Easter Seals Greater Houston
Founded in 1946, Easter Seals Greater Houston serves veterans and individuals with ALL types of disabilities, as well as their families. Through a staff of over 200 professionals, we serve more than 14,500 families annually through direct services in Houston and surrounding counties and reach over 35,000 monthly through our websites.
SERVICES OFFERED:
Adult Services offers recreational opportunities to older adults/seniors and younger adults with disabilities through bi-weekly meetings, bowling, field trips, education, self-advocacy, skills training and touch-based technology training.
BridgingApps.org is a community of parents, veterans, therapists, doctors, teachers and people with disabilities who share information on how apps and mobile devices can help people of all abilities reach their highest levels of physical, social, and cognitive development. In addition, Assistive Technology Labs are available locally with adaptive aids, software and equipment for individuals to explore how technology can enhance their lives.
Camps and Case Management includes Camp Buckaroo (day camp), Camp Smiles (overnight camp) and Camp MOST for teens (overnight camp) as well as Family Day Out (Houston, Fort Bend and Woodlands) which provide recreation and socialization for the child as well as respite for the caregiver. Case management provides community connection, referral to resources and emotional support for people with disabilities, their caregivers and siblings. Other connections include limited emergency assistance, CLASS Case Management.
Children’s Therapy Services are physical, occupational and speech therapy for children birth to eighteen including intensive therapy for potentially life-changing results as well as AAC/AT assessments and evaluations. Houston Clinic.
ECI/Infant Program provides comprehensive Early Childhood Intervention services for children age 0 to thirty-six months including physical, occupational, speech and developmental services as well as case management services, community resource referral services in Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Liberty, Walker, Grimes, Washington, Madison, Brazos, Burleson, Leon and Robertson Counties.
High School/High Tech is a community-based partnership of parents, educators, rehabilitation professionals and business representatives working together to encourage high school students with disabilities to explore the fields of science, engineering, technology and other job opportunities. This program is 1 of 5 in the United States to offer Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program (RAMP) with mentoring, job skills, transition and internships for at-risk teens with disabilities. Includes campus meetings, company tours and internships.
Housing Initiative / Financial Coaching assists low-income military families and adults with disabilities or a family with a child with a disability realize the dream of owning their first home through financial coaching, credit boot camp, home buyers education, down payment assistance. The program is a proud partner of THRIVE which works to break the cycle of poverty through collaboration. Harris, Fort Bend, Liberty and Montgomery counties.
Respite Services provides relief options to caregivers who provide ongoing care of their family member who has a disability, through vouchers for in-home respite care, Lifespan, Parents Night Out and Respitality to reduce stress, prevent divorce, abuse, and institutionalization of individuals with disabilities.
The Caroline School is an option for parents of children with significant disabilities who are seeking a private alternative to existing public school special education programs. The focus is on meeting the physical, cognitive and social needs of the child including optional physical, occupational, speech therapy, touch-based technology and music/dance therapy on site.
ToyTech and Play Groups offer a lending library of specially adapted toys and play therapy including, karate, dance, art, adapted PlayAPalooza, yoga, pet therapy, play groups, counseling, and other educational experiences to help the development and integration of children with disabilities into their families, school and the community.
Transition/Employment Services offering a full range of services for people with disabilities to access transition to supported employment and or a secondary education; vocational training through Texas Workforce Solutions for people of all ages with all types of disabilities.
Veteran and Military Services offers service/companion dogs for veterans with disabilities; case management and referral to other services for active service, veterans and their families. Texas Veterans + Family Alliance Collaborative includes outreach and direct services to veterans and their families through counseling, case management, technology, telemedicine, financial coaching, employment and other supports that increase access to mental health services and provide a consistent, trusted place where the veteran/family members can turn when issues arise.
*Mental Health Supports for Veterans and Family Members: Veterans@eastersealshouston.org and 346-330-3859
*Emergency Assistance and Post Disaster Recovery: Disaster@eastersealshouston.org and 713-838-9050 ext. 397
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT? The CDC reported one in four Americans is living with a long-term condition or other disability which means that the demand for our services continues to grow. The CDC reports that one in six children has a developmental delay and we are here to meet the needs of a large and growing population. Easter Seals’ mission is to provide exceptional services to people with disabilities and their families so they can live, work, learn and play in our communities.