Morris County Special Needs Resources

Finding the right support for a child with special needs can feel like navigating a maze. In Morris County, we are fortunate to have a robust network of state, county, and non-profit resources designed to assist families at every stage—from birth through adulthood.

Here is a guide to the essential special needs resources in Morris County. If you know of any updates to these programs please share them with us. 

If you'd like to see area playgrounds and attractions with special needs and sensory friendly adaptations, view our sister article here.

1. The "First Steps": Early Intervention (Birth to Age 3)

If you have concerns about your infant or toddler’s development (speech, motor skills, or social-emotional growth), the New Jersey Early Intervention System (NJEIS) is your starting point.

• Family Link REIC: This is the regional collaborative for Morris County. They coordinate evaluations and provide services in your natural environment (usually your home).
• Contact: Call 888-653-4463 for a referral or visit Family Link.
• Local Coordination: The Dawn Center for Independent Living in Denville often serves as the local service coordination unit for Morris County families.

2. The Powerhouse: ArcMorris

ArcMorris is the largest provider of services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in the county. They offer a "lifespan" of support.

• Recreation (McARP): The Morris County Adaptive Recreational Program offers year-round activities like sports, arts, and dances for ages 13+.
• Support & Advocacy: They provide family support groups, respite care, and help navigating the transition from school to adult services.
• Contact: arcmorris.org or call 973-428-5136.

3. System of Care: PerformCare & CSOC

For children with behavioral health challenges, intellectual disabilities, or substance use issues, PerformCare is the "single point of entry" for the New Jersey Children’s System of Care (CSOC).

• What they provide: They can authorize in-home behavioral health services, respite hours, and assistive technology.
• Contact: 1-877-652-7624 (Available 24/7).

PUBLISHER NOTE: Our family has personally used these services and they were all the difference. Please feel free to reach out privately if you have any questions. amandajanke@macaronikid.com

4. Education & Legal Advocacy

Navigating the IEP (Individualized Education Program) process can be daunting. These organizations help ensure your child receives the services they are entitled to by law.

• SPAN Parent Advocacy Network: A statewide powerhouse that provides training and 1-on-1 assistance for parents navigating special education. PUBLISHER NOTE: This is a free service, and a great starting point. Our family utilized these services and felt comfortable respresenting ourselves after their assistance. We were successful in getting everything we asked our school for. 
• The Arc of NJ Family Institute: Offers non-attorney advocates to help you prepare for school meetings.
• Morris County Bar Association: If you require legal representation for a due process hearing, they can provide referrals to education attorneys.

5. Safety & Community Programs

• Project Lifesaver: Run by the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, this program provides a wearable transmitter for children prone to "wandering" (common with Autism or Down Syndrome), allowing law enforcement to locate them quickly in an emergency.
• TryCAN: While based in Summit, this collaborative includes Madison and other nearby towns, offering inclusive "peer-mentor" sports programs (soccer, baseball, etc.) where neurotypical buddies help kids with special needs play the game.

Important Contacts at a Glance

Morris County has a strong mix of both formal organizations and peer-led groups. Whether you’re looking for neurodiversity-affirming spaces, clinical guidance, or just a group of parents who "get it," here are the best local resources for support.

1. The Core Support: Family Partners of Morris & Sussex

This is the county's primary Family Support Organization (FSO). It is a family-led, non-profit organization that provides peer support for parents of children with emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges (including Autism and ADHD).

• What they offer: Weekly parent support groups, youth partnerships, and "warm lines" where you can talk to another parent who has been there.
• Location: 111 Howard Blvd, Suite 201, Mount Arlington, NJ.
• Contact: 973-940-3194 | familypartnersms.org

2. Autism Specific Groups

• ArcMorris Parent Groups: They host regular meetings for parents and caregivers to discuss navigation of the DDD/Medicaid system and share local advice on doctors and therapies.
  • Contact: 973-326-9750 | arcmorris.org
• POAC Autism Services: Based in Brick but very active in Northern NJ, POAC provides free training for parents and hosts family recreational events (like "Out N' About" dinners) in Randolph and Morristown.
  • Contact: poac.net
• Lauren Green’s Neurodivergent Parent Group (Morristown): A therapy-based support group facilitated by a licensed therapist who is also a parent of an autistic child. This is a great space for processing the emotional realities of parenting.
  • Contact: 973-988-4423 (Located on Linden St, Morristown).

3. ADHD & Executive Functioning Groups

• CHADD of Morris County: The local chapter of Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. They offer evidence-based information and peer-to-peer support.
  • Status: Many meetings are currently hybrid or virtual.
  • Contact: chadd.net or email ne_region@chadd.org.
• ADHD Solutions (Montville): While primarily a therapy center, they run "Confident Kids" social skills groups and provide concurrent parent training to help manage the home environment.
  • Contact: 973-794-6888 | wellbeingtherapycenter.com

4. Special Education & Mental Health Support

• SPAN Parent-to-Parent: This statewide network matches you 1-on-1 with a "Support Parent" who has a child with a similar diagnosis. It’s perfect if you prefer a private connection over a group setting.
  • Contact: 800-654-SPAN | spanadvocacy.org
• NAMI Morris County: The National Alliance on Mental Illness offers "NAMI Family Support Groups" for parents of children/adolescents experiencing mental health symptoms.
  • Contact: naminj.org

5. Social & Recreational "Mini-Villages"

• TryCAN (Madison/Chatham/Florham Park): A collaboration that provides affordable recreation programs. The magic here is the "peer mentors"—local high schoolers trained to help kids with special needs succeed in sports and classes.
• Autism Family Services of NJ: Known for their local "Dinner Nights" at the Randolph and Morristown Diners, allowing families to enjoy a meal out with others in a supportive environment.

* AI was used to help research this article