The National Autism Association - Northeast Ohio continues in its fundraising efforts in 2009 in order to fund all families that applied for a Helping Hand Grant in 2009. As we acquire more funding we will notify families of their grant award. If you have any questions about your application/grant please contact us via email (preferred) at apattison@autismnortheastohio.org.
Sign up to our mailing list (via the menu bar on the left or by emailing Andrea Pattison at apattison@autismnortheastohio.org) to be notified of other grant opportunities and/or autism events and resources!
Look out for the new 2010 Helping Hand Grant Program and Application to be announced in October 2009!
Summary 
The NAA-NEO Helping Hand Program provides families with financial assistance in obtaining respite care, a variety of therapy services (i.e. speech, occupational, physical, music, play, son-rise, listening or behavioral therapy, the therapeutic listening program, tuition assistance, family counseling, summer camp costs, behavioral consulting, home program consulting, therapeutic horseback riding, special equipment, toys or supplies and others), as well as necessary medical testing and treatments, including office visits and consults, as well as a variety of biomedical treatments and nutritional supplements for their dependent(s), child, or children with autism.
If you would like to know if your request would be eligible and it is not listed above, please contact Andrea Pattison at 216.544.1231 or via email at apattison@autismnortheastohio.org.
Please completely review the following information.
Applications must be postmarked by November 15, 2008 to be considered for our 2008 Helping Hand Program.
Applications postmarked after November 15, 2008 will not be considered.
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 meet these basic criteria:
1. Reside in Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, Lorain, Summit, Medina, and Portage counties of Ohio.
2. Diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.
There is no upper age limit for your child/dependent to receive funds from this program.
Q: How much money can I request?
A: The maximum amount we can award per family is Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00).
Q: Can I apply for a grant in the amount of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) 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/dependentʼs physician that confirms your child's/dependentʼs diagnosis. If your request exceeds Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00), you must provide a copy of your most recent tax return.
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-NEOʼs 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 June 1, 2009. Families then will receive their reimbursement check from NAA-NEO by July 15, 2009. The second and final submission deadline for receipts and proof of payment for services already paid for by families is September 15, 2009. Reimbursements to families will be completed by October 31, 2009, concluding the 2009 Helping Hand Grant cycle.
NAA-NEO prefers that NAA-NEO is billed for approved services by the vendor. Funds then are paid directly to these vendors/service providers on behalf of the recipient family.
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 letter and tax returns, if applicable, and all necessary documents), your application will be reviewed by NAA-NEO by January 31, 2009. NAA-NEO will notify grant recipients via mail. Please make sure you provide your exact current address and that you write it on the form legibly. ONLY APPROVED GRANT RECIPIENTS WILL BE CONTACTED BY NAA-NEO.
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 (i.e. speech, occupational, physical, music, play, son-rise, listening or behavioral therapy, the therapeutic listening program, tuition assistance, family counseling, summer camp costs, behavioral consulting, home program consulting, therapeutic horseback riding, special equipment, toys or supplies and others), as well as necessary medical testing and treatments, including office visits and consults, as well as a variety of biomedical treatments and nutritional supplements for their 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.
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.