Indiana Programs and Services for People with Developmental Disabilities
Indiana Programs and Services for People with Developmental
Disabilities
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI is federal financial assistance, in the form of a monthly check, for eligible
individuals who have disabilities and who have little income or assets. Children with disabilities may be eligible for
SSI, depending on their level of disability and family income. National toll free
number - 1-800-772-1213
First Steps/Early Intervention Services
Early intervention services are available to all infants and toddlers (birth to
age 3) with a disability, or at-risk of disability, through the First Steps program. Eligibility determination and referral to services
is made through the local System Point of Entry (SPOE).
To learn where to call in your area, call:
(317) 232-1144 or
1-800-441-STEP
Special Education
Pre-school and school aged children with a disability are eligible for a free and appropriate education through the public school system, beginning at age three and continuing through their 21st birthday. Eligibility for special education services is determined through the local school corporation. Call your local school corporation, or contact the State Division of Exceptional Learners at: (317)232-0570 or 1-877-851-4106
Caregiver Support
Caregiver Support services can be provided on a short-term, as needed
basis to families with caring for a loved one with a developmental disability.
Under state guidelines, families are not eligible for this service if the
person with a developmental disability is already receiving state funded
services through BDDS, Medicaid Waiver services, Vocational Rehabilitation
Services, and/or CHOICE. 1-800-545-7763, ext 2 (ask for the BDDS
office in your area)
Community and Home Options to Institutional Care for the Elderly and Disabled (CHOICE)
CHOICE is a state-funded home care program which offers supports to individuals who are
aged or disabled to remain in their home. Children
with disabilities are eligible for CHOICE; however, family income is considered. Eligibility determination is made by the local
Area Agency on Aging (AAA). Waiting lists may exist for the CHOICE program.
1-800-986-3505 (you will be connected to
your local AAA)
Medicaid Waiver
The Medicaid Wavier Program allows Medicaid to pay for home and community-based services
to individuals who are at risk of entering a Medicaid funded institution, or to help move
someone out of an institution and back to the community.
Family income and resources are disregarded when determining Medicaid
eligibility for children. (However, parental
income and resources are not disregarded until the child has been "targeted" to
come off of the waiting list for the Waiver.)
In most cases,
there are long waiting lists to get services from a Medicaid waiver.
However, it is important to apply and get on the waiting list. There are
now priority waivers available to special education students leaving high school
and to caregivers age 80 or older. For more information on Medicaid
waivers, go to:
Medicaid Waivers & Medicaid
Waivers for people with developmental disabilities: Autism Waiver,
Developmental Disability Waiver, Support Services Waiver.
Eligibility
determination for these Waivers is made by the local Bureau of Developmental Disability
Services.
1-800-545-7763, ext 2 (ask for
the BDDS office in your area)
Waivers for people who are physically disabled:
Aged and Disabled Waiver, Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver.
Eligibility determination for these Waivers is
made by the local Area Agency on Aging (AAA).
1-800-986-3505
(you will be connected to your local AAA)
Crisis Assistance
Services
Crisis Assistance Services provides specific supports
to people with
developmental disabilities with extreme behavioral or psychiatric issues.
Crisis Assistance Services include:
▪ 24/7/365 Telephone Crisis Support
▪
In-Home Technical Assistance
▪ Out-of-Home Short Term Residential
▪ Follow-Along Post Crisis Intervention
Northern Indiana - 1-866-416-4774
Central Indiana - 1-866-920-3272
Western and
Southern Indiana - 1-866-416-4774
Psychiatric
Consultation Service
Short-term psychiatric services are available at locations throughout
Indiana for children and adults with developmental disabilities who:
▪ have extreme or challenging
behavior or emotional issues;
▪
do not have a psychiatrist and may be in jeopardy, or
▪
have a psychiatrist who would like a consultation
Central Indiana -
1-866-406-7134
Northern Indiana - 1-866-429-5290
Southern Indiana - 1-812-265-7493
Health Related Services
Children’s Special Health Care Services (CSHCS)
CSHCS is a program to help Indiana children ages birth to 21 years old with severe
chronic medical conditions. It helps pay for treatment related to the child's condition. Autism is now a condition that may qualify a child
for services from CSHCS. Families who apply
for CSHCS must also apply for Medicaid (see "Medicaid" below); however, they do
not need to be eligible for Medicaid to be eligible for CSHCS. A family with an income before taxes no greater
than 250% of the federal poverty level may be eligible for the program. The financial
level changes every year. For example, in 2003, a family of four could qualify with a
gross income of up to $46,000.
1-800-475-1355 (ask for the office in your area)
Hoosier Healthwise for Children
Hoosier Healthwise for Children is a health insurance program offered by the State of
Indiana for children birth through age 18. Families
must meet income and resource guidelines.
1-800-889-9949 (ask for the office in
your area)
Medicaid
Medicaid provides "health insurance" to eligible persons with a disability, who
also meet income and resource guidelines. It
also funds long term care services in Medicaid funded facilities, and home and
community-based services through the Medicaid Waiver.
Families that seek services funded by Medicaid, such as a Medicaid Waiver or
Medicaid funded residential facilities, will also need to apply for Medicaid. Parental
income and resources are disregarded when determining Medicaid eligibility for children
for Medicaid Waiver programs, group homes funded by Medicaid, or Medicaid funded
institutions. (However, parental income and
resources are not disregarded until the child has been :targeted" to come off of
the waiting list for the Waiver or residential program.)
Eligibility determination is made by the local Division of Family
Resources..
Division of Family
Resources Directory -
http://www.in.gov/fssa/dfr/3674.htm
Apply for Benefits -
http://www.in.gov/fssa/6175.htm
Vocational or Developmental Day Programs
A variety of vocational and developmental day programs are provided in communities throughout Indiana. These programs are provided by organizations -- including local chapters of The Arc -- approved through either the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation or the Bureau of Developmental Disabilities.
Persons with a developmental disability over the age of 18 are eligible for these
services. In certain cases, children under the age of 18 may be eligible if they are no
longer in school.
Current and prospective consumers of adult developmental day programs must apply
for Medicaid in order to receive services. If an individual is denied Medicaid
eligibility, he or she may still receive services, but will have to provide proof that
Medicaid denied eligibility.
Apply for Vocational Rehabilitation Services through the local area office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. You can also apply through the Bureau of Developmental Disabilities.
Check the blue pages of your phone book for your local office of the
Division of Family and Children, or go to:
www.thearclink.org - click on
"Indiana"
then click on "Know the System" and then click on
"Where to Apply:
Residential Services
Alternative Families for Adults and Children (AFA&AFC)
The AFA and AFC programs are similar to foster care programs. Individuals live with a householder in a family
setting. New placements are limited, and a
waiting list exists for services. Eligibility
determination and placement is made through the local Bureau of Developmental and
Disability Services.
Group Homes
Indiana operates a system of group homes, funded by Medicaid, providing services to
people with developmental disabilities - including autism - in need of various levels of
care. There are limited group homes for
children. Eligibility determination and placement is made through the local Bureau of
Developmental Disability Services. Family
income is disregarded when determining Medicaid eligibility for children.
Large Intermediate Care Facility for Persons with Mental Retardation (ICF/MR)
Large ICFs/MR are similar to nursing homes, and are licensed specifically to care for
individuals with mental retardation or other developmental disabilities. ICFs/MR are funded by Medicaid. At this time, placements into large ICFs/MR are not being made for children. Eligibility determination and placement is made
through the local Bureau of Developmental Disability Services.
Medicaid Waiver
The Medicaid Wavier Program allows Medicaid to pay for home and community-based services
to individuals who are at risk of entering a Medicaid funded institution, or to help move
someone out of an institution and back to the community.
Family income and resources are disregarded when determining Medicaid
eligibility for children. (However, parental
income and resources are not disregarded until the child has been "targeted" to
come off of the waiting list for the Waiver.)
In most cases, there are long waiting
lists to get services from a Medicaid waiver. However, it is important to
apply and get on the waiting list. There are now priority waivers
available to special education students leaving high school and to caregivers
age 80 or older. For more information on Medicaid waivers, go to:
Medicaid Waivers & Medicaid
Waivers for people with developmental disabilities: Autism Waiver,
Developmental Disability Waiver, Support Services Waiver.
Eligibility
determination for these Waivers is made by the local Bureau of Developmental Disability
Services.
1-800-545-7763, ext 2 (ask for
the BDDS office in your area)
Waivers for people who are physically disabled:
Aged and Disabled Waiver, Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver.
Eligibility determination for these Waivers is
made by the local Area Agency on Aging (AAA).
1-800-986-3505
(you will be connected to your local AAA)
Semi-Independent Living (SILP)
SILP provides minimal supervision, training, and support to adults with mental
retardation or other developmental disabilities, including autism, in a community setting. Eligibility determination is made through the
local Bureau of Developmental Disability Services.
Specialized Children's Facilities
The Division of Family and Children may place children in residential facilities that
provide 24-hour care. Placement in these facilities may require a "Child In Need of
Service" petition to the court, and/or recommendation for placement through the
special education system, if it is determined that the school cannot meet the child’s
educational needs. Discuss with your
Director of Special Education and local Division of Family Resources -
Division of Family
Resources Directory -
http://www.in.gov/fssa/dfr/3674.htm
Other Organizations
TheArcLink
TheArcLink web site contains a wealth of information for people with developmental
disabilities and their families. Use this site to research topics, learn about programs
and how services are delivered in Indiana, and locate and research service providers.
www.thearclink.org
About Special Kids (ASK)
ASK provides information on local, state and national resources on questions about by
about disabilities, laws, health, education and social services. ASK can access information through its statewide
directory of resources for children with special needs.
ASK offers family-to-family support by connecting families with similar
needs by phone and in person.
317-257-8683 or 1-800-964-IPIN
Indiana Institute on Disability and Community
The university-affiliated program for Indiana at Indiana University offers training,
reference information, and technical assistance.
812-855-6508 www.isdd.indiana.edu
Indiana Resource Center for Families with Special Needs (INSOURCE)
Offers information, training, and a network of parents
who have been trained in special education laws and rights.
INSOURCE publishes a "Parent Packet", which provides information
about special education and disability laws, the special education process, and
advice for families.
219-234-7101 or 1-800-332-4433 www.insource.org
Assistive Technology - INDATA
Offers information, referral, alternative funding, device loans, equipment reauthorization, recycled computers, and trainings to get assistive technology to the hands of Hoosiers with disabilities. www.eastersealstech.com