? about In Home & Family Services w/MHMR

[Guest guest]

Need some feedback from parents/caregivers that may have been through this,

please! We have been fortunate to have received the IHFS funding for the last

two years. With the budget cuts, we were afraid that this benefit would no

longer be available, but we found out, today, that there are some funds

available. This was after weeks of me calling to get an appt, which should have

been set in August since their fiscal year runs from Aug to Aug, but that's

their style....you know? Maybe the parent will go away if I try to ignore

them....grrrrrr! Here are my questions:

1) My son turned five this past July and attends a public PPCD program. They

told me today that since he is of school age, I must go to the school district

and get the funding (MHMR's budget we might be allowed would be

$2,500.00/annual). If the school will not provide this, then they must write a

denial letter that they will not provide the funding for the services that we

are requesting (respite and behavioral consultation fees). Totally understand

that we must show proof that we have exhausted all other possible funding

sources before MHMR (IHFS) will provide the funds. Anyone been told this or

been through this scenario? Just wanted to compare notes if this is the case.

2) If they (MHMR) approve the funding ($2500.00/annual), can I request a portion

of this funding to be used for therapy equipment? My son has sensory/ot issues

big time that school does not work on (evaluation by their OT said the therapy

he needed was not educational/appropriate......I beg to differ, but that's

another ARD....sigh). Or, is their another benefit/fund that may be requested

aside from the IHFS benefits that might address paying for therapy/special

equipment?

Hope this makes sense, and thanks so much for any feedback/advice.

Elsie (North TX)

[Guest guest]

Elsie,

1) " ...Anyone been told this or been through this scenario? Just wanted to

compare notes if this is the case. "

I go through this every year. I address it in my son's ARD and the committee

writes into his ARD papers that we ask for these services but it was determined

it was not an 'educational need.'

2) ...can I request a portion of this funding to be used for therapy equipment?

We get therapy equipment sometimes. I get a therapist to write that it will be

beneficial and what it is used for. They (MHMR) take it to a committee and make

a decision. Sometimes they deny it and I have to push a little harder. = )

Hope this helps,

Jack

[Guest guest]

Elsie,

1) " ...Anyone been told this or been through this scenario? Just wanted to

compare notes if this is the case. "

I go through this every year. I address it in my son's ARD and the committee

writes into his ARD papers that we ask for these services but it was determined

it was not an 'educational need.'

2) ...can I request a portion of this funding to be used for therapy equipment?

We get therapy equipment sometimes. I get a therapist to write that it will be

beneficial and what it is used for. They (MHMR) take it to a committee and make

a decision. Sometimes they deny it and I have to push a little harder. = )

Hope this helps,

Jack

[Guest guest]

Hi Jack,

It does help, thanks!! I have another question for you, though.

When you request the therapy equipment funding, does that amount

come out of the annual funding that you get (i.e., $2500.00/for the

year...and you can allot, let's say, $200.00 of that $2500.00 for

equipment, and then use the remaining $2300.00 for whatever services

they've approved such as respite, etc.), or is this in addition to

that? (I know I must be dreaming, lol, to think they might actually

have another program in addition to the IHFS :0) Thanks again,

Elsie

> Elsie,

>

> 1) " ...Anyone been told this or been through this scenario? Just

wanted to compare notes if this is the case. "

>

> I go through this every year. I address it in my son's ARD

and the committee writes into his ARD papers that we ask for these

services but it was determined it was not an 'educational need.'

>

> 2) ...can I request a portion of this funding to be used for

therapy equipment?

>

> We get therapy equipment sometimes. I get a therapist to

write that it will be beneficial and what it is used for. They

(MHMR) take it to a committee and make a decision. Sometimes they

deny it and I have to push a little harder. = )

>

>

> Hope this helps,

> Jack

[Guest guest]

Hi Jack,

It does help, thanks!! I have another question for you, though.

When you request the therapy equipment funding, does that amount

come out of the annual funding that you get (i.e., $2500.00/for the

year...and you can allot, let's say, $200.00 of that $2500.00 for

equipment, and then use the remaining $2300.00 for whatever services

they've approved such as respite, etc.), or is this in addition to

that? (I know I must be dreaming, lol, to think they might actually

have another program in addition to the IHFS :0) Thanks again,

Elsie

> Elsie,

>

> 1) " ...Anyone been told this or been through this scenario? Just

wanted to compare notes if this is the case. "

>

> I go through this every year. I address it in my son's ARD

and the committee writes into his ARD papers that we ask for these

services but it was determined it was not an 'educational need.'

>

> 2) ...can I request a portion of this funding to be used for

therapy equipment?

>

> We get therapy equipment sometimes. I get a therapist to

write that it will be beneficial and what it is used for. They

(MHMR) take it to a committee and make a decision. Sometimes they

deny it and I have to push a little harder. = )

>

>

> Hope this helps,

> Jack