Wednesday
Jan122011
DHS DDS 2011 Autism Grant Application Materials
Wednesday, January 12, 2011 DDS announced in January 2011 a grant of up to $5000 to individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis. Only wards of the state, residents of HDCs, and waiver recipients are not eligible. This grant goes to the individual adult or child and covers a range of needed services. The application deadline is March 31, 2011.
All of these documents were provided by the Arkansas Division of Developmental Services and have been converted to PDF format. Besides the application, you'll need the all of the forms listed below.
Autism Family Support APPLICATION AND INSTRUCTIONS PDF
Update on Monday, March 7, 2011 by
Eye Contact Arkansas
Eye Contact Arkansas
Mini ABA Program Available, story link here.
Update on Friday, May 6, 2011 by
Eye Contact Arkansas
Eye Contact Arkansas
DDS will fund 42.5% of grant requests.
Reader Comments (30)
will there be priority given to those that may have applied in 2009 but did not get the funds ? Also if you have gotten it in the past what are the chances you will get selected again ?
I have the same questions and will be calling today. I am busy sitting on the special Ed advisory board right now.
Do they base it on your income. What if you are paying Tefra premiums of 68.00 a month. I was told in the past we did not qualify because are Tefra premium was over $50.00 dollars.
Grants are not based on your TEFRA premium. At no place on the application do they ask for the family's income, in fact. I apologize Carol if in 2009 you received bad information about the grant. Please apply and contact me at eyecontactarkansas@gmail.com if you need assistance.
Shannon, DDS says they are not going to worry about who got a grant in 2009. You'll be just like everyone else. Apply!
I would like to know if these grant funds can be used to hire a due process attorney to assist a child with autism to receive FAPE???
That would be an educational expense and not part of this grant. email me if you like and I'll see what I can do about the school, but it is very difficult to win FAPE. Eyecontactarkansas@gmail.com
My child has a diagnosis from two MDs for ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder, but he does not need speech therapy at this time. (He does receive OT) He was diagnosed by Dennis Developmental 4 years ago, but we haven't been back since. How do we go about applying for this grant? We would need a dx from all three entities-- a psychologist (he used to see one at UAMS until the psychologist moved to private practice), MD AND a SLP? Thanks for the fabulous web site!
If you're on the DDS waiver waitlist, then you've already met the diagnostic criteria to apply for the grant.
Typically Dennis does a speech evaluation by an SLP as part of your developmental evaluation. It was probably done on one of your first visits and would be part of the initial assessment, not the final evaluation. That initial SLP report is fine from Dennis Developmental Center, since the later psychologists and doctors consulted the speech evaluation. Now I have to say that your paperwork is probably ok, but just make sure there wasn't some bureaucratic weirdness and you're missing the initial speech assessment.
I have a question about the W9. Do I fill it out with my daughters name on it or is it for my husband and I?
Good question. Let me double-check before I answer that one.
The W9 must be filled out in the name of the person to whom the check will go (henceforth called the “payee”). So, If the parent/guardian will get the check, the information must be their information. Don’t put mom and dad’s name on the forms. Put only one of their names on the forms. The information on all the forms (Vendor form, W-9, Payee Assurance) will be his/hers and the Social Security card and driver’s license must be his/hers as well. The same holds true if the adult with ASD is the payee.
The W-9 fields to be completed are:
Name (of the payee)
Check these two boxes: Individual/Sole proprietor and Exempt payee
Address
City, state, and ZIP code
Social Security Number (of the payee)
Signature (of the payee)
Date
Am I required to get the signature of the DDS Service Coordinator before I turn the paper work in or do they sign it upon approval after the see if I've met all the criteria. Just don't want to mess this up.
Thanks again
A psychologist diagnosed my son with Autism. Can I get a doctor and an SLP to just sign the same paper work or would it be acceptable if they signed a seperate sheet just concurring with psychologist?
Also when I called to get the name of my DDS Coordinator I asked her the same question and she told me that I needed a diagnosis from a Psychiatrist, not a psychologist. I said that the paperwork I'm filling out said psychologist. She repeated "Psychiatrist, not psychologist."
You do NOT need a psychiatrist. She is mistaken. You will, however, need a concurring opinion from an SLP and a doctor, any M.D.
The concurrence does not need to be on the same piece of paper, but the two supporting statements should both mention the psychologist's report so that it can be identified, such as "Dr. Jone's autism diagnosis from 1/2010."
I'm not sure about the signature order, I'll ask at DDS.
When listing an amount for Respite, do I need to specify what activity we plan on doing or can I just list Respite $500?
Thank you, you have been so helpful!
Just list respite care not the activity.
No problem, best of luck. I still have to do my application!
Regarding signatures of DDS Coordinator, here's the reply from DDS:
The signature from the DDS worker will be provided upon receipt in the office.
My son gets SSI for Autism, is that the same as being on a wavier waiting list?
And does getting SSI count against him getting this grant?
No, waiver is a very different program. Its main advantages are: no more TEFRA payments, respite care so that you get a break, and money for various physical equipment your son might need. Search on website for ACS waiver to learn more.
SSI won't matter for this grant. Apply!
I'm sorry I don't think I was clear on my post. In an early post you had stated "If you're on the DDS waiver waitlist, then you've already met the diagnostic criteria to apply for the grant." If my son meets the criteria for SSI because of a Autism diagnosis do we need to turn in doctors /SLP Notes?
Thank You
Yes, you're going to need the 3-part diagnosis required by Arkansas DDS. SSI is a federal program of disability with its own criteria for eligibility. This grant, and ACS waiver, both use an Arkansas-specific autism diagnosis method. The SLP, doctor (any), and psychologist must all concur on the diagnosis.
My son has had a diagnosis of Asperger's since 4 1/2, he is now 8. It was given by ACH Child Study Center, but I don't think he was ever evaluated by a SLP. He recieves OT and Behavioral therapy but not speech. Would he still be eligible to able?
Yes. Child Study Center at UAMS probably did a diagnosis of autism. Check a nd make sure your papers says that. If you in the LR area, I may be able to find you an SLP that can help out.
I am in conway. So little rock is no problem if you know an slp that could help. Thanks.
Do I have to mail it in or can I drop it off at my local DHS office?