Not a day goes by that a family with a beloved child affected by autism wonder “How will I afford what my child needs?” The costs of raising, educating, treating and caring for a child with autism can be $10,000 to $100,000 or more annually. Lifetime costs vary from $3,000,000 to $7,000,000 depending on the unique issues to the individual. That is a lot for any one family to shoulder.
The process of navigating the “system” of services and assistance in place to support families with special needs children can be frustrating and extremely time consuming. Financial planning is crucial to the process. What is also frustrating is that many families could follow all the rules and regulation and still not obtain a free and appropriate educated for their child. Each families’ success varies of the unique needs of the child and the environmental particulars. There are no guarantees a child with autism receives exactly what they need.
The goal of TACA is to provide the guidelines about the laws and resources in place to help families affected by autism. Since TACA is a California-based foundation helping families affected by autism only in California; many of the resources, terminology and information is focused solely on California.
Please remember: TACA is a small foundation helping California families affected by autism. We cannot research all options for all areas of the U.S. or the world. Most of the information below is focused on California families only.
The goal of this outline is to provide information to parents by parents on where to start with funding options available to a family with a special needs child. It is important to remember:
- By law – Free And Appropriate Education should be provided to ALL CHILDREN – you have been paying taxes and have a right to seek assistance for your special needs child.
- Hard work and diligent efforts (a.k.a. the squeaky wheel gets the grease) generally pays off in getting services and support for your child. Parents must be excellent researchers, documentarians and persistent on behalf of their child.
- Many TACA families use special education attorneys or advocates in helping them through this difficult maze.
Note: Some information is only relevant to California-resident families
|
WHERE TO START
|
|
| Who Pays for What
An important overview |
It is important to have an overview of the funds available and process. All parents should start here with their research process. |
| Health Insurance | For many families, health insurance reimbursement is often an important part of the autism journey. This link outlines the tip for better outcomes from health insurance related reimbursements. |
| Your child’s rights | Understanding your child’s rights as it relates to a free and appropriate educate means parents need to special education law. This link provides a variety of important reading areas for each parent to review. |
| Trusts & Financial issues | Merrill Lynch Special Needs Financial Planning
Another great resource: Autism Scholarship and Financial Aid Resources |
Nothing related to autism is a quick fix over taking the time to read and understand the options available to family.
It is also recommended if the family is NEW to autism (less than 15 months since a child was diagnosed) to please attend the TACA one-day New Parent Seminar. This seminar will provide a detailed understanding of these options.
TACA has families who travel all over the U.S. and Canada for this one day seminar.
Grants, Foundations and Low Interest Loans
Sometimes the above options are a “work in process” where families could be:
- working on obtaining a proper diagnosis via independent assessments
- are in due process or hearing with their regional center
- are in due process or hearing with their school district
- are appealing health insurance claims
- or are a family in crisis due to other financial issues
These are resources that can provide options for families in one or more of the above situations. These resources do not provide on-going / long-term solutions but can be a short term answer.
|
AVAILABLE (NON-TACA) PROGRAMS FOR FAMILIES IN NEED
|
|
|
No interest loans |
The Jewish FREE Loan Federation provides NO INTEREST loans to ALL FAITHS for families with Special Needs Children in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. |
|
Free help to families in need |
211 Organization is a national effort to help U.S. families in crisis. This organization is mostly available in more populated metro markets. 211 has a variety of programs and supports available to families in need. |
|
Health Insurance |
This state program provides low costs health insurance with better benefits than Medi-Cal. |
|
Plane Flights to doctors for necessary medical care Travel expenses |
American Airlines will fly a parent and a child needing medical care such as Hyperbaric Oxygen treatment therapy in the U.S. Southwest Airlines will fly a parent and a child needing medical care in the U.S. Miracel Flights - Free air flight for families who need medical treatment for a special needs child. Autism Escapes – Free air flights for families with children on the spectrum who require medical treatment. |
|
General grants to families |
General grants available to families with special needs children on a NATIONAL basis. |
|
General grants to single parents with children on the spectrum |
Helping hands project – a fund available on a NATIONAL basis for families in crisis with a preference to single parents. |
| UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation | Offering support to meet the needs of children across the United States with assistance grants for medical services not fully covered by health insurance.
Parents and caretakers across the country will be eligible to apply for grants of up to $5,000 for healthcare services that will help improve their children's health and quality of life. Examples of the types of medical services covered by UHCCF grants include speech therapy, physical therapy, and psycho-therapy sessions; medical equipment such as wheelchairs, braces, hearing aids, and eyeglasses; and orthodontia and dental treatments. Any child 16 years old or younger living in any UnitedHealth-care region of the United States and in need of financial assistance for healthcare services will be considered eligible for a grant. Families must meet economic guidelines, reside in the United States, and be covered by a commercial health insurance plan. |
|
TACA PROGRAMS FOR FAMILIES IN NEED
|
|
| TACA Families in Crisis | One-time assistance for families in a crisis or at the brink of crisis through our partnership with Autism Cares. |
| TACA Adopt a Family Holiday Campaign | During the holidays a campaign that helps families of all faith. |
| TACA Family Scholarships | This program provides for qualified applicants financial aid direct to the provider for medical care, treatment, services and professional help. |
|
TACA Mission Project: Social Club for Teens with autism |
TACA is developing a new program for teens affected by autism with social clubs. This program is under development – more information will be available soon. |
| TACA Mission Project: Marriage and family counseling | TACA is developing a new program for couples to receive free marriage counseling. This program is under development; please contact our Families in Crisis Manager Moira Giammatteo. |
| TACA Mission Project: Mentor program | TACA has over 100 mentors across the state of California to assist families in many areas. |
| TACA New Parent Seminar | This one-day seminar is geared for parents and caretakers of children affected by autism. Some of the content has a California focus but most of the seminar will be extremely relevant for all new families. This seminar is geared to parents and caretakers new to the autism journey (less than 15 months) who have not yet started a behavioral/educational program or biomedical testing and interventions. If you cannot make a schedule new parent seminar – buy the DVD ON SHOP TACA! |
| Attending TACA events that have a registration fee | If there is a seminar or event that is a TACA event that has a registration fee, you wish to attend and cannot afford to attend – please contact TACA! We have reserved 15-20% of all seats for families in need. |
| Ongoing support and education | Attend regular, monthly TACA meetings! Almost all of our meetings are free! |
Disclaimer: This information is not deemed as legal advice – seek the support of an attorney for personalizing your situation. Not all families who need services get services.
