young Families is an Early Head Start Program that serves primarily low income families with children birth to three years of age, pregnant women and infants and toddlers with special needs. Call 406-259-2007 and web site https://yfehs.org/

• Aware Early Head Start

This is a grant-funded child development program for eligible children and their families. AWARE Early Head Start provides children with services that encourage and promote social, emotional, physical growth and development, and cognitive skills. Learning is designed to respond to the individual strengths and needs of each child. Children of all abilities are welcome. Parent involvement is a cornerstone of Early Head Start and is key to the quality services we provide. Parents have many opportunities to participate in their child’s education and development. Families are further supported by social, behavioral health, and disabilities services. We serve pregnant women, children ages birth to three, and their families. There is no cost to qualified families enrolled in Early Head Start. Website: https://www.aware-inc.org/ecs

• Billings Head Start

Head start provides comprehensive services for young children and they families to achieve school readiness and lifelong success. Head start enhances the social and cognitive development of low income children through the provision of education, health, nutrition, social and other services for children and their families. We are proud to serve children and families in Billings and Lockwood. Note that the school district will sometimes serve special needs children within Head start if that is an appropriate placement. Phone 406-245-7233 and website https://billingsheadstart.org/

• Peer Support Network:

The Peer Support Network can help! Hosted by the Children’s Clinic in Billings, these are parents with lived experience raising a child with a behavioral health challenge and/or special health care needs. They have additional training as well. They work directly with the caregiver, not the child, providing emotional support, resources and connection to the community. Contact them at 406-613-8979; kayla@mtpeernetwork.org or beth@mtpeernetwork.org or check out their website at: https://mtpeernetwork.org/

• Family Tree Nurturing Center

The Family Tree Nurturing Center provides education and support in order to prevent child abuse and neglect and enhance the well-being of all families in Yellowstone County and the surrounding area. The strive to foster a community where all families have the support and resources they need to provide safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments. Contact them at 406-252-9799 or check out their website at: https://familytreecenterbillings.org/

• Parents as Teachers – Riverstone Health

Through free visits by a trained parent educator, you become deeply engaged in your children’s early learning, more confident as parents and better connected to community resources. Services include visits by specially-trained parent educators; parenting skills support; school readiness support, developmental screening, peer support from other parents and connections with community resources. This program is available in Yellowstone County from pregnancy up to when your child enters kindergarten. The Parents as Teachers evidence-based model has been proven to help parents develop the skills to raise children who grow up healthy and ready for a strong start in life and greater success in school. Contact them at: 406-247-3360 or check out their website at: https://riverstonehealth.org/healthy-families/parents-as-teachers/

• Montana Family to Family

We amplify the strength of families of children and youth with health care challenges by forging relationships with providers and programs, connecting families to meaningful supports, and providing them opportunities to learn and to share their experiences. Contact them at: 406-243-5467

• Montana Empowerment Center

Montana Empowerment Center is Montana’s Parent Training Information center. Their mission is to empower, encourage, and educate all Montana families with children and young adults with disabilities. They envision that all these families have the information, resources and support they need to make informed and empowered decisions. They are available to help with questions about special education, school services and other resources. They provide parents with information and make referrals to other resources that can meet their child’s an family’s unique needs. Call 1-877-870-1190 and visit their website https://mtempowermentcenter.org/

• Disability Rights Montana

Disability Rights Montana litigates on behalf of individuals with disabilities to insure their rights to employment, education, health care, transportation, housing and other services. Besides litigation we also engage in a full range of other efforts to promote the rights of individuals with disabilities – such as information and referral, training and technical assistance to service providers, state legislators and other policy makers, conducting self advocacy training and raising public awareness. Phone 406-449-2344; https://disabilityrightsmt.org/

• Facebook groups

Find support within the special needs community on facebook.

• Special Needs Billings

• Special Needs Kids Montana