2022 Summit DD’s Family Engagement Program
For several years, Summit DD has offered a program called the Family Engagement Program (FEP). This program allows families to access funding to promote community inclusion for the youngest members of our community. Here’s what you need to know for 2022. Like 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.
- The Family Engagement Program (FEP) is available to individuals eligible for Summit DD services who are between the ages of 0-22, 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 & Support Specialist, Service and Support Administrator or a Developmental Specialist. 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 a payer of last resort program 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 330-634-8958 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 approval from Summit DD must occur prior to your purchase or you WILL NOT be reimbursed, even if you have 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 $2500. These funds are meant to serve as additional support to individuals eligible for Summit DD services and are not meant to replace a family’s obligation to pay for typical expenses. Funds are available for one calendar year beginning January 1, 2022 and may be used all at once or in smaller increments over the course of the year. Summit DD reserves the right to end the FEP program based on the availability of budgeted funds.
- FEP funds that are being used for respite care must be used on a Department of Developmental Disabilities (DoDD) certified provider who will be paid directly by Summit DD. These providers all meet the certification requirements set forth by DoDD plus have an additional 8 hours of training in child development and are certified in infant/child CPR. Your Summit DD staff member will be able to help you in connecting to providers to choose from. Should a family have difficulty selecting a DoDD certified provider, they may use an approved family chosen provider who does not routinely care for the individual. This provider must participate in a 2 hour training session hosted by Summit DD prior to providing services. When using a family chosen provider, a receipt for services will be necessary. Trainings will be made available at Summit DD monthly or as needed. All providers will be paid at the current Medicaid rate for these services.
- Items that had previously been approved due to the COVID pandemic which were primarily recreational in nature will no longer be eligible for FEP reimbursement. Please continue to work with your Primary Service Provider in order to evaluate if other community based resources are available to assist.
What can FEP funds be used for?
FEP funds CAN be used for the following:
- Summer camp
- Transportation to and from community based activities, paid at the current waiver rate ($.45 per mile)
- 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.
Need help?
Families are encouraged to reach out to their SSA, Developmental Specialist or Referral and Support Specialist who will assist them through this process. Click here for a directory of SSAs and RSSs.
