Selected State Resources for Information, Training, Advocacy, & Empowerment for Persons with Disabilities and Their Families

Arc of Indiana 

The Arc is a state organization with local agencies in many counties across Indiana. Services may vary in each local agency. The Arc mission is to protect the rights of persons with intellectual and other developmental disabilities through advocacy and public policy work along with offering programs and providing information to empower people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities and their families. Some local agencies provide residential and/or employment services. They have an excellent website for information on programs and services in Indiana for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

Some of the Arc’s programs include: the Arc Advocacy Network provides support and information to apply for government programs such as Medicaid waivers and Social Security benefits. They provide information on guardianship and alternatives such as supported decision-making. The Arc Insurance Advocacy Resource Center provides no-cost advocacy assistance in accessing private and public insurance benefits.

Indiana Family to Family provides information, training, and one-on-one support to Indiana families of children and youth with additional health and education needs, and the professionals who serve them. We aim to provide families with tools to make informed decisions, advocate for improved systems and policies, and build partnerships between professionals and families. We are Indiana’s Parent to Parent organization and an Alliance member of Parent to Parent USA; the state affiliate organization for Family Voices; and we serve as Indiana’s Family-to-Family Health Information Center.

1. Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS)

Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS):
Provides diagnostic/evaluation services for preschoolers and adults with disabilities, and for those in need of residential services. Case management services and information on Medicaid Waivers is available. BDDS is the main entry point for applications for the Family Supports (FSW) and Community Integration Habilitation Medicaid Waivers. Caregiver Supports Services (respite services) funding for those not on Medicaid Waivers can be accessed by contacting the local BDDS office. Call the toll free number below to ask for the phone number and location of the BDDS Field Service Office for your county or check https://www.in.gov/fssa/ddrs/4088.htm for contact information for your local BDDS field Service Office.

Call toll free: 800-545-7763 or
visit https://www.in.gov/fssa/ddrs/2639.htm for more information.

For more information on Medicaid Waivers, see https://www.in.gov/fssa/ompp/2549.htm or medicaid-waiver-programs-home-and-community-based-services-for-adults-and-children.

Disability Determination Bureau
This agency makes decisions on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability claims for the State of Indiana. Application for services is done at one of 26 local Social Security Offices within Indiana or online. To find the Social Security Administration Office nearest you, check the U. S. Government section of your phone book for the listing of the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office or use contact information below. For information on the Disability Determination Bureau, see https://www.in.gov/fssa/2634.htm.

National SSA toll free: 800-772-1213 (800-325-0778 TDD)
National SSA website: https://www.ssa.gov/
Social Security Local Office Locator: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp

Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS)
402 West Washington Street, W453
P.O. Box 7083
Indianapolis, IN 46207-7083
Toll Free: 800-545-7763

• Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VR)
VR assists persons with disabilities (after eligibility is determined) to prepare for, obtain and/or retain employment. Contact your local VR office for questions regarding these services. Find your local office by calling the number below or checking https://www.in.gov/fssa/ddrs/2760.htm.
Toll free: 800-545-7763. See https://www.in.gov/fssa/ddrs/2636.htm for general information on VR services.

• Office of Blind and Visually Impaired Services (BVIS)
Provides statewide assistance and services for the blind and visually impaired.
To contact BVIS call Toll Free: 877-241-8144 or email: BVIS@fssa.in.gov. Check their website https://www.in.gov/fssa/ddrs/2638.htm for more information.

• Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS)
Statewide information and resource center for the deaf and the hard of hearing community. Contact this office by email DHHSHelp@fssa/in.gov. Check their website for more information: https://www.in.gov/fssa/ddrs/2637.htm.

Bureau of Child Development Services (BCDS)

• First Steps
First Steps early intervention services is a family-centered, coordinated system available for children birth to age 3 who are developmentally delayed or at risk of a developmental delay. The First Steps program can provide assessment and evaluation of a child before their 3rd birthday. A service coordinator then helps the families of eligible children find appropriate services. Call the toll free number or email below to ask for the First Steps contact for your county or look in the business section of your local phone book for the local contact phone number. You can also check https://www.in.gov/fssa/ddrs/4819.htm for local contact information.

402 West Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2739
Toll free: 800-545-7763 or email FirstStepsWeb@fssa.in.gov
See https://www.in.gov/fssa/ddrs/4653.htm for information on programs and services.

2.  Division of Aging (IDA)
This Division provides a broad range of in-home and community based services to older adults and persons of all ages with disabilities. Two of the programs maintained by the Division of Aging are the local Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) and the Adult Protective Services program.

Area Agencies on Aging/Aging and Disability Resource Center
Entry point for CHOICE and Indiana’s two Medical Medicaid Waivers- Aged and Disabled Waiver, and Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver is through the local AAA. Eligibility criteria need to be met to qualify for free services. There are 16 AAA offices in Indiana. Local offices can be accessed toll free at 800-986-3505 or check their website https://www.in.gov/fssa/da/3478.htm.
 
Adult Protective Services
This program Investigates reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation of endangered adults.  See https://www.in.gov/fssa/da/3479.htm for information.
Call the Hotline: 800-992-6978 to report suspected abuse.

3. Division of Family Resources (DFR)
Local offices provide determination of eligibility for Medicaid programs such as Hoosier Healthwise medical coverage for children and families. Other programs offered include Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Low income families can apply for these programs at their local office located in the county where they live.

Hoosier Healthwise (HHW) Information: toll free: 800-889-9949 or https://www.in.gov/medicaid/members/174.htm

4. Division of Mental Health and Addiction
Operates state psychiatric hospitals, licenses inpatient psychiatric hospitals, and certifies all community mental health centers and addictions treatment services.

Indiana System of Care: https://www.in.gov/fssa/dmha/youthservices/ 
For more information call the Consumer Service Line: 317-232-7800 or toll free: 800-901-1133, or check https://www.in.gov/fssa/dmha/4521.htm.

5.   Office of Medicaid Planning & Policy (OMPP)
Administers Medicaid programs for the state. Finances medical services for low-income eligible Indiana residents regardless of a disability. To apply for regular Medicaid, contact your local county Division of Family Resources Office or check the Indiana Medicaid website: https://www.in.gov/medicaid/.

For information on Indiana’s Health Coverage Programs, contact 317-233-4455 or check these websites: https://www.in.gov/medicaid/providers/461.htm and/or https://www.in.gov/fssa/2408.htm.

6.   Office of Early Childhood and Out of School Learning (OECOSL)
Oversees early childcare education, including Head Start and Early Head Start, and after school programs that support children, families and local schools. The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), which provides childcare funding for families who are working or enrolled in school and qualify as low income is administered through this office. For more information, contact the state office toll free: 877-511-1144 or check https://www.in.gov/fssa/2552.htm.

Bureau of Child Care Resource & Referral Line: 800-299-1627
FSSA Child Care Finder: https://www.in.gov/fssa/childcarefinder/
Head Start and Early Head Start: https://www.in.gov/fssa/carefinder/2679.htm

This is an independent state agency whose mission is to support planning, collaboration, evaluation, research, education and advocacy to empower individuals with disabilities and their families. The Council has various projects related to their mission. Projects include conducting the “Partners in Policymaking” project in Indiana. PIP is an educational and empowerment program for consumers and family members. The Indiana Governor’s Council also maintains the Consumer Education (Investment) Fund that provides funds for individuals with disabilities and families to attend training events. 

This agency maintains the Maternal and Child Health MOMS Helpline. Also provides information on various programs, including the Children with Special Health Care Needs Program (CSHCS), support groups, and Medicaid providers list. Assists with accessing health related programs and services. CSHCS provides supplemental medical coverage to children, birth to 21 years of age, who have serious, chronic medical conditions, including autism, who meet the program's financial and medical criteria. 

Indiana Statewide Independent Living Council (INSILC)

INSILC works with the Family and Social Services Administration’s Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services developing a state plan for independent living. Members of INSILC are chosen from around the state and appointed by the governor. Nine centers for independent living in Indiana provide advocacy information and referral, training and peer counseling. Call or check the website to find the Council on Independent Living Center that serves your area.