The National Autism Association - Northeast Ohio Chapter (NAA-NEO) is proud to announce its 2010 Helping Hand Grant Program for its expanded service area of Ashtabula, Columbiana, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit and Trumbull counties of Ohio.
The NAA-NEO Helping Hand Program provides families with financial assistance in the amount of $300.00 (three hundred dollars) for respite care, a variety of therapy services (i.e. speech therapy, occupational therapy, behavioral therapy, music therapy, tuition assistance, marriage counseling for parents, and others), camp, as well as necessary medical testing and treatments, including biomedical treatments for their dependent(s), child, or children with autism.
If you have a request for a service that does not fall in the above categories, please contact Andrea Pattison at 216.544.1231 or via email at apattison@autismnortheastohio.org.
Please completely review the following information.
Deadline for Applications: May 31, 2010
Applications must be postmarked by May 31, 2010. Applications, if complete, remain active until January 1, 2011. This means that NAA NEO will continue to fund applications waiting as funds become available up to January 1, 2011. All families both approved in the first round and waiting will be notified via US Postal Mail and e-mail whenever possible by June 30, 2010. If you do not hear from us by June 30, 2010, your application is likely rejected (you do not qualify) or is missing information. Please feel free to contact Andrea at 216.544.1231 or via email at apattison@autismnortheastohio.org with any questions (e-mail strongly preferred).
Download the application form here!
Please mail applications to:
NATIONAL AUTISM ASSOCIATION - NORTHEAST OHIO Chapter
Attention: HELPING HAND PROGRAM
13111 Shaker Boulevard
Cleveland, OH 44120
Frequently Asked Questions
This program is intended for families in great financial need with a child/dependent who has been diagnosed with autism.
Q: How do I know if my child/dependent qualifies for help from the National Autism Association?
A: Your child/dependent must:
- Reside in Ashtabula, Columbiana, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, and Trumbull counties of Ohio
- Diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.
Q: How much money can I request?
A: The maximum amount we can award per family is Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00).
Q: Can I apply for a grant in the amount of Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) for each eligible dependent?
A: Yes, you can fill out a separate application for each eligible child/dependent. However, there is no guarantee that all of the affected children/dependents living in one household will receive a grant. This will depend on the overall demand for our grants this year. Depending on the volume of applications received NAA-NEO may or may not be able to consider more than one application per family.
Q: How do I apply for assistance from the National Autism Association for my child/dependent?
A: First, review the basic criteria above. If you meet these, complete a GRANT APPLICATION. You must attach a letter from your child's/dependent's physician that confirms your child's/dependent's diagnosis and a recommendation letter from a professional for your child/dependent to obtain the service you are requesting financial assistance with (i.e. a doctor may recommend supplements or required testing; an occupational therapist may recommend a weighted blanket). If you need assistance regarding this requirement please contact Andrea Pattison at apattison@autismnortheastohio.org. E-mail is strongly preferred.
Q: Are grant funds paid directly to families?
A: Under some circumstances funds will be paid to families only if the family provides proof of payment for a service that was approved beforehand by NAA-NEO's Board of Directors. NAA-NEO will only reimburse families in two installments/disbursements per year. If a family is approved for a grant, the first deadline to submit receipts and proof of payment for services already paid for by the family is September 30, 2010. Families then will receive their reimbursement check from NAA-NEO by October 30, 2010. The second and final submission deadline for receipts and proof of payment for services already paid for by families is January 1, 2010. Reimbursements to families will be completed by February 1, 2010, which concludes the 2010 Helping Hand Grant cycle.
Q: I've sent my application in. How long until I know if my application has been approved?
A: Once we have received all components of the application (completed application form, doctor's and other professional's letter), your application will be reviewed by NAA-NEO by June 20, 2010. NAA-NEO will notify grant recipients via mail and email whenever possible by June 30, 2010. Please make sure you provide your exact current address and that you write it on the form and envelope clearly and legibly. APPROVED and WAITING GRANT RECIPIENTS WILL BE CONTACTED BY NAA-NEO by June 30, 2010. "Waiting" application forms remain active until January 1, 2010. We will attempt to fund as many families as possible but on a continuous basis as we obtain funds through our fundraising efforts.
Q: I have health insurance. Can I still apply for assistance?
A: Yes. However, we encourage you to explore your health insurance coverage to the maximum extent so that we can help with those expenses that cannot be covered by any other source.
Q: We have so many medical bills, we're having trouble paying the rent/electric/water/telephone bills. Can NAA-NEO help us?
A: The guidelines of this grant do not allow payment for anything other than respite care, a variety of therapy services such speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, behavioral therapy, tuition assistance, summer camp expenses, marriage counseling for parents or special family counseling, as well as necessary medical testing and treatments, including biomedical treatments for a dependent(s), child, or children with autism. For more information about other eligible services, please contact Andrea Pattison at 216.544.1231 or via email at apattison@autismnortheastohio.org. We strongly prefer contact via e-mail.
Linking You to Services
Resource Linking Services: Technical assistance is provided by linking families to service providers (i.e. therapists, advocates, advisors, financial planners) and organizations (i.e. Autism Society of Ohio, ARC, Milestones, Educational advocacy groups, County Board of MRDD.)
NAA-NE Ohio collaborates with the aforementioned organizations and providers to augment rather than duplicate their services.
Financial Workshops Available
Financial Education Services: Quarterly workshops are provided to share information about available resources for funding autism related interventions (insurance, SSI, Medicaid, the Ohio Autism Scholarship, and service providers) and financial planning (taxes, estate, financial planning). Please check for updates here.
Biomedical Support Group Meetings
NAA-NEO holds monthly biomedical support group meetings with presentations and informal parent support. Please check for updates here.
Other Workshops
Workshops and meetings on a variety of topics will be offerred throughout 2009. Please check for updates here.
NAA-NEO is now available also via Facebook with most up-to-date autism event, grant and other programming info. Click here for Facebook page.