LOCAL SERVICES

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Children

Special Education Services for Children

Infant/Toddler Program (Part C Services) – Children from birth to three with developmental delays will qualify for Early Intervention Services through the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.   Children will receive necessary intervention that is laid out in an Individual Family Service Plan.  This intervention may include, but is not limited to, service coordination, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Developmental Therapy, IBI, etc.  To apply for services or to see if your child qualifies, call the ACCESS Unit at 208-769-1409 (Kootenai, Benewah and Shoshone counties) or 208-265-4593, ext 102 (Bonner and Boundary counties).

Special Education Services (Part B Services) - Children in the autism spectrum who are in public school with qualify either for an Independent Educational Plan or a 504 Plan.  IEPs are individual plans outlining the educational goals for the year, the special modification and accommodations needed by the student and the related services (OT, PT, Special Ed.).  504 plans are typically used if the child does not qualify for an IEP.  These spell out special accommodation needed for the child to participate in his/her educational experience.  Contact your local school district.

Children with disabilities’ educational services are protected under federal law – Individuals with Disability Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehab Act and American with Disabilities Act.  To further understand your and your child’s rights contact the agencies listed in the Legal Rights Information below.

 

Medicaid Eligibility for Children

PWC Medicaid for families at or below federal guidelines (150% of poverty).  Under PWC children can receive Medicaid reimbursable services as long as eligible or until age 19.  CHIPS is also a health insurance program for children in low income families. To find out if your child qualifies, call 208-769-1456

The Katie Beckett Waiver is a program by which children who meet “institutional level of care” qualify for Medicaid.  These are children who have significant enough disabilities that they risk out-of-home placement if additional resources are not available to them.  To see if you qualify, call the ACCESS unit at 208-769-1409.  Most children with a diagnosis of autism qualify for the waiver.  A few with the diagnosis of Asperger’s or PDD qualify.

 

Medicaid Programs for Children:

Developmental Therapy – These are services offered through a developmental agency.  The child must meet institutional level of care criteria. Child Support Specialist may work with your child at home or in the community on basic life skills.  The number of hours the child qualifies for is individualized. For a list of providers, call the ACCESS Unit at 208-769-1409.

Intensive Behavioral Intervention – This is a program for children with significant behaviors that interfere with learning.  Children receive therapy with a para-professional or professional trained in behavior modification.  Therapy can take place in the home or in the agency’s office.  To seek if your child qualifies call Paul Norstog at 1-800-545-5391, extension 106.

Service Coordination – This is a program where your family receives the services of a service coordinator.  This person is responsible for assessing your family’s need for a variety of services, locating services, helping you access the services and advocating for you with the service.  Besides being Medicaid eligible the child must require multiple service providers or be at risk for out of home placement. To see if you qualify, call the ACCESS Unit 208-769-1409.

Personal Care Service – These are home base services provided by a Certified Nurses Assistant in your home.  The child’s needs must be medically related or self-help with basic age appropriate self-help and functional skills. Contact the Regional Medicaid Unit (RMU) at 208-769-1567.

Psycho-Social Rehab Services – These are mental health services for children with a mental health diagnosis.  (Some children with Asperger's or PDD qualify for PSR.)  These services are given through a PSR agency by a bachelor levels therapist. They are given in the child’s natural environment.  The number of hours a child qualifies for varies.  For information, call the Region 1 Mental Health Unit at 209-769-1409.

Some children with disabilities who are also low income will qualify for Social Security Disability.  They will receive a monthly stipend to cover the extra cost of care.  They also automatically qualify for Medicaid.  To see if you qualify, call 1-800-772-1213.

 

Non-Medicaid Services for Children

Family Support Money – This gives cash grants to families with children with developmental disabilities.  There is money available monthly to pay for the services, equipment or materials specific to the needs of a child with a developmental disability – common requests include: respite care, specialized nutritional supplies, therapy items, equipment, transportation to therapy.    For information, call 208-769-1409 (Coeur d’Alene) and 208-265-4593 (Sandpoint).

Special Needs Park and Rec.  – Non-profit offering recreational programs for children with disabilities during Christmas vacations, spring vacations and during the summer.  Call 208-769-2317 or 208-755-6781.

Parents Reaching Out to Parents – Support Group for parents of children with disabilities.  Call Lorena Freund at 769-1409.

Asperger’s Support Group – Email Bernie webmaster@panhandleautism.org

Asperger’s Boy Scout Troup – call Dotty 208-676-8884.

Autism Support Group in Sandpoint, call Paul at 208-265-4593, ext.106.

Autism Support Group in Bonners Ferry, call Anna at 208-267-6618.

 

  

Adults

Adults with disabilities are protected against discrimination under both Section 504 of the Rehab Act and the American with Disabilities Act.  If you have questions about your rights, contact the agencies in the Legal section below. 

Medicaid Eligibility for Adults – An intake into adult services is conducted just prior to the individual’s 18 birthday.  The individual’s needs are assessed and eligibility for the following services.  For an intake, call the Adult ACCESS Unit 208-769-1588.  Eligibility assessed for:

Developmental Disability Waiver (HCBC/DD Waiver) for those with a mental age below 7 years old.

Aged and Disabled Waiver – for higher functioning individuals with a developmental disability.

 

Examples of Medicaid programs offered through these waivers

Targeted Service Coordination – Provides Service Coordination for Adult Services. Develops the Individual Support Plan. 

Developmental Disability Agencies – Provide individual and group skills training in either home or community setting.

State Plan PCS – for those needing 16 hours or less a week of in home services.

Respite Care

Certified Family Homes – Individual lives in a home of a caregiver to whom they are or are not related.

 

Non-Medicaid Programs for Adults 

Vocational Rehabilitation – This agency assists adults and older students with disabilities transition to employment. Service can start at age 16 when the child is in public school. 208-769-1441.

Skills Connections at TESH – Vocational Skills Training for those with developmental disabilities 208-765-5105.

Center for Educational Access - at NIC and any public institution of higher education – Helps provide accommodations for post secondary education.  North Idaho College – 208-769-5947.

Disability Action Center – Idaho Center for Independent Living. Assist individuals with disabilities to live independently in their communities. Offers adaptive equipment, personal care assistance, advocacy, peer counseling and living skills training. 208-664-9896.

 

Social Security

Adults over the age of 18 with Developmental Disability may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).  Call 1-800-772-1213.

  

Legal Rights Information 

Idaho Parents Unlimited – This is a Parent Training and Information Center that offers training and technical assistance to parents regarding their child’s educational rights. They have regional parent education coordinators.  The Boise office for IPUL is 1-800-242-4785.

Websites that offer updated information and on-line newsletters on these rights include:

www.ReedMartin.com

www.WrightsLaw.com

Comprehensive Advocacy, Inc. – protects and advocates for the rights of individuals with disabilities. Closest office is in Moscow, Idaho. Call 1-800-632-5125.

Inexpensive Guardianships – Call local Idaho Legal Aid 208-667-9559 and ask for Alan Wasserman.

Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities – Offer training in advocacy to parents and adult.  Lobby for issues related to developmental disabilities with the Idaho legislature. 1-800-544-2433.

 

 

Private Providers in the Area who Specialize in Autism Spectrum Disorders 

Diagnosis

Dr. Robin McCoy  - Developmental Pediatrician, Spokane, Sacred Heart, 509-474-2730.

Dr. Peter Holden – Developmental Pediatrician, Spokane, 509-468-7974.

Liz Pechous – Psychologist, Spokane, WA 509-838-3932

Mark Derby – Psychologist, Spokane, WA, 509-323-3633

Christine Guzzardo, Ph.D – Pediatric Neuropsychologist, Spokane, WA 509-456-3600

 

Educational and Behavioral Intervention

Billie Jo Davis, Ph.D. – Coeur d’Alene, ID 208-699-2595

Liz Pechous, Ph.D. – Spokane, WA 509-838-3932

Mark Derby, Ph.D. -  Spokane, WA 509-323-3633

Tom Weddle, M.Ed. - Spokane, WA 509-325-6762.

Amy Ruane, M.Ed.- Coeur d’Alene Public Schools 208-664-4433.

  

If you have questions about any resources not listed, please contact us at
(208) 704-3993 or info@panhandleautism.org.