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Financial Assistance for Families |
| What Is It? |
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Financial assistance programs support families in meeting the special needs related to having a family member with a disability living at home. Such assistance may prevent or delay out of home placement of the family member with a developmental disability or to facilitate the reunion of families whose family member is already out of home. |
Who Provides These Services? |
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Family Support Program began in 1993 when the Missouri Legislature passed HB 330 to provide financial assistance to Missouri families
who have children with developmental disabilities living at home. This program was created to help maintain and enhance family care giving.
The assistance is available in two forms: Stipends: Stipends are awarded to families either on a monthly basis for a ten month period, or families are given a one time amount often referred to as a "grant." These are available to families with children under age 18 who have a developmental disability and live in their family home. There are income restrictions. Stipends/Grants are to be used for any good or service that benefits the child and his/her family. Families must reapply annually. Low Interest Loans: These are for families with children of any age who have a developmental disability and live in their family home. The loans can be used for any service or goods that benefit the person and his/her family. Repayment of the loan may not exceed 60 months. Families may only receive one loan at a time.The procedures for the distribution of the stipends or loans are determined by the Metropolitan Council on Developmental Disabilities' Family Support Committee. (see Metropolitan Council on Developmental Disabilities) The committee's membership consists of seven family members. |
Choices for Families presents a family with two options for obtaining items and/or services on a monthly or one time basis:Reimbursement: The family may pay for items and services and then submit receipts for reimbursement to the Department of Mental Health. Voucher: The vendor or provider submits a voucher to the Department of Mental Health to obtain payment for those services or items. Choices for Families empowers families as primary decision makers by providing dollars for their use in planning and obtaining needed items and services from providers and vendors of their choices who mayor may not have a service contract with the Department of Mental Health. Choices for Families will supplement other support programs and agencies under which the family or individual is eligible. It is not intended to reduce or supplant responsibility for provision of services/supports by other persons, programs or agencies. Because funding for this program will rarely meet all the needs of a family, it is critical that all other resources for which the family is eligible be brought together in support of its needs. |
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Missouri Family Trust, Charitable Trust: The Missouri Family Trust Board of Trustees considers written requests for financial assistance of up to $250 for indigent individuals with disabilities who are clients of the Department of Mental Health. |
How Do I Obtain Information About These Services For My Family? |
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Family Support (Stipend/Loan) and Choices for Families Programs Kansas City Regional Center Missouri Family Trust, Charitable Trust: All WRITTEN requests for contributions should be sent to: |
2002