Connecting with CA Families

Connect with California Duchenne Families on Facebook through our Connect Program. You will need to request to be added to the group first.

Accessibility and Recreation

Creative

  • Sweet Dreams Foundation
    Improve the quality of life for children who are battling a life threatening disease through the creation of their Dream bedroom.
    http://sweet-dreams.org/

Recreation

  • Access Adventure (Fairfield)
    Unique program that uses wheelchair accessible horsedrawn carriages to provide open space recreation and wilderness access for people living with the challenges of disability
    Website
  • Access Leisure (Sacramento Parks & Rec)
    Website
  • AmpSurf
    Non-profit organization made up of amputees, veterans and friends and family of the disabled that provides surf camp.
    Website
  • Axis Dance Company (Oakland)
    Dance classes for disabled children & mixed ability dance troupe
    Website
  • Bay Area Accessible Trails
    A list of accessible trails in the San Francisco Bay Area.
    Website
  • BORP (Bay Area sports)
    Power Soccer
    Website
  • California State Parks Disabled Discount Pass
    For permanently disabled persons, this pass entitles the bearer to a 50% discount for vehicle day-use, camping and boat use fees at California State parks operated units (except Candlestick SRA). Cost is $3.50 for a Lifetime Pass.
    Website
  • Camp Harmon
    Offering camping opportunities to children with disabilities
    Website
  • City of Long Beach – Accessible Beaches
    Find these beach access mats at Alamitos, Mother’s, and Granada beach.
  • Disabled Sports USA (Sacramento & Truckee/Tahoe areas)
    Website
  • Independence Trail (off Highway 49, 7 miles North of Nevada City)
    The nation’s first wheelchair accessible wilderness trail and follows the path of gold rush era flumes. From the trailhead you can travel approximately 1.5 miles either east or west. Both directions are level and shady and offer sweeping views from high above the river.
    Website
  • The John Kerr Foundation
    The Foundation is again proud to present its Life-Enhancing Summer Retreat for young adults with Muscular Dystrophy (ages 16-22). This 4-day Retreat provides opportunity for a select group of young adults with MD a chance to learn valuable life skills while enjoying the great outdoors.
    Website
  • The Junior Grizzlies
    Non-competitive baseball league for athletes of all ages with mental and physical disabilities, is the flagship program of the Fresno Grizzlies Community Engagement Department
    Website
  • McAlpine Lake (Central Valley)
    Centrally located between San Jose, Monterey, Salinas and the California Central Valley, McAlpine Lake is accessible all around the whole lake, fishing tourneys and camping available year around. It is small but worth a little fresh air.
    Website
  • Monterey Bay Aquarium
    Days of Discovery program for children ages 8-14 to participate in an aquatic experience.
    Website
  • The Painted Turtle
    The Painted Turtle seeks to reach beyond illness, to inspire children with life-threatening diseases to become their greater selves. It is our mission to provide a year-round, life-changing environment for these children and their families – one that allows children to participate in an authentic camp experience by supporting their medical needs and offers their families care, education, and respite.
    Website
  • Rails to Trails Conservancy Trail Link (Wheelchair Accessible Trails in California)
    Non-profit organization whose mission it is to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors to build healthier places for healthier people.
    Website
  • Ride A Wave
    Ride a Wave’s mission is to give children with special needs the chance to feel the thrill of riding a wave and experience a safe, fun-filled day at the beach
    Website
  • Rim of the World Special Athletics Program
    The Rim of the World Special Athletes Foundation’s primary objectives and purposes are to provide a recreational experience that is safe and positive for adaptive individuals. The organization provides all-year sports activities for adaptive athletes. There are fees and a lengthy online application.
    Website
  • River Cats Independence Field (Sacramento)
    Fully accessible baseball field
    Website
  • Sacramento Challenge Sports
    Provides year round team sports for school age athletes with developmental and/or physical disabilities
    Website
  • Shared Adventures of Santa Cruz
    Shared Adventures offers many adaptive adventure activities including kayaking, art classes, surfing, trips to local venues, sailing, indoor rock-climbing, river rafting, dance parties with live music, archery, camping trips, whale watching, bowling, horseback riding, table tenniss and much more.
    Website
  • Special Olympics Northern California
    Website
  • Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad
    Handicap Accessible train, must call in advance to let them know you are coming
    Website

Automotive

  • Aero Mobility
    Accessible vehicle provider including rentals
    1001 N. Weir Canyon Rd, Anaheim, CA, 92807
    Website

Education

Advocacy Agencies

  • Disability Rights California
    1831 K Street
    Sacramento, CA 95825-8219
    916-504-5800
    800-504-5802
    Website
    Contact information
  • Yellow Pages for Kids -California Resources
    Provides extensive resources to learn about and navigate special education, including state listings of Parent Training and Information Centers.
    http://www.yellowpagesforkids.com/help/ca.htm

Department of Education

Early Intervention Services (Infant and toddler)

  • Prevention and Children Services Branch
    Early Start

    Department of Developmental Services
    1600 9th Street, Room 310
    Sacramento, CA 95814
    916-654-2773
    Website
    E-mail: earlystart@dds.ca.gov

Early Intervention Services (Ages 3 to 5)

  • Department of Education
    Chris Drouin, 619 Coordinator
    1430 N Street
    Sacramento, CA 95814
    916-327-3698
    Website
    E-Mail: cdrouin@cde.ca.gov

PTI (Parent Training and Information Centers)

Serving: Northern California

  • Matrix
    94 Galli Drive, Suite C
    Novato, CA 94949
    415-884-3535
    415-884-3555 FAX
    800-578-2592
    Website
    Contact information
  • Parents Helping Parents of Santa Clara
    3041 Olcott St.
    Santa Clara, CA 95054-3222
    408-727-5775
    408-727-7655 TDD
    408-727-0182 FAX
    Website
    E-mail: info@php.com

Serving: Central California

  • Exceptional Parents Unlimited
    4440 N. First St.
    Fresno, CA 93726
    559-229-2000
    559-229-2956 FAX
    Website
    Contact information
  • Parents Helping Parents of San Francisco
    594 Monterey Blvd.
    San Francisco, CA 94127-2416
    415-841-8820
    Website
    E-mail: sfphp@earthlink.com

Serving: Southern California

  • Team of Advocates for Special Kids (TASK)
    100 Cerritos Ave.
    Anaheim, CA. 92805
    714-533-8275
    714-533-2533 FAX
    Website
    E-mail: task@taskca.org

College Scholarships

  • California Association for Postsecondary Education and Disability (CAPED)
    California-specific scholarship program
    Website
  • The Orion Fund
    Each year The Orion Fund awards grants to California college students with serious illness or injury. If you are in college, under the age of 30, and have a serious medical condition affecting your ability to stay in school, then The Orion Fund can help. Grants generally range from $300 to $3000.
    Website

Health and Well Being

State Benefit Programs

  • Disability Benefits 101
    This website provides tools and information on employment, health coverage, and benefits for the state of California
    Website
  • DOR (Department of Rehabilitation)
    DOR administers the largest vocational rehabilitation and independent living programs in the country
    https://www.dor.ca.gov/
  • California Children’s Services (CCS)
    Through this state-wide program, children up to 21 years old can get the health care and services they need. CCS will connect you with doctors and trained health care people who know how to care for your child with special health care needs.
    Website
  • Health Insurance Premium Payment Program
    The Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) program is a voluntary program for qualified beneficiaries with full scope Medi-Cal coverage. HIPP approved Medi-Cal eligible beneficiaries shall receive services that are unavailable from third party coverage and offered by Medi-Cal. The program may pay health insurance premiums for eligible Medi-Cal participants when deemed cost effective.
    Website
  • Kids’ Waivers, California Waiver Information
    Due to the difficulty in navigating California’s Department of Health Care Services’ (DHCS) website regarding available Medicaid Waivers covering children, visit the Kid’s Waiver website for general information regarding these programs. Each program description includes links to the DHCS website for more specific information.
    Website

Equipment

  • Able Closet
    Non-profit organization that was founded on the vision of providing children with special needs a resource for borrowing needed equipment. Obtaining rehabilitative equipment can be costly and time consuming.
    http://www.ablecloset.com/

Financial Support

  • Jack’s Helping Hand
    Financial assistance for families in San Luis Obispo County.
    https://www.jackshelpinghand.org/contact/
  • PG&E Medical Baseline Allowance
    For residential customers who have special energy needs related to a medical condition.  Qualification for this program is not income based.
    Apply for Medical Baseline Allowance
  • United Healthcare Children’s Foundation
    Medical Grants to and for families who have children with medical needs not covered or not fully covered by their commercial health benefit plan.
    Website
  • Variety – the Children’s Charity
    Grants for equipment (wheelchairs, adaptive bikes, lifts, etc)
    Main website: http://www.usvariety.org/
    Northern CA Program Page: http://www.varietync.org/how-we-help
  • Walking Strong
    Walking Strong Assistance Program helps Duchenne families with their over-bearing medical needs that are most often not covered by insurance.  To date, we have provided families with life-changing items such as a handicap accessible van, service dogs, Hoyer lifts, in-home ramps, alternative therapies, medical travel expenses, and on-line training courses for older Duchenne teens to help provide them with a career. https://walkingstrong.org/
  • Wheel to Walk Foundation
    The Wheel to Walk Foundation is a non-profit organization that helps children with disabilities, 20 years and younger, obtain medical equipment or services not provided by insurance.
    Website

Wellness

  • A Touch of Understanding
    Provides disability awareness programs designed to educate a new generation to understand the challenges associated with disabilities and to accept and respect all individuals.
    https://touchofunderstanding.org/
  • Able Advocates
    To provide appropriate resources and support to parents and caregivers of children with special needs in order to assist them with navigating the health care system with greater ease, and to do all things appropriate to further such purpose
    Website
  • Community Resource Project INC
    Mission is to improve opportunities for people in need through energy efficiency, health, and education
    https://www.communityresourceproject.org/
  • Family Voices of California
    A statewide collaborative of parent-run centers working to ensure quality health care for children and youth with special health care needs
    http://www.familyvoicesofca.org/
  • Parents Helping Parents
    Emotional support, education and training on navigating medical, legal, social service and educational systems, children’s workshops (including siblings)
    http://www.php.com/
  • State of California Department of Development Services
    In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) provides personal care and domestic services to persons who are aged, blind or disabled and who live in their own homes
    https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/ihss
  • Valley Children’s Heath Care
    Valley Children’s network of pediatric specialty and primary care providers is dedicated to providing the best care close to home for the children of the Central Valley.
    https://www.valleychildrens.org/

Clinics

  • Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA)
    *PPMD CERTIFIED DUCHENNE CARE CENTER
    4650 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90027
    Phone: 323-660-2450
    Website
  • Forbes Clinic
    2324 Sacramento Street, Suite 150
    San Francisco, CA 94115
    Phone #: (415) 600-3604
    Website
  • UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Neuromuscular Clinic
    1825 4th Street, 6A
    San Francisco, CA 94158
    New and complex patient care: 855-722-8273
    Website
  • Stanford Clinic
    *PPMD CERTIFIED DUCHENNE CARE CENTER

    300 Pasteur Drive
    Palo Alto, CA 94304
    Phone #: (650) 723-5184
    Website
  • Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at UCLA Neuromuscular Clinic
    *PPMD CERTIFIED DUCHENNE CARE CENTER
    300 UCLA Medical Plaza Suite B200
    Los Angeles, CA 90095
    Phone: 310-405-9824
    Website
  • U.C. Davis Medical Center
    *PPMD CERTIFIED DUCHENNE CARE CENTER
    Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Clinic
    Lawrence J. Ellison Ambulatory Care Clinic
    Phone #: (916) 734-7041
    Website 

What California-specific resources would you like to add or update? Email resources@parentprojectmd.org