CRS Parent Connection

01/22/2026

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.

January 30th, 9:30 A.M.
Part I: What is Advocacy in Special Education?

February 27, 9:30 A.M.
Part II: Advocacy - It's All About Communication

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

For more information, call Kristy Thompson at 334-222-5558, or email her at kristy.thompson@rehab.alabama.gov. Or, call Ashley Griffin at 334-678-5059, or email her at ashley.griffin@rehab.alabama.gov.

01/22/2026

Are you a parent or caregiver of a child with special health care needs? We need you to help provide information, training and support to other families of children with special health care needs as a local CRS Parent Consultant. To learn more and apply email financedirector@eastersealsca.org

01/22/2026

01/21/2026

Mardi Gras in Mobile, AL is accessible to those with special needs.

01/20/2026

The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation offers medical grants to families for children’s medical expenses that are not covered, or not fully covered, by their commercial health insurance. These grants can cover things like wheelchairs, prescriptions, surgeries, glasses, certain therapies, and more. The child must 16 years old or younger, have a clinical condition, and living in the United States when they apply. The child must be covered by a commercial healthcare plan and can even have Medicaid or CHIP as their secondary coverage. Their commercial health insurance doesn’t have to be through UnitedHealthcare; it can be through other companies such as Blue Cross or Aetna. There are financial eligibility requirements, however they are quite generous. For example, right now a family of four can have an adjusted gross income of up to $135,000. To learn more and to apply visit

Discover how UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation helps kids and changes lives through medical grants. Apply for a grant or donate today.

01/18/2026

In August 2025, Reagan McBride, a CRS program participant in Muscle Shoals, was awarded the Selma Smith Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship offers $ 5,000 to an individual with a disability who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement, community involvement, and school participation. Nominated by Amy Barnes, Parent Consultant at the Muscle Shoals District office, Reagan is an exceptional and very accomplished young lady. The scholarship will provide financial assistance as she continues her education.

Her mom, Jeri Ann writes, “Reagan was born with Oseteogenesis Imperfecta and has had many challenges in her 20 years. But you would never know because her joy is contagious, and she doesn’t let much stop her! She is a sophomore at The University of North Alabama, majoring in graphic design. She earned a spot on the President’s list and the Dean’s list her freshman year. She is currently taking her studio classes in person and all her basics online. She’s on staff as a graphic designer for FLOW, UNA’s magazine publication. Her artwork was chosen by faculty and staff to be framed and placed in the math building on campus. In her free time, she loves to read and shop at thrift stores.

01/17/2026

New Beginnings, Resolutions, and a Tribute to a Special Parent Consultant

Click here to read more...
https://pulse.ly/jyhs3idnge

01/16/2026

Introducing “PAC Talk” hosted by Mobile CRS PAC. A zoom to connect, support and share recources/events. Anyone caregiver in Alabama can join. Email Cara.rain@rehab.alabama.gov to be put on the email list to receive a Zoom link.

01/16/2026

From Parent Consultant Amy Barnes - Hi friends all the way from The Shoals area! It is that time of year again. Out with the old and in with the new as they say. I’ve never been much for resolutions but there is something refreshing about a new year. In reality, I feel like each year makes me a little wiser and resolute that my messy life is still good. This year I’m leaning in to more acceptance of who I am as a special needs mom and who my son is as a young man with an intellectual disability.

https://pulse.ly/wgi9hw6rui

01/16/2026

Some great opportunities for families to have a little respite. Check to see if there's one near you in the coming months.

The respite night schedule for the first half of the year is below. Our first respite night of 2026 is approaching fast. Compassion City Church we can’t wait to see you.

01/07/2026

‼️EVENT ALERT‼️

Abilio is excited to host the Tools for Independence Expo on February 6th!

Stay tuned for more updates and information!

Help us to provide the best experience for you and fill out this survey: https://form.jotform.com/accessabilio/tools-for-independence-expo