EBD Resources The following is a partial list of organizations that provide services for the parents of children with Emotional Behavioral Disorders (EBD). These resources offer a diverse selection of services that range from direct instruction to parents, referrals to professional help, and involvement in legislation and advocacy. The specific strategies of the organizations are listed in the descriptions; however, as can be seen by reviewing these descriptions the public agencies mostly rely on education, training, and referrals to professionals in order to assist children with EBDs.

The Child Developmental Institute (CDI) originated in 1999 and has a website that provides information for parents regarding a number of issues, especially for parents with children that have EBD's (CDI, 2015). The CDI is an important resource for parents who are looking for information, services, or products related to the development of their child, the child's health, parenting, learning, media, psychological issues such as mental health issues, and advice from professional experts regarding the specific situation. Advice and resources provided to parents of the EBD children include behavioral issues and help with other mental illnesses such as ADHD through more severe issues such as autism spectrum disorders. The site offers a monthly newsletter, links to expert articles, links to expert advice, referrals for specific issues, and the potential for referrals to local agencies that can direct parents who have EBD children to finding specific local resources and local support. The site is endorsed by the American Psychological Association and has its national office in Orange, CA. This site offers extremely timely and useful information for parents and can assist them in finding local help.

Through the Looking Glass (TLG) is a nationally recognized center that offers research, services, and training for families that have either a child, a parent, or grandparent with a disability or medical problem (TLG, 2015). TLG is a community-based nonprofit organization that is partially funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research through the U.S. Department of Education. TLG works especially closely with parents and children who have EBD's in order to assist them in all levels. The TLG provides training seminars and workshops for parents who have children with EBDs, home-based services and developmental support, a wide array of publications for parents (who have disabled children or are disabled themselves), and legal advice and legal support services for families. TLG also acts as a national research center collecting data on parents and children in order to foster improvements in future services. These services are offered on a local (CA) and national level. TLG is especially helpful in training and providing legal advice for parents. TLG also makes local referrals for specific issues.

The Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR) is a central resource providing information and products to the Parent Training Information and Community of Centers and Parent Resource Centers that serve the families of children with disabilities including EBD's. CPIR's three objectives are:

1. To provide Parent Training Information Centers and Parent Resource Centers with the resources and materials they need to work with families of children with disabilities.

2. To train and increase the capacity of Parent Training Information Centers to serve children with disabilities and their families.

3. To facilitate training of parents through the networks they work with.

As a service provider to other services for parents the CPIR does not directly work with parents and children with EBD's; however, it does list the local Parent Training Information Centers throughout the country and parents in need of assistance from one of the centers can go to the website and find the closest and most appropriate center for their needs. Thus, CPIR offers an extremely important service for parents of children with EBD's.

Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER) was founded in 1977 by the parents of children with disabilities in order to help other parents who face similar challenges. PACER is heavily staffed with parents of children who have disabilities which is unique for a national organization. PACER works with 18 disability organizations to provide services and information to other parents (PACER, 2015). PACER assists other parents the three primary ways via more than 30 projects. PACER provides individual assistance to parents with children with disabilities including EBD's, provides workshops for parents of children with disabilities including EBD's, and as a comprehensive list of publications that parents can draw on to assist them. In addition, PACER is easy to contact from anywhere in the nation and has...

This makes PACER very user-friendly and convenient for parents. Another strength of PACER is that it is primarily staffed and run by other parents who have similar backgrounds to its clientele. This allows for the organization to readily identify with parents and offer practical, helpful, solutions as well as pragmatic assistance.
Pinterest is a mobile and web application company that operates as a collection site and storage tool (Pinterest, 2015). Pinterest allows for the collection and storage of volumes of material on the number of subjects. The company also has a board that provides articles, links to websites, and the suggestions for parents and teachers. These resources provide information, instructions, and some knowledgeable tips for working with children who have EBD's in specific situations. The strength of this resource is that it offers numerous and diverse sources of information relating to different specific situations that a parent might encounter with an EBD child. This information can be extremely helpful when a parent is caught in the middle of the situation and cannot wait for professional help or advice. However, the Internet web board requires that the parent create an account and register before accessing this information. Thus, some parents who do not have available Internet access on a computer or their smart phone may not be able to use his information and parents who are not already registered may have to spend time going to the registration process when they are actually in need of crucial information immediately. However, once registered parents have access to a valuable source of information that can be accessed immediately during situations that are may arise in the course of their daily activities.

The National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) is the largest grassroots mental health organization in the nation (NAMI, 2015). NAMI consists of hundreds of state organizations, local affiliations, and volunteers who work locally to provide support and education for people who need help regarding mental illness. The organization has access to specific and directed community and local resources for parents of children with EBD's. NAMI provides a toll-free helpline that provides local referrals and help, information, and support for parents with children with EBD. NAMI sponsors public events such as walks and other events to raise money in support for local organizations involved in helping parents. NAMI is also involved in shaping public policy through legislators and local politicians in order to get parents resources they need and to help children with EBD's. NAMI also provides an extensive list of publications that are readily accessible to anyone who needs them in order to educate and assist them. The hotline is a very useful resource for and teachers and can be indispensable in finding support and services for a child with an EBD. The efforts of NAMI also go a long way in developing policy, educational standards, and community resources for children with EBDs.

Good Shepherd Services (GSS) in New York City runs numerous programs throughout The City designed to help disadvantaged and vulnerable children age 16 through 21 and their families become more self-sufficient (GSS, 2008). The programs are designed to help young people build relationships with peers, the community, and caring adults in addition to developing a wide range of personal skills. This group includes a large section of EBD children. The needs of the children are dressed up all levels including the home environment, school, the community, and vocational services. This is accomplished by providing a comprehensive package of services that include three umbrella programs that offer numerous services to EBD children:

Community-Based Services that address the needs of the children in every environment where they experience problems.

Out -- Of -- Home -- Care Programs that address the needs of children who are unable to live in their home environment.

Professional Training Services that teach the children skills that can help them in the real world.

GSS is a premier organization that offers excellent support and comprehensive to parents in New York City, but does not function outside of New York.

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) is a national organization of psychiatrists and other mental health professionals that has developed resources for parents and teachers of EBD children. AACAP provides several resources for the parents of children with an EBD. The Facts for Families link is designed to provide up-to-date information on psychiatric issues that affect children and their families. This is on the AACAP website that is updated regularly and provided…