Special Olympics
Content updated Jan. 10, 2024
Special Olympics Missouri offers 13 sports for individuals with intellectual disabilities to practice and compete in, each of which are grouped in competition divisions according to ability level, age and gender. We offer a Young Athletes program for children ages 2 to 7 years old. You must be 8 years old to officially compete as a Special Olympics Missouri athlete. To sign up, please visit our website, somo.org/compete. If you have questions, please reach out to our Central Area Program Director Tim Schuster at schuster@somo.org or our Sr. Director of Programs Luke Lamb at lamb@somo.org.
305 Special Olympics Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65101
573-635-1660
NTI@Home
NTI@Home offers free remote job placement assistance to people with disabilities and their family caregivers. These positions are remote call center positions in the areas of customer services, sales and technical support. Our hiring employers range from government agencies to large retailers to medical companies.
For individuals with disabilities that could use some support before starting a remote customer service position, NTI@Home offers free virtual training and job coaching services.
410 University Ave.
DPT #11045
Westwood, MA 02090-2311
Phone: (877) 248-8912
Email
Hours of Operation: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (Eastern Time), Monday through Friday.
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Social Security Administration
Content updated Sept. 17, 2025
The Social Security Administration provides monthly income for those who are retired or have been determined to be disabled. Social Security also enrolls you in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). You may qualify to have your Medicare premium waved or reduced and receive help with payment of coinsurance and deductibles for Medicare services. To learn more and apply see Medicare Cost Savings Programs.
You can apply online, call, or visit the office. SSA is asking everyone to make an appointment. They are not allowing walk in services. Please see attached flyer for QR codes for some of their most commonly used services. Flyer.
Effective September 30, in accordance with Executive Order 14247, Modernizing Payments To and From America’s Bank Account, federal benefit payments will primarily be issued electronically, with paper checks being phased out in most cases. To prevent any disruption in payments, we are reaching out to beneficiaries who currently receive paper checks and encouraging them to switch to electronic payment options before the deadline (see Paper Check Insert). Additionally, we are no longer offering a temporary check option when processing initial claims. Beneficiaries who request an exemption from the electronic payment requirement must file a waiver with the U.S. Treasury by calling 1-800-967-5042. SSA technicians are available to assist beneficiaries with this transition and to answer any questions.
3402 Buttonwood Drive, Ste 101
Columbia, MO 65201
866-563-9108
Great Plains ADA Center
Content updated March 28, 2026
We offer informal guidance and training on your rights and obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act
Hours: M-F, 9am-5pm
100 Corporate Lake Drive
Columbia, MO 65203
573-882-3600
Email: adacenter@missouri.edu
Family Support Division (FSD)
Content updated Dec. 3, 2025
The Family Support Division is a state-administered agency responsible by law for administration of the programs and services. The Family Support Division (FSD) can help you or your family with food stamps, health care, childcare, child support, diapers, and other needs. Online applications available on their website.
601 Business Loop 70 W, Ste 272
Columbia, MO 65203
1-855-373-4636
Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment
Children with neurodevelopmental conditions, children with autism, children with cerebral palsy, children with Down syndrome, children with disabilities
Content updated Jan. 9, 2026
Please note, the Thompson Center is moving! Starting March 10, 2026, all Thompson Center appointments will be held at 701 Veterans United Dr, in Columbia, MO. If your appointment occurs before March 10, 2026, please visit 205 Portland St, Columbia, MO 65201 for your appointment. If your appointment occurs on or after March 10, 2026, please visit 701 Veterans United Dr, Columbia, MO 65201 for your appointment.
The Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopment is a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to clinical service, research, and training to improve the lives of individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions.
In one central location, this unique collaboration of schools and organizations at the University of Missouri brings together experts from many disciplines to provide excellent neurodevelopmental care. Learn more about the Thompson Center or make a referral at https://thompsoncenter.missouri.edu/.
Hours: M-F, 8am-5pm
Email: thompsoncenter@missouri.edu
(573) 884-6052
UCP Heartland Child Development Center
Content updated Dec. 12, 2025
We are an all-inclusive childcare center taking care of children with and without disabilities from 6 weeks to 10 years old.
Hours: Monday - Friday from 6:30 am to 6:00 pm
3804 Santiago Drive
Columbia, MO 65203
573-449-6783
Email: morrowa@ucpheartland.org
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Easter Seals Midwest Autism Services
Our team creates individualized plans to develop and improve communication and social skills while troubleshooting problem behaviors. Our services include parent training, family support groups, and community-integration.
918 Bernadette Drive
Columbia, MO 65203
573-874-3777
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Central Missouri Subcontracting Enterprises
Content updated Aug. 27, 2024
CMSE’s mission includes providing meaningful work experiences to persons with disabilities who might not otherwise have the opportunity to work and be productive citizens. The steady growth and success of CMSE over its 50 years of service to the businesses and industries of Central Missouri can be largely attributed to its workforce of 130 dedicated employees. Our employees carry a great sense of pride in their jobs. For our customers, this enthusiasm and commitment translate into high-quality workmanship, greater product reliability, fast, dependable deliveries, and economic service.
The professional staff at CMSE works side-by-side with our workforce to assure the highest levels of quality control in our finished products. Our staff members take part in the same managerial functions as other managers in business and industry including employee supervision, adherence to production schedules and deadlines, and employee encouragement and motivation.
CMSE represents a flexible, low-cost alternative to performing labor-intensive projects in-house. We provide our customers with an extensive array of services.
4040 S Bearfield Road
Columbia, MO 65202
573-442-6935
Central Missouri Regional Office for the Developmentally Disabled
Content updated Aug. 27, 2024
The Division of Developmental Disabilities serves a population that has developmental disabilities such as intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, head injuries, autism, epilepsy, and certain learning disabilities. Such conditions must have occurred before age 22. To be eligible for services from the Division, persons with these disabilities must be substantially limited in their ability to function independently.
900 W Nifong Blvd, Suite 200
Columbia, MO 65203
573-441-6278
888-671-1041
Boone County Family Resources
Content updated Feb. 5, 2024
Boone County Family Resources serves persons of all ages and income levels with a diagnosed developmental disability who reside in Boone County. Services include: a supported living residential program, vocational and practical living skills development program, and family & community living support with service coordination and purchased supports. To apply for services, contact Central Missouri Regional Office of the Missouri Department of Mental Health. 900 West Nifong Blvd Suite 200 Columbia, MO 65203. Phone: (573) 441-6278;Toll Free: (888) 671-1041.
2700 W Ash Street Columbia, MO 65203 573-874-1995 880-359-4607
Email: info@bcfr.org
Impact Support Services (formerly Alternative Community Training Inc.)
Adults and children with developmental disabilities; adult job seekers with disabilities
Content updated Sept. 9. 2024
Impact Support Services provides the following programs for adults and children with disabilities in Boone County, Missouri: Residential Services, Day Program, Youth Services, Community and Family Services, and Career Services.
1605 Chapel Hill Road, Ste. B
Columbia, MO 65203
573-474-9446
Hours: 8am- 4:30 pm
Student Debt & Bankruptcy Information
Content updated Aug. 12, 2025
Bankruptcy is an important financial tool with some weighty consequences, and the decision to file bankruptcy is serious. Under federal law, you have the right to declare bankruptcy relief from your creditors, which can include student debt. But this comes at the cost of hurting your credit for several years and racking up legal and court fees along the way. Student loan bankruptcy discharge is also more complicated and has more restrictions than discharging other forms of debt.
HiSET
If you didn’t finish high school, you know that even with talent and drive, not having a diploma can limit your opportunities.
By taking the HiSET®, you can earn a state-issued high school equivalency credential allowing you to advance your career, join the military, begin a training program or continue your education.
Affordability, accessibility and flexibility have made HiSET the nation’s fastest-growing high school equivalency test.
The Excel Center- High School Diploma Program
Content updated April 23, 2024
The Excel Center is a free adult high school for those 21 and older who want to earn their high school diploma. Open year round, the Excel Center offers day and evening courses to help balance work and class schedules. Apply online.
101 N 4th St.
Columbia, MO 65201
Mike Reynolds Director: mreynolds@mogoodwillexcel.org
The Spay Neuter Project
Services: Full payment is required at time of drop off (no checks please).
Surgeries to spay or neuter cats and dogs. Proof of rabies vaccine is required or your pet will be vaccinated for and additional charge.
Vaccines for Rabies, Canine Distemper/Parvo, Kennel Cough, Feline Leukemia, Feline Distemper
Tests for Canine Heartworms and Feline FeLV/FIV
206 Austin Ave, 1st Floor
Columbia, MO 65203
573-397-6443
info@spayneuterprojectmo.org
www.spayneuterprojectmo.org/
Unchained Melodies Dog Rescue
Homeless; low-income
Content updated Jan. 27, 2025
Unchained Melodies Dog Rescue (UMDR) is a volunteer based, nonprofit organization dedicated to freeing the chained/penned dog, and bringing our 'best friend' into the home with the family as a companion pet. Offering services to help people keep their pets to include food, training and/or supplies and spay/neuter. Working with CoMo Mobile Aid to board dogs to allow the unhoused shelter.
Director's Email: director@unchainedmelodies.org
Training Classes Email: training@unchainedmelodies.org
General Email: info@unchainedmelodies.org
Training Center
4107 White Tiger Ln
Columbia, MO 65202
573-814-8073