ILRC’s Children and Youth Services are important services to help your child remain independent regardless of his or her disability. We have two MPACT (Missouri Parents ACT) certified mentors who can advocate for your child at school during the Individualized Education Plan conference.

We also offer independent living skills training, advocacy, peer support and information and referral to children, just as we do to adults. Some of the independent living skills trainings that we have offered to children have been as simple as helping one put her hair in a ponytail without her mother’s help or as complicated as learning to cook.

Children and youth with disabilities are a priority for ILRC because we want to be able to help a person with disabilities through the entire span of his or her life. We also offer an in-home services program through the Healthy Children and Youth program of the Bureau of Special Health Care Needs. What this means is that we can provide an aide or a nurse to provide certain types of care while a parent or other caregiver is unable to. This service is charged to Medicaid or another insurer.

Our children and youth services culminate each year with a special Prom for Youth with Disabilities. Everyone with disabilities from age 14 to 30 is invited to attend the prom, held in April. We arrange to have a fully accessible place and provide a full catered sit-down dinner, music and dancing, and photographs and giveaways. We are able to do this through our generous sponsors. Please call the center if you would like more information on how to assist with the Prom for Youth with Disabilities