What is Unmet Needs Funding?
Unmet Needs funding is considered the payer of last resort, and all other resources should be exhausted before requesting this funding source (i.e. Medicaid, insurance, natural resources).
Unmet Needs programming offers funding support to individuals with an identified developmental disability or delay residing in Arapahoe County, Douglas County or Elbert County.
This funding source is intended to support unmet or under-met needs related to an individual’s developmental disability or delay.
How are funds utilized for EI participants?
Some commonly requested services by those in our Early Intervention Program include:
- Recreation/Exercise
- Classes, non-respite/non-therapy camps, recreation passes, etc.
- Respite
- Temporary relief for primary caregivers; is not the same as babysitting or childcare/daycare.
- Assistive and Sensory Technology
- Sensory items referred from a therapist.
- Not to include duplicate items to meet the same need.
- Therapeutic and therapy-based camps
- Adaptive Therapeutic Recreational Equipment
- Does not include outdoor play equipment.
- Movement Therapy
- Medical Equipment/Medical Services
Please note: this is not an exhaustive list.
What is not covered by Unmet Needs funding?
Some exclusions to Unmet Needs Funding include:
- Typical homeowner/renter items such as non-adaptive cribs or strollers and typical automotive expenses
- Typical recreation, travel, and entertainment
- Typical education expenses
- Cable, phone, internet, etc.
- Legal services
- Items and supports covered under other funding sources
Please note: this is not an exhaustive list.
What else should I know about Unmet Needs Funding?
- Unmet Needs funding is never guaranteed.
- Unmet Needs funding runs on a fiscal year (7/1-6/30) to cover services that occur in that given fiscal year.
- Prior approval is preferred to ensure it meets our criteria and that we have funding available to meet the need.
- Letters of recommendation (LOR) may be required for some requested items.
- Requests must indicate how the service/item will support the child’s developmental delay.
- There are various service limits and overall thresholds with this funding source that change periodically based on available resources, level of need, and funding priorities.
- The Service Coordinator must submit a funding request on behalf of the family/child.
- Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP) are not required to be attached to a request, but it is helpful if the document backs up the requested item/service.
- Funding requests are reviewed within 1 week of being submitted (or within 1-2 days if marked as “Urgent,” meaning an individual will experience hardship if not reviewed timely).
- Payment can take up to 30 days but is typically made within 1-2 weeks if all documentation is collected in a timely manner (i.e., receipts, invoices for completed services, W-9 if paying a provider directly).
To learn more about this programming, please visit Individual Unmet Needs & Scholarships.
For questions about this funding source or submitted requests, please contact UnmetNeeds@DPColo.org.