A list of financial resources that help families pay for home improvements, respite care, summer camp, and medical insurance.
- Grants (4)
- Medical Assistance (6)
- Passes (3)
- Saving for the Future (1)
Angel Flight Northeast is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization that coordinates free air transportation for patients whose financial resources would not otherwise enable them to receive treatment or diagnosis, or who may live in rural areas without access to commercial airlines.
The mission of Ben’s Blankets is to create and give weighted blankets to disabled children who otherwise would not be able to have one. Ben’s Blankets is a nonprofit and we make free or at-cost blankets created by an unpaid volunteer workforce. The blankets are handmade by a small team of seamstresses across the country. We make sure to use with the highest quality materials available, such as polypropylene plastic beads to weight the blankets and high quality quilting cotton.
It is the mission of the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) to provide opportunities and support to people with physical challenges, so they can pursue active lifestyles through physical fitness and competitive athletics. The Challenged Athletes Foundation believes that involvement in sports at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life.
Wondering what to do with your children since school has been pushed back? Check out the cops that the Echo Center is offering. They also have some fun on-line activities and are offering free admission for a period of time.
ECHO also has noise cancelling headphones to access if your child has sensitivity to noise. And finally, if you want to explore the Burlington waterfront you can access the adaptable stroller that is at the ECHO center. This is for families to use free of charge!
Check out ECHO Center.
The Howard Center offers a Flexible Family Funding which provides financial support for children with special needs. The money is meant to be used for many things such as respite, summer camps, clinical services, or adaptive equipment. Families need to contact intake worker, Shannon Lowcock, to see if they qualify.
This amazing non-profit in Massachusetts makes “Buggies” to donate to children that have mobility issues and want to access the great outdoors. These sturdy, light-weight, all-terrain Buggies allow easy access to all types of outdoor environments that may require moving across sand, gravel, dirt, grass and even snow. Buggy should only be used by children who have independent, unsupported trunk and head control.
If you feel your child might benefit from this type of device check out their site and apply! Stepping Stones for Stella
We recently went to Stowe and had a wonderful experience. From the lodging, activities, skiing, to the incredible staff; this is definitely a place that accommodates children with special needs.
The skiing at Stowe goes above and beyond to accommodate individuals with special needs. Stowe Adaptive is an incredible program that offers lessons and equipment to make sure that every individual can get out on the mountain. And Stowe also offers a “Buddy Pass”! Here is some great information that Donna Barton (Operation Manager) at Stowe offered:
The idea of the Buddy Pass is that if you are unable to meet the minimum Essential Eligibility Criteria, you qualify for our adaptive lesson program or the Buddy program. Check out the EEC requirements on their website.
In addition, here at Stowe…if you do not meet the minimum requirements of the EECs and you apply for a scholarship through Friends of Stowe Adaptive Sports, you may be granted a scholarship to use toward lessons or access. For more information click here
This national non-profit is dedicated to helping children by providing equipment and services that enhance the quality of life and improve the physical, cognitive, emotional, or social development of children who are physically or developmentally challenged. Requests, limited to gifts of $500 or less, may include but are not limited to: rehabilitative therapy, assistive devices, medical equipment and sensory items.
Apply for assistance by clicking here
Did you know that if your child has a disability you can apply for an “Access Pass?” This pass allows your child and individuals they are traveling with (up to 3 people) get into all U.S. National Parks for free. This is a lifetime pass that provides admittance to more than 2000 recreational site managed by five Federal agencies.
You will need to submit an application and can either mail it in or stop by a facility that is listed on their website. Applicants must provide documentation of permanent disability and residency or citizenship.
To sign up for this amazing opportunity check out the website listed below. Look under “Access Pass.”
Incredible financial opportunity for individuals with disabilities.
*Offering STABLE Accounts to Vermonters with disabilities
*Tax-free savings plan for disability-related expenses
*Save and invest without losing needs-based benefits
A STABLE Account is an investment account available to eligible individuals with disabilities. STABLE Accounts are made possible by the federal Achieving a Better Life Experience (“ABLE”) Act. STABLE Accounts allow individuals with disabilities to save and invest money without losing eligibility for certain public benefits programs, like Medicaid, SSI, or SSDI. Earnings in your STABLE Account are not subject to federal income tax, so long as you spend them on “Qualified Disability Expenses.”
For more information click here.
Vermont Family Network offers support and services for children with various disabilities. VFN is a resource for information about: Advocacy and Leadership, Disabilities or Special Health Needs, General and Special Education, and Transition to Adulthood. They also have limited funding opportunities for families.
This is an amazing program for individuals who have a diagnosis of autism.
1) Children & adults do need a diagnosis of Autism.
2) They can live anywhere! We have folks come from NY!
3) No membership at the Y is required
4) A few different options in terms of age. If they’re over 3 years old we look at the 6 private swim lessons, one-on-one with an instructor
The grant will cover 6 private swim lessons (30 minutes each) OR if they’re under the age of 3 I look at integrating them into our parent/child program with a caregiver from home in the water with them.
They offers six 1/2 hour swim lessons for free if your child has ASD. After six sessions, you can take private lessons for $30.00 per 1/2 hour.
Zoe’s Race is an incredible resource that financially assists families in Chittenden County. The mission of Zoe’s Race is to help families make their home physically accessible for their child. A 5K and 1K kids running race is held every August to raise funds for this organization. The race is for all abilities and ages.