Conference Assistance Opportunities
There are many opportunities for families to apply to offset conference costs. Please see below for state/national opportunities and if there is one that you have found that we do not have listed that can help other families, please let us know (email info@setbp1.org).
*Special acknowledgement to the Aicardi Foundation, Dup15q Alliance, the Dravet Syndrome Foundation and FamilieSCN2A Foundation for
compiling many of these helpful list of Funding Agencies that offer grants to families to defer conference travel expenses.
NATIONAL AGENCIES OR GROUPS
The ARC of the United States. Each chapter offers different programs/services, so you need to check your local
chapter: http://www.thearc.org/find-a-chapter.
STATE AND/OR REGIONALLY LIMITED
All states have Councils on Developmental Disabilities, and some will fund conference travel. Some states require that you agree to share the knowledge you gained at the conference with others groups in your state (and we would recommend that you target schools/classrooms with other students with DS as your point of sharing, as often there is not another family with DS nearby). We have tried to identify all the active programs across the United States, but if your state is not listed below, you should take a minute to review your own state’s CDD page in case we have overlooked something. Click here for a roster of Developmental Disabilities Boards by state: http://www.nasddds.org/state-agencies/. Click on your state and then on “county boards” and select your county of residence. Funds are typically appropriated at the beginning of the year on a first-come, first served basis.
For states that are not listed below, if there was no specific link to a consumer investment/empowerment fund, it does not mean there is not such a fund in your state. Contact the council directly and inquire if they have available grants to help families & individuals with disabilities to attend conferences related to their disability.
Alabama: The Consumer Involvement Fund is program that helps Alabamians with developmental disabilities and their family members participate in professional or informational conferences. They will fund up to $1000 per family to attend conferences relating to the family member’s disability. For more information, you can reach them by phone at 334-242-3973.
Illinois: The Arc of Illinois, through a grant from the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities, administers the Consumer Involvement Program and distributes consumer stipend funds to enable people with developmental disabilities and their family members to attend conferences of their choice that are directly related to developmental disability issues. https://www.thearcofil.org/consumer-involvement-program-consumer-stipend-funds/
StarNet has a Family Fellowship to reimburse parents for the expense of attending workshops, seminars, or conferences: https://www.starnetregionii.org/funding-opportunities
They give preference to in-state events, but it would still be worth a shot. The deadline appears to be ongoing.
Indiana: The state’s Consumer Investment Fund supports conference travel. The application is a bit challenging, but they will fund up to $1000 per family to attend conferences relating to the family member’s disability. Deadline is 5 weeks prior to an out-of-state event: https://www.in.gov/gpcpd/2328.htm
Maryland: The state’s Developmental Disabilities Council supports travel to out-of-state conferences. They will fund up to $1000. Deadline is 90 days prior to conference: http://www.md-council.org/funding/conference-participation-fund/.
Nevada: The Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities provides grants of up to $750 for individuals and $1000 for families to attend conferences out of state. No deadline provided, so call contact on the webpage for details on timing: http://www.nevadaddcouncil.org/consumer-leadership-application/
North Carolina: The state’s Jean Wolff-Rossi for Participant Involvement Fund offers up to $800 per person (and up to $2400 in total per event) for participation in out-of-state conferences. Deadlines for application are 60 days prior to registration date for an out-of-state event; decisions are made
monthly on an ongoing. basis: https://nccdd.org/initiatives-funding/funding-opportunities/conference-funding#jeanwolff.
html
North Dakota: The State Council on Developmental Disabilities has a Consumer Leadership Fund that supports family
participation in conferences, up to $750 per individual or $1000 per family; they do require that grantees share experiences with the SCDD or other advocacy organizations in the state. Deadline is 90 days prior to the event.
Ohio: The Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities Family Support Program may fund registration costs for conferences for families on topics related to the eligible individual. Prior approval is required for this program to fund training and conference attendance. The cost of these services will be deducted from your total annual program allowance. To check eligibility, email familysupport@cuyahogaBDD.org or by phone at 216-241-8230.
Oregon: The Consumer Involvement Fund is currently being redesigned. You can check back for updates on the program at or call 800-292-4154 to check availability.
Pennsylvania: Johnny’s Rainbow Grant Application: Families with children with special needs may apply for a grant for up to $250*. This will include therapeutic services/group activities, educational grants to the parents who would like to attend
conferences/workshops, counseling services for families dealing with the challenges of raising a special needs child and help
with daily living skills. Application Download Link
South Dakota: The state’s Council on Developmental Disabilities provides funding up to $750 per person for out-of-state
conference travel, but the applicant must show that other funders have been approached with no success. Deadline is 60
days prior to the event: Email: infodhs@state.sd.us
Tennessee: The state’s Council on Developmental Disabilities provides grants of up to $500 for individuals, and $1000 for
families, to attend conferences related to a family member’s disability. Deadline is 30 days prior to the
event: https://www.tn.gov/cdd/training-and-news/leadership-training-and-development/scholarship-fund.html
Utah: has an Empowerment Fund designed to support family attendance at disability-related conferences. If you wish to pursue this, call first to make sure that the funds are still available and procedures are clear. https://www.utahddcouncil.org/grants
1. Prior to completing an application, contact the organization for which you are planning to apply for support to ensure the program still exists and your request would be eligible.
2. If you are awarded a grant, please send a thank you note to the organization.
3. Complete the necessary paperwork or online forms and submit prior to any published deadline dates.
MEDICAID/WAIVER PROGRAMS
If your child is on Medicaid, especially a home and community based waiver, check with your case manager. Many waivers offer
educational assistance for parents to attend conferences, paying the registration fee. Travel is not typically covered, but it is
worth asking about.
OTHER POTENTIAL FUNDING SOURCES
Funds may also be available through your church or synagogue; your local United Way, Kiwanis, Rotary or Lions Club.