Grants & Additional Funding Opportunities for Speech Therapy
The average cost of raising a child in the USA is over $20,000 a year. This cost can increase significantly if the child requires therapy services such as speech therapy. These services are often offered by public schools, but school services may not be enough to help your child reach their maximum potential. Private therapy can be very expensive, especially if not covered by insurance. However, there are a variety of grants and assistance programs that may be available. Check out some opportunities below, and make sure to chat with your pediatrician, as they can provide additional resources based on your child’s unique situation.
Grants & Funding Opportunities
United Healthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCF) is a non-profit organization that helps parents who run into gaps in their health insurance coverage. To qualify, parents need to prove that the child has health insurance, and that their therapy is not covered by their health plan. In addition, parents need to demonstrate financial hardship, a diagnosed need for speech-language pathology services, and that therapy will be beneficial.
If approved, the parent can receive funds that will go directly to a licensed speech therapist. You can receive up to $5,000 per year, or $7,500 in a lifetime. The UHCF’s website provides a pre-screening for potential applicants.
The Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 guarantees education and services for children with developmental challenges and disabilities. If a school does not maintain a speech-language pathologist on staff, it must procure one for students in need of such services. This act is especially important to the families who may not be able to afford private therapy and rely on services provided by the school, or who live in more remote areas where a school-based speech-language pathologist is not readily available.
First Hand Foundation is a philanthropic, nonprofit organization established by the associates of Cerner Corporation. First Hand helps families of children with health problems address the financial aspects of their child’s healthcare. According to First Hand Found, “by focusing on the individual child, First Hand reaches children and their families who would otherwise fall through the cracks of insurance coverage and state aid.” Applicants must be 18 years of age or younger (a person 19–21 may be considered if they are in a child-like mental state) and under the care of a pediatrician with a specific health need. The foundation may cover expenses related to clinical procedures, medication, and therapy, as well as equipment (e.g., hearing aids, care devices, wheel chairs, and assistive technology) and vehicle modifications and displacement costs.
Scottish Rite Clinics are sponsored by the Masonic fraternity and are dedicated to helping children with speech disorders. The clinics are located in various parts of the United States and provide diagnostic evaluations and treatment of speech and language disorders and learning disabilities. They additionally support communicative devices and other services aimed at improving a child’s communication skills. Depending on the area there may be a waitlist or income requirements.
Orange Effect Foundation’s (OEF) mission is to make sure children with speech disorders receive the speech therapy and technology they need, especially when the children’s family doesn’t have the financial means. Applications are open to any and all families who have children and young adults up to age 21. The leadership team grants financial support to those who need it most. All grants must be used for future therapy sessions and technology purchases.
United Way often can provide partial or total assistance to lower-income families with medical problems, including speech therapy. Parents can reach out to their local United Way chapter, who will consider a family’s application based on need.
Universities may provide low- or zero-cost treatment given by graduate students who are in the process of completing their therapy-based program, including speech therapy. These students are supervised by a licensed speech language pathologist. Reach out to a university near you and request information regarding options for therapy at their clinic, and if there are scholarship options.
Medicaid is a form of publicly funded insurance for which some children may qualify and which can pay for speech therapy services. Medicaid is operated under a combination of state and federal requirements, and therefore it is important to look at your state’s specific eligibility requirements as it varies from state-to-state.
These are just a few of the grants and additional funding opportunities available. Speak with your pediatrician and speech language pathologist; they will likely have additional resources available and can help guide you through some of these processes.
Here are Bellflower Speech, Language, & Literacy Pediatric Therapy, we strive to help our clients and families in every way we can. Please reach out to us if we can help support you in your search for therapy funding!