Frequently Asked Questions
Hours, Location & Logistics
Where is Stone Soup Group’s office located?
When is the office open?
What is Stone Soup Group’s mailing address and telephone number?
Does Stone Soup Group serve families outside of Anchorage?
Does Stone Soup Group only serve specific disabilities?
Does Stone Soup Group serve all of the United States?
Where does Stone Soup Group get their funding?
How else can I donate or get involved with Stone Soup Group?
Does Stone Soup Group serve soup or other meals?
Getting Help
What kind of services does Stone Soup Group offer?
Will Stone Soup Group keep my information private?
Can Stone Soup Group Parent Navigators attend an IEP meeting with me?
Do I need an appointment to see a Stone Soup Group Parent Navigator?
Does Stone Soup Group charge for services?
Does Stone Soup Group Offer legal advice?
Can Stone Soup Group help me with respite?
What is TEFRA?
What is SSI and is my child eligible?
What are private therapies and why are they important?
Workshops, Trainings & Activities
Is there a cost for Stone Soup Group workshops?
Some Stone Soup Group workshops offer childcare, is there a fee for childcare?
Why don’t all Stone Soup Group workshops allow participation by teleconference?
Does Stone Soup Group offer a “parenting class”?
When is Souper Gaming Night?
Resources
What is the Soup of The Month?
Does Stone Soup Group have a list of endorsed or recommended service providers?
Does it cost to check materials out of the lending library?
Where is the Stone Soup Group lending library?
Can I follow Stone Soup Group on Facebook or Twitter?
Hours, Location & Policies
Q: Where is Stone Soup Group’s office located?
A: Stone Soup Group’s main office is located at under the giant green sign at 307 E. Northern Lights Suite 100 (N. W. corner of Northern Lights & Denali) in Anchorage. However, we also have local Parent Navigators located throughout the state.
Q: When is Stone Soup Group’s office open?
A: Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Stone Soup Group is closed on major holidays.
Q: What is Stone Soup Groups mailing address and telephone number?
A: Our address is 307 E. Northern Lights, Suite 100, Anchorage, AK 99503. We can be reached at (907) 561-3701 or toll-free at 1-877-786-7327.
Q: Does Stone Soup Group Serve Families outside of Anchorage?
A: Yes. We serve families statewide. We have regional Parent Navigators located in Bethel, Fairbanks, and the Southeast. We also travel to various locations throughout Alaska with clinics multiple times throughout the year.
Q: Does Stone Soup Group only serve children/youth with specific disabilities?
A: Although we do offer programs focused on specific disabilities like Autism and FASD, we serve a wide spectrum of children, age birth to 26, with all kinds of special needs. A diagnosis is not necessary to receive services.
Q: Does Stone Soup Group serve all of the United States?
A: No. Stone Soup Group serves families living in the State of Alaska. We may be able to provide support to military families transitioning in or out of Alaska; or to families traveling outside the state for reasons related to their child’s care. If you do not live in Alaska and you have a child with special needs you can go to www.pacer.org to find resource agencies in your state.
Q: Where does Stone Soup Group get their funding?
A: We receive most of our funding from state and federal grants. We also have contracts with state and private organizations. There are fees associated with some trainings we provide. And of course, donations are a vital part of Stone Soup Group’s funding! It takes a community! You can make a secure online donation to Stone Soup Group by Donating Now.
Q: How else can I donate or get involved with Stone Soup Group?
A: There are a multitude of ways! Visit our Get Involved page to find out how. Or make a donation directly and securely here!
Q: Does Stone Soup Group serve soup or other meals?
A: No! Stone Soup Group Stone Soup Group is not a soup kitchen. Our name is a nod to the children’s fable you can read more about it here!
Getting Help
Q: What kind of services does Stone Soup Group offer?
A: Stone Soup Group is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving families raising children who experience developmental disabilities or complex medical conditions.
Stone Soup Group offers a variety of programs and services, including:
- Parent Navigation: Helping families connect to supports, answering questions, sharing resources.
- School Support: For those moments when you need some extra support in the room or to be more familiar with your rights.
- Parent Training: Training sessions on diverse topics are offered to parents on a monthly basis. Call-in options are generally offered.
- Behavior Support: Assistance dealing with challenging behaviors.
- Activities for Youth: An opportunity for kids ages 8 and up to share the joy of playing Wii games together in a safe, family-friendly environment.
Check our programs and services page for a full list.
Q: Will Stone Soup Group keep my information private?
A: Yes! Stone Soup Group takes confidentiality very seriously. Unless required by law, we will not share any of your information with anyone else at any time without your consent.
Q: Can a Stone Soup Group Parent Navigator attend an IEP meeting with me?
A: Yes. Stone Soup Group Parent Navigators can help you get the most out of your child’s time in school by helping your family craft an effective Individualized Education Plan (IEP). If requested, with enough advance notice, Parent Navigators can attend the IEP meeting with you as your support.
Q: Does Stone Soup Group charge for services?
A: No. At this time, services like Parent Navigation are free for families. However, you can be part of providing these services without extra burden to families by making a donation!
Q: Do I need an appointment to see a Stone Soup Group Parent Navigator?
A: While we do welcome walk-ins, there is a possibility that a Parent Navigator will not be available at that time. It is usually best to call (907) 561-3701 and ask to speak with Parent Navigator before making the trip to our office or make an appointment online.
Q: Does Stone Soup Group Offer legal advice?
A: No. If you need legal advice pertaining to a person with special needs contact the Disability Law Center of Alaska at 800.478.1234 or visit their website at www.dlcak.org.
Q: Can Stone Soup Group help me with respite?
A: Currently Stone Soup Group does not have the funds to provide respite. However, we are happy to help you explore other funding options. Our goal is to get you connected to the services your family needs.
Q: What is TEFRA?
A: Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA) is Medicaid Insurance similar to Denali Kid Care that is based on the child’s income and level of disability. TEFRA can be applied for if a family does not qualify for Denali Kid Care. TEFRA can be used also to supplement private insurance. TEFRA will pay medical expenses and cover private therapies. Documentation showing a child’s disability must be provided with a TEFRA application, similar to the Developmental Disability (DD) application.
Q: What is SSI and is my child eligible?
A: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) offers financial support to individuals with disabilities who meet the “definition of disability” criteria. You can apply for SSI over the phone by appointment (expect it to take a while); the Social Security Administration will gather medical records. It is common for SSI to be denied when first applied for and is important to re-apply or file an appeal. Stone Soup Group is happy to help you with this process the first or second time! To make an appointment to apply SSI by phone, contact: 1-800-772-1213. More information is available at www.socialsecurity.gov
Q: What are private therapies and why are they important?
A: Children with autism greatly benefit from speech, occupational and physical therapy sessions. Private therapy is individualized and comprehensive. Trained therapists work individually with children on important skill development techniques. Private therapy sessions also create a valuable “team” approach and offer parents the opportunity to learn with their child and how to best support their child at home and in the community. Private therapy is different from the therapy provided in the school setting. Denali Kid Care or TEFRA can pay 100% of the cost of private therapies.
Private therapists may have a wait list but it is important to call and get on the waitlist. Once you begin therapy sessions, you will have regular, weekly appointments that will greatly benefit your child. To see a list of family-recommended service providers, visit our Provider List page.
Workshops, Trainings & Activities
Q: Is there a cost for Stone Soup Group workshops?
A: Most of the workshops/training at Stone Soup Group are free of for families. In the event that we need to attach a cost to a workshop, it is usually because the course is several weeks long, or requires special efforts or supplies. If you would like to attend a training with a fee and are unable to cover the cost, contact Stone Soup Group for a waiver. Professional Trainings do have fees associated with them.
Q: Do you have childcare during trainings?
A: Unfortunately we are unable to provide childcare at this time. The one exception is when we have activities for older youth (14-26 years) and parents are not required to stay.
Q: Why don’t all Stone Soup Group workshops allow participation by teleconference?
A: Most of our classes and support groups are available via distance delivery. A few courses don’t “translate” well over the phone because of the hands-on materials presented. Please let us know if there is a training you are interested in but cannot attend. We may be able to provide that training when we are in your area.
Q: OCS (the Office of Children’s Services) told me that I have to take a “parenting class”. Does Stone Soup Group offer a “parenting class”?
A: No. Stone Soup Group does not offer “parenting classes” that will satisfy OCS or other regulation agencies. Stone Soup Group does offer workshops, such as Positive Solutions for Families, which helps parents who have children from birth to age 5 who have challenging behaviors. Our trainings do not satisfy OCS requirements for a parenting course; however, we can refer you to organizations that do provide parenting classes.
Q: When is Souper Gaming Night?
A: Souper Gaming Night meets once a month at Stone Soup Group in two different age groups. For more information or a current schedule check our events calendar!
Resources
Q: What are the “Monthly Update” emails?
A: The Monthly Update emails are electronic newsletters sent out by Stone Soup Group. The Monthly Update is full of news and workshops that are helpful to parents and professionals who care for children with special needs. Stone Soup Group only includes information that would be relevant to the disability community in Alaska.
Q: Does Stone Soup Group have a list of endorsed or recommended service providers?
A: Not exactly. What we do have is a list of service providers on our radar. Providers that are marked with a star have been recommended by other families who have personally worked with them. Stone Soup Group does not endorse any particular service providers, but we know it is important for families to be able to make recommendations to other families. Visit our Provider List page to see what is out there. Please note: these may be updated over the years and if we continue to hear negative comments about a particular provider they may lose their “family recommended” status.
Q: Does it cost to check materials out of the lending library?
A: No, the lending library is free of charge. You may borrow books and DVDs for up to a month. Come on in and see what we have!
Q: Where is the Stone Soup Group lending Library?
A: The lending library is located at the Stone Soup Group Office at 307 E. Northern Lights (N. W. corner of Northern Lights & Denali) in Anchorage.
Q: Can I follow Stone Soup Group on Facebook or Twitter?
A: Ummmm….Yes! Stay connected and up to date with happenings in our state!
