Funding Available Through State/Local Agencies

Ever wonder if there is financial help out there for you?? There is, but it's limited. The bullets below explain some of the funding available to you, usually by your county. Not all counties offer these programs. The best thing to do is call someone from your base service unit to find out what kind of funding is available in your area.

Need to know who your managed care organization is? Click here.

  • PA State Medical Assistance Transportation Program -- Did you know that you can be reimbursed for taking your child to and from appointments, social skills groups, and the like? It's very easy to apply! Click here to find the phone number and contact information for the MATP program in your county. It's very easy -- all it takes is a phonecall and you will be reimbursed for all of your mileage.

  • Help from Classroom Plus -- ClassroomPlus is a $9,000,000 statewide initiative that provides grants of up to $500 to parents of children who are struggling in reading and math. Children in kindergarten through ninth grade are eligible to participate in the program if they score at the basic level or below-basic level on the PSSA or in the bottom half of state-approved tests. The student grade level is the grade a student is currently in or just completed, not the grade entering.

    The staff at ClassroomPlus is available to assist you Monday-Friday from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm.

    Call the Hotline: 1-800-698-2720

  • Respite -- Respite is a trained childcare provider that can come to your home, or you can bring your children to a local respite center, so that you can spend time with your spouse and/or enjoy time off from caring for your children. We all need a break! For respite, you can contact the Allegheny County Respite Care coalition, Director Laura Kane, Phone number 412-655-8616. The Watson Institute also has a program for respite called CareBreak, however, they are staffed by volunteers and the wait is often long. Give it a try, you never know!

  • "Family Self Sufficiency" Funds -- better known as "FSS" Funds are available throughout the state for families whose children have a dual diagnosis of both mental retardation and autism. If your child's IQ qualifies he or she as mentally retarded, you may be able to apply for additional funding for therapeutic items or safety items such as a fence for your yard if your child is a runner. This link will take you to the DPW's website regarding FSS Funds and how they can and cannot be used. Contact your local MH/MR Department to ask about the availability of such funds in your particular county and your eligibility requirements. This information can be found by going to the DPW Website -- this is a link to a list of each MH/MR Dept. by county

    If your child has an MR Diagnosis, you may be eligible for PERSON/FAMILY DIRECTED SUPPORT WAIVER. The Person/Family Directed Support Waiver provides services to eligible persons with mental retardation so that they can remain in the community. There is a $2,000 resource limit, it does not apply to dependent children under age 21, and there is a 1,656/month income requirement. For specific information about this program, call (717) 783-5764.

  • Funding can also be available through your base service unit, depending upon which county you live in. Sometimes referred to as "ABC" funds, these funds can be used for the purchase of therapeutic materials and/or camps and other programs of that nature

  • If your child has issues with becoming toilet trained, you may qualify for free diapers and/or pull-ups. Contact your insurance company -- through ACCESS, not your private insurance -- and ask if you qualify. They will be able to help you, but you will need a physician's prescription for the pull-ups. Most physicians will do this if it is medically necessary, which it is with a child with autism.

  • Your Medical ACCESS card will help you get the dental care you need for your child. As long as the dentist of your choice accepts the ACCESS card, your child's expenses should be covered. Check with the DPW to make sure you are eligible.

  • Infants, Toddlers and Families Waiver -- If your child is 3 or under and has been diagnosed with autism, you may be eligible for this waiver if your income is $1,656/month or less. For specific information about this program, call (717) 783-5764.

  • Clasroom Plus -- If your child isn't doing well in school, you may be eligible for a "Classroom Plus" grant through the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Here is a link to a PDF file that explains the Classroom Plus program.

    ClassroomPlus is a $9,000,000 statewide initiative that provides grants of up to $500 to parents of children who are struggling in reading and math. Children in kindergarten through ninth grade are eligible to participate in the program if they score at the basic level or below-basic level on the PSSA or in the bottom half of state-approved tests. The student grade level is the grade a student is currently in or just completed, not the grade entering.

    Parents or guardians can obtain a ClassroomPlus grant by calling the toll-free hotline at 1-800-698-2720 and requesting an application or by printing it from the Classroom Plus website. Once your application is accepted, you will receive a list of Approved ClassroomPlus Providers in your county. Then, you as a parent, will be able to contact any provider on the list and select the tutor that you feel will offer the best tutoring services to your child. Tutoring may be individual or in a small group setting, but it must occur outside the regular school day, such as before or after school, on weekends, or during the summer.