ASK Resource Center

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ASK Resource Center We are the state of Iowa's Parent Training and Information Center for families of children with disabilities.

We are a family-focused nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower individuals with disabilities and their family members. Access for Special Kids (ASK) Resource Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves as the state of Iowa's Parent Training and Information Center for families of children and young adults with disabilities and special health care needs. ASK provides training, information, advocacy, and support at no cost for individuals with disabilities, their families, and the people who serve them. We are funded by various federal, state, and local grants, as well as corporate and private donations. To ensure the privacy of the families we serve, ASK does not provide one-on-one assistance or support directly through Facebook. If you are in need of assistance, please call us at (800) 450-8667 or submit a contact request on our website at http://askresource.org/contact. Our office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-4:30 pm.

💼 Did you know Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services can begin working with students as early as age 14?Thinking ...
10/21/2026

💼 Did you know Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services can begin working with students as early as age 14?

Thinking about employment and life after high school can bring a lot of questions. VR offers services that can help students with disabilities explore their interests, build skills, and consider different paths toward their employment goals.

Starting these conversations early can help youth discover what they want their future to look like and what supports may help them get there.

🔗 Learn more about VR services for high school students: https://workforce.iowa.gov/vr/students-schools/hs-students

💬 Good communication can make a difference when working with your child’s school team.Throughout the school year, you ma...
10/20/2026

💬 Good communication can make a difference when working with your child’s school team.

Throughout the school year, you may have many opportunities to communicate with your teen’s teachers and support staff. Knowing how to approach those conversations can help families and school teams work together more effectively.

This resource from CADRE (The National Center for Dispute Resolution in Special Education) offers helpful approaches and practical tips for communicating with your child’s school.

🔗 Check it out: https://cadreworks.org/resources/cadre-materials/steps-success-communicating-your-childs-school

💙 Let's Talk About Youth Mental Health!Recognizing the signs of mental health challenges and knowing when to seek suppor...
10/20/2026

💙 Let's Talk About Youth Mental Health!

Recognizing the signs of mental health challenges and knowing when to seek support can make a difference in a young person's life!

Join ASK Resource Center and NAMI Iowa for our ASK an Expert Webinar: NAMI Ending the Silence, where we'll explore mental health awareness, warning signs, early intervention, and ways to create supportive environments where young people feel safe asking for help.

📅 Monday, November 23rd
⏰ 12:00–1:00 PM
💻 Virtual | Registration Required

This webinar is a great opportunity for parents, caregivers, educators, and community members to learn how to better support youth mental health.

🔗 Register today: https://www.askresource.org/events/november-23rd-ask-an-expert-nami-ending-the-silence

💙 Family Support Specialist or Mentor—which is right for you? Why not both?Sometimes you need a Family Support Specialis...
10/19/2026

💙 Family Support Specialist or Mentor—which is right for you? Why not both?

Sometimes you need a Family Support Specialist who can help you understand your rights as a parent, explore your options, and connect you with resources in your area.

Other times, you just want to talk with someone who GETS IT—another parent who understands the journey, can offer encouragement, and can share their own experiences.

And sometimes, you need a little of both! 💙

Whatever kind of support you’re looking for, ASK is here when you’re ready.

🔗 Connect with us: www.askresource.org/contact

Thursday is our next virtual support group discussing post-secondary disability transition topics! 🌟 Find your community...
10/18/2026

Thursday is our next virtual support group discussing post-secondary disability transition topics! 🌟

Find your community to share your lived experiences and collaborate with each other about planning for life after high school. You are an expert on your child! Whether you've attended in the past or it's your first time attending, this is a safe space and all are welcome.

🗓️ October 22nd
🕑 6:30-7:30 PM
📍Virtual, registration required
👉 Register Here: https://www.askresource.org/events/october-22-ask-each-other-virtual-post-secondary-transition-support-group

🍂🎃 Treat Street: Fall Fun for All! 🎃🍂Des Moines Metro- Join The Hope Foundation for its first sensory-friendly trick-or-...
10/18/2026

🍂🎃 Treat Street: Fall Fun for All! 🎃🍂

Des Moines Metro- Join The Hope Foundation for its first sensory-friendly trick-or-treating and fall festival! Families can enjoy a fun and welcoming environment designed with sensory needs in mind.

🍬 Indoor trick-or-treating option
🍭 Candy alternatives
🎨 Games, crafts, prizes & snacks
💛 Sensory-friendly environment
👻 Nothing scary!

📅 October 31, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
📍 8101 Birchwood Ct., Suite B, Johnston, IA

Come celebrate Halloween with an inclusive fall experience where families can have fun and enjoy the day at their own pace! 🍁🧡

💙 Parents Are an Important Part of the IFSP Team!When your child receives Early ACCESS services, your voice matters. Par...
10/16/2026

💙 Parents Are an Important Part of the IFSP Team!

When your child receives Early ACCESS services, your voice matters. Parents and caregivers are essential partners in the IFSP process and have an important role in decisions about their child’s early intervention services.

Knowing your participation rights can help you feel more prepared and confident. This Iowa IDEA Information resource covers:

✨ Your role in IFSP meetings
📅 Meeting notices and scheduling
🗣️ Interpreter and communication supports
👥 Your right to include others who know your child
📄 Receiving copies of your child’s IFSP

You know your child and family best—your experiences, priorities, questions, and ideas belong at the table! 💙

🔗 Learn more: https://iowaideainformation.org/early-intervention/procedural-safeguards-for-early-intervention/parent-participation-in-ifsp-processes/

💼 What is Employment First (E1st)?Employment First changes the question from “Can a person work?” to “How can a person w...
10/15/2026

💼 What is Employment First (E1st)?

Employment First changes the question from “Can a person work?” to “How can a person work?”

With the right job match and supports, people with disabilities can have opportunities to work in their communities alongside people with and without disabilities. Supports, services, and funding options may be available to help Iowans with disabilities reach their employment goals.

Want to learn more about competitive integrated employment and available supports? Check out this ASK resource! 👇

🔗https://www.askresource.org/filesimages/ASK%20Info%20Sheets/CompetitiveIntegratedEmployment.pdf

🎓 Planning for life after high school can come with a lot of questions—but sometimes it’s hard to know which questions t...
10/14/2026

🎓 Planning for life after high school can come with a lot of questions—but sometimes it’s hard to know which questions to ask!

When developing secondary transition goals, asking the right questions can help families and school teams better understand a student’s interests, needs, and goals for the future. These conversations can help guide decisions about the next steps toward life after high school.

Our Life After High School resource offers helpful questions to get the conversation started. 💬

🔗 Check it out:https://www.askresource.org/filesimages/ASK%20Info%20Sheets/Life_After_High_School.pdf

💙 “No parent should feel alone. Ever.”That powerful belief is at the heart of Parent to Parent USA (P2P USA), the nation...
10/13/2026

💙 “No parent should feel alone. Ever.”

That powerful belief is at the heart of Parent to Parent USA (P2P USA), the national organization that inspired ASK’s ASK Each Other Mentor Network.

P2P USA’s story shows what can happen when parents come together to support one another, share their experiences, and create lasting change. 💙

Take a few minutes to learn more about their story and the power of parent-to-parent support:

▶️ https://youtu.be/GnoLLJ85S1M?si=oQz4yrNBDb2zYK_V

Address

6165 NW 86th Street , Ste. 234
Johnston, IA
50131

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

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