Children with Disabilities
At The Children’s Trust, we are dedicated to ensuring that all children, including those with disabilities, have access to the programs and services they need to succeed. Our focus on inclusion means that every child is welcomed and supported in our funded initiatives.
Supporting Every Child's Potential
Across all priority investment areas, The Children’s Trust makes a significant commitment to include children with disabilities – and youth with disabilities up to age 22 if still in high school – in all its funded programs and services. In support of that effort, we invest in The Advocacy Network on Disabilities (AND) to implement the All Children Together (ACT) program, a capacity-building resource that educates and supports all funded agencies in appropriately providing services that meet the needs of children with disabilities, as contractually obligated.
Children and youth with disabilities require intentional efforts to ensure they are welcome into all funded programs and served effectively with reasonable accommodations. In partnership with AND, we provide monetary and capacity building resources to ensure that programs direct service and management staff can support the inclusion of children with disabilities. As a result, thousands of children with reported disabilities are served through various initiatives in inclusive environments with their typically developing peers, which studies show reaps benefits for all.
AND works collaboratively with Trust-funded programs to ensure that these partner agencies have materials, training and skills needed to facilitate positive, nurturing and developmentally appropriate programs that welcome all children.
ACT provides general and individualizes supports through various strategies such as live training, coaching, peer learning and technical assistance to funded organizations with limited experience incorporating children with disabilities into their programs. Workshops and training are also offered to those programs that have historically served children with disabilities exclusively.
The Children’s Trust also funds Parent to Parent of Miami, which teaches parents to become advocates for their children with special needs so they can better access services and systems of care.
Additional Resources
The Children’s Trust envisions the acceptance of children with disabilities into all aspects of life, and a community where all children have equal access to needed supports and services. For available trainings, please consult the training calendar or contact The Advocacy Network on Disabilities helpline at 786.360.3507 for program specific supports.
Have a Question?
We're here to help! If you have any questions or need more information, our FAQ section has answers to the most common inquiries about our programs, funding opportunities, and more.
