The Right Connection - Special Needs

Identification of persons with disabilities, aged birth to 25, children with disabilities for educational evaluations, services and referrals is available from the MISD - Project Find.

Evaluations, services, and referrals, presentation of cases to specific agencies and case management/follow up services for developmentally-disabled youth. Available from CMH Sustaining and Integrating Services Division, (586) 469-5950.

Specialized instructional and therapeutic services and instruction for newborns to three-year-olds who have a developmental delay or physical condition which can affect their ability to keep up with other children. Available from Macomb Infant Preschool Programs (MIPPS).  For more information call Project Find, (586) 228-3463.

Family-centered care case management, including such services as monthly visits and regular telephone contacts to link families to clinical services such as therapy or parent support groups in the community. Available from Early On, (586) 228-3331.

Early identification and diagnosis and family assessment and case management for persons with special health needs. Services are aimed at limiting disability, fostering maximum function and reducing chronicity of associated problems. Available from Children’s Special Health Care Services, (800) 359-3722.

Information, referral, and support resource for Michigan families of infants, toddlers, children and young adults to age 26 with special needs or disabilities and professionals who work with them. For more information, call Project PERFORM: Monday - Friday from 9:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. at (800) 552-4821 (Toll-free) or (734) 994-8100 Ext. 1590.

BOOK: Possibilities: A Financial Resource Book for Parents of Children With Disabilities, a guide to money management and financial resources for parents of children with disabilities, including how to maintain financial eligibility for programs such as Medicaid and SSI.  Available for freedownload at: https://www.pacer.org/publications/possibilities/

Financial support to families with special needs adoptive children with special needs living at home is available from the Michigan Adoption Subsidy Program.  Information on this program is posted at: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/assistance-programs/cshcs/general-information-for-families-about-cshcs

Ten to twelve hours of babysitting/respite services (for a developmentally disabled person by trained respite providers), giving the family members a chance to attend to personal business. The family is responsible for a co-payment for the services provided. Available from the Special Sitter Program at CMH. Requests from parents must be made through the CMH Access Center:

CMH Access Center Consumer Line

(586) 948-0222 Monday-Friday 8:30 A.M. - 4:45 P.M. Collect calls accepted

Brief, temporary respite services for developmentally delayed children is available to clients of CMH. Respite services are provided in-home or by licensed foster homes and small group homes.  Available from the Special Sitter Program at CMH.  Requests from parents must be made through the CMH Access Center:  

CMH Access Center Consumer Line

(586) 948-0222 Monday-Friday 8:30 A.M. - 4:45 P.M. Collect calls accepted

Services and advocacy for youth who are disabled (respite for caregivers, referrals, group recreation activities, assistance with medical transportation and translation services.) Available from the Chaldean Community Foundation Refugee Acculturation, Sustainability and Training (RAST), Breaking Barriers, (586) 722-7253.

Parent mentors are available who provide opportunities for parents to learn through online webinars and free workshops, information about local, state and national resources, problem solving special education issues, assistive technology, inclusion, positive behavior support, help with rights regarding suspension and expulsion, individual mentoring regarding the IAP process and transition out of high school. Early On participants may receive information on their rights in the Early On process. Available from The Michigan Alliance for Families, (800) 552-4821 or (586) 469-1600 ext. 121.  www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org

A tax-sheltered savings account (for qualified disability expenses) for families and others who wish to save for individuals with disabilities whose onset was on or before age 26 and are eligible for SSI, SSDI or has been diagnosed by a qualified physician with a physical or mental disability resulting in marked and severe functional limitations that is expected to last no less than 12 months.  Qualified expenses include: include: education, housing, transportation, employment training and support, assistive technology and personal support services, legal fee expenses for oversight and monitoring and funeral and burial expenses. These savings are not considered when applying for other federal or state benefits such as Social Security Disability Income, Medicaid, or Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP). These accounts also allow for savings up to $100,000 without losing other financial disability benefits. Available from Mi-ABLE (Michigan Achieving a Better Life Experience). For more information or to register an account, visit
www.miable.org or call 844-656-7225.

Medicaid-covered services like those provided by nursing homes are available for persons aged 18 and older with a disability and Medicaid and medically appropriate for a nursing home, who have monthly income of $2199 per month and who reside in Macomb so they may stay in their own home or another residential setting. Available from the MI Choice program at the Easter Seals MORC, (866) 593-7413.

Assistance with moving expenses and securing community living supports to promote independence when moving from a nursing home into the community.  Available from the Nursing Facility Transition Program available from the Easter Seals MORC, (866) 593-7413.

A ride to a food pantry, pick up of food for the client and delivery to their home (if the pantry allows this - many do not), a ride to the grocery store and help with shopping if needed, a volunteer to shop FOR the older or disabled adult, and delivery of the groceries to their home, short-term meal preparation, and one-time delivery of emergency food (no charge). ALL above services depend upon the availability of a volunteer in that area. Available from Inter-faith Volunteer Caregivers, Warren, (586) 757-5551. https://www.ivcinfo.org/

Macomb County Groups

Parent-to-parent telephone support for all parents with children with any special needs. Available from the Family Support Network of Michigan, a service of Children’s Special Health Care Services, a service of Children’s Special Health Care Services, To be matched with a support parent, call the Family Phone Line: (800) 359-3722

Support groups for parents of children with Down Syndrome meets on the second Wednesday of every month starting at 7:00 P.M. at the Macomb Intermediate School District, 44001 Garfield, Clinton Twp., MI 48038. Available from Families Exploring Down Syndrome (F.E.D.S.). For more information, call (586) 997-7607 or go to: www.familiesexploringdownsyndrome.org

Support Group for families of children with special needs. This group meets the second Thursday of the month at 7:00 P.M. at Rockpointe Community Church 38100 Utica Rd., in Sterling Heights, 48312. For more information call Barbara Waldorf at (586) 322-2660 or email: bwaldorf@sbcglobal.net

A free recreational group for persons (all ages) with a disability, including family and siblings, provides support and friendship at monthly get-togethers at various locations. The group, named Living with a Disability Get Together Hang Out Group, meets on the first Tuesday of the month from 6:30 - 8:30 P.M. Available from the Living with a Disability community group. To R.S.V.P., call (586) 216-7994.

 

The Lions Club Hearing Center of Michigan	Their services grew to include hearing screenings, educational programs, working with the deaf community, implementing outreach efforts throughout southeastern Michigan, and partnering with dozens of organizations to provide hearing care for all.	http://lhcmi.org/
Michigan Rehabilitation Services	For people with an open case, looking for employment.	43630 Hayes Rd, #120 Clinton Twp. 586-412-1510
Hearing Loss Association of America	The first step for financial assistance resources for hearing aids is to check with your health care insurance provider to find out if they carry hearing aid coverage	http://www.hearingloss.org/content/financial- assistance-programs-foundations
Audionet	UAW-Chrysler Retirees UAW FCA Active Employees UAW-GM Retirees UAW GM Active Employees UAW-Ford Retirees Macomb County Retirees Michigan Rehabilitation Services National Elevator Charter Township of Clinton BCBSM Employees	https://www.audionetamerica.com
The Miracle Ear Foundation	The Miracle-Ear Foundation® is designed to support underserved Americans with a limited income and no other resources for hearing aids, such as insurance, Medicaid, VA, or other state or federal programs.	https://www.miracle-ear.com/foundation

Pamphlet: Benefits For Children With Disabilities Available from Social Security Administration, (800) 772-1213 or go to https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10026.pdf

Recorded books and players and/or large print books for those unable to read standard print due to a visual or physical impairment or due to a visual disability where the person is no longer able to see standard print or has a physical disability that prevents the person from holding a book or turning pages.  The library also services persons who have a reading disability (a doctor’s signature is required on the application for this particular issue).  Available from the Macomb Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped located in the Clinton-Macomb Public Library, 40900 Romeo Plank Road, Clinton Township, MI 48038.  For more information, call (586) 286-1580, https://cmpl.org/mlbpd/

Newsletter: Michigan Family Connections is for families of children and youth with special health care needs, and the professionals who help them, with information and news they can use. The newsletter is posted at: https://f2fmichigan.org/newsletters/

Free captions telephone that displays text of conversations in near real-time on a large color touchscreen so the person can see and hear what callers are saying is available to anyone with a hearing loss, regardless of their age, income, insurance or veteran status. The phone and service is paid for with federal funding. Available from ClearCaptions. To get a free phone, call Tracy Salisbury at (810) 360-9364 or tracy.dunk-salisbury@clearcaptions.com

A website listing discounts on medical supplies and other services for people with disabilities is available from Discounts for people with Disabilities: https://disableddiscounts.com/

A clearinghouse of information on programs and services (education, health, employment, etc) available from the US government to those with disabilities. https://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/disability.htm

Free Michigan classified-ad website of equipment being sold or given away to people with disabilities. Available from Assistance Technology Xchange. Website: https://atxchange.org/

Custom-trained dogs are available for persons with special needs: Available from Paws with A Cause, www.pawswithacause.org. Four types of dogs are available: Service Dogs, Hearing Dogs , Seizure Response Dogs, Service Dogs for children with autism.

A fitness center designed for children and adults with special needs combines education and empathy in a fitness programs designed to meet the specific needs of the child or adult. Available from Inclusively Fit, (586) 850-5004 (Sterling Heights) or email: mark@incluselyfit.com

A fun-filled play-powered environment, combining education and recreation with a variety of social, occupational and physical therapeutic overtones, designed to promote cognitive and social development, sensory integration, balance and coordination, endless hours of excitement, as well as professional support services and respite relief for parents and siblings, the curriculum is suitable for all ages. Available from Play-Place Autism & Special Needs Center, (586) 254-6533 (Sterling Heights. http://www.autisticplayplace.org/)

A free monthly group for persons with any disability to get together and hangout is available at the Eat Well Café, 44635 Schoenherr, Sterling Heights, MI 48313 from 6:30 P.M. - 8:30 P.M. Bring money if you want to purchase food. For more information, call (586) 216-7994.