Family Support Services

EPI offers several programs funded under OPWDD’s Family Support Services grant program.

• Family Reimbursement
• STRESSpite
• TBI Education
• Camp Coast
• Epilepsy Education

Family Reimbursement

The purpose of the Family Reimbursement Program is to assist families in caring for family members with developmental disabilities at home. EPI specializes in supporting families who have a family member with epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder, or other developmental disabilities with significant behavioral challenges; however, any family who meets the eligibility criteria is welcome to apply. Family Reimbursement applications are reviewed and approved monthly. EPI encourages families to apply earlier in the year if possible, as funded is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and funding during the 4th quarter can be limited.

Family Reimbursement dollars are intended to give families more choice and flexibility in the selection of supports, build on natural support networks and community resources, and recognize that families are best able to identify their own capacities and needs. Services and goods which are not funded through other sources can be purchased through family reimbursement. These can include respite hours; recreational items and activities directly related to disability or behavioral challenges; medical supplies not otherwise covered; items of therapeutic value and which are above and beyond what would be considered routine expenses that any parent may have for a child; and items considered adaptive equipment.

Eligibility Guidelines

• Person with Developmental Disability must be living at home with family/caretaker.
• Person must reside in one of the following counties:
  • Finger Lakes: Monroe, Chemung, Livingston, Schuyler, Wyoming & Steuben or
  • Central New York: Onondaga, Cayuga, Cortland, Herkimer, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Oswego   Counties.
• Have proof of OPWDD eligibility

STRESSpite

The purpose of STRESSpite is to provide families who caring for an eligible person at home with flexible respite dollars to pay the provider of their choice.

Respite provides opportunity for family members to take a break and refresh and allows the person served to receive continued care and supervision while family members are away. This break helps the family know that their loved one receives the care and supervision they need while the family has a chance to refresh.  The break helps the family relieve stress and live healthier and happier lives.

The STRESSpite program awards a set amount of funding to families with approved applications to be used throughout the year. STRESSpite application are accepted all year long; however, EPI encourages families to apply as early in the year as possible as funding is awarded on a first come, first served basis and funding is limited.

Families with approved applications receive a set amount of funding for the year, broken into amounts to be used each quarter. Due to the high volume of interest and the limited amount of funds available, unused funds each quarter may be redistributed to eligible families on the waiting list.

Eligibility Guidelines:

• Person with developmental disability must be living at home with family/caretaker.
• Person must reside in Monroe County.
• Person supported cannot be enrolled in Self-Direction. Self-Directed persons are eligible for Family Reimbursed Respite through their budget.
• Have proof of OPWDD eligibility

TBI Education

EPI provides no-cost, on-demand traumatic brain injury education and training to support the needs of individuals with TBI sustained before the age of 22, who live at home, and are in the need of educating themselves and others regarding effective strategies for supporting individuals with TBI. 

If you or someone you know has a TBI and are frustrated by a lack of knowledge in your school, workplace, social or religious group, or other environment, EPI can help. We provide tailored education and training programs to a wide variety of audiences including:

• Individual and family education
• Schools – students, classrooms, health classes, teachers, bus drivers, nurses, and other school staff
• Day care centers
• First responders
• Workplaces and businesses
• Community organizations and other nonprofit agencies

Fill out the form below and we will contact you to discuss your education needs! We are happy to tailor a presentation to your needs.