Get Involved with the SRPMIC Special Needs Resource Program

The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) is dedicated to providing support for individuals with special needs and their families. Through the Special Needs Resources Program, established by the Action Team Addressing Special Needs (ATASN), we connect Community members to valuable resources and services both on and off the reservation.

Monthly Spotlight

Each month, the community highlights programs, services, and success stories.

The article below provides a brief overview of what some parents may experience after learning that their child has a disability. There are numerous ways and opportunities for parents to feel less overwhelmed while they advocate for and support their child’s needs.

During each stage of your child’s development, there are great resources that you and your child can access that confirms that you are not alone. Seek out seminars, programs, support groups, educational tools, books, workshops, conferences, activities, guides, classes, organizations, agencies, assistive devices, trainings, and much more in various formats and for participation at all levels of abilities.

You Are Not Alone – For Parents When They Learn Their Child Has a Disability [PDF]

Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Preparedness for Seniors and Special Needs Population

Although everyone needs to prepare for emergencies, those individuals that may have some special needs during a disaster because of a medical condition, disability, or just strictly because of their physical limitations because of age, need to take some extra steps to prepare.

People with special needs should take the basic steps that we encourage everyone to do before the disaster strikes (prepare an emergency Kit, have a family plan) but in addition, the following are some additional steps that they should consider.

  • Create a support network to help you plan for an emergency. Consider family, neighbors, friends, people who provide services to you, faith-based and community groups. Tell these people where you keep your emergency supplies. Give at least one member of your support network a key to your house or apartment.
  • If you receive dialysis or other life sustaining medical treatment, identify the location and availability of more than one facility and work with your provider to develop your personal emergency plan.
  • Show others how to operate your wheelchair or other assistive devices.
  • Work with local transportation and disability services to plan ahead for accessible transportation if you may need that for evacuation or other reasons during a disaster.
  • Battery chargers and extra batteries for hearing aids, motorized wheelchairs, or other battery-operated medical or assistive technology devices
  • Copies of medical prescriptions, doctors orders, and the style and serial numbers of the support devices you use
  • A list of personal contacts, family and friends that you may need to contact in an emergency
  • A laminated personal communication board, if you might need assistance with being understood
  • If possible, extra medicine, oxygen, insulin, catheters, or other medical supplies you use regularly
  • If you use a motorized wheelchair, have a light weight manual chair available for emergencies. Know the size and weight of your wheelchair, in addition to whether or not it is collapsible, in case it has to be transported.

This packet includes a checklist to help you prepare further. If you have additional questions about your or your family’s emergency preparedness needs, please feel free to contact the Community’s Emergency Manager at 480-362-7927.

Emergency Preparedness Resources

American Red Cross

Emergency Planning Checklist

SRPMIC Emergency Management Site

Resources

The following links are provided for informational purposes, though the SRPMIC does not endorse the content of external sites:

Family Resource Center – Class Schedule
National Alliance on Mental Illness – Arizona Chapter
Raising Special Kids – Workshops
Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center

Lending Library

Special Needs Program
Real Families by Diana Terrell Culver, M. Ed. Ms. Culver is a single parent who shares her knowledge, experience, and problem solving skills related to any family unit.
Special Needs Program
Changed by a Child by Barbara Gill Mainly one-page thought provoking stories on loving and raising our children with all kinds of simple and complex needs.
Special Needs Program
Different Like Me: My Book of Autism Heroes by Jennifer Elder This 42-page easy read book celebrates the positive traits of persons who did not “fit in” with the typical beliefs of those around them. This wonderful and inspirational book also lists further reading on the famous and historical figures in the book. Suggested for 3rd-6th grade readers.
Special Needs Program
I Know You Won’t Forget by Truly Blessed Ink This short story was written and illustrated by survivors of traumatic brain injury. In this story, we see that Joey is sad about how he and his mother and others are affected by his mother’s brain injury. Read or have the story read to any age to see how he helped his mother and reduced his sadness.
Special Needs Program
Living with Brain Injury: A Guide for Families by Richard Senelick, M.D. and Karla Dougherty
Special Needs Program
Writing Measurable IEP Goals and Objectives by Barbara D. Bateman and Cynthia M. Herr
Terms and Definitions

List of Acronyms for Common Disability Terms and Organizations [PDF]

Contact Information

For direct assistance, individuals can reach out to Special Needs Coordinator Zandria Ransom at (480) 362-6980 or zandria.ransom@srpmic-nsn.gov.

Additionally, you can contact the Resource Line at (480) 362-7844, the TTY Line at (480) 362-6887, or email SpecialNeeds@SRPMIC-nsn.gov for further support.

Please contact us with any questions, comments, or concerns.
Location: Human Resources, Two Waters Building B
Resource Line: (480) 362-7844
TTY Line: (480) 362-6887
Email Address: SpecialNeeds@SRPMIC-nsn.gov

Special Needs Resource Program

Special Needs Event Calendar