WHAT IS THE FAMILY RESOURCE SERVICES PROGRAM? Family Resource Services is designed to keep families together. All people with mental retardation or another developmental disability have the right to live in a stable home, building relationships with parents, siblings and friends as they enrich each other's lives. Children and adults with mental retardation or another developmental disability have the best opportunity to grow and develop within a loving family environment. Families are able to access Family Resource Services if their household includes a person with mental retardation or another developmental disability. The person must be determined eligible by the Clermont County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. If they are determined eligible but are not receiving services from the County Board, a family may still be eligible for Family Resource Services. The Family Resource Services Program is an Ohio Department of MRDD financial reimbursement program helping eligible families to keep a family member with mental retardation or another developmental disability living at home by assisting with specific expenses. With the help of Family Resource Services, families can purchase necessary equipment and services, thus easing some heavy expenses while increasing self-sufficiency of a family member with disabilities. The Family Resource Services Program makes payments on behalf of eligible families to approved Providers. The amount of assistance is determined by a scale based on the federally taxable income of the person(s) who provide for and live with the individual with the disability. The Ohio Legislature determines a maximum amount of assistance that is available for each county during a program year, which runs from July 1 through June 30. The available funds, unfortunately, rarely meet all requests. The requests are handled on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is exhausted. The Family Resource Services Coordinator also assists in identifying other potential resources for the family. Covered Expenses of the Family Resource Services Program include: - Respite Care (both in and out of home)
- Adaptive Equipment
- Special Diets
- Parent and Sibling Education, Training and Counseling
- Home Modifications
- Other Approved Services
Clermont MRDD contracts with the ARC Hamilton County to administer the Family Resource Services Program. For more information, please call the ARC Hamilton County at 821-2113 and ask to speak to Sandy Schutte at ext. #109. | 