Chattanooga
Autism Center
Financial Support
DISCLAIMER: The CAC has compiled lists of autism-related resources in our region to help you save time searching for them on the web. This list of service providers is for informational purposes only and being listed does not constitute the endorsement of the CAC.
If you would like us to add a resource or update a resource, contact us at 423-531-6961 opt. 0 or email info@chattanoogaautismcenter.org
Aging Caregiver- TN Department of Intellectual &
Developmental Disabilities
State law provides for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have an aging caregiver the opportunity to enroll in the Employment and Community First CHOICES program.
Qualifications for program: https://www.tn.gov/didd/news/2018/9/21/media-release---aging-caregiver-s-law-change-expands-enrollment.html​
Services: https://www.tn.gov/tenncare/long-term-services-supports/employment-and-community-first-choices.html
Self-Referral: tn.gov/didd/ecf-self-referral
If you are in need, please contact our Autism Response Team at 1-888-288-4762 or help@autismspeaks.org to get connected to resources in your area that may be able to help. Autism Speaks Cares offers limited assistance for individuals and families affected by a catastrophic life event or natural disaster.
Phone Number: 1 (888) 288-4762
Email: help@autismspeaks.org
Family Support Program (Georgia)
Family supports is a program through the Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities that offers assistance for individuals and their families to stay together by helping with community integration, supported employment, dental/vision, medical care, environment modifications, special medical supplies, and much more!
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Georgia Family Support Program is a NEED based program. Once accepted into the program, they evaluate each family’s needs and wants. They work to cover each family’s top priority need first – then if the funding allotment from the State of Georgia allows, they work to cover secondary wanted goods and services.
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Qualifying Individuals must:
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at least 4 years of age or older​
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Have an official diagnosis of a developmental disability, intellectual disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and/or a severe, chronic disability such as cerebral palsy, Spina Bifida, or Muscular Dystrophy prior to age 22
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NOT have a Medicaid NOW/COMP Waiver (the Katie Beckett Waiver is allowed)
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Live with their family (Family is defined as biological or adoptive parents, extended family, legal guardian, or a person acting in place of a parent or family member) full time
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For more details or to apply, visit their website at: https://www.bridgecsb.org/services/idd/kaleidoscope-fs/.
Contact: Vanessa Hawkins
Email: Vanessa.hawkins@bridgecsb.org
Call or Text: (706) 924- 0025
The Family Support Program is a grant program funded by the Tennessee Department of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (DIDD). Orange Grove Center is a host agency for the program and distributes funding for Bledsoe, Bradley, Grundy, Hamilton, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, Polk, Rhea, and Sequatchie counties. The Family Support Program provides limited financial assistance to individuals with severe and/or developmental disabilities who reside in the community. For more information on eligibility, click here.
Services covered by Family Support funds might include but are not limited to: respite care, before/after care, day care, home/vehicle modifications, specialized equipment/repair/maintenance, nutrition/clothing/supplies, personal assistance, transportation, homemaker services, housing costs, health related costs, nursing, counseling, summer camp, and evaluation.
Web Address: https://www.orangegrovecenter.org/family-support-program
Location: 615 Derby Street, Chattanooga, TN 37404
Phone: (423) 664-5120
Email: ktankersley@orangegrove.org
The State of TN allows some students to opt out of the public schools and get funds to use to pay for resources or some private school. To qualify, a student must have had an IEP for one year. Parents can then opt out of the public school system and apply for IEA funds. Parents should call and find out more details and amounts provided per year and other criteria.
Website: https://www.tn.gov/education/iea.html
Phone: (615) 253-3781
Samaritans Offering Support (SOS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity dedicated to providing grants for families and individuals to be used for medical services not covered or not completely covered by health insurance. SOS helps fill the gap between what medical services/items you need and what you can afford.
We are non-denominational & non-disease specific.
Call: (877) 202-1130
Website: https://www.samaritans.org/your-community/think-samaritans
Parents can apply for funding if they decide to opt out of the services provided by the public schools. Students must have attended one year of Georgia K-12 public school to qualify OR have attended a Georgia special needs preschool or received related services under an IEP. If a student does not meet this one year requirement, they may be eligible under a waiver for students with medical/behavioral needs, for military dependents or those adopted from foster care.
Website: https://www.georgiaspecialneeds.com/
For more details, and to learn about scholarship amounts and other facts, contact them through their website:
This office helps individuals understand their Social Security benefits. They can consult with individuals about applying for SSI or SSDI and when to begin the determination process. They can also help to see if the person qualifies for programs like “Trial Work Period” or the “PASS” Program. Both of these programs allow individuals to work without immediately losing their Social Security benefits.
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NOTE: The Social Security Administration does not provide assessments or referrals to any medical facilities. They are responsible for verifying "non-medical eligibility requirements", which may include age, employment, marital status, or Social Security coverage information. SSA then sends the case to a Disability Determination Services or DDSs for evaluation of disability.
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The Disability Determination Services (DDSs) are the State Agencies responsible for developing medical evidence and making the initial determination on whether or not a claimant is considered disabled or blind under the law. Usually, DDS tries to obtain evidence from the claimant's own medical sources first. If that evidence is unavailable or insufficient to make a determination, the DDS will arrange for a consultative examination (CE) to obtain the additional information needed. The claimant's treating source is the preferred source for the CE, but the DDS may obtain the CE from an independent source. After completing its development of the evidence, trained staff at the DDS make the initial disability determination.
Then, the DDS returns the case to Social Security for appropriate action. If the DDS found that the claimant is disabled, Social Security completes any outstanding non-disability development, computes the benefit amount, and begins paying benefits. If the claimant was found not to be disabled, the file is kept in the field office in case the claimant decides to appeal the determination.
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To set up an appointment or ask more questions about your situation, contact Arnaldo Moore:
Office: 1290 Premier Drive, Suite 140
Chattanooga, TN 37421
Call: (866) 365-3040 ext. 11030 or call (866) 964-0029
Email: arnoldo.moore@ssa.gov
Contact: Arnoldo Moore
Website: www.socialsecurity.gov
Disability Application: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/
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Or, set up an appointment directly with the Tennessee Office of Disability Determination Services:
Telephone: 800-342-1117 or 615-313-5454
Address:
Disability Determination Services
P.O. Box 775
Nashville, Tennessee 37202
Our mission is to connect our neighbors to opportunities and resources they need. We provide basic food and clothing assistance at no cost up to twice monthly. During the school year, our Sac Pac program provides weekend meals for children who struggle to find food outside of school. We aim to advocate for our neighbors in need by providing compassionate social work services. Our social work staff partners with clients to connect them with community resources to help them achieve their goals and provides case management for long-term development. We seek to restore the dignity of the human experience for our neighbors. We gather for daily devotions led by our volunteers and staff. All are invited and welcome to attend. Volunteer spiritual liaisons are also available to listen and pray for any of our neighbors who request it. We envision a future where our neighbors are empowered and equipped to achieve their goals. Our Getting Ahead program provides an interactive small-group experience where clients discover the causes of poverty and collaboratively form solutions, both for the community and themselves.
Web Address: Home - The Caring Place (thecaringplaceonline.org)
Location: 130 Wildwood Avenue SE Cleveland, TN 37311
Phone: (423) 472-4414
Since 1995, the Council has used its Scholarship Fund (formerly called our "Stipend Fund" and "Education Travel Fund") to assist Tennesseans with disabilities and their families to attend disability-related meetings, conferences and trainings held in Tennessee and across the United States. The fund also provides stipends to support conferences in Tennessee, and the mission and priorities of the Council. .
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Website: https://www.tn.gov/cdd/engage-with-us/scholarship-fund.html
VIM provides Primary Care medical services. Patients receive care at no cost to the individual, much thanks to the generosity of our community support from foundations, churches and individuals. All medical care is provided by over 100 volunteers consisting of physicians, nurses and other clinicians. Patients also receive onsite lab and x-ray services as well as prescription assistance for crucial medications.
Location: 5705 Marlin Road, Suite 1400 Chattanooga, TN 37411
Phone: 423-855-8220
Website: http://www.vim-chatt.org
Eligibility: https://vim-chatt.org/113.25/eligibility