Outside Family Resources
*Frederick County Public Schools shares this list of organizations and agencies that offer various services for students and families. While we provide this information to support our community, please note that FCPS does not endorse any specific organization or agency. We encourage families to explore these resources based on their individual needs and determine if the services offered are the right fit for them.
This list is not exhaustive; it represents a selection of supports available throughout our community and state. Individuals and families may be aware of additional organizations and agencies not included here. FCPS is not liable for the services provided by the organizations listed here, nor by any other organizations.
Acorn Health: Acorn Health works with children as young as 18 months. We combine scientifically-validated Applied Behavior Analytics (ABA) best practices with pioneering next practices.
Basal Therapies: Basal Therapies is a full service pediatric therapy center in Frederick, MD, specializing in speech, occupational, feeding, physical, mental health therapies, and social-emotional support. We proudly serve children and adolescents in and around the Frederick community with meaningful, individualized plans that provide them with life-changing results.
Children's Milestone: Children’s Milestone provides comprehensive, evidence-based applied behavior analysis (ABA) procedures that are tailored to the specific needs of individuals from birth through adulthood. Our mission is to enrich each autistic child’s life through an effective, consistent, and individualized ABA therapy that will promote some independence in their lives. Therapy provided will aim to improve clients’ functional living and quality of life, as well as promote independence and generalization across settings and people. At Children’s Milestone, we believe valuing diversity and inclusion drives our success as an ABA provider. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive culture where our workforce is not only valued but sustains our company in our competitive market.
Little Leaves Behavioral: Little Leaves offers center-based, high-quality ABA therapy for children ages 1-6. Accredited by the Behavioral Health Center of Excellence (BHCOE), you can be assured your child is receiving the gold standard of treatment.
Mission Autism Clinics: Our therapists work to reinforce and reward helpful behaviors that improve learning and communication skills, ultimately leading to happier, healthier kids.
Monocacy Start Center: We offer home-based intensive behavior therapy as well as center-based treatments such as parent training and social skills groups. Our behavior technicians work in the home or community setting and implement the programs designed by our clinical staff.
PLAN Center: Joy filled, center-based ABA program with an integrated whole-child approach. The PLAN center is designed to help kids with autism learn new skills, make new friends and most importantly, be themselves!
Playful Therapy Centers: Maryland, Virginia & DC Mental Health & Wellness CounselingWe specialize in supporting neurodivergent children, teens, adults & families with a focus on anxiety, depression, & navigating a neurotypical-world while being Autistic and/or an ADHD as well as related parenting support.By combining the power of Play Therapy with the innovation of digital therapy tools and techniques, we can bring our virtual counseling services directly into your home.
Verbal Beginnings: Verbal Beginnings provides Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy to children ages 2-18 diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ABA therapy is an individualized approach that is tailored toward each child’s specific needs. Clinicians use effective researched-based strategies that have been empirically validated to make meaningful changes in each child’s life.
Achieving True Self: Everyone’s story is unique, and ATS recognizes that an individual is NOT someone in need of changing WHO THEY ARE. We are honored to simply be the support on an individual’s journey to discovering and becoming their true self.
The Arc of Frederick County: The Arc of Frederick County helps people with developmental disabilities to live enviable lives. Enviable lives are the lives we all lead, filled with purpose and meaning, and with friends and family. This is accomplished by providing services, advocacy, and creating supportive communities.
Autism Grind: where we shine a light on Autism Spectrum Disorder and its effect on families; championing inclusivity and advocating for a brighter future that involves inclusivity.
Best Buddies: Offering One-to-One Friendship, Integrated Employment, and Leadership Development programs for individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Maryland.
The Difference 2-17: We are a passionate organization dedicated to serving adults on the autism spectrum and those with neurodiversity. Our mission is to empower individuals by promoting self-determination, fostering inclusivity, and providing bespoke programming tailored to their unique needs.
Frederick Civitan: Civitan is the only service organization dedicated to serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and through the Civitan International Research Center, we are helping find cures and develop treatments for autism, Rett syndrome, Down syndrome and many more brain-related disorders.
Frederick County Special Olympics: Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. This gives them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
F.R.I.E.N.D.S: A Down Syndrome advocacy group based in Frederick County, Maryland.
Go Team Therapy Dogs: Our special volunteers serve in a wide variety of settings including assisted living homes, libraries, schools, airports & hospitals. Teams provide help to victims in distress, work w/our servicemen, 1st responders, & anywhere a therapy dog is needed.
Independent Now, Inc: Independence Now is a nonprofit organization designed, governed and staffed by people with disabilities. We are part of a nationwide network of Centers for Independent Living, and serve as a resource and advocacy center that promotes independent living and equal access for people of all ages with all types of disabilities residing in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties.
Kennedy Krieger Institute's SPARK: The mission of SPARK is simple. We want to speed up research and advance understanding of autism. We are currently recruiting participants for this groundbreaking initiative, which combines a web-based registry with DNA analysis to accelerate autism research and speed discovery of treatment and supports.
L’ARCHE Frederick: L'Arche is a community of people with and without intellectual disabilities. We believe in a world where differences are celebrated and every person has a genuine place of belonging.
The League for People with Disabilities, Inc.: The League is dedicated to understanding and combating the challenges faced by people with disabilities and their families.
LINKZ: At LINKZ, we envision a world where every student, neurotypical and neurodiverse, is empowered with personalized educational and emotional support, fostering self-awareness, resilience, and a lifelong love for learning. We aim to be a catalyst for holistic development, where the unique strengths and abilities of each individual are recognized, celebrated, and nurtured.
The Monocacy Foundation: The Monocacy Foundation was founded in 1995 to help provide opportunities for people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities in our community.
Our Dream Pursuits: Our goal is to provide employment and social opportunities for adults with disabilities!
Parents’ Place of Maryland: We help families obtain education and health care services for their children with disabilities; work to improve education and health care for all children; train and inform parents and professionals on a variety of topics; and connect children with disabilities to community resources that address their needs.
Pathfinders for Autism: Pathfinders for Autism works to support and improve the lives of individuals affected by autism through expansive, customized programming, and by providing resources, training, information and activities free of charge.
Scott Key Center: Scott Key Center’s program mission is to foster a broad range of person-centered, integrated employment opportunities and community involvement for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Frederick County Maryland.
Spectrum and Beyond: Our mission to create an environment where our children can reach their own potential across their spectrum of abilities, at home and in the community.
Spectrum Support Inc: Our agency empowers everyone we support to live, learn, work, and engage in social activities within their communities by building powerful, personal, long-lasting relationships.
Young Life Capernaum: Our Vision: Inviting teens and young adults with and without disabilities to discover authentic friendship, growth, and purpose.
Infants and Toddlers, Frederick County: Provides early intervention services for families of children birth to 3 years with developmental delays, disabilities or special health needs.
PERKS (Partnership for Emotionally Resilient Kids): Provides onsite assistance for early education programs with children, age birth through four years old, who exhibit socal, emotional or behavioral issues.
YMCA of Frederick County Head Start: Provides families of children ages 3 to 5 years of age the following health services, family services, parent involvement, early childhood education, and services for children with special needs.
Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs: Offers qualified residents financial assistance for prescriptions, health and dental care, utilities, security deposits, and eviction prevention, referrals to food pantries and one-night emergency shelters.
Salvation Army: Offers mid to low-income residents emergency financial assistance holiday assistance and a thrift store.
Child Advocacy Center of Frederick County: A child-friendly facility that provides comprehensive and coordinated multidisciplinary services to child abuse victims and their families.
COIPP (Children of Incarcerated Parents Program): Free service to support parents, caregivers or other family members impacted by incarceration.
Family Partnership of Frederick County: A community based organization providing family support, education, and assistance.
Frederick Community Action Agency: The City of Frederick Department of Housing and Human Services (HHS) is a new department, established in July 2020. With oversight of three divisions, Housing, Community Action Agency and Human Services, HHS administers a wide array of programs and services to families and individuals; all aimed at ameliorating the causes and effects of poverty.
Chris Bard
301-600-1506 office
301-600-3972 direct
Healthy Families Frederick: Home visiting programs to assist first time pregnant women and parents of newborns up to 3 months old.
YMCA of Frederick County: Our purpose is to strengthen and enrich the development of individuals and families through quality programs and services that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.
2-1-1: Connects people to the human services resources they need, such as food pantries, shelter, and other financial resources, mental health and substances abuse treatment programs, crisis intervention and suicide prevention, job search centers, children and family services, and more. 2-1-1 is available 24/7 in over 150 languages.
Frederick County Department of Social Services: We are the state’s human services provider. We help vulnerable Marylanders buy healthy foods, pay energy bills, and obtain medical assistance. We also provide stable environments for at-risk children and adults. We may be able to help you. You can also call our main call center at 800-332-6347 to reach us at anytime.
Frederick County Health Department: Offers several services such as WIC applications, vital records, dental clinic, behavioral health concerns, etc.
Frederick County Parks and Recreation: The Frederick County Division of Parks and Recreation is committed to the highest level of care for our natural and historic resources while making the park facilities and the recreational programs available to all. We believe that the benefits of parks and of recreation are far reaching and vital to each and every individual, family, and community in Frederick County.
Frederick County Public Library-C Burr Artz. Public Library: offers several family services such as community events, children exploration resources, interactive educational tools.
Frederick County Workforce Services: Offers several services such as resume building, job searching, interview preparation, etc.
Frederick Rescue Mission: At the Mission, we meet the basic needs of food and shelter.
Housing Authority of the City of Frederick: At the Housing Authority, we offer a wide range of programs designed to empower you with essential life skills, such as home buying and achieving self-sufficiency. We are also proud to be part of a network of strong partnerships with both public and private organizations in Frederick. These partnerships open doors to numerous community resources that are eager to assist you.
Transit Services of Frederick County: Transit provides public transit, paratransit and commuter services/employer outreach information throughout Frederick County, MD serving medical, employment, education, shopping centers and more!
Basal Therapy: Basal Therapies is a full service pediatric therapy center in Frederick, MD, specializing in speech, occupational, feeding, physical, mental health therapies, and social-emotional support. We proudly serve children and adolescents in and around the Frederick community with meaningful, individualized plans that provide them with life-changing results.
Blue Ridge Behavioral Health: Blue Ridge Behavioral Health is a multidisciplinary team that has provided quality behavioral health treatment in Frederick, MD since 1998. We provide a wide range of services to people of all ages. Our diversity of professionals work together to help individuals, couples, and families. We consider integrated treatment to be the best option for many consumers of our services.
DagenHart Health: Dagenhart Health and Wellness can help you find that balance with our comprehensive outpatient therapy and medication management options. We serve children, adolescents, adults, and couples at all of our locations in Frederick and Washington Counties.
Mental Health Association of Frederick County, Inc: Provides several services to adults, children and families such as preparing resilient children, securing vulnerable families, facing crises together and supporting the whole community within the changing mental health needs.
Back 2 Basics Pediatric Therapy Services: We offer comprehensive care including mental health counseling, nutrition counseling, occupational therapy, lactation support and speech therapy. With our team-based approach we can provide coordinated care like no other practice. Here your child receives small practice attention with a team approach typically only offered at large pediatric hospitals. Locations in Frederick, Maryland and Eldersburg, Maryland. Can’t make it to the office? We provide virtual counseling as well.
Basal Therapies: Basal Therapies is a full service pediatric therapy center in Frederick, MD, specializing in speech, occupational, feeding, physical, mental health therapies, and social-emotional support. We proudly serve children and adolescents in and around the Frederick community with meaningful, individualized plans that provide them with life-changing results.
Frederick Speech and Occupational Therapy: we provide comprehensive speech-language pathology assessment with standardized and non-standardized test batteries. We provide speech therapy treatment sessions for infants, children, adolescents, and adults. Our team of speech-language pathologists hold advanced certifications and training in adult and pediatric communication disorders including adult dysphagia and pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders, PROMPT motor speech training for apraxia, Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) for Parkinson’s Disease, and assistive and augmentative communication for the assessment and use of communication devices.
Kelly Beins: specialize in working with Sensory OTs, offering clinical mentorship to sensory therapists in solo-practice. I can help you to be less confused about sensory processing and to become more competent and confident in your sensory practice. Services include 1:1 mentorship, a monthly membership and group coaching program, mentorship for clinics, webinars, and courses.
Lapsa Speech Language: The Center offers evaluation and treatment for a full range of speech and language disorders from early childhood through the high school years and beyond. Utilizing cutting-edge technology, strategies and innovations, intervention is designed to meet the client's interests and unique needs.
Pediatric Movement Center: Through individualized patient-centered practices designed to empower children with and without special needs, we provide comprehensive therapeutic, recreation, and support services to children and their families in our community and surrounding areas. Our staff of highly trained, qualified clinicians, and instructors are here to help your child reach their maximum potential in a safe, loving, and reassuring environment.
Way to Grow: we address the whole child from a developmental perspective. We work to understand how your child is functioning in every aspect of their life. All parts of the child’s life are connected.
Al-Anon & Alateen groups Frederick & Washington County: Anonymous, non-professional, self help program of recovery for family and friends of alcoholics or drug users as well. *Alateen 8-17 years of age affected by someone’s alcoholism or drug use. *Al-Anon is for adults 18 and older who are affected by someone’s alcoholism or drug use.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): An anonymous, non-professional program of recovery based on fellowship among those who feel they have lost ability to control their consumption of alcohol.
Heartily House Inc: Serves residents who have been impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse.
Narcotics Anonymous (NA): Support groups for individuals who abuse narcotics, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, pills, and any other substance.