Program Objectives

To support individuals with a DD/IDD Diagnosis remain in the home setting with family while also being able to access the support and services they need. These supports and services are costs above their normal daily living expenses or are not otherwise covered by any other funding source.

For More Information Contact:

CFP@ddrcco.com

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Definitions

(a) "Family" means the interdependent group of persons that consists of:

1. A parent, child, sibling, grandparent, aunt, uncle, spouse, or any combination thereof and a family member with an intellectual and developmental disability;
2. An adoptive parent of and a family member with an intellectual and developmental disability;
3. One or more persons to whom legal custody of a person with an intellectual and developmental disability has been given by a court and in whose home such person resides; or
4. Any other family unit as may be defined in rules developed pursuant to section 25.5-10-306.

(b) State board rules must define the families that are eligible to receive services and supports pursuant to this article and rules of the state board of human services must define the families that are eligible to receive services and supports pursuant to article 10.5 of title 27 C.R.S.

(b) “Costs” not otherwise covered by any other funding source means and consists of: A service or item not covered under state-plan Medicaid, private insurance, HCBS Waivers, EPSDT, community funding, state general plan funding (i.e. FSSP), school district funds, etc.

Funding Limits

DDRC reserves the right to limit the number of requests and total amount of dollars received in a fiscal year (FY24-25). Individuals are limited to 3 requests total each FY and a total maximum amount received of $2500 regardless of the number of requests. Funds must be used within the FY received.

JeffCo Unmet Needs Funding Criteria

Individuals are eligible for JeffCo Unmet Needs funding if they have a developmental delay or disability and are living in the family home regardless of age.

Requests are prioritized based on 3 parameters assessed through the JeffCo Unmet Needs Assessment. Funding will be distributed based on the level of prioritization (high, medium, low). The five parameters are below:

• Disability/Overall Care Needs including medical, personal care, or other needed services which are beyond what is typically needed for a same-aged individual without a disability.
• Behavior including consideration of the degree to which the behavior is disruptive or impacts the day-to-day operation of the individual and/or family, the level of supervision required to keep the individual and others safe, and the type and number of services required to address these behaviors.
• Family Composition and Stability including number of family members at home and working, number of siblings, disabilities of siblings or other family members with disabilities. The level of stability of the family such as pending divorce, age of parents, and medical condition of parents. This parameter considers how family composition impacts the family’s ability to provide day-to-day care and support for the individual with disabilities.

JeffCo Unmet Needs Funds

Expenses must be directly related to the family member with a developmental delay or intellectual developmental disability; or have an impact on the family directly due to the individual’s DD/IDD.

Service Category Definitions, Limits, and Exclusions

Allowable Expenses Include

• ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY – is equipment or upgrades to equipment which are necessary for the individual with an IDD or developmental delay to communicate, move through, manipulate, or control their environment or remain safe in the family home.
• ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING - is home or vehicle modifications needed due to the individual’s disability and is not a regular maintenance or modification needed by all owners. Modifications to the home or vehicle must be necessary due to the individual’s IDD or developmental delay or needed due to health and safety; or to allow the individual to attain more independence and is done in a cost-effective manner. Cost-effective manner means the least expensive manner to meet the identified need. Home modifications are to be limited to the common areas of the home the individual with an IDD frequents, the individual’s bedroom, and one bathroom. Other bedrooms and bathrooms shall not be modified. All devices and adaptations must be provided in accordance with applicable state or local building codes and/or applicable standards of manufacturing design and installation. DDRC also allows repair and replacement of items when damaged by the eligible individual because of their disability.
• MEDICAL, DENTAL, and VISION – items prescribed by a licensed medical professional qualified to prescribe such items and are needed to maintain or attain physical health. Out-of-pocket costs for medical, dental, and vision services, exams, and procedures are allowable when not covered by another source. (i.e. co-pays, deductibles, and costs for uninsured care for the family member with a developmental disability). Note: Over the counter medications and vitamins are excluded except when prescribed by a licensed medical professional who is qualified to write such prescriptions. DDRC needs to receive a copy of the written prescription/recommendation which includes the purpose of the OTC medication or vitamin (i.e. addresses a specific disability need) prior to authorizing funds for that service.
• PARENT/SIBLING SUPPORT – may include special resource materials, publications, disability specific conferences, and the cost of care for siblings while addressing the disability needs of the eligible family member or behavioral services/training or counseling needed due to the impact of the disability on family members.
• RESPITE – the temporary care of a person with an IDD that provides relief to the family. This is funding to pay for a provider of the family’s choice to care for the family member with a developmental disability to give them a break from extraordinary caregiving responsibilities. The age of the eligible individual, their specific disability needs, and the composition and stability of the family is considered when setting frequency and rates. Childcare while a parent works is excluded for unless there is a documented additional cost due to the child’s disability. In these situations, the added cost may be considered for funding on a case-by-case basis.
• TRANSPORTATION – the direct cost to the family that is higher than costs typically incurred by other families because of specialty medical appointments or therapies. Specialty medical appointments or therapies are defined as appointments needed due to the individual’s IDD or developmental delay. These costs may include mileage reimbursement/transportation, lodging, food expenses, and long-distance telephone calls to arrange for or coordinate medical services not covered by other sources.
• PROFESSIONAL SERVICES – are services which require licensure or certification to treat a human condition other than medical, dental, or vision and provided to the eligible individual with a developmental delay or disability. Providers of professional services must be qualified, certified, and/or licensed personnel in accordance with the standards and practices of the industry. Professional services may include related support items or activities which are recommended as part of therapy (e.g. specialized physical therapy equipment, visual schedules, sensory items) with supporting documentation from the treating professional. Please Note: Toys and activities are excluded if there is no adaptation to the toy or specialized instruction or support is needed for the eligible child to benefit beyond what any child might need or use. Toys and activities, if recommended by the individual’s therapist or other qualified professional and the family is otherwise unable to afford the needed items, is allowable.

Please Note: Toys and activities are excluded if there is no adaptation to the toy, or specialized instruction or support is needed for the eligible child to benefit, beyond what any child might need or use. Toys and activities, if recommended by the individual’s therapist, or other qualified professional, and the family is otherwise unable to afford the needed items is allowable.

• OTHER – are specific to the individual/family and are limited to:
  • A consultant and/or advocate to assist a family with accessing services outside of (DDRC). Examples include an education advocate and fees for setting up guardianship. The service must be the most cost-effective way to meet the identified need. Family should try low cost/no cost community resources first.
  • An annual family recreation pass
  • Recreational needs of the eligible individual when the need for recreation is beyond the typical need due to the individual’s disability or delay. This includes adaptive recreational equipment and fees to help the individual have recreation in his or her community. Recreational equipment may include adaptive tricycles, bicycles, strollers, or switch adapted toys. A written recommendation from a qualified professional is required prior to authorization. Recreation fees for activities to address a specific disability need may include sensory gym, Special Olympics, or other therapeutic recreation requiring additional support or supervision due to the individual’s disability. Swimming lessons are allowed if needed to teach water safety.
  • A tablet or computer for telehealth or to address a specific documented disability need.
  • Entrance fees for zoos, museums, butterfly pavilion, professional and minor league sporting events, movie theater, concerts, memberships to non-community recreation centers/gyms, and outdoor play structures for socialization may be allowable on a case-by-case basis.
  • Emergency housing assistance may be allowable on a case-by-case basis with documented financial need.
  • Emergency utilities assistance may be allowable on a case-by-case basis with documented financial need.
  • Educational expenses may be allowable on a case-by-case basis.

Excluded Items

Examples of items that are NOT beyond the costs incurred for an individual without a developmental delay or disability include:

• Food
• Typical clothing
• Typical cost of childcare while a parent works
• Vacations
• Out of state camps
• School supplies, field trips, transportation to school, tutors, and other educational needs that are the responsibility of the school district are not allowable

DDRC Funding Options

Receipt reimbursement- family submits receipt, paid invoice, or approved service log for reimbursement of out-of-pocket costs for authorized services.

Advance- funds are advanced to family to purchase authorized services with documented proof of expense. Family must submit receipt(s) following purchase within 30 days of the expense.

Direct vendor payment- DDRC purchases the item directly or pays an invoice or bill from the vendor. If DDRC does not already have an established relationship with the vendor, we will need the vendor’s W-9 (Your DDRC Community Funding Coordinator can assist with this).

Required Receipts/Documentation for Payment

Required receipts/documentation for payment must be legible and in a format DDRC can access such as Word or PDF or scanned, mailed, or faxed originals.

Receipts, invoices, bills, and service logs must include:

• Name of the family member who received the service
• Service provided
• Date(s) the service was provided
• Name of the provider
• Amount paid

A complete receipt may be a combination of documents such as the initial bill or Insurance Explanation of Benefits (EOB) with the required information and a copy of the payment receipt (such as online payment, cancelled check, new bill reflecting payment, or agency/provider letter verifying payment). Service logs are acceptable for respite, sibling sitter services, and mileage only. We have service logs available for your use.

Travel mileage expense log- date(s) of trip(s), provider name/purpose of trip, number of miles, other expense, signed agreement from parent that the information is accurate.

Respite/Sibling Sitter services log- date(s) of service, number of hours, cost, provider/agency name, reason for sitter services, and signed agreement from parent that the information is accurate. If using both respite and sibling sitter services; please use separate service logs.

Fiscal Year Timelines and Required Documents

The JeffCo Unmet Needs fiscal year runs from July 1st through June 30th each year. Families must complete a JeffCo Unmet Needs Prioritization Assessment for each request (unless there are no changes) to be considered for funds. If there are no changes to the assessment, a new one must be completed each FY. Funds can only be used for authorized services provided within the fiscal year the funds are available. Funds can’t cross fiscal years. Any unused funds are forfeited and must be returned to DDRC. Families may request additional funds during the fiscal year. There is a limit of 3 requests per FY. Families are responsible for submitting receipts for all funds received. Receipts must be received by DDRC on or before June 30th. If a family does not submit the required receipts by the due date, they will not be able to receive future advances. In addition, DDRC may recoup any advanced funds from the family if they do not submit supporting documentation verifying the actual amount spent on authorized services.

For More Information Contact:

CFP@ddrcco.com

Access the Application