What can I buy

Family Support Funds are intended to assist in covering the costs of caring for an individual with a developmental delay or developmental disability that is above and beyond the costs incurred for a child without a developmental delay or disability. At all times, Family Support Funds will only be accessed if all other resources have been explored.

Note: The list below is intended to be used as a guide. Services supports, and items that can be funded vary for individual families based on several factors discussed by the Family Support Service Coordinators and the Family Support Council Members. 

Professional Services

These services must be provided by a licensed professional. After insurances or other resources have been exhausted, funding may be available for copays, behavioral therapies, counseling, physical and speech therapies, and home health services provided to the family member with developmental delays or disabilities.

Medical and Dental

Medical and dental expenses not covered by insurance or other funding sources. Expenses must be directly related to the family member with the developmental disability or developmental delay. 

Respite Care

Respite includes temporary care of a person with a developmental disability or developmental delay to offer relief to the person’s family or caregiver and allow them to deal with emergency situations or engage in personal, social, or routine activities that otherwise may be postponed due to the demands of caring for a person with a developmental disability or developmental delay. The family is responsible for finding a qualified respite provider that can meet the needs of their family member. Family Support Funds cannot be used to pay for routine childcare or supports that other individuals of the same age without a disability would require.

Transportation and Travel Costs

Costs that are related to providing care and support to a family member with a developmental disability or developmental delay and are above and beyond those typically incurred by other families. For example, frequent medical appointments, out-of-town trips to specialists, overnight expenses necessary due to multiple appointments, etc.

Assistive Technology

Special equipment that may be appropriate and necessary for the family member with a developmental disability or developmental delay. 

Home Modifications

Modifications to a home that are directly related to the person’s developmental disability or developmental delay and would not be considered part of regular home maintenance or modification needed by all homeowners. All modifications must be completed in accordance with applicable state or local building codes and/or applicable standards of manufacturing, design, and installation.

Client Care

This includes the reimbursement of the costs of hygiene wipes, diapers, or other hygiene products for individuals over the age of three. This can only be requested after insurance coverage has been exhausted. 

Parent and Sibling Support

These services may cover a wide range of needs such as family counseling, training, support group memberships, behavioral intervention counseling and support, education about disabilities, special resource materials or publications,  and other services that directly relate back to supporting the individual with a developmental disability.  

Recreation and Leisure

These supports must be related to the stress or pressure placed upon the family as a result of providing care for a family member with a developmental disability or developmental delay, or to directly enhance social or community inclusion for the person with a developmental disability or developmental delay. 

Homemaker Services

Funding for housekeeping tasks is allowable when it is determined to reduce the stress that the family experiences as a result of the individual’s disability and increases the chances that the family will remain intact and/or increases the family’s ability to provide care for the family member with a developmental disability or developmental delay. Requests for housekeeping funding will require significant documentation as to how these tasks are not able to be performed as a result of your family member’s disability. 

Other Individual Expenses

This may include items that are necessary as a result of the person’s disability, including physical or educational needs. Examples include specialized clothing, safety items, developmental toys and materials, or other materials.

Each request is reviewed by the FSSP Committee with supporting documentation and verification that other supports have been exhausted and approved on a case by case basis. Approval is dependent on the availability of funding.

Excluded items that are frequently requested but denied include, but are not limited to, anything that is NOT above and beyond the costs incurred for an individual without a developmental disability or developmental delay. For example normal expenses such as food, rent, utilities, routine childcare, items covered by other funding sources, or items that can be obtained free of charge.

For a full list of resources, visit our Resources page.