Family Support Services
(Formerly Family Resources)
What is Family Support Services? Family Support Services (FSS) is a program that provides services and supports to families who care for an eligible family member in their home.
Who can receive FSS? If you have a family member with a developmental disability (DD) living at home, he or she may be able to receive FSS. The family member with disabilities must be eligible for County Board DD services, even if he or she is not currently receiving County Board assistance. Eligibility is determined by the Intake/Eligibility Coordinator at the County Board.
What services and supports are provided by FSS? Services and supports provided include respite care by specially trained providers or persons chosen by the family, adaptive equipment, home modifications to accommodate the family member with disabilities, special diets, therapies and counseling, among other things.
What is the required family contribution for FSS-covered services and supports? Families are required to make co-payments based on a sliding scale established by the State. Co-pay is determined each fiscal year based on the taxable income for the family for the previous year.
Annual Taxable Income Family Co-payment
$27,258 or less 0%
$27,259 to $37,759 10%
$37,760 to $48,260 30%
$48,261 to $62,261 50%
$62,262 to $79,762 75%
$79,763 and above 100% of cost
Who provides the funding for FSS? FSS is administered through County Boards of DD. The funds are provided by the Ohio Department of DD. Geauga County supplements the State funds with local funds and accepts donations from community organizations, most notably the Family and Friends of Metzenbaum.
Who determines whether requests are funded? County Boards of DD will fund family requests if the following guidelines are met: the individual is eligible for services, the County Board has funds available, the items or services are available, the request cannot be funded by other sources, and the request is consistent with FSS philosophy, particularly that the request be related to the individual’s disability.
Other information:
· The eligible individual must live at home (not a foster home).
· The family must complete an FSS application and submit an income form with the family’s total taxable income for the previous year. The income form is updated each fiscal year.
· The first eligible individual in the family can receive up to $1,000.00 per fiscal year (July 1-June 30). Each additional eligible family member may receive up to $750.00 per fiscal year.
· FSS funds are allocated on a first-come first-served basis as long as the program has funds available. Availability of funds generally fluctuates throughout the fiscal year.
For more information, call Geauga County Board of Developmental Disabilities at (440) 729 9406.
All FSS requests MUST be made and money encumbered BEFORE the service takes place. No funds will be paid out for goods or services not encumbered properly.