TeleMentalHealth Video Counseling available to address COVID-19 concerns.
408 Jefferson Street, St. Charles MO 63301, US
Resources
Helpful phone numbers and web links:
In Crisis
Behavioral Health Response ACI Hotline [BHR]:
Crisis Hotlines, Mobile Outreach Services 24/7, Suicide Intervention
314-469-6644
800-811-4760
TTY: 314-469-3638
Youth Connection Helplines:
- 314-819-8802
- Toll Free: 1-844-985-8282
- Text: BHEARD to 31658
- Web Chat: http://www.bhrstl.com
- http://bhrstl.org/
The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. We can all help prevent suicide.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) | TTY: 1-800-799-4889
Disaster Distress Helpline – 1-800-985-5990 | TTY: 1-800-846-8517
SAMHSA National Helpline – 1-800-487-4889 | TTY: 1-800-487-4889
The Access and Functional Needs Registry is a confidential emergency preparedness service where emergency responders can plan and provide services for individuals who may need additional assistance during disasters.
1-877-256-2202
Child Abuse
Child Abuse and Neglect Hotlines
Child abuse is the mistreatment of a child under the age of 18 and can be physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological.
Neglect is when a parent or legal guardian/caretaker fails to provide adequate supervision, food, clothing, shelter, or other basics regarding a child for whom they are responsible. Concerns can be reported 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to the Missouri Children’s Division Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline Unit or the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Child Abuse Hotline.
Missouri: 1-800-392-3738, 1-800-735-2466/voice, 1-800-735-2966/text phone, for hearing and speech impaired.
Illinois: 1-800-25-ABUSE (1-800-252-2873)
Children's Advocacy Centre
Children’s Advocacy Services of Greater St. Louis [CAC] is a University-based [UMSL], multidisciplinary center that provides trauma-focused services to youth, families, and the community.
They promote resiliency, physical safety, and emotional stability through comprehensive research, forensic, clinical, educational, and advocacy programming. They serve children impacted by all types of traumatic events including childhood sexual abuse, physical abuse, and neglect. They also serve witnesses of domestic abuse and violent crime, and children who have suffered accidents, natural disasters, and traumatic bereavement.
They have therapies for children with sexual behavior issues and who are difficult to manage at home and school, and provide child-sensitive forensic interviews and individual, family and group counseling.
The Child Center, Inc.
A Child Advocacy Center (CAC) that serves child victims of sexual abuse, physical abuse, and children who witness violence. The CAC model is based on the belief that the combined professional wisdom and skill of the multi-disciplinary team approach results in a complete understanding of case issues and the most effective child- and family-focused system response possible.
The Child Center, Inc., is a child-focused place where a comprehensive, coordinated approach is taken in response to allegations of child sexual and physical abuse occurring in a 14 county service area.
Child Protection Program at St. Louis Children’s Hospital
St. Louis Children’s Hospital’s Child Protection Program provides inpatient child abuse consultations, outpatient sexual abuse evaluations in Sexual Abuse Management Clinic, referrals, care coordination, and education.
The program is staffed by pediatricians, pediatric nurse practitioners, and licensed clinical social workers.
St. Louis Children’s Hospital - One Children’s Place, St. Louis, MO 63110
Main Phone: (314) 454-2879
Child Protection Program Phone: (314) 454-2879
Emergency Department Phone: (314) 454-6111
Department of Clinical Social Work Phone: (314) 454-6101
Illinois Child Abuse Reporting 217.785.4020 (out-of-state) 800.25ABUSE [252.2873]
Childhelp
Childhelp is a national non-profit organization dedicated to meeting the physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual needs of abused, neglected, and at-risk children through advocacy, prevention, treatment, and community outreach. Their hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with professional crisis counselors who, through interpreters, can provide assistance in 170 languages.
The hotline offers crisis intervention, information, literature, and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service, and support resources. All calls are anonymous and confidential.
National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)
Voices for Children
Voices for Children’s teams of child advocacy attorneys, Court Appointed Special Advocates [CASAs], and social workers advocate on behalf of St. Louis’ abused and neglected children and youth from birth to age 21 years to expedite health, mental health, and educational services while working toward safe homes with forever families.
Phone: (314) 552-2352
Fax: (314) 533-2617
For Parents
Accurate, reliable information about Special Education [IDEA] law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities. Know your rights; know the law.
Children's Advocacy Project: Within this site you will find a user-friendly, comprehensive listing of many social service agencies that exist to improve the lives of families that need our help the most, plus useful parent handouts.
Children’s Home + Aid advocates for the welfare of children and families in Illinois and provides adoption, foster care, counseling, residential, youth, support, and early childhood care and education services.
2133 Johnson Road, Suite 104
Granite City, IL 62040
Phone: (618) 452-8900
The St. Louis Crisis Nursery is committed to the prevention of child abuse and neglect and provides emergency intervention, respite care, and support to families in crisis through short-term care for young children. They help families resolve crisis, and provide support, education, and resources for parents via community outreach and advocacy.
24-Hour Helpline: (314) 768-3201
Regional Administrative Offices
11710 Administration Drive
Suite 18
St. Louis, MO 63146
Phone: (314) 292-5770
Fax: (314) 292-5776
Parenting classes - Love and Logic courses and more:
- https://saintlouiscounseling.org/counseling/love-and-logic/
- https://archwaystl.com/love-and-logic/
- https://ctf4kids.org/catholic-family-services/
- https://littleguppy.com/program/love-and-logic-parenting-classes/
- https://www.kidsinthemiddle.org/services/workshops/
- https://www.stlparent.com/story/free-series-parents-teachers-will-strengthen-parenting-skills-you-already-have
Parental assistance - help-guide to raising Emotional Intelligence and promotion of healthy attachment:
- https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/emotional-intelligence-toolkit.htm
- https://www.helpguide.org/articles/parenting-family/attachment-issues-and-reactive-attachment-disorders.htm
Circle of Security International
An accessible step-be-step process driven by decades of attachment research:
https://www.circleofsecurityinternational.com/
Developmental Disability Resource Board [DDRB] contracts with local service provider agencies to provide the quality, specialized supports and services you or your loved one needs to achieve greater independence. Funded services include: adult day programs, residential services, advocacy services, supported daycare, early intervention, family support, transitional programs, respite, sheltered workshop, adaptive equipment, supported employment and recreation.
Phone: (636) 939-3351
Fax: (636) 939-3988
Email: info@ddrb.org
- http://www.ddrb.org/developmental-disability-resources-st-charles/
- https://dmh.mo.gov/dev-disabilities/individual-family-guardian-info
Regional Center/Missouri Department of Mental Health [MoDMH]
The Missouri Division of Developmental Disabilities is committed to improving the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Offering support across the lifespan, the Division implements a statewide system of supportive services that focus on assuring health and safety, supporting access to community participation, and increasing opportunities for meaningful employment.
The Missouri Division of Developmental Disabilities provides services for individuals with developmental disabilities such as intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism, and epilepsy. Such conditions must have occurred before age 22 and be considered lifelong in duration. Service eligibility also requires the disability to have serious impact on multiple areas of functioning.
More than 14,000 people in Missouri access person-centered supports through home and community-based service waiver settings to promote independent living. These settings might include someone living at home on their own, with family, with a roommate, or with someone who provides full-time care.
For more information, please contact the Division at (573) 751-4054, toll free 800-207-9329
https://dmh.mo.gov/dev-disabilities/regional-offices
email: dbhmail@dmh.mo.gov
Eastern Area
[including St. Louis, St. Charles, Franklin, Jefferson, Warren, Lincoln Counties]:
Chief of Children's Community Operations - Eastern Area
5400 Arsenal, Dome Building
Saint Louis, MO 63139 Phone: 314-877-0372 Fax: 314-877-6130
Community Council is a membership organization focused on collaborative efforts to improve human services in the Tri-County region of St. Charles, Lincoln and Warren Counties.
Life Development Support Center, Inc. (LDSC) is certified through the State of Missouri Department of Mental Health – Division of Developmental Disabilities.
Services include residential, transportation and day programs for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities partnered with consumers, families, guardians and local, and state funders to support each person in planning and making life choices that will enhance their quality of life.
The Mission of the St. Louis Arc is to empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families to lead better lives by providing a lifetime of high-quality services, family support and advocacy.
Fun 4 STL Kids is a local resource for family friendly events and activities in the St. Louis area.
Listings include kids events, children programs and classes, youth sports, kids eat free directory,
birthday party resources, rainy day activities, free fun for kids, summer camps.
Great Circle - one of Missouri's most comprehensive providers of behavioral health services for all children, individuals and families :
- https://www.greatcircle.org/index.php/services-by-program
- https://www.greatcircle.org/index.php/services-by-need
- https://www.greatcircle.org/
United Way resources:
Trauma
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Children who suffer from child traumatic stress are those who have been exposed to one or more traumas over the course of their lives and develop reactions that persist and affect their daily lives after the events have ended.
The National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare [NCSACW] is a national resource center providing information, expert consultation, training and technical assistance to child welfare, dependency court and substance abuse treatment professionals to improve the safety, permanency, well-being and recovery outcomes for children, parents and families.
EMDR therapy is listed as a treatment for PTSD and other trauma and stressor disorders by many worldwide well-respected organizations. Treatment guidelines are based on reviews that evaluate research of established evidence-based mental health treatments.
ADHD
ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, a complex brain developmental disorder that impacts approximately 11% of children and almost 5% of adults in the U.S.
ADHD is a developmental impairment of the brain’s executive functions. People with ADHD have trouble with impulse-control, focusing, time management and organization.
Neuroscience, brain imaging, and clinical research tell us that ADHD is not a behavior disorder. ADHD is not a mental illness. ADHD is not a specific learning disability. It is, instead, a developmental impairment of the brain’s self-management system.
Common ADHD symptoms include:
- inattention
- lack of focus
- poor time management
- weak impulse control
- exaggerated emotions
- hyperfocus
- hyperactivity
- executive dysfunction problems
If you think you or a loved one might struggle with ADHD, take a free, anonymous test [link below] to see if you should seek a formal diagnosis.
Executive Function
In many ways, ADHD and executive functioning issues go hand in hand. That’s because most of the symptoms of ADHD (also known as ADD) are actually problems with executive function. The signs/symptoms of each are very similar. There’s one big difference between the two: ADHD is an official medical diagnosis, Executive Function issues are not. Trouble with executive function isn’t just a problem for kids with ADHD. It’s a term that refers to weaknesses in the brain’s self-management system and can occur as a result of trauma or other developmental disorders separate from ADHD.
Many kids with learning differences struggle with one or more of these key skills. This chart [link below] shows the many similarities and some of the differences between ADHD and executive functioning issues.
Autism Spectrum Disorder [ASD]
Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with [but not limited to] social/emotional skills, restricted interests, repetitive behaviors, sensory processing issues, speech/language and nonverbal communication problems.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 50 children in the United States today.
- https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd/index.shtml
- https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/autism-spectrum-disorder/index.shtml
- https://www.autismspeaks.org/
- https://www.autismspeaks.org/resource-guide
- https://www.missouriparentsact.org/ [MPACT]
Autism Research Institute - Informal checklist for assessment/evaluation [ATEC]:
Mercy Kids Therapy and Development Center - testing, groups and treatment for Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder and more.
12680 Olive Boulevard
Suite 200
St. Louis MO 63141
Phone: (314) 872-3345
Fax: (314) 872-3180
Developmental Disability Resource Board [DDRB]
Funded services include: adult day programs, residential services, advocacy services, supported daycare, early intervention, family support, transitional programs, respite, sheltered workshop, adaptive equipment, supported employment and recreation.
p. (636)939-3351
f. (636)939-3988
Email: info@ddrb.org
Easterseals Midwest
has a comprehensive network of high-quality service providers helping build communities where all people with developmental disabilities have equal opportunities to realize their goals, dreams, and aspirations. They offer a variety of services, including assessments and therapies, to help people with disabilities address life's challenges and achieve personal goals from child development centers to physical rehabilitation and job training.
1-800-200-2119 or info@esmw.org.
- https://www.easterseals.com/midwest/connect-locally/midwest.html
- https://www.easterseals.com/midwest/our-programs/autism-services/
- https://www.easterseals.com/midwest/our-programs/autism-services/assessment--therapy/
Great Circle - a comprehensive provider of behavioral health services for all children, individuals and families serving Missouri:
- https://www.greatcircle.org/index.php/services-by-program
- https://www.greatcircle.org/index.php/services-by-need
The mission of Judevine® Center for Autism is to make a real difference in the quality of life for children and adults with autism and their families, wherever they may live.
MO-FEAT - Missouri Families for Effective Autism Treatment
An organization of parents and professionals throughout Missouri with headquarters in St. Louis. Our mission is to provide advocacy, education, and support for families and the autism community and to support early diagnosis and effective autism treatment.
- https://www.mo-feat.org/
- https://www.mo-feat.org/resource.htm
- https://www.missouriparentsact.org/ [MPACT]
- https://www.missouriparentsact.org/resources/
St. Louis Arc empowers people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families to lead better lives by providing a lifetime of high-quality services, family support and advocacy.
- https://www.slarc.org/programs/adulthood/day-programs/
- https://www.slarc.org/programs/early-childhood/autism-early-intervention/
The Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders at the University of Missouri is a national leader in confronting the challenges of autism spectrum disorder & other developmental conditions through its collaborative research, training and service programs.
Digital Resources for Students with Autism
The digital age brings good news for teachers and parents dealing with students with autism. Today, there are more technologies than ever before to help students with speech, interaction, participation, and communication, making for more integrated classrooms and innovative therapies that help these students learn.
Take a look at this comprehensive list of digital resources for students with autism:
Service Trained Therapy Dogs
Assistance Dog Information | Autism Speaks
Service dogs have been found to be very beneficial for some children and adults with autism. Autism Speaks has put together a list of resources to help you learn more about service dogs and connect you with organizations that may be able to help you and your family find a service dog that is right for you.
Puppies with Purpose – Puppies with Purpose is an organization in Columbia, Missouri that allows University of Missouri students to raise and socialize puppies to become service dogs.
Puppies with Purpose Puppies with Purpose is an organization in Columbia, Missouri that allows University of Missouri students to raise and socialize puppies to become service dogs.
Home | Duo Dogs, Inc.
Behind each dedicated Duo Dogs is an army of volunteers looking to make difference through our incredible dogs. If you’re 18 years of age and older, we’d love to share Duo with you.
CHAMP Assistance Dogs
Children with Autism | NEADS World Class Service Dogs
Living with a Service Dog can lessen the frequency and severity of behavioral and emotional disruptions A Service Dog can help with:
Regulating emotions – Task work such as “visit” or “lap” provides a tactile way for the child to soothe him or herself.
Easing transitions – Transitions are often difficult to navigate for children with autism and other developmental disabilities.
https://neads.org/service-dog-programs/children-autism/
MISSOURI SERVICE DOGS FOR SALE | Superdog Service Dogs
Missouri Service Dogs School was created to provide well-trained Assistance Dogs at a lower cost, and without clients having to wait 2 to 5 years to get their Service Animal.
Superdog is the only Missouri service dog trainer offering Off-Leash Obedience trained Autism Service Dogs and Psychiatric service dogs for anxiety, PTSD, depression, dissociation, paranoia, schizoaffective disorder
Sensory Processing/Integration Disorder [SPD]
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) — formerly referred to as sensory integration dysfunction disorder — is a neurological condition that interferes with the body’s ability to interpret sensory messages from the brain and convert those messages into appropriate motor and behavioral responses.
- https://www.spdstar.org/basic/understanding-sensory-processing-disorder
- A personal experience: https://www.jennagracewrite.com/single-post/2017/12/15/Life-with-Sensory-Processing-Disorder-12-Things-You-Can-Do-for-Loved-Ones-with-SPD?fbclid=IwAR2UunKbq1upA93JGxF0IjRZKdLu5N1pOTjgCRNpJSudpglHqYVsHRo_mdI
- Tips and tricks: https://www.jennagracewrite.com/tips-and-tricks
Informal checklist for parents:
- https://www.additudemag.com/screener-sensory-processing-disorder-symptoms-test-children/
- https://www.spdstar.org/basic/symptoms-checklist
Mercy Kids Therapy and Development Center - testing and treatment for SPD and Autism
Phone: (314) 872-3345
Fax: (314) 872-3180
Leaps and Bounds is a premier pediatric occupational therapy center in the St. Louis area specializing in Sensory Processing Disorders and Developmental Concerns. Leaps and Bounds is dedicated to helping children learn, grow, and develop to their fullest potential.
Gifted resources
Gifted children are usually discussed as an undifferentiated group. When they are differentiated, it tends to be on the basis of differences in intellectual abilities, talents, or interests rather than from a total or "gestalt" point of view in terms of behavior, feelings, and needs.
The Davidson Institute model [link below] serves to increase awareness among educators and parents of differences among gifted children and provides guidelines for identifying gifted children. It can also be used to develop appropriate educational goals for the gifted. These types are offered as a generalization to facilitate the task of identifying and guiding gifted children in all aspects of development. They are not intended to describe any one child completely.
Gifted Support Network
Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Gifted Association of Missouri
Gifted Resource Council
Unlimited Potential Counseling and Education Center
Assessments and testing, tutoring, counseling, family support, groups and resources all focused on gifted, twice exceptional [learning differences/disorders] and high-ability children/adolescents and their families.
Fetal Alchohol Spectrum Disorders
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) are a group of conditions that can occur in a person whose biological mother drank alcohol during pregnancy.
FASDs are completely preventable.
Informational websites:
Alcohol can harm your baby at any stage during a pregnancy. That includes the earliest stages, even before you know you are pregnant. Drinking during pregnancy can cause a group of conditions called fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). Children who are born with FASD can have a mix of problems, such as medical, behavioral, educational, cognitive, and social problems.
Recommended books:
General parenting for impulsivity and negative behaviors:
FASD: A guide for mental health professionals - Counseling Today
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders are characterized by a host of cognitive, social and adaptive functioning issues that often require specialized mental health treatment.
YouTube videos:
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, a possible result from mothers drinking during pregnancy, has flown under the radar for decades. Now new conservative estimates published in The Journal of the American Medical Association show that anywhere from 1.1 to 5 percent of the U.S. population is affected, meaning it could be more common than autism.
Khan Academy - What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: A Physician's Perspective
Dr. Wargowski has over 25 years of clinical experience in the identification of syndromes and the assessment of individuals with congenital anomalies and developmental disorders, including fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. At present, Dr. Wargowski is the only medical geneticist in Wisconsin with a special interest in this group or 'spectrum' of disorders.
6 Things Educators and School Staff Should Know About FASD
Children and teenagers with FASD require specific supports that are unique from other developmental disabilities and conditions. Many educators and school personnel have not been trained on these specific needs.
What "The Dress" Teaches Us About Lying, FASD, and Perception
Many people with FASD (and many other developmental conditions) struggle with perception, which means they leave situations with different understandings of what took place. When asked about what happened, this difference in perception is often interpreted as lying, but it's not. In the above video, we try and understand the concept of perception.
Addiction
The Missouri Department of Mental Health has programs around the state to help people with alcohol and drug problems. There are programs for children, teenagers, and adults. If you or a loved one has a problem with alcohol or drugs, you can contact a treatment program for help. They can help you get the services you or a loved one needs.
Phone: (573) 751-4942 or (800) 575-7480
E-mail: dbhmail@dmh.mo.gov.
- https://dmh.mo.gov/alcohol-drug/help
- https://dmh.mo.gov/media/pdf/directory-adult-substance-use-treatment-programs
There are special programs to help children and youth between the ages of 12 and 17 who have an alcohol or drug problem. Minors can be signed into a program by their parents or guardians. In some cases they will placed in treatment by Youth Services, Children’s Services, or by the courts.
There are programs in the state that serve women only. For those programs offering residential services, women can bring their young children into services with them. Women often have other serious problems in their lives besides alcohol and drug use. They need special help to deal with these problems. Women who are pregnant, have a newborn, or have children living with them have first priority to get help from these programs.