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Family Caregiver Support Program
The Family Caregiver Support Program (FCSP) is a unique and innovative program designed to provide support to caregivers of functionally dependent people. It is unique in that it is one of the few programs targeted specially for caregivers. It is innovative in that it allows the caregiver the opportunity to manage and control what goods and services will be purchased according to the caregiver’s needs. The goal of the program is to reduce caregiver stress and reinforce the care bring provided to older persons at home.
Additional Resources
Federal Family Caregiver Support Program
Caregivers who are accepted into the program may be eligible to receive up to $300 per month reimbursement for the purchase of supportive services and goods from a pre-authorized list. The level of reimbursement is determined on the basis of caregiver need, income, actual expenditures, and the availability of funds.
State Family Caregiver Support Program
Caregivers who are accepted into the program may be eligible to receive up to $200 per month reimbursement for the purchase of supportive goods and services from a pre-authorized list. The level of reimbursement is determined on the basis of caregiver need, income, actual expenditures, and the availability of funds.
The state program provides many of the same benefits as the federal FCSP but has extra qualifications such as the caregiver has to live in the same household and be related to the care receiver.
Eligibility
- Eligibility for the program will be determined by the Butler County Area Agency on Aging through a comprehensive assessment.
- The caregiver may be younger than 60.
- The household income must not exceed 380% of the poverty level. All household income will be taken into consideration. To be eligible, a person must be the primary caregiver of a functionally dependent person (care receiver) who is age 60 or older or is under the age of 60 and has been diagnosed with chronic dementia.
- When the care receiver is an adult under the age of 60 with chronic dementia, the caregiver must obtain a written statement from physician indicating the care receiver has been diagnosed with chronic dementia.
Benefits
- Benefits counseling
- Care Management Services for the caregiver
- Caregiver education and training
- Caregiver support groups
- Each caregiver may be entitled to a one-time grant of up to a maximum of $2,000 in order to purchase home modifications and assistive devices
- Examples of approved home modifications are wheel chair ramps, shower rails, and hand rails. Grants must be approved before modifications are started
- Examples of goods and services that may be purchased are:
- Chore services (mowing the lawn, running errands)
- Inconsistency products (diapers, pads)
- Nutritional supplements
- Respite care
The Grandparent Program is designed to provide assistance for older persons who are caring or the children of family members, and who live in the same household. Priority is given to caregivers with the greatest financial and social need who are raising children with special needs.
Eligibility
- The caregiver must be age 55 or older, and be the primary caregiver for relatives who are no more than 18 years of age
- The caregiver and child/children must reside in the same household
- The family must reside in Butler County
Assessment
Once a referral is made, agency staff will visit the home and complete an assessment of the caregiver's needs. Based on the assessed needs and the financial situation of the family, the caregiver may be eligible to receive reimbursement for in-home and center-based respite care services and for limited supplemental services.
An Agency Care Manager will also assist the family in accessing other available community services.