High-school age programs + supports
What should we have our 13-year old signed up for? We aren’t familiar with programs/ supports for high school age. She attends public school.
You are right to be thinking about planning for high school and beyond. While we get fixated on age 18 as a milestone age, turning 14 is as well especially for individuals in the public schools because that is the age that IEPs should also be accompanied by Transition Plans. A Transition Plan should begin identifying resources and other to-dos as your loved one transitions out of high school. Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA) also defines youth as aged 14-24, so turning 14 is a threshold year for exploring resources like preemployment training and social/work adjustment through GVRA.
For a 13 year old, I would focus on three areas:
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Every county has at least one Family Support Services provider. Family Support is a program sponsored by the Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). The program includes multiple services such as Recreation/Community Integration for summer camps and related programs. Other services include respite, community living support (services in the home), specialized medical supplies, and more. Check the DBHDD listing of providers to find a Family Support Services provider in your county. Family Support Services is a non-entitlement program with an annual cap on services at $3,000. The fiscal year begins on July 1st, so late spring is a perfect time to apply.
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The NOW and COMP Medicaid Waivers are also provided through DBHDD. The New Options Waiver (NOW) and the Comprehensive Supports Waiver (COMP) offer similar services as Family Support Services but have significantly higher levels of funding. Even though most waivers are awarded to young adults who have transitioned out of school, it is vitally important for all children and adolescents to be on the planning waitlist. Applications can be found at Apply for DD Services | Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. You will need to submit a recent psychological evaluation that confirms an eligible diagnosis (such as Down Syndrome) along with other documentation to your regional office.
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If your 13 year old would benefit from intensive therapies that are covered by Medicaid, but your household income is too high to be eligible for Supplement Security Income and Medicaid, then you may want to consider applying for a (Katie Beckett) Deeming Waiver. The Deeming Waiver allows for children under the age of 18 who have significant developmental disabilities to have access to Medicaid. TEFRA/Katie Beckett | Georgia Medicaid
Applying for services can be daunting; if you need assistance, consider contacting the benefits team at BDI; we’re here to help!