Learn?
Want to Know?
Want to
Fam ily Matters Central Directory
Family Matters is a statewide information
and referral service for parents and
professionals. Parents can call Family
Matters to find out about resources that they,
their child, or other family member may
need. Information is available on many
topics including child care, special services
for different ages, health care, and much
more. Information is available over the
phone, or can be mailed. Call toll free at 1888-983-2645.
West Virginia Early Childhood
Parent Newsletters
The Parent Connection is written by and for
parents of children with special needs. To
get a free copy, call 1-800-642-9704.
Lending Libraries
Parent Horizons is a newsletter for all
families of young children, with articles
about child development and family issues.
Call 1-888-WVECTCR to get a free copy.
WV Family Magazine includes articles of
interest for all families. Call 1-304-5985102. For parenting help line, call 1-800994-WVFM (9836).
Parent Handbooks
Parents of young children with special needs
can find out more about developmental and
educational services and rights by asking for
a copy of WV Birth to Three Parent
Handbook at 1-800-642-9704, or a copy of
Hand-In-Hand (for children in preschool
special education) at 1-800-642-8541.
Training Connections and
Resources (WVECTCR)
The WVECTCR keeps a list of trainings on
special topics of interest to parents and
professionals working with young children.
Training is provided at statewide
conferences and in local communities.
For information, call 1-888-WVECTCR or
e-mail at wvectcr@aol.com.
Need information on a special topic? Do
you want to see how easy it would be to
adapt a toy you already own? Do you want
to know more about how to support your
child’s health and development? Do other
family members need help learning about
your child’s needs? You can find books,
videos, equipment, or training in your
community at places such as the local WV
Birth to Three provider, Parent Educator
Resource Center, Head Start, West Virginia
University Extension Service, or Resource
and Referral (R&R) agency. (Call Family
Matters for R&R in your area).
To find out about lending libraries, you may
ask your child’s service coordinator, teacher
or call 1-888-983-2645. You may also
borrow materials from the state Early
Childhood Lending Library by calling
1-800-642-9704.
Want to
Share?
Local Parent Advisory Councils
There are many local councils where
families can be involved and share with
others. Parents can participate in local
councils through WV Birth to Three,
Family Resource Networks, Head Start
Policy Councils, and at the local school
through School Improvement Councils or
Parent Educator Resource Centers. For
information in your area, ask your child’s
service coordinator or teacher or call
Family Matters at 1-888-983-2645.
Parent Educator Resource
Centers/Parent Coordinators
Parent Education Resource Centers
(PERC) are located in local communities.
Parents and educators work in local PERCs
to provide resources and information on
topics of special interest to families.
Families may attend special workshops or
borrow books or videos. PERCs may be
able to provide links to other families in
the area. Call your local school system or
Family matters at 1-888-983-2645 to locate
a PERC in your area.
Parents of children with special health care
needs may contact a parent network
specialist by calling the Children with
Special Health Care Needs program at
1-800-642-9704.
Want to See the
“Bigger Picture”?
State Level Advisory Councils
There are two state level advisory councils
which include parents and professionals
working together to help make services
better for children under the Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
The West Virginia Early Intervention
Interagency Coordinating Council gives
input for children under age 3 through the
WV Birth to Three system. Call 1-800642-9704 for information.
The West Virginia Advisory Council for
the Education of Exceptional Children
provides input about special education
services through the schools for children
from age three to twenty one. Call 1-800642- 8541.
Other State Level Councils
The Families First Council provides input
on a variety of local services for families.
For information, call 1-888-983-2645.
The Family Support Council works with
local family support programs that offer
help for families who have a member with
a developmental disability. Call1-888983-2645.
The West Virginia Developmental Disabilities
Council supports leadership opportunities
such as Partners in Policymaking. Call 304558-0416.
Resources
Resources
WV Department of Education, Office of Special
Education, Preschool Coordinator
1-800-642-8541 or 304-558-2696
Local Preschool Special Education- call your local
school system or Family Matters
Local Head Start - call WV Family Matters or the
Head Start Collaboration Project
Local Child Care - For child care information, call
Family Matters to find the toll free number for the
Resource and Referral agency in your area.
Office of M aternal, Child and F amily Hea lth
WV Birth to Three State Office
1-800-642-9704 or 304-558-6311
WV Head Start Collaboration Project
304-558-0600
Office of Social Services/Child Care Program
304-558-7980
W V D evelopm enta l Disabilities C oun cil
304-558-0416
Office of Behavioral Health Services
West Virginia Family Support Program
304-558-0627
WV Parent Training & Information Center
1-800-281-1436
WV Family Ma tters
1-888-WV FAMILY
West Virginia University Extension Service
304-293-2694
Discrimination Prohibited:
The West Virginia Department of Education does not
discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, disability,
age and national origin in employment and in the administration
of any of its education programs and activities. Inquiries may be
directed to the Elimination of Sex Discrimination Program
Coordinator, 304-558-3401; to the Section 504 Coordinator,
304-558-2696; (V/TDD), WV Department of Education, 1900
Kanawha Boulevard E., Charleston, West Virginia 25305-0330;
or to the US Department of Education’s Director of the Office
for Civil Rights, 215-656-8541.
Support for this publication provided by the West Virginia
Department of Education, Office of Special Education, and the
WV Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for
Public Health, Office of Maternal, Child and Family Health,
Office of Social Services, Child Care Program with funds
through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and
Child Care Block Grant.
Local WV Birth to Three Agencies - for local
information, call:
Appalachian Community Health Center
304-636-7020
Serves: Upshur, Randolph, Tucker, Barbour
Easter Seal Rehabilitation Center
304-242-1390
Serves: Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall, Wetzel
FMRS MH Council, Inc.
304-256-7100
Serves: Fayette, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers
Logan-Mingo Area MH, Inc.
304-792-7130
Serves: Logan, Mingo
RESA VIII
304-267-3595
Serves: Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson,
Mineral, Morgan, Pendleton
River Valley Child Development Services
304-523-3417
Serves: Cabell, Lincoln, Mason, Wayne
Seneca Health Services
304-645-3319
Serves: Greenbrier,Pocahontas,Webster,Nicholas
Shawnee Hills, Inc.
304-768-3901
Serves:Kanawha,Boone,Clay,Putnam
Southern Highlands MH Council, Inc.
304-425-9541
Serves: Mercer,McDowell,Wyoming
United Summit, Inc.
304-623-5661 ext.337
Serves: Braxton, Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison, Lewis
Valley Health Care
304-296-1731 ext.283
Serves: Monongalia, Marion, Taylor, Preston
Westbrook Health Services, Inc.
304-485-0150/1721
Serves: Calhoun, Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie,
Roane, Tyler, Wirt, Wood
West Virginia Families
Want to Know !
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Share with Others!
See the “Big Picture”!
WV Early Childhood
Family Leadership