Special Kids, Inc. — Mini Grant

Project Goal
Re-establish a business office, train new board members, and develop governances which include recruiting staff and board members and providing professional development for staff. Develop programs for parents, caregivers, and families of individuals with disabilities to receive comprehensive, flexible advocacy services that are sensitive to their cultural, linguistic, and basic needs.

Project Summary
This project made it possible for Special Kids, Inc. (SKI) to relaunch and improve its services to the community. With project funding, SKI obtained and established an office space, saw a sizeable increase in community supports, and is servicing more families.

SKI increased the number of volunteers from 10 to 25, and the Board of Directors received non-profit management training. The SKI Gazelle Newsletter was launched, circulated on a quarterly basis, and reached 232 recipients. SKI printed 2,000 brochures in English and Spanish. Efforts led to meetings with various agencies and speaking engagements. As a result of these efforts, the Executive Director of SKI was asked to co-author an article to be featured in Teaching Exceptional Children journal.
SKI established new linkages with many community partners, including Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Gulf Coast Community Services, Amos House of Hope, Kids Meals, Learn to Parent, Neighborhood Centers Inc, Lone Star College, and surrounding school districts.

• Impact
  
  • 232 recipients were signed up to receive news and information about disability related matters through email blasts
  • 71 families were served with one-on-one assistance via disability related services to locate schools for students, consultations, meeting support, information, and referrals to other services
  • Staff members helped 12 youth in foster care as Surrogate Parents
  • Staff provided services to students at 5 Residential Treatment Centers
  • Efforts to develop community linkage and awareness of services increased community capacity
  • Educational opportunities were provided to staff and parents in area school districts to ensure that students are receiving the educational services needed for academic success