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Exploring Local Special Needs Resources for Families
- Logan Waggoner
- Aug 17
- 6 min read
The following list has been thoughtfully compiled with parents of children with special needs or developmental delays in mind. At CBS, we often hear from parents during their first visits about how challenging it has been to find the right support for their families and children. That’s why we are committed to collaborating with local communities, organizations, and businesses to create a Parents’ Corner--a space where resources and information are easy to find and use. Our goal is to ensure that every child, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to thrive to their fullest potential.
The Missouri Department of Social Services offers a variety of resources and programs to help families with food, safety, transportation, and financial assistance. https://mydss.mo.gov/
What you’ll find on this site:
Foster Care Respite Support: Get access to approved Respite Care providers who will help during emergencies, ensuring that your foster children are still receiving love, support, and care.
First Steps Resources: First Steps is an early intervention program aimed to help children from birth to age three who have been diagnosed with developmental disabilities and/or delays.
Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Resources for Children Ages 3-5.
Free employment training resources: Improve your skills for the workforce and create more opportunities for you and your family.
Cash Assistance: Temporary financial assistance for utilities, transportation, and clothing for qualified applicants:
Live in Missouri
Do not own resources worth more than $1,000 (except your home and one vehicle)
Do not make more than the current income limit
Have (or agree to apply for) a Social Security Number for all members of your household
Answer questions about illegal drug use and agree to take a drug test if required
Child Care Subsidy Applications
Programs and assistance for older youth to assist with transitioning to independence
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Support: Food and health assistance for new mothers and babies through WIC.
Missouri's Early Care and Education Connections: https://earlyconnections.mo.gov/
What you'll find on this site:
This site offers straightforward, user-friendly navigation to explore developmental milestones for children from birth to age 5. While every child learns at their own pace, there are essential skills and behaviors for parents to keep in mind when monitoring growth. The site also provides practical tools—such as milestone checklists, tracking apps, and guidance on what to do if concerns arise—so families can take action early. By spotting delays and seeking support, parents can help ensure the best opportunities for their child’s future.
Children & Youth With Special Health Care Needs CYSHCN) Program
https://wrightcohealth.com/children-youth-with-special-needs/
The Children & Youth With Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) Program, administered by the Wright County Health Department, supports Missouri children and youth from birth to age 21 whose medical conditions may impact their physical growth or development, and who require more extensive medical services than the typical pediatric population.
What you'll find on this site:
Early identification & service coordination: The program helps assess qualifying needs and coordinates services such as referrals, resource connection, family support, plan development and execution, plus monitoring and transition assistance.wrightcohealth.com
Financial assistance for qualified families: Families who meet both medical eligibility and income criteria (at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines) may receive limited funding for medically necessary diagnostics and treatments, such as doctor visits, inpatient care, surgeries, prescription medications, therapies, durable medical equipment, hearing aids, and wrightcohealth.com
“Payer of last resort” model: The program covers eligible services only after all other available sources (e.g., insurance) have been exhausted.wrightcohealth.com
Local access and regional specifics: Program eligibility is limited to Missouri residents. Wright County Health Department serves Region 9, which includes counties such as Christian, Douglas, Greene, Ozark, Shannon, Stone, Taney, Texas, Webster, and Wright
Missouri Family-to-Family (MOF2F) https://mofamilytofamily.org/support/
Missouri Family-to-Family (MOF2F) is a free, statewide resource center run by individuals with lived experience of disability or special health care needs. They offer information, training, peer support, and systems navigation to individuals with disabilities and their families.
What you'll find on this site:
Information, referrals & peer support: The team helps families navigate complex systems, offering guidance for issues like managing a new diagnosis, improving IEP outcomes, exploring guardianship or supported decision-making, accessing public benefits, and planning for the future mofamilytofamily.org.
Navigator Assistance: Dedicated “navigators” assist with areas such as:
Education & IEPs
New diagnosis pathways
Future planning
Public benefits
Navigating healthcare
Transitioning after high school mofamilytofamily.org.
Peer-based, empathetic support: Whether searching for peer support groups, leadership training, or help building confidence to advocate, MOF2F connects families with experienced individuals who truly understand and can guide with empathy mofamilytofamily.org.
Complementary resources: Beyond immediate support, MOF2F provides additional educational opportunities, such as the “Charting the LifeCourse” tools, guardianship alternatives, and access to hot-topic content on benefits, technology, and decision-making strategies.
Howell County WIC Nutrition Program https://howellcountyhealth.com/wic-nutrition-program-women-infants-and-children/
What you'll find on this site:
Nutritional Assistance for Eligible Families: The WIC program helps pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, as well as infants and children up to age five, by providing supplemental nutritious foods and nutrition education .Missouri Department of HealthFind Help
Support Services Beyond Food : Participants benefit from guidance on healthy eating, parenting education, postnatal care, and may receive referrals to healthcare and other resources.Find HelpMissouri Department of Health
Convenient Local Access: Services are available across three Howeland postnatal carel County locations:
West Plains (main health department office)
Mountain View (at the Christian Church, 4th Tuesday monthly)
Willow Springs (at the Wesley Methodist Church, 1st Wednesday monthly)howellcountyhealth.com+1
How to Get Started Families are encouraged to call the Howell County Health Department to schedule an appointment for WIC services
Missouri Family Resources https://www.familyresources.mo.gov/
Missouri Family Resources is a free, statewide resource hub—available both online and as a mobile app—designed to connect families (and professionals) with local services for young children under age five.dese.mo.govclphs.health.mo.gov
What you'll find on this site:
Comprehensive Resource Search: Users can easily find local programs by entering their ZIP code and optional keywords. Results are filterable and categorized for quicker matchmaking.clphs.health.mo.govoembed-dese.mo.gov
Easy Sharing & Printing Tools: Search results can be shared via email, text, social media—or printed—making it simple to pass along helpful resources.dese.mo.govclphs.health.mo.gov
Optional Accounts for Enhanced Features: You can create a free account (via email, phone, or social login) to save favorites, add personal notes, and organize resources into multiple folders.clphs.health.mo.gov
Community-Driven Accuracy: Users can suggest updates or submit new resources. All contributions go through a verification process to ensure that listings remain current and accurate.
Helping Kids Soar: How Children’s Behavioral Services Supports Families in South-Central Missouri https://www.childrensbehavioralservices.com/
Raising a child with developmental delays or special needs can feel overwhelming at times—but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Children’s Behavioral Services (CBS), with clinics in Willow Springs and West Plains, Missouri, provides personalized therapies to help children thrive in all areas of life. Their website is also becoming a hub of valuable resources (see their Parents' Corner) for parents of children of all abilities, offering tools, guidance, and support to help families navigate developmental milestones, therapy options, and everyday challenges.
What you'll find on the site:
CBS is a multidisciplinary pediatric therapy clinic offering:
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) – Research-based strategies to teach communication, social, and academic skills while addressing challenging behaviors.
Occupational Therapy (OT) – Helps children develop fine motor skills, sensory processing, and everyday independence.
Speech Therapy – Supports language and communication development.
Physical Therapy – Focuses on gross motor skills and physical coordination.
These services aren’t just for the clinic—CBS also partners with schools and community organizations to create supportive environments through behavior plans, classroom strategies, and social skills programs.
Family Support & Resources: CBS knows that supporting the whole family is just as important as helping the child. Their Parents’ Corner offers:
Developmental milestone trackers
Parenting tips
Guidance on behavioral and sensory challenges
Parents' Corner - a page dedicate providing resources for families
Why Families Choose CBS: With its caring, experienced team and focus on individualized care, CBS is a go-to resource for families in south-central Missouri. Whether your child needs therapy, your school needs support, or you just want guidance navigating developmental milestones, CBS is here to help kids reach their full potential.