Agencies and organizations interested in the welfare of children
WARNING: THIS PAGE COMES FROM A BOOK FROM 1990, SO MOST OF THESE CONTACTS MUST BE OUTDATED. LOOK FOR THIR OFFICIAL WEBSITES.
Hundreds of agencies and organizations in the United States and in
Canada provide information and counseling to anyone seeking help with
special problems relating to family and child health, welfare, and
education. Some of these agencies and organizations are privately
sponsored. Others are sponsored by city, state, or federal governments
in the United States, or by provincial or territorial governments in
Canada.
Telephone directories usually list local agencies and organizations and,
where they
exist, the local chapters of state, national, provincial, and
territorial agencies and organizations. Whenever possible, get in touch
with a local chapter or agency first.
The following list contains names of some of the major agencies and
organizations in the United States and in Canada. The list also contains
a brief description of what each does. To make it easier for you to find
the one you think may be able to help you, the agencies and
organizations are grouped under general headings.
United States
Diseases and
physical handicaps
Health
Learning and
social development
Mental health
Welfare and safety
Canada
Diseases and
physical handicaps Health and welfare Learning and
social development Mental health
If this list does not include an agency or an organization that seems
equipped to meet your special need, your doctor, the nearest hospital,
the local health department, or your spiritual adviser may be able to
suggest others.
158 \| Agencies and organizations
United States
Diseases and physical handicaps
Allergy/asthma
Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America 1717 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite
505 Washington, DC 20036 (202) 265-0265
Has support groups throughout the U.S.; sponsors the Asthma Care
Training (ACT) asthma self-management program for children, and
disseminates publications regarding asthma and allergic diseases.
Publications are available on request.
National Foundation for Asthma
P.O. Box 33069
Tucson, AZ 85751
(602) 323-6046
Provides medical care for asthmatics referred by their physician,
including those who cannot afford private care. Write for further
information.
Arthritis
American Juvenile Arthritis Organization 1314 Spring Street, N.W.
Atlanta, GA 30309
(404) 872-7100
Seeks the cause, prevention, and cure of juvenile arthritis and related
diseases.
It helps patients and doctors through research, patient and community
services, public health information, and education.
Birth defects
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation 1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
(914) 428-7100
Provides information on research, medical services, and centers.
Pamphlets on birth defects prevention and prenatal care are available.
Blindness
American Council of the Blind
Adelphi House, M-5
1229 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia. PA 19107
(800) 424-8666
Offers a forum for the support and education for the sighted parents of
the blind or visually impaired, for blind or visually impaired parents,
and others. It publishes a quarterly newsletter.
American Foundation for the Blind
15 West 16th Street
New York, NY 10011
(212) 620-2000
Publishes a directory of about 800 nonprofit agencies serving the
visually handicapped in the U.S.
Cancer
American Cancer Society, Inc.
19 West 56th Street
New York, NY 10019
(213) 586-8700
Provides education, research, and service to individuals and families.
Filmstrip kits, pamphlets, and manuals are available upon request.
Leukemia Society of America
733 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10017
(214) 573-8484
Seeks to control leukemia through research, education, and service.
Local chapters offer counseling, guidance, and aid to patients and
families affected by leukemia. Information available upon request.
National Leukemia Association
585 Stewart Avenue
Garden City, NY 11530
(516) 222-1944
Dedicated to promoting leukemia research and public awareness. The
association provides financial aid to leukemia patients and families
based upon need.
Cerebral palsy
United Cerebral Palsy Associations, Inc.
66 East 34th Street
New York, NY 10016
(215) 481-6347
Oversees local affiliates that offer medical, educational, recreational,
counseling, therapy, and other services to patients and their families.
Pamphlets and films are available.
Cystic fibrosis
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
6931 Arlington Road, #2
Bethesda, MD 20814
(800) FIGHT-CF
Oversees local chapters that provide community services and referrals. A
nation-
wide network of CF medical centers provides diagnosis and treatment.
Literature and audiovisual materials are available from the foundation
and local chapters.
Deafness
Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf
3417 Volta Place, N.W.
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 337-5220
Encourages the teaching of speech, lip- reading, and the use of residual
hearing to deaf children. Furnishes free information kits on speech,
hearing, and education of the deaf to individual parents and teachers.
The John Tracey Clinic
806 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90007
(216) 748-5481
An educational center for preschool deaf and hard-of-hearing children
and their parents. Offers both hearing and psychological examinations
for preschool children with suspected hearing loss. Offers a special
summer program for families the world over; correspondence course in
English and Spanish to help parents teach children to understand and
communicate with language; and a course for parents of a child with both
hearing and vision loss. All services are free.
Diabetes
American Diabetes Association
P.O. Box 25751, 1660 Duke Street Alexandria, VA 22313 (703) 549-1500
Conducts education programs and funds research in diabetes. Local
affiliates sponsor meetings for people with diabetes and camps for
diabetic children. Booklets, a free quarterly newsletter, cookbooks, and
other materials are available.
Disabled
National Easter Seal Society
2023 West Ogden Avenue
Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 243-8400
Provides rehabilitation to children and adults with disabilities from
any cause. Programs include medical rehabilitation, recreation, housing,
transportation, equipment loans, and other services for the treatment
and management of disabling conditions. Booklets and pamphlets are
available upon request.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy Foundation of America
4351 Garden City Drive
Landover, MD 20785
(301) 459-3700
Conducts programs in research, public and professional education, and
patient services. There are local chapters in many states. Free
literature is available upon request.
Genetic diseases
National Genetics Foundation
P.O. Box 1374
New York, NY 10101
(212) 586-5800
Encourages prevention and treatment of genetic diseases through service
to physicians and to families who have, or suspect, an inherited
disorder. There is a small charge for this service.
Heart
American Heart Association
7320 Greenville Avenue
Dallas, TX 75231
(217) 373-6300
Offers educational programs and materials about cardiovascular diseases
and their prevention through local chapters.
Kidney
National Kidney Foundation
Two Park Avenue
New York, NY 10016
(800) 622-9010
Provides information; local affiliates provide referral services,
information, and community programs. Call the toll-free number listed
for referrals and other information.
Multiple sclerosis
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
205 East 42nd Street
New York, NY 10017
(212) 986-3240
Is concerned with research into the cause, prevention, and cure of
multiple sclerosis. Local chapters provide client services that may
include special clinics, aids to daily living, and counseling and
referral services. Public and professional educational materials are
available from the society and its chapters.
Muscular dystrophy
Muscular Dystrophy Association
810 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10019
(213) 586-0808
Sponsors international research seeking effective treatments and cures
for muscular- dystrophy and related neuromuscular
disorders; maintains nationwide network of clinics for diagnosis,
medical care, and counseling. Through affiliates, provides wheelchairs,
lifts, braces, and other orthopedic aids; offers educational and
recreational programs adapted to patients’ needs; provides professional
and public health education. Literature is available on request.
Respiratory
American Lung Association
1740 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
(214) 315-8700
Helps eradicate tuberculosis, control other respiratory diseases,
discourage cigarette smoking, and eliminate air pollution through
research and education. Local affiliates help parents and teachers
develop child health programs. Booklets, films, and filmstrips are
available from local affiliates upon request.
Health
American Academy of Pediatrics
P.O. Box 927, 141 Northwest Point Road
Elk Grove Village, IL 60009
(708) 228-5005
Provides information and assistance on childhealth problems to parents
and teachers.
American Dental Association
(211) East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
(800) 621-8099
The national professional organization for dentists. Provides literature
on dental health upon request.
American Medical Association
535 North Dearborn Street
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 645-5000
The national professional physician membership organization. Answers
general inquiries directed to its library.
American Podiatric Medical Association
9312 Old Georgetown Road
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 571-9200
A national association of podiatrists. Provides literature, films,
filmstrips, and slides about the growth and care of feet to parents,
teachers, and children upon request.
Learning and social development
American Camping Association, Inc.
5000 State Road. 67N
Martinsville, IN 46151 (317) 342-8456
Promotes the improvement and development of organized camping for
children and adults. Furnishes information about accredited camps for
children. A publications catalog is available on request.
Association for Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities
4156 Library Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15234
(412) 341-1515
Offers guidance concerning a wide range of learning disabilities,
including dyslexia, hyperactivity, attention deficit disorder, and poor
motor coordination. A free information kit is available.
Boys Club of America
771 First Avenue
New York, NY 10010
(212) 351-5900
An association of 275 North American Jewish community centers and Young
Men’s and Young Women’s Hebrew Associations (YM- YWHA). Local centers
conduct nursery schools and educational programs for preschoolers,
summer day camps, physical education programs, and social work progi’ams
for school-age children.
National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry
3900-A Harewood Rd. NE
Washington, DC 20017
(202) 636-3825
Founded in 1982 to replace and expand services of previous groups. The
Federation provides national leadership, support, and direction for
adults and youth in youth ministry. Its goals are met through a variety
of programs and services.
The National Conference of Christians and Jews, Inc.
71 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10019
(212) 206-0006
A national organization that educates people about racial, religious,
and nationality prejudices. Conducts a five-part program to better human
relations in the United States. This organization provides a variety of
guided workshops and institutes on community relations and the
administration of justice, youth programs, courses in how to rear
children without prejudice, human relations seminars and institutes for
teachers. It also conducts inteiTeligious programs for better interfaith
understanding.
Play Schools Association, Inc.
(19) W. 44th Street
New York, NY 10036
(212) 921-2940
Holds workshops and discussion groups for parents, teachers, and
volunteers concerned with recreational facilities for children.
Conducts after-school learning centers for “latchkey” children.
Pamphlets and films are available.
United States Department of Health and Human Services
Office of Human Development Services Administration for Children, Youth,
and Families
Hubert Humphrey Building 3rd and Independence SW Washington, DC 20201
(202) 472-7257
Deals with welfare of children from birth through adolescence,
particularly children from low-income or troubled families; children and
youth in need of foster care, adoption, or other child welfare services;
handicapped children; runaway youth; and children from Native American
and migrant families. Provides technical help to local groups with
programs to meet the problems of domestic violence. The Head Start
Bureau helps children from low-income families with educational, health,
nutrition, and social services. The Children\’s Bureau helps state and
local agencies develop programs for families in crisis; adoption of
children with special needs; foster care; prevention of child abuse and
neglect. The Family and Youth Services Bureau helps runaways and their
families; it funds shelter programs which include family counseling and
family reunification. The national magazine Children Today is
published for parents, professionals, and others interested in children
and youth.
Mental health
American Association of Psychiatric Services for Children
1133 15th Street, NW, Suite 1000 Washington, DC 20005
(202) 420-9713
A membership organization of psychiatric clinics for children. Local
approved clinics (both inpatient and outpatient) vary as to age range
and services. The association guides parents and teachers in selecting
an appropriate clinic.
National Catholic Educational Association 1077 30th Street, NW, Suite
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 337-6232
Coordinates Catholic treatment facilities and programs for the
handicapped, including treatment for autism, deafness, hearing
impairments, learning disabilities, developmental challenge, and visual
handicaps. Publishes a directory of facilities nationwide.
National Down’s Syndrome Congress
180 Dempster Street
Park Ridge, IL 60068
(800) 232-NDSC
Oversees 500 local groups that provide aid to parents of children with
Down’s syndrome; coordinates the activities of local parent
organizations. Booklets and an extensive bibliogi\’aphy are available.
National Mental Health Association
1021 Prince Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-2971
(703) 684-7722
Works for the care and treatment of people with mental illnesses. Local
affiliates provide referrals and information about community services,
special education, and treatment programs for children with mental
illnesses. Information is available upon request.
U.S. Bureau of Community Health Care Delivery and Assistance
Health Sendees Administration
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857
(202) 625-8400
Operates outpatient medical facilities providing evaluation, treatment,
and follow-up services to children suspected or diagnosed as mentally
challenged.
Welfare and safety
American Public Welfare Association 1125 Fifteenth Street NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20005 (202) 293-7550
A national organization of public human service employees, agencies, and
others interested in public human services. Provides information about
public human services.
American Red Cross
A national nonprofit organization reliant on volunteers to carry out its
congressionally chartered responsibility of providing disaster
preparedness and relief as well as assistance to members of the armed
forces, their families, and veterans. More than 2,900 chapters carry out
programs in blood donor services; health, including a donor organ and
tissue transplant service; safety; and various community assistance
programs. More than ten million volunteers, including blood donors and
schoolchildren, help the Red Cross.
Contact local chapters for various publications on services or to
volunteer.
Big Brothers / Big Sisters of America
230 N. 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 567-7000
A national organization that matches schoolage children in need of
mature friendship and guidance with adult volunteers on a one-to-one
basis. Volunteers are screened and supervised by social work
professionals.
Child Welfare League of America, Inc.
440 First Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 638-2952
A national, privately supported federation of private and public
agencies serving children
and their families. Develops and upgi\’ades standards for child welfare
services. Sponsors annual regional training conferences, collects and
disseminates information, publishes professional material, works with
other national and international organizations to improve conditions
affecting the welfare of children.
OURS, Inc.
3307 Highway 100 N.
Suite 203
Minneapolis, MN 55422
(612) 535-4829
Offers problem-solving assistance and information about
adoption—including transcultural and transracial adoption—and
parenting resource information for all kinds of situations.
Canada
Diseases and physical handicaps
Arthritis
The Arthritis Society of Canada
250 Bloor Street East, Suite 401
Toronto, Ontario M4W 3P2
(416) 967-1414
Provides funding for research, patient care, and public education. Helps
establish patient support groups. In some provinces, the society
develops services such as pool therapy and home-visit programs for
patients of all ages.
Blindness
The Canadian Council of the Blind 510-220 Dundas Street London. Ontario
N6A 1H3 (519) 433-3946
Seeks to aid the blind and visually impaired
through social association, recreation, and advocacy throughout Canada.
The Canadian National Institute for the Blind 1931 Bayview Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C8 (416) 480-7580
Seeks to improve the condition of the blind and partially sighted of
Canada, to prevent blindness, and to promote sight enhancement. Conducts
a program of rehabilitation and prevention of blindness for children and
adults. Aids parents of blind and partially sighted children with
counseling and services designed to supplement the child’s education.
Provides guidance and counseling for those entering the labor force or
planning a university education.
Cancer
The Canadian Cancer Society 130 Bloor Street West, Suite 1001 Toronto,
Ontario M5S 2V7 (416) 961-7223
Seeks to control cancer through an educational program of considerable
scope. Offers material and emotional support to people living with
cancer and to their families. Finances cancer research projects. Films,
filmstrips, posters, and pamphlets are available.
Cystic fibrosis
Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
2 College Street
Toronto, Ontario Mil’ 1P2
(416) 960-6268
Conducts research into the basic causes and treatment of cystic
fibrosis, and aids those afflicted with cystic fibrosis. Films and
literature are available from the foundation.
Deafness
The Canadian Hearing Society
271 Spadina Road
Toronto, Ontario M5R 2V3
(416) 964-9595
An organization serving deaf and hard- of-hearing children and adults.
Provides information to parents on options for communication and
education, such as sign language or oral interpreting, technical
devices, audiological services, and vocational rehabilitation and
employment services.
Disabled
Canadian Rehabilitation Council for the Disabled
1 Yonge Street, Suite 2110
Toronto, Ontario M5E 1E5
(416) 862-0430
An association of nonprofit organizations, including Easter Seals and
Ability Funds, at the national, provincial, and regional levels directed
toward ensuring comprehensive rehabilitation services for physically
disabled children and adults.
Heart
Canadian Heart Foundation
- Nicholas Street, Suite 1200
Ottawa. Ontario KIN 7B7
(613) 237-4361
A federation of provincial heart foundations throughout Canada.
Information on heart and blood vessel disease is available to parents,
teachers, schools, and other interested parties through the provincial
foundations. Requests from the U.S. for materials not available from
the American Heart Association should be made to the national office of
the Canadian Heart Foundation.
Muscular dystrophy
The Muscular Dystrophy Association of Canada
150 Eglinton East
Toronto, Ontario M5H 2T7
(416) 488-0030
Supports research programs. Provides direct services to MDAC clients and
their families through a network of regional offices and local chapters.
Literature is available.
Respiratory
Canadian Lung Association
75 Albert Street
Ottawa, Ontario KIP 5E7
(613) 237-1208
A national voluntary health organization concerned with the prevention
and control of lung disease. Carries out programs in medical research,
rehabilitation, and public education. For information, contact the
provincial lung association.
Health and welfare
Canadian Dental Association 1815 Alta Vista Drive Ottawa, Ontario K1G
3Y6 (613) 523-1770
The national organization of members of the dental profession in Canada.
CDA seeks to advance the practice of dentistry and to improve public
dental health. Services include dental health pamphlets and booklets.
The Canadian Red Cross Society 460 Jarvis Street
Toronto, Ontario M4Y 1H6
(416) 923-6692
A national voluntary organization dedicated to the improvement of
health, the prevention of disease, and the mitigation of suffering
throughout the world. Its activities are aimed at assisting victims of
war and natural disasters; at providing water safety devices, blood,
emergency services, and first aid; and at meeting the health and welfare
needs of the community. Publications on all Red Cross programs are
available at national, provincial, and branch levels.
Department of National Health and Welfare Public Affairs
Brooke Claxton Building
Ottawa, Ontario KIA 0K9
(613) 957-2991
Provides advisory and consultative services. Prepares educational
material—booklets, manuals, posters, pamphlets—for parents and
professionals. Prominent among these is The Canadian Mother and Child,
a handbook for mothers. Provincial departments distribute all materials.
Learning and social development
Canadian Council of Christians and Jews
49 Front Street East
Toronto, Ontario M5E 1B3 (416) 364-3101
A national organization seeking to educate people about religious,
racial, linguistic, and cultural prejudices. Among its many human
relations programs, it sponsors a project to promote better
understanding between urban and native youths.
The Canadian Education Association 252 Bloor Street West, Suite 8-200
Toronto, Ontario M5S 1V5 (416) 924-7721
A national association whose membership is drawn from senior educational
administrators, trustees, etc., and is supported by tax funds. Its
information service prepares and distributes reports on current
education activities and projects; publishes Newsletter, Le Bulletin,
and Education Canada, annually publishes CEA Handbook listing names
and addresses of senior education officials in school boards and
departments of education; and publishes Directory of Education Studies
iti Canada and Canadian Education Index.
Canadian Home and School and Parent- Teacher Federation
323 Chapel Street
Ottawa, Ontario KIN 7Z2
(613) 234-7292
The federation of provincial and local associations. Publications on
parent education are available from the federation.
Young Women’s Christian Association of/du Canada
80 Gerrard Street East
Toronto, Ontario M5B 1G6
(416) 593-9886
A national voluntary organization serving 46 YWCA’s and YM-YWCA’s across
Canada. Dedicated to the development and improved status of women and
their families. Services include child care, residences and shelters,
fitness activities, wellness programs, and adult education.
Mental health
Canadian Mental Health Association
2160 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario M4S 2Z3
(416) 789-7959
Concerned with improving services for people with mental disorders.
Conducts programs promoting prevention. Provides support through
speakers, literature, and films for parents of children with emotional
and learning disorders and for professional groups working with them.
G. Allen Roeher Institute
York University
4700 Keele Street
Downsview, Ontario M3J 1P3 (416) 661-9611
A federation of groups working on behalf of the developmentally challenged in
Canada. Local associations operate summer camps and other recreational
programs, and provide strategies for community living and
self-determination.
