Family & Community Support Services ::

Allocation

Following are some services families may purchase with their allocation. These purchases have been approved by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Office of Mental Retardation:

• Adaptive equipment prescribed or recommended for an individual.
• Minor renovations to the home.
• Short term, intensive behavior education to families who are experiencing difficulty with the behaviors of individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Selection of the recreational camp of choice to meet an individual’s recreational needs.
• Payee services to beneficiaries of SS or SSI benefits who require assistance in handling personal resources.
• Sitter-Companion selected by the family to provide short-term care in the absence of a parent or caregiver. The sitter-companion may be a relative, friend, or neighbor who does not reside within the family household.  The sitter-companion may also be an individual screened, trained and registered with Family and Community Support Services.
• Money management to explore Social Security benefits and eligibility, and assistance in filing appeals when appropriate with the Social Security Administration, Department of Public Welfare, or other sources of public funds.
• Recreation/leisure time activities in the community for physical and social development and integration. Selections might include theater tickets, karate classes, music lessons, swimming and scouting.
• Residential overnight camp selected by the family.
• Overnight respite care (may extend to 30 days per fiscal year) in three settings: in the individual’s home; in the home of a provider selected by the family; in the private residence of a family approved by the Erie County MH/MR program and Family and Community Support Services.

• Therapies in the home, at school or work including dietetics, language/speech therapy, physical/occupational therapy, behavior management, sex education, family counseling.
• Mobility travel training in the use of public transportation without assistance throughout the community.
• FSS Recreation Companionship that enables an individual to attend community activities on a one-on-one or small group basis.
• ESO Dances (Expanding Sociability Opportunities) on college campuses for young adults and their college-age peers.
• Home Health Services for an individual with a condition warranting specialized care. Possibilities may be:
  • Skilled nursing services or advanced feeding techniques.
  • Personal care with bathing or grooming.
  • Homemaker services to assist with general home maintenance
  • Assistance if a parent/caregiver is recovering from surgery and cannot complete normal household routines temporarily.