Summit DD’s Family Engagement Program is back. Like 2023 requirements, requests will be funded on a reimbursement basis for expenditures that received prior approval from Summit DD and for which the family provides a receipt. Get the details for 2024 eligibility.

Summit DD’s Family Engagement Program.  As was the case last year, requests will be funded on a reimbursement basis for expenditures that received prior approval from Summit DD and for which the family provides a receipt.

Eligibility Requirements and Program Administration 

• The Family Engagement Program (FEP) is available to individuals eligible for Summit DD early intervention or are eligible for school-based services that are living at home with a parent or guardian and who do not have waiver funding.
• The program will continue to be administered by the staff member at Summit DD that you are connected to. This could be a Referral and Support Specialist, Service and Support Administrator or your Primary Service Provider. These staff will assist you in identifying if the Family Engagement Program is the right program to meet your needs. They will work hard to help you identify community resources first as this program is the payer of last resort and should only be accessed when services and supports cannot be paid for by the individual, family, or another funding source.  If you are unsure if you are connected to someone at Summit DD please call 330-634-8167 or email re****************@su******.org and someone will assist you.
• Once the individual or family has provided Summit DD staff with a description and cost of the good or service, Summit DD staff will review the expenditure. If you receive approval, you may purchase the approved good or service. Conversation and Summit DD approval must occur prior to purchase or you WILL NOT be reimbursed, even with a receipt. 
• Reimbursement for goods and services will go directly to the individual or family via a direct deposit from a third party. Families choosing to have the money deposited into their own account will have to complete a W9 form as this could count toward your taxable income. If the family has established a checking or savings account in their child’s name, no W9 form is required and the money can be deposited there. In addition, families may choose to establish a STABLE account for their child at stableaccount.com where the money can also be deposited and no W9 is needed. Please direct any questions you may have to the Summit DD staff person assisting you.
• Receipts can be returned to Summit DD by giving them to a staff member or mailing/emailing them to Summit DD. RECEIPTS for purchases are REQUIRED to be provided to Summit DD or the family will not be reimbursed.  If you have not yet provided Summit DD with receipts from funds provided to you in previous years, you will not be eligible for future funds until those receipts are provided to Summit DD and approved.
• Funds will be allocated based on each family’s individual needs and financial situation up to a maximum amount of $1800 per child with a total family cap of $2500. These funds are meant to serve as additional support to individuals eligible for Summit DD services and are not meant to replace a family’s obligation to pay for typical expenses.  Funds are available for one calendar year beginning January 1, 2024 and may be used all at once or in smaller increments over the course of the year.  Summit DD reserves the right to end the FEP program based on the availability of budgeted funds.
• FEP funds that are being used for respite care must be used on a Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) certified provider who will be paid directly by Summit DD. These providers all meet the certification requirements set forth by DODD plus have an additional 8 hours of training in child development and are certified in infant/child CPR.  Your Summit DD staff member will be able to help you in connecting to providers to choose from. All DODD providers will be paid at current Medicaid rate for these services.  Should a family have difficulty selecting a DODD certified provider, they may use an approved family chosen provider who does not routinely care for the individual. This provider must participate in a training session with you and your Summit DD staff member prior to providing services and a waiver form will be required for signature. When using a family chosen provider, a receipt for services will be necessary in the form of a respite log that will be provided to you.
• Items that are primarily recreational in nature do not meet program criteria. Please work with your SSA/RSS/PSP in order to evaluate if other community based resources are available to assist.

Eligible Items and Services

• FEP funds CAN be used for the following:
  • Summer camp
  • Transportation to and from community based activities, paid at the current Medicaid rate
  • Respite care from providers meeting criteria above
  • Adaptive equipment (with proper documentation from a licensed professional)
  • Safety Equipment (gates, door alarms, etc.)
  • Therapies not otherwise covered by insurance
  • Tutoring/ Academic supports necessary for success and not able to be provided by school
  • Health related supplies or supplements not otherwise covered by insurance
  • Clubs, classes or activities that promote community inclusion. FEP money can be used for payment of the club, class or membership only and does not cover the cost of any additional uniforms or equipment needs.  FEP money approved to be used for membership fees will include the child and one adult.

Questions about the Family Engagement Program?

Families are encouraged to reach out to your SSA, RSS, or PSP who will assist them through this process. You can also send questions to SSA Senior Manager, Jennie Petrarca at jp*******@su******.org.