CRS Parent Connection

02/22/2026

🔗: https://www.al.com/news/2026/02/birmingham-zoo-gets-sensory-room-for-children.html?utm_campaign=aldotcom_sf&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook

02/21/2026

February 28th is Rare Disease Awareness Day. It is observed each year on that date except for leap years, when it is observed on February 29th (the rarest day of the year). It is a day that hits close to home for many CRS families. That's one of the reasons why CRS has Local Parent Consultants in every district. We get it. We are all here to give support, resources, information, and encouragement to you, your family, and your child. Know that we are here, so reach out any time!

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The Official Campaign Video of Rare Disease Day 2026- Learn more and get involved!👉 https://www.rarediseaseday.org/

02/18/2026

If you are in the Opelika area, register today for our next Family Connections Workshop Series. Shiela Benz, the Special Education Coordinator for Opelika City Schools, will discuss Child Find. Child Find is a statewide effort by the Alabama State Department of Education and the Department of Rehabilitation Services to locate, identify, and evaluate children with disabilities from
birth to age 21.

02/18/2026

Save the Date - Upcoming UAB RAN Events

Lunch and Learn
March 11 - Managing Challenging Behaviors at Home
March 26 - Project Transition
May 20 - Your Wellness is Their Strength

Community Education Workshops
April 10 - Challenging Behaviors, St. Clair County Board of Education 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
April 28 - Safe Screens and Sound Minds, Lineville Baptist Church 5:30 - 7:30 PM
May 18 - Medicaid Waivers, Hunter Hills Church, Prattville 5:30 - 7:30 PM

02/17/2026

Children's Rehabilitation Service has partnered with the Alabama Parent Education Center (APEC) for a series revolving around Special Education. The speaker for the sessions is Gian Carlo Carattini, the Alabama PTI Outreach Coordinator. All sessions are via Zoom and registration is free. Estimated 2 hrs with break.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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Coming Up:

March 13, 9:30 A.M.
Part III: Advocacy - It's All About Understanding the Rules and Laws

April 17, 9:30 A.M.
Part IV: Advocacy - It's All About Testing, Data Scoring, the IEP and Procedural Safeguards

02/17/2026

02/17/2026

CRS Director Cathy Caldwell (left), Lake Martin Operations Director Taylor Shelley (center), and State Parent Consultant Tammy Moore (right) are pictured above. Cathy and Tammy attended a Director’s Meeting at Children’s Harbor where CRS was awarded a $20,000 grant for Parent Consultants to use the facilities for the 2026 camp season. CRS is excited about building a strong partnership with Children’s Harbor as we work to prepare for a CRS Parent Consultant Rendezvous planned for October 2026. The purpose of this weekend "rendezvous" experience is to bring Parent Consultants and their families from around the state together for the first time where they can get to know one another, share their experience, knowledge, and skills, benefit from workshops … and have a little fun too! There will be more information to come in future editions of Parent Connection.

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02/12/2026

90% of brain development occurs by the age of five. The Alabama Partnership for Children's mission is to work in partnership with families and organizations to ensure that all Alabama children (birth to five) get everything they need to develop to their fullest potential. The Alabama Partnership for Children is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization created to develop, design, and implement a unified approach for improving outcomes of children from birth to age five in Alabama. This public/private partnership is a distinct initiative to develop and strengthen systems, forge strategies, and increase public awareness for all early childhood programs in Alabama.

02/11/2026

Are you a parent or caregiver of a child with special health care needs?

Children's Rehabilitation Service is hiring local Parent Consultants (PCs) in Birmingham, Homewood, and Huntsville. PCs provide information, training, and support to families of children with special health care needs. The job is 30 hours per week with flexible workday schedule and benefits.

Eligible candidates:

Must possess strong communication skills, computer skills, and knowledge of systems of care, supports and resources for families.
An education beyond high school or GED is preferred but not required. Experience may substitute for advanced education.
Should possess a valid Alabama driver's license and reliable transportation. Travel is required including some overnight travel.

INTERESTED? Email your resume to financedirector@eastersealsca.org

02/10/2026

Opelika's own Kelly Riley, a seasoned Physical Therapist with 39 years of experience, found her perfect match with Children’s Rehabilitation Service! 🌟 Having guided countless families to CRS, Kelly always dreamed of joining their team. When the opportunity knocked in December 2025, she didn't hesitate to dive in, motivated by her strong connection with the incredible staff. 🚀

Curious about Kelly’s journey? Tap here to discover more!

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02/10/2026

Selma - Siblings of Hope - A special group for siblings of children with disabilities to connect, share, and feel supported! Lunch provided for each sibling and one parent/guardian.

Limited spots - first-come, first-served.

Please see the flyer for details.