Funding Resources

Statewide Programs

  • ABC for Health is a CYSHCN network partner that can assist with determining eligibility for Medicaid (Badgercare) and other programs as well as assist with insurance issues. You can connect with them at: www.safetyweb.org/referrals.html
  • Children’s Long Term Support Services (CLTS): Wisconsin’s Medicaid waiver program for Children who meet financial and functional eligibility. Eligible children include those with developmental disabilities, severe emotional disturbances, and physical disabilities. Funding can be used to support a range of different services based on an assessment of the needs of the child and his or her family. A list of who to contact to enroll in CLTS is found here: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/clts/contact.htm
  • Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) is a community mental health and AODA (Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse) program providing psychosocial rehabilitation to children and adults with mental illness, substance abuse, or co-occurring diagnosis. You can contact enroll by contacting the agency for your county here: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/areaadmin/hsd-programs.htm
  • Katie Beckett Medicaid: Children who are not eligible for other Medicaid programs because the income or assets of their parents are too high may be eligible for Medicaid through the Katie Beckett Program. A child may be eligible for this source of Medicaid even if they are currently covered under a private health insurance policy. A list of Katie Beckett consultants to contact is found on the DHS website: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/kbp/apply.htm
  • Assistive Technology/Adaptive Equipment: WisTech and WisLoan Programs/Assistive Technology/Durable Medical Equipment information can be found at www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/disabilities/wistech/index.htm
  • Children’s Miracle Network: a list of hospitals that are part of the network can be found here: childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org/
  • Social Security: Children with significant disabilities may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Social Security has a “Starter Kit” available for families here. 
  • Respite Care Association of Wisconsin supports families and programs to meet caregiving needs. 
  • Variety– the Children Charities- offers grants to non-profit organizations

National Programs

  • Financial and other assistance from the National Organization on Rare Diseases can be found here. Scroll to the bottom for respite care support. 
  • United Healthcare Foundation has a grant program for those with private insurance. Eligibility information can be found here. You do not have to have United Healthcare.

 

Below are resources that may support families when programs like CLTS or Medicaid cannot provide funding. This list does not cover everything, please call Children’s Resource Center-North to help navigate these resources and others by contacting us toll free at 1-866-640-4106 or using the Contact Us form on our website www.crcnorth.org.

Logan’s Hearts and Smiles logansheartandsmiles.org/

Provides accessibility and safety home modifications for children with disabilities including installing ramps and fences, purchasing specialty beds, and bathroom modifications.

Variety Freedom Program of Wisconsin

Freedom program: www.varietywi.org/programs/freedom-program/

Contact Dua at dua@varietywi.org or call 262-777-2090 ext. 108.

  • May provide funding when all other resources have been exhausted for adaptive bicycles, walking systems, wheelchairs, standers, adaptive strollers, lifts, ramps, communication devices.
  • Also fund adaptive services (swim lessons, driving lessons, dance/art/equine/etc., sport team fees, camps, etc.).

United Healthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) www.uhccf.org

Insurance coverage does not have to be through UnitedHealthcare. Helps with medical expenses not covered, or not fully covered, by family’s commercial health insurance. Families can use the grants to pay for child’s medical services and equipment such as physical, occupational and speech therapy, counseling services, surgeries, prescriptions, wheelchairs, orthotics, eyeglasses, and hearing aids, etc.

  • Child must be 16 years of age or younger at the time of application, living in the United States and facing a clinical condition. Child must be covered by a commercial health insurance plan. Family must not exceed maximum eligible adjusted gross income (for a family of 4 in 2024 this is $135,000).
  • Once a family incurs a child medical expense, they have 60 days to apply for a UHCCF grant. Upon grant approval, they must use the funds to pay the expense within a year.

Respite Care Association of Wisconsin

RCAW has several grant programs. The Supplemental Respite Grant Program supports primary caregivers by providing funding for supplemental respite services. This grant allows you to hire the person of your choice to help you with housekeeping, meal prep, laundry, lawn care, snow removal, transportation, sensory items, and technology

respitecarewi.org/grants/supplemental-respite-grant-program/

 

Independent Living Centers

Loan closets at Independent Living Centers include assistive technology, sensory tools, and many other items for both children and adults. You can use the AT4ALL website to see what is available: wisconsinat4all.com/ or contact the Independent Living Center in your area:

  • Indigo- Ashland, Bayfield, Iron, Price, and Sawyer counties
  • Midstate Independent Living Choices: Forest, Florence, Lincoln, Langlade, Marathon, Portage, Taylor, and Wood counties

Independent Living Centers are also your local resource for WisLoan and Wisconsin TEPP programs

Wisconsin TEPP Program: Helps people with disabilities buy specialized equipment in order to use the telephone.

WisLoan: Loans for assistive technology, home modifications, vehicle adaptations, or other equipment. Consideration is given for realistic terms to payback loan as well as reasons for poor credit history.

Loan Closets:

Good News Project- Wausau

  • Phone Number: 715-843-5985
  • Website: www.goodnewswi.com
  • Good News Project has many walkers and other adult items but limited pediatric items.

Katy’s Kloset- Waukesha teamupwithfamilies.org/katys-kloset/

Kindred Kids- Columbus  kindredkids.org/about-us/

  • 608-438-5844
  • wendy@kindredkids.org
  • Free lending library for children with disabilities of toys and specialized equipment.

NorthLakes Pediatric Therapies Lending Closet-Hurley

  • (715) 329-1288 More information
  • Serves children in the Hurley-Ironwood community

Kids Mobility Network

  • This program utilizes specific funding programs available in Wisconsin to maximize funding to reduce and sometimes eliminate families’ out of pocket expense for adaptive bikes, www.kidsmobility.org/

Opportunities for Specific Disabilities

Equipment and Vehicles.