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Resource Guide for Students and Families

You can flip through the Resource Guide for Exceptional Students and Families below. For easy reading and translations, we have also made the Resource Guide available in a text-based format, which can be found below the flipbook.

We've made our Resource Guide available below in a text-based format for easy reading and translation.

📝 Important Disclaimer: This guide is provided for informational purposes only and is intended to share a sampling of services and supports available in the area. The Effingham County School District does not endorse, recommend, or promote any specific provider, agency, or organization listed. Inclusion in this guide does not imply approval or guarantee of services. Please note that this list is not exhaustive and may not include all available resources. Information will be reviewed and updated periodically as needed.

Contact Us

ECSD Department of exceptional students

Effingham County School District Central Office
405 North Ash Street | Springfield, GA 31329

912.754.6491 | Exceptional Students Office: 912-754-5623

Dr. Ashley Hunter Director
ahunter@effingham.k12.ga.us
Jaime Rawlins Coordinator
jrawlins@effingham.k12.ga.us
Emily Odom Program Manager
eodom@effingham.k12.ga.us
Helen Odom Program Manager
hodom@effingham.k12.ga.us
Miranda Clayter Program Manager
mclayter@effingham.k12.ga.us
Leslie Merritt Program Manager
lmerritt@effingham.k12.ga.us
Renee Rawlins Parent Mentor
rarawlins@effingham.k12.ga.us
Gina Campbell Transition Specialist
gcampbell@effingham.k12.ga.us

Resource Directory

This guide provides information about each organization participating in the Family Fun Day Resource Fair. The Effingham County School District does not endorse, recommend, or promote any specific provider.

Babies Can’t Wait

Babies Can’t Wait - Georgia Department of Public Health
website: dph.georgia.gov/babies-cant-wait
phone: 912-644-5804

Description: The Babies Can’t Wait program is Georgia’s statewide early intervention initiative for infants and toddlers (birth to age three) with developmental delays or chronic health conditions and their families...

Bright Light ABA Therapy

Bright Light ABA Therapy
website: sevitahealth.com/brightlight
phone: 912.208.4776

Description: Bright Light, part of Sevita, provides Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism and developmental needs. Services focus on building communication, social, and daily living skills.

Child Advocacy Services SEGA

Child Advocacy Services SEGA
website: cas-sega.org
phone: 404-358-6425
email: cheyenne@cas-sega.org

Description: The mission of Child Advocacy Services, SEGA, Inc., (CASSEGA) is to prevent child abuse and neglect and ensure the overall well-being of children and families through advocacy and education.

DJS Home Care Specialists

DJS Home Care Specialists
Contact: Henry Walker
website: www.djshomespecialists.com
phone: 912-777-9127
email: unity0915@djshomecarespecialists.com

Description: DJ’S Home Care Specialists is the extra set of hands, the caring friend, the kindly care giver that you and your family have been looking for to provide aid and assistance to your loved one.

Easterseals Southern Georgia

Easterseals Southern Georgia
contact: Janet Banks
website: southerngeorgia.easterseals.com
phone: 229-247-6912
email: janet.banks@essga.org

Description: Easterseals Southern Georgia is a nonprofit that supports individuals with disabilities, veterans, and families through programs that promote independence and inclusion.

Effingham County Navigator Team

Effingham County Navigator Team
contact: Pauline Shaw
website: https://thenavigators.website/
phone: 912-659-9855
email: pshaw@navigators.website

Description: Effingham County Navigators is a support group & recreation program of volunteer parents/caregivers of children with special needs.

Effingham County Probate Court

Effingham County Probate Court - Guardianship & Conservatorship
website: effinghamcounty.org/800/Guardianship-Conservatorship
phone: 912-754-2112

Description: The Guardianship & Conservatorship services help residents with the legal process of appointing a guardian for the person and/or a conservator for the property of someone who is unable to care for themselves.

EmployAbility

EmployAbility
contact: Brendan Ferrara
website: employabilityga.org
phone: 912-644-7501
email: bferrara@employabilityga.org

Description: Empowering adults and youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities by providing workforce development, supported employment, and community access programs.

Faith Equestrian Therapeutic Riding Center

Faith Equestrian Therapeutic Riding Center
website: faithetc.org
phone: 912-728-3728

Description: Faith Equestrian Therapeutic Riding Center is a nonprofit organization that provides equine-assisted therapy and learning programs for individuals with disabilities and special needs.

Gateway Community Service Board

Gateway Community Service Board
website: gatewaycsb.org
phone: 866-557-9955

Description: Gateway Community Service Board (CSB) provides behavioral health services in southeast Georgia, including mental health, developmental disability, and substance use support.

Georgia Council on Dev. Disabilities

Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities
website: gcdd.org
phone: 888-275-4233
email: info@gcdd.org

Description: Federally funded, independent state agency that works to improve the lives of Georgians with developmental disabilities through advocacy, public policy, and community initiatives.

Georgia Dept. of Behavioral Health

Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
contact: Felicia Nelson
website: dbhdd.georgia.gov
phone: 912.710.0177
email: felicia.nelson1@dbhdd.ga.gov

Description: DBHDD and its network of community providers offer treatment and support services to help people with behavioral health challenges achieve recovery by focusing on their strengths.

Georgia Dept. of Education - Special Ed

Georgia Department of Education - Special Education
website: gadoe.org/special-education/
phone: 404-656-3963
email: SPEDHelpDesk@doe.k12.ga.us

Description: Oversees and supports services for students with disabilities across the state, ensuring they receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) as required by federal law.

Georgia Dept. of Human Services (DFCS)

Georgia Department of Human Services - Division of Family & Children Services
contact: Kimberly Zydonyk
website: dfcs.georgia.gov
phone: 912-754-6471
email: kimberly.zydonyk2@dhr.state.ga.us

Description: DBHDD and its network offer support to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities attain independence and lead fulfilling lives.

Georgia Library Service for the Blind

Georgia Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled
contact: Brandi Robertson
website: gls.georgialibraries.org
email: brobertson@georgialibraries.org

Description: GLS provides free accessible library materials for individuals who cannot read standard print due to a disability. Supports independent reading through audiobooks and braille.

Georgia Southern EAGLE Academy

Georgia Southern EAGLE Academy
contact: Daniel Cain
website: www.georgiasouthern.edu/academics/student-success/eagle-academy
phone: 912-478-8407
email: dcain@georgiasouthern.edu

Description: EAGLE Academy is an Inclusive Post Secondary Education program at Georgia Southern University for students with a diagnosed Intellectual Disability.

Georgia Vocational Rehab Agency

Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency
website: gvs.georgia.gov
phone: 844-367-4872
email: GVRACustomer-service@gvra.ga.gov

Description: Provides services to help individuals with disabilities prepare for, obtain, and maintain meaningful employment through counseling and job training.

GROW Initiative GA

GROW Initiative GA
contact: Rosie Harrison
website: www.thegiga.org
phone: 912-200-7954
email: rosie@thegiga.org

Description: GROW Initiative GA is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to creating resilient communities through education, health, and nutrition programs.

Hospice Savannah Edel Caregiver

Hospice Savannah Edel Caregiver Institute
contact: Joy Francis
website: www.hospicesavannah.org
phone: 912-355-2289
address: 1352 Eisenhower Drive, Savannah, GA 31416

Description: The mission of Edel Caregiver Institute is to support you, the caregiver, as you support your loved one through resource finding and emotional support.

Kids First Services

Kids First Services
contact: Tara Kreymer, Taylor Wilde
website: www.kidsfirstservices.com
phone: 585-503-5691/973-349-4077
email: tarabcba@kidsfirstservices.com

Description: We specialize in ABA Therapy in Georgia, providing evidence-based, personalized care to help children with autism reach their full potential.

Kiwanis Club of Effingham County

Kiwanis Club of Effingham County
contact: Tyler Dorn
website: facebook.com/EffinghamKiwanis
phone: 608-772-0830
email: kiwanisclubofeffingham@gmail.com

Description: Volunteer service organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and families throughout the community via service projects and school partnerships.

Living Independence for Everyone (LIFE)

Living Independence for Everyone (LIFE), Inc.
contact: Angel Denardi
website: lifecil.com
phone: 912-920-2414
email: adenardi@lifecil.com

Description: LIFE is a service and advocacy organization run by and for people with disabilities.

Parent to Parent of Georgia

Parent to Parent of Georgia
Contact: MeKesha Barr
website: www.p2pga.org
phone: 770-451-5484
email: mekesha@p2pga.org

Description: Provides free support, information, and training to families of children and young adults with disabilities or special healthcare needs.

Park Place Outreach

Park Place Outreach
contact: Regina Walker
Website: parkplaceeyes.org
phone: 912-373-6868
email: regina@parkplaceeyes.org

Description: Provide four programs to at-risk youth and their families in the Savannah area designed to meet youth where they are based on specific goals.

Pineland BHDD

Pineland Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
contact: Leah Brockington
website: pinelandcsb.org
phone: (912) 427-4491 or (912) 681-1837
email: lebrockington@pinelandbhdd.org

Description: Public, not-for-profit community based organization that helps children, adults and seniors with mental illness and developmental disabilities.

Positive Behavior Supports Corp.

Positive Behavior Supports Corporation
contact: Madison Guinn
website: teampbs.com
phone: 855-832-6727 ext. 4760
email: maguinn@teampbs.com

Description: Uses the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis to conduct quality assessments and behavioral intervention plans to improve quality of life.

PUPS Uplifting People – Therapy Dogs

PUPS Uplifting People – ECSD Therapy Dogs
contact: Kate Keith
website: ecsdnews.com/pups
email: kkeith@effingham.k12.ga.us

Description: Animal-assisted therapy initiative that supports students’ social, emotional, and academic growth through interactions with trained therapy dogs.

Project Lifesaver

Project Lifesaver
contact: Deputy Kathy Dillard
website: projectlifesaver.org
phone: 912-754-3449
email: kdillard@effinghamcounty.org

Description: Project Lifesaver is a safety program designed to help quickly locate individuals who may wander due to autism, Down syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other cognitive conditions. Participants wear a small wrist or ankle transmitter that sends out a personalized tracking signal. If the individual goes missing, trained first responders use specialized equipment to locate them quickly and safely, often in less than 30 minutes. The program provides peace of mind for families and caregivers while helping keep vulnerable individuals safe.

Savannah Speech & Hearing Center

Savannah Speech & Hearing Center
contact: Jenna Harcher, Outreach Coordinator
website: speechandhearingsav.org
phone: 912-355-4601 ext. 132
email: jharcher@speechandhearingsav.org

Description: Nonprofit providing access to comprehensive speech, hearing, language and other therapeutic services regardless of financial abilities.

Social Security Administration

Social Security Administration
website: ssa.gov
phone: 866-366-4923

Description: The Social Security Administration (SSA) Savannah Field Office provides in-person help with benefits applications and updates to personal information.

Southern Choices of the Coast, LLC

Southern Choices of the Coast, LLC
contact: Tyler Dorn
website: www.sc-coastal.com
phone: 608-772-0830
email: tdorn@sc-coastal.com

Description: Provides compassionate, community-based care for children and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

Special Kicks

Special Kicks
contact: Michelle Beers
website: specialkicks.com
phone: 650-759-2445
email: michelle@specialkicks.com

Description: Special Kicks offers Adaptive Martial Arts and Community Programs for individuals with special needs.

TEFRA/Katie Beckett Medicaid

TEFRA/Katie Beckett Medicaid Program
website: medicaid.georgia.gov
phone: 678-248-7449

Description: Allows children with significant disabilities who require an institutional level of care to receive Medicaid benefits while living at home, regardless of family income.

Two Rivers Health Clinic

Two Rivers Health Clinic
contact: Amber Fordham
website: tworivershealthclinic.org
phone: 912-527-4984
email: trhc.amber@gmail.com
address: 711 Zitterour Drive Rincon, GA 31326

Description: Enriching the lives of uninsured adults of Effingham County by promoting healthy lifestyles and providing free primary medical care.