Support groups, activities and events in Santa Barbara County

This list includes only some of the resources available in the tri-county region.  Family Resource Centers have the most recent information, feel free to call them or check with your service coordinator for information on additional resources that may be available. Please contact individual groups to confirm meeting dates and times prior to attending.

Alpha Resource Center offers a wide variety of services and supports to encompass the needs of individuals with disabilities of all ages and at all stages of life.

Children & Family Services ~ Assists parents of children with special needs to gain the knowledge and skills to enable their children to be all they can be.

Parent-to-Parent ~ and family support, parent-professional collaboration, resource meetings and workshops, information & referral, transition, future planning, and much more county wide! For information and support group info contact:

Early Start Playgroups ~ Discussion, networking and crafts. Location  varies. Contact: Jennifer Griffin 683-2145

Resource Libraries ~ offer over 2000 titles on developmental and other disabilities.  Located at TCRC offices in Santa Maria and Santa Barbara. Mobile library services are available. Call for hours or assistance.

Santa Maria 347-2775 Santa Barbara 957-9272

Katie’s FUNd™ ~ provides social and recreational opportunities for teens and young adults with developmental disabilities. Contact Amy Buesker at 683-2145 x127 or abuesker@alphasb.org.

Teen Extreme Social Club ~ Meets weekly for outings & activities. Contact Amy Buesker at 683-2145 x127 or abuesker@alphasb.org.

Alpha Adult Services ~ provides a broad spectrum of services for adults with developmental disabilities.  Each participant assists in the development of individualized services tailored to achieve his or her personal goals.  805.964.3547

Call Alpha for Monthly Events or Visit
bit.ly/AlphaCalendar

SANTA BARBARA SPECIAL NEEDS ADAPTIVE PROGRAMS WEBSITE
A wide variety of 100+ community
resources, events and information supporting our area special needs agencies. Find activities for all ages posted on website.
www.sbSNAP.org

City of SB Parks & Recreation Dept
Check out what they have to offer. Contact: Adapted Programs 805.564.5421.

Santa Maria Special Education & Support Information
Kathy Rowley hosts a Yahoo Group for parents of children with special needs who live in Santa Maria. Join at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/santamariasupport.
Autism Society of America – Santa Barbara Chapter (ASASB)
Contact: Marcia or Sandy at 805.560.3762 or info@asasb.org, www.asasb.org.

Santa Maria Autism Support Group
Has an online support group for parents of children diagnosed with autism. There is also a weekly playgroup that meets at a local park. Contact: 805.714.1187 or email begeasykr@yahoo.com.

NEW DIRECTIONS TRAVEL CLUB
Come join this fun club for adults with special needs who love to travel! We meet the 3rd Tuesday of each month 5pm-7pm for dinner and travel presentation. Call 805-967-2841 for dates and meeting locations.

ART OF AUTISM
The Art of Autism has various events around Santa Barbara County throughout the year. Visit www.the-art-of-autism.com or email theartofautism@gmail.com.

SBATA@YAHOOGROUPS.COM
Online group for parents of special needs children, email info@asasb.org.

Aquatic Wellness and Exercise – Tuohy Foundation Aquatic Center
2415 De la Vina Street, SB. Wheelchair accessible with depths from 3 1/2 ft. to 6 1/2 ft) Aquatic exercise equipment is available to pool users. Aquatic Wellness and Exercise Programs are open to the public and instrumental in helping participants meet their personal fitness goals. Organized by Cottage Hospital Rehabilitation Center. Apts. required for classes.
Phone (805) 569-8999, ext. 82552 or
http://www.sbch.org

Special Olympics Southern California
Santa Barbara County Region offers year-round sports programs and competitions for children, teen, and adult athletes from Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, and Goleta. Fall sports for youth and adults are set to begin in August. Sports include floor hockey, bowling, soccer, tennis & softball. 805-884-1516

Down Syndrome Association of Santa Barbara County
Contact Melissa Fitch at Melissa@dsasbc.org or (805) 886.4411, www.DSASBC.org

9th Annual DSASBC Buddy Walk and Festival
Saturday, June 9, 2018, Chase Palm Park Great Meadow, Santa Barbara – Volunteer, Fundraise, Sponsor. Contact Melissa at (805) 886-4411 or Melissa@dsasbc.org

9th Annual Hoe Down Dinner Dance Party – October 6, 2018
Santa Barbara Carriage Museum – Celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month. Contact melissa@dsasbc.org for details

DSASBC Valentine’s Day Dinner Dance Party
Goleta Valley Community Center February 2018. Contact melissa@dsasbc.org

Monthly Parent Happy Hour
For parents & caregivers of those with all special needs in our community, meets the 3rd Tuesday of the month 4:30 – 6:30 at The Creekside 4444 Hollister Ave visit www.dsasbc.org for more details.

“321 Playhouse” Family Play Group
For families who have children birth – 5 with Down syndrome. Meets monthly at various locations to help families get connected and stay connected. Siblings welcome! Visit www.DSASBC.org for updates and schedule.

SUMMER CAMP and Activity Guide
Available online at www.sbSNAP.org

Challenger FOOTBALL – Flag Football (*adaptive)
Nov 18, 2017 – Feb 3 2018. 12:15pm – SB or Goleta Location to be determined.
Invite your friends and family to come to out for our Fall Flag Football and Cheer programs. This popular non-contact sport is adapted for children and teens with special needs. Boys and Girls ages 5 – 18 with physical, developmental and/or intellectual challenges will play their final game in our Super Bowl Practice and Family and Community Super Bowl on Saturdays at local school sports fields. Players introduced by sports announcer as they run onto field through a banner and Tunnel of Cheer leaders Half Time performance by our Fall Cheer team After Game Awards and Party for our players. Please come out and Support our players – you will be blessed! Details – Call Laura Herrera at 805/899-3475 Wheelchair users included!
Flag Football and CheerLeading Registration forms at www.GoChallengers.org;

Basketball Skills Clinic at Page Youth Center
Skills, Drills and Thrills For Kids and Teens with special needs. Beginner and Intermediate skill level groups, Inside and Outside courts. Tuesdays, 3:45 – 5 pm

Volunteer buddy support, indoor and outdoor courts. Six Tuesdays every Fall and Spring at the Page Youth Center, 4540 Hollister Avenue, SB

Peer Buddies
Your child will have the opportunity to learn essential social skills from their very own Peer Buddy while having a blast participating in fun activities! Each week, our group will have a different “theme” (theater, sports, arts, cooking). Sign up for individual sessions, groups and camps. Contact (805) 620-PEER (7337)
www.PeerBuddies.com

ARF Read to a Dog
Tuesday, 3:30pm SB Public Library
Saturday, 10-11 am Carpinteria Library
Curl up and read to a four-legged friend! Children in grades K-6 are welcome to drop in to the Central Library for a fun, 20-minute reading session with an ARF! therapy dog! Space is available on a first-come, first-serve basis… Please come early and sign up at the Children’s Desk. All children ages 8 and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. ARF!’s library program is free.
www.allforanimals.org, (805) 682-3160

CONNECTIONS at friendship center
Weekly workshops provide brain training designed to help people retain cognitive skills, including memory, logic, language, and math skills. They include fun and challenging games, puzzles, and memory enhancement exercises. Offered in Montecito on Mondays 10 am- 2pm and in Goleta on Thursdays 9:30 am – 1:30 pm. For more information call (805) 969-0859.
Surf, Kayak and Beach Play with Best Day Foundation
May 20, 2018 from 8am to 1pm – Leadbetter Beach Children and teens with disabilities are invited to experience their “BEST DAY” ever participating in ocean sports and beach play with trained volunteers. The best day foundation provides wet suits, surf boards and kayaks along 3 or four trained volunteers for each participant while they are in the water getting to ride their first waves at Leadbetter beach.
Free lunch and awards after.
Volunteers needed – please spread the word. Check out their website for details.
www.sbsnap.org

PYC Basketball SKILLS Clinic for Youth with Special Needs
SKILLS, DRILLS and THRILLS!
Join us for Beginning or Intermediate Basketball Skills Clinic hosted by Santa Barbara Special Needs Adaptive Programs at PYC every Fall and Spring. Clinics adapted for youth with special needs happen every fall and spring on 8 Tuesdays at the Page Youth Center. Coach Claudia and Coach Peter will be with us this spring along with support from community volunteers.
You may Register your child at the gym when you arrive. Fee: $45.00 Please call for scholarship information, no child is turned away. 805/452-9039

BASEBALL Season is Here!
Join your friends playing Challenger baseball with one of our local little leagues. The season begins soon, so REGISTER NOW!
Goleta, Carpinteria and Ventura: http://dpll.net Phone: Eric Hancey 805/455-0500