Family Education and Support Services are home-based services provided to eligible children and families in seven counties of Western Montana. A Family Support Specialist is assigned to the family to provide parent teaching as well as identification and location of resources and supports designed to assist a child with delays in development and enhance the capacity of the family to promote the child’s overall development. There are various programs within Family Education and Support, including:
- Regular Family Education and Support (FES) Services are available to children ages birth to six years who are “at risk” for delays in development, or children and adolescents ages 6 through 21 who have a diagnosed developmental disability. “At risk” means a child has a probability of developmental delay due to a medical disorder, limiting life experiences, or a history of pre-/peri-/neonatal events impacting the central nervous system. FES Services are provided at no cost to families.
- Infant and Toddler Services are available to infants and toddlers ages birth to age 3 who have a diagnosed physical or medical condition which has a high probability for developmental delay, or who are experiencing significant delays in development. Infant and Toddler Services are provided at no cost to families.
- Children’s Waiver Services are available to children and adolescents ages birth through 21 who have extraordinary medical or behavioral needs and a developmental disability. Children’s Waiver Services are provided at no cost to families.
- Children’s Autism Waiver Services are available to children who begin the program from the age of 15 months up to their 5th birthday who have a diagnosis of Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder, as well as having significant behavioral and/or social and communication deficits. Children can remain with the program for three years and exit prior to their eighth birthday. Children’s Autism Waiver Services are provided at no cost to families.
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Insurance Services is a privately run program in which CDC contracts with participating Montana insurance plans to provide services to families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder. These services are similar to those offered through the Children’s Autism Waiver. Autism Spectrum Disorder Insurance Services may be provided at cost to families depending on the policies of the insurer.
- Follow-Along Services is a resource service available to children and adolescents ages birth through 21 who are at risk for delays in development or who have a diagnosed developmental disability, but whose family may need only limited support coordination. Follow-Along Services are provided at no cost to families.