So, you’ve recently learned that your child has a disability. When the shock and worry lessen, you will start looking for help. If your child is under age five, your local branch of Child Development Services will assign a case worker to aid with placement in appropriate programs and therapies. However, once your child enters the public school system, CDS exits and he/she will be assigned a special education teacher who will supervise his/her education needs in accordance to the financial abilities of the school district.
Above and beyond this, you are entitled to acquire a case manager who will set goals according to state regulations, follow your child’s progress through the public school system, and advise you of special programs, treatment, and funding available. These counseling professionals are employed by public health centers or nonprofit organizations.
As a parent, the first concern you may have is cost. Because this type of counseling is outside the realm of public education, funding is the responsibility of the parent. Do not be discouraged. Many agencies are willing to help parents acquire insurance provided by the state, designed specifically for children with special needs, even if you already have a primary insurance. Depending on your income, your child may qualify for your state’s version of Medicaid.
If your income is too high for Medicaid, your case manager will advise you of additional insurance programs like the Katie Beckett waiver program. The specific eligibility process differs from state to state. However, this waiver allows parents of children with medical or developmental disabilities to apply for Medicaid insurance coverage using exemptions from the standard Medicaid rules.
Another concern parents may have is the intrusion into their personal family life. Case managers typically make home visits once a month. While this visit is for convenience, it also serves as an observation of the child at home. They are not there to pass judgment, rather for the specific purpose of helping the family and the child. They will also perform observations in the classroom, and occasionally in social settings, depending upon the goals of the case management plan.
The benefits of case management can far outweigh any concerns. Your case manager will be well-trained and learned in the laws of the state. He/she can advise you of your child’s rights to special programs, educational accommodations, funding for therapeutic recreation, respite, and in-home support, and additional insurance.
Tags: Case Management, End divestment