THE DIVISION OF SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

 Have you considered DSPD Services for Your Child with Disabilities?

Do you know what DSPD has to offer?

The Division of Services for People with Disabilities is a state agency offering services to qualifying families who need assistance for a family member with disabilities.  Services available include family support, summer support, day  programs and out of home placements.  Family supports are provided when the child continues to live in your home and may include basic respite, behavior support, chore and housekeeping assistance or skill building for your child.  Did you also know that when a person qualifies for DSPD services, they automatically qualify for medicaid? Their website offers more information about specific services available - www.dspd.utah.gov.

Even if your family doesn't need assistance currently, families often do need assistance when their child graduates from school and no longer attends school all day.  In families where both parents work, the child needs a day program so both parents can continue their jobs.

To see if your family qualifies for DSPD services:

1. Call their front desk at 264-7620 and ask for an intake worker.  If there is no answer, leave a message and an intake worker will call you.
    
2. The intake worker will ask you some initial questions to be certain that DSPD is appropriate for your family.
    
3. An intake worker will come to your home and help you fill out the necessary paperwork.  To document the disability, you may need information from your child's school or doctor if he/she is not yet in school.

After the initial application process is complete, and intake worker will call your family quarterly to check on the status of your family's situation.  However, if your child is approaching graduation and both parents work and there is and urgent need for funding for a day program, you should call once a month to be certain the intake worker understand the urgency of your family situation.  The waiting list is not a ranked list and funding is not determined by how long someone has been on the list.  Who receives funding is dependent on your intake worker knowing the urgency of your family's need.