Spending money on developmental disabilities services:
A person with a developmental disability may ask their local designated agency for help and apply for services. Because we don’t have enough money to serve everyone, we try to figure out who needs the services the most. We use “Funding Priorities” to help us make that decision. Below are the six current funding priorities for FY 2014:
1. Health and Safety: Ongoing, direct supports and/or supervision are needed to prevent imminent risk to the individual’s personal health or safety. [Priority is for adults age 18 and over.]
2. Public Safety: Ongoing, direct supports and/or supervision are needed to prevent an adult who poses a risk to public safety from endangering others. [Priority is for adults age 18 and over.]
3. Preventing Institutionalization – Nursing Facilities: Ongoing, direct supports and/or supervision needed to prevent or end institutionalization in nursing facilities when deemed appropriate by Pre-Admission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR). [Priority is for children and adults.]
4. Preventing Institutionalization – Psychiatric Hospitals and ICF/DD: Ongoing, direct supports and/or supervision needed to prevent or end long term stays in inpatient public or private psychiatric hospitals or end institutionalization in an ICF/DD. [Priority is for children and adults.]
5. Employment for High School Graduates: Ongoing, direct supports and/or supervision needed for a high school graduate to maintain employment upon graduation. [Priority for adults age 19 and over.]
6. Parenting: Ongoing, direct supports and/or supervision needed for a parent with developmental disabilities to provide training in parenting skills to help keep a child under the age of 18 at home. Services may not substitute for regular role and expenses of parenting. [Priority is for adults age 18 and over.]