Re: Financial supports

[Guest guest]

Just to let you know a little about this program.....

The web site for information is www.familysupportnetwork.com

This is NOT the state web site - it is the organization that lobbies our state government to increase the funding for this and many other programs. Family Support Network is aligned with the ARC of Illinois. This is the place to go to get information. They also have a wonderful newsletter you can sign up for.The program is horribly underfunded by the State of Illinois. This has resulted in a "waiting list" or "lottery" so to speak. If your child/adult child qualifies someone must leave the program, or the funding must be increased by the state for someone new to be chosen.Home Based Support program - You have the right as parent or guardian to choose the providers of service you want. You may also pick yourself. A word to the wise - this is considered taxable income - it is NOT an entitlement to the providers of service - it is an entitlement to the child/adult child with DD.Family Support program - this is a true grant program. The stipend is equivalent to the SSI amount paid per month, is paid to the parent(s) and is NOT taxable income.My daughter was selected for the "Family Support" program in 1999, after she had been on the waiting list for quite a few years. She has since transitioned into the "Home Based" program.Dianne

I have a 23-year-old daughter with dd who has progressed from sittingat home for 7 months to a sheltered workshop, and now to a promisingpart-time job as a baker's assistant in a trendy new coffee shop amile and a half from our home. We have little luck in receiving enoughjob coaching hours to maintain her beyond 10 hours a week. She isfully capable of working a 40 hour week quite productively, but willneed continuous but not velcroed support, lessening as time goes on. Afriend of mine, Helen Kauffmann recently gave me information about awell-kept secret of the Department of Human Services. Apparently, people with DD who also receive SSI and are medicaideligible, can qualify for up to $1500 per month (as an entitlement)ina fee-for-service model. As I understand it, those with significantbehaviors may qualify for additional funds. This is a self-directedor family-directed fund. A local dd service provider would act only

asa fiscal agent to pay bills, keep records and have oversight ofexpenditures (to be sure it doesn't buy a 6 person hot tub). The funding is being targeted to those not more than 5 years beyondhigh school, which means that for most of us whose kids did or willgraduate at 21, are eligible until 26. For people 18-26 the programis called home-based Support, for those under 18 it's Family Assist.To apply, contact your regional PAS agent. Vicki Niswander