Schools and access resources

School plans, insurance, community health centers, and dental access vary by jurisdiction and individual need. These links help families prepare questions; they do not guarantee eligibility, a particular accommodation, or a local specialist.

United States school support

• U.S. Department of Education: IDEA — federal information about evaluation, special education, related services, and educational participation.
• Section 504 parent and educator guide — general information about Section 504; not individualized legal advice.
• Center for Parent Information and Resources — finds state and territory Parent Training and Information Centers; services and capacity vary.
• CADRE state agency and parent-center map — special-education, early-intervention, and parent-center navigation.
• USDA Food and Nutrition Service: SP 07-2025, medical statements from registered dietitians — federal program guidance for school meal programs, including which professional statements operators must accept and information a statement may need. Ask the school food-service contact and state agency how current rules apply; not individualized legal or eligibility advice.
• USDA Food and Nutrition Service: SP 59-2016, modifications for disabilities in school meal programs — dated federal policy memo; read alongside later updates and current regulations.

School participation supports, education/disability evaluation, school health planning, and school-meal modifications can be separate processes with different contacts. Confirm local procedures and documentation rather than assuming one request establishes eligibility for another.

Health and insurance access

• HRSA Find a Health Center — U.S. community health centers and lower-cost primary-care access.
• Medicaid and CHIP — federal and state children's health-coverage information; eligibility and provider networks vary.
• Medicaid and CHIP state contacts — questions about eligibility, renewals, claims, and providers.
• InsureKidsNow dentist locator — U.S. dentist search for children with Medicaid or CHIP.
• Family Voices: find a Family-to-Family Health Information Center — U.S. family-led navigation support by state/territory and some tribal communities; not a clinical service or guarantee of specialist access.

Questions to ask

• Who is the school's first contact for evaluation, health-related needs, feeding, lunch, or accommodations?
• What information can the pediatrician or feeding team share with the school, with appropriate consent?
• Which services, providers, or dental offices accept the family's insurance?
• What are the referral, waitlist, transportation, language, and cost limits?

Crisis and urgent support

• 988 Lifeline — U.S. call, text, and chat mental-health crisis support; not emergency medical care.
• For immediate medical danger, choking, breathing difficulty, severe dehydration, or other emergencies, use local emergency services.

Reviewed: October 13, 2026. Verify school procedures, coverage, and service availability locally.