You don't have to know exactly what you're looking for.
Maybe you're wondering if your toddler is meeting developmental milestones. Maybe you're trying to understand an IEP, looking for therapy, searching for an activity where your child can participate, figuring out insurance or benefits, or beginning to think about life after high school.
This guide brings together disability and special needs resources for families in Chambersburg, Greencastle, Waynesboro, Mercersburg and throughout Franklin County, Pennsylvania, along with a few Pennsylvania and nearby resources that may be especially helpful.
A Note Before You Begin
Your child does not need to fit neatly into a category — or even have a diagnosis yet — for this guide to be useful. These resources may support children and young adults with developmental delays, intellectual or developmental disabilities, autism, ADHD, learning differences, communication needs, physical disabilities, hearing or vision differences, complex medical needs and more.
Find What You Need
→ I need help with school, an evaluation, IEP or 504 Plan.
→ I'm looking for therapy or developmental services.
→ I need help navigating services or connecting with other parents.
→ We're looking for inclusive activities and places to have fun.
→ We need assistive technology or equipment.
→ I'm trying to understand insurance, Medicaid or financial resources.
→ I have a teen or young adult and don't know what comes next.
→ I need safety, crisis or multi-agency support.
Start Here: I'm Concerned About My Child's Development
If something about your child's development has you wondering, you do not have to wait for a diagnosis before asking questions or requesting an evaluation.
Not sure who to call?
Birth through age 3:
Franklin/Fulton Early Intervention
Families may refer their own child. Early Intervention evaluations and eligible services are provided at no cost to families.
Ages 3–5:
Lincoln Intermediate Unit 12 Preschool Early Intervention
Families may contact Preschool Early Intervention when they have concerns about development, speech, learning, movement, hearing, vision or related needs.
School age:
Start with your child's school if you believe a disability or other need may be affecting learning or access to school. Additional parent-help resources are included below.
Franklin/Fulton Early Intervention
Franklin/Fulton Early Intervention serves eligible children from birth through age 3. Supports may include developmental evaluation, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, special instruction, hearing or vision support and social work.
Local EI Service Coordination: Service Access & Management (SAM), 717-709-4321
PA CONNECT: 1-800-692-7288
Learn more about Franklin/Fulton Early Intervention
School, Evaluations, IEPs & 504 Plans
Special education can come with a whole new vocabulary. If you're trying to understand evaluations, an IEP, a 504 Plan, accommodations or your child's rights, you don't have to figure everything out alone.
PEAL Center
The PEAL Center is Pennsylvania's Parent Training and Information Center and assists families of children with disabilities and special health care needs from birth through age 26. Families can receive individualized help from a Family Resource Specialist at no cost.
Pennsylvania Special Education ConsultLine
Have questions about special education law, your child's IEP, procedural safeguards or what options you have when you disagree with the school? Pennsylvania's Special Education ConsultLine provides free assistance to parents and advocates.
ConsultLine: 1-800-879-2301
Disability Rights Pennsylvania
Disability Rights Pennsylvania is Pennsylvania's protection and advocacy organization for people with disabilities. Its work includes education, community services, discrimination and other disability-rights issues.
Start with your child's teacher, counselor, principal or special education department. If you're unsure about the process or your rights, PEAL or ConsultLine can help you understand the next step.
Developmental Disability, Autism & Family Navigation
Franklin/Fulton Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
The Franklin/Fulton IDD program helps eligible individuals and families connect with supports for intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities and autism.
Depending on eligibility, funding and individual need, supports may include supports coordination, home- and community-based services, respite, day services, supported employment and assistance applying for Medicaid waiver programs.
Franklin/Fulton MH/IDD/EI: 717-264-5387
Address: 425 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, PA 17202
You may hear the term PUNS when working with Pennsylvania's developmental disability system. It stands for Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services. A supports coordinator can help eligible families understand the PUNS process and identify available supports.
ASERT
ASERT — Autism Services, Education, Resources and Training offers Pennsylvania-specific autism information and resources for autistic individuals, families and professionals. Families can use ASERT to find information about services, support groups, community programs and other resources.
The Arc of Franklin & Fulton Counties
The Arc of Franklin & Fulton Counties advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, including issues related to education, employment, community participation and independent living.
Parent-to-Parent Support
Sometimes one of the most helpful resources is another parent who has walked a similar road. Families can explore local and statewide parent-support options through ASERT's support-group listings and Parent to Parent of Pennsylvania.
Therapy, Communication & Developmental Services
Families may encounter many different types of therapy and support, including occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language therapy, feeding therapy, audiology, behavioral health services and other developmental services.
Keystone Pediatric Developmental Center — Chambersburg
Keystone Pediatric Developmental Center, 111 Chambers Hill Drive in Chambersburg, serves children and young adults from birth through age 21. Services include occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, pediatric audiology and feeding support.
Phone: 717-709-7997
Services, insurance participation, referral requirements and wait lists can change. Ask whether a provider offers the specific service your child needs, accepts your insurance, requires a referral and currently has availability.
Vision Support
Pennsylvania's Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services offers services for children and families that may include educational advocacy, adaptive equipment, low-vision services, orientation and mobility instruction and transition support.
Hearing & Communication
Keystone Pediatric Developmental Center offers pediatric audiology and speech-language services locally. Families can also explore statewide resources through Pennsylvania's Office for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing.
Inclusive Activities, Sports & Places to Have Fun
Services matter — but kids also need places to play, explore, make friends and simply have fun.
Franklin County 4-H Therapeutic Riding Center — Chambersburg
ADAPTIVE PROGRAM
The Franklin County 4-H Therapeutic Riding Center provides therapeutic riding opportunities for individuals with disabilities age 5 and older.
Address: 181 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, PA 17202
Franklin County 4-H Office: 717-263-9226
Two Top Mountain Adaptive Sports Foundation — Mercersburg
ADAPTIVE PROGRAM
Two Top Mountain Adaptive Sports Foundation provides adaptive recreation for people with disabilities, including children and adults. Programming may include adaptive skiing and snowboarding along with seasonal recreation. Individual programs and eligibility vary, so check current offerings before registering.
Healthy Kids Running Series — Greencastle
ADAPTIVE / INCLUSIVE PROGRAM
The Healthy Kids Running Series in Greencastle has offered a Challenger Division — an adaptive 75-yard race for children with disabilities and special needs. Supportive devices may be used, and family members or friends may participate alongside the child.
Check the current season's registration information to confirm Challenger Division availability.
Special Olympics Pennsylvania
Special Olympics Pennsylvania offers athletic opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, including traditional and Unified Sports programs. Search the current Franklin County/Ridge & Valley Region offerings for available sports and registration information.
Sensory & Accessible Family Fun
Cluggy's — Chambersburg
SENSORY-FRIENDLY
Cluggy's has offered designated sensory time and sensory-sensitive private party options. Check the Cluggy's FAQ page or contact them before visiting for the current schedule.
Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library — Waynesboro
INCLUSIVE / SENSORY PLAY
The library offers children's programs that may incorporate movement and sensory play. Browse the library's current calendar for upcoming programs.
Memorial Park — Chambersburg
ACCESSIBLE FEATURES
Memorial Park includes inclusive play features and continues to develop accessible and sensory-oriented recreation improvements. Families may want to check current borough park information before visiting when a specific accessibility feature is important.
Good to know: Accessible, adaptive, inclusive and sensory-friendly do not necessarily mean the same thing. If a specific accommodation matters to your family, call ahead and ask about your child's needs.
Assistive Technology & Equipment
TechOWL
TechOWL — Technology for Our Whole Lives is Pennsylvania's assistive technology program. Families can explore device lending, demonstrations, reused equipment, funding resources and other assistive-technology support.
Check TechOWL. Being able to borrow or try assistive technology first may help you determine whether a device actually fits your child's needs.
Insurance, Medicaid & Financial Resources
PH95 Medicaid for Children with Special Needs
Did you know?
Pennsylvania has a Medical Assistance category for eligible children with disabilities under age 18 called PH95. Although parental income must be reported and verified, it is excluded when determining financial eligibility under this category.
PH95 has additional eligibility requirements, including disability criteria, so families should review the official information rather than assuming they do or do not qualify.
Learn about PH95 Medicaid for Children with Special Needs
Medicaid Waivers & IDD Supports
Families who qualify for Franklin/Fulton IDD services can ask their supports coordinator about Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services waivers, available services, funding and the PUNS process.
PA ABLE
PA ABLE accounts allow eligible individuals with disabilities and their families to save for qualified disability-related expenses while protecting eligibility for certain means-tested benefits.
Respite & Caregiver Support
Respite care provides temporary support so a parent or caregiver can step away from caregiving responsibilities for a period of time. Depending on eligibility, funding and available programs, respite may be available through Franklin/Fulton disability or behavioral-health services.
Start with Franklin/Fulton MH/IDD/EI or your existing supports coordinator to ask what may be available.
Transportation
rabbittransit provides shared-ride and transportation programs in Franklin County, including options for eligible people with disabilities. Eligibility, fares, reservations and trip requirements vary by program.
Teens, Life Skills & Transition to Adulthood
Transition planning does not have to wait until senior year. Pennsylvania has programs that can help students explore employment, training, self-advocacy and independent living while they are still in school.
Pennsylvania students with disabilities may be able to begin Pre-Employment Transition Services as early as age 14.
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
Pennsylvania's Pre-Employment Transition Services can help students explore careers and build workplace skills.
- Job exploration counseling
- Workplace-readiness training
- Work-based learning experiences
- Self-advocacy instruction
- Counseling about postsecondary education and training
Keystone Life Skills Center — Chambersburg
The Keystone Life Skills Center serves ages 12–21 and combines occupational and speech-language therapy with real-world skill development.
Areas may include cooking, money management, home management, shopping, community navigation, social communication, organization, problem solving, daily living and pre-vocational skills.
When Things Feel Complicated: Coordination, Safety & Crisis Help
CASSP
The Franklin/Fulton Child and Adolescent Service System Program (CASSP) helps coordinate services for children and adolescents involved with multiple child-serving systems.
This may be especially useful when several agencies or providers are involved and a family needs help getting everyone working together around the child's needs.
Mental Health & Crisis Support
Call or text 988 for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Keystone Health Crisis Intervention: 717-264-2555
If there is an immediate danger or medical emergency, call 911.
Worth the Short Drive
Some specialized programs just outside Franklin County may be especially convenient for families in the southern part of our area.
Hagerstown YMCA
The YMCA in Hagerstown has offered swimming opportunities for individuals with physical, intellectual and developmental disabilities. Check the Hagerstown YMCA for current adaptive or special-needs swimming information.
Pediatric Movement Center — Hagerstown
Pediatric Movement Center provides pediatric therapy and inclusive recreational programming in Hagerstown. Check current programs for ages, registration requirements and availability.
Still not sure where to start?
For developmental disability, autism, Early Intervention or related service questions, Franklin/Fulton MH/IDD/EI can help families begin navigating local services.
For school and special-education questions, the PEAL Center and Pennsylvania ConsultLine are good starting points.
Help Us Keep This Guide Growing
Know of an adaptive sports program, sensory-friendly event, support group, accessible playground, inclusive camp, service provider or other local resource that should be included?
More Resources for Local Families
You may also find helpful information in our Macaroni KID Chambersburg guides to caregiver resources, youth sports, indoor fun, summer camps, parks and playgrounds, teen resources and community resources.
Subscribe to the free Macaroni KID Chambersburg newsletter so you don't miss what's happening around Chambersburg, Greencastle, Waynesboro and Mercersburg.
This guide is provided as a community resource and is not medical, legal or eligibility advice. Programs, schedules, services, eligibility requirements and availability can change. Please contact organizations directly to confirm current information and determine whether a resource is appropriate for your family's needs.
