Below are resources that may support families when programs like CLTS or Medicaid cannot provide funding. This list does not cover everything, please call Children’s Resource Center-North to help navigate these resources and others by contacting us toll free at 1-866-640-4106 or using the Contact Us form on our website www.crcnorth.org.
Logan’s Hearts and Smiles logansheartandsmiles.org/
Provides home modifications to enhance accessibility and safety for children with disabilities, including the installation of ramps and fences, the purchase of specialty beds, and bathroom modifications.
Variety Freedom Program of Wisconsin www.varietywi.org/programs/freedom-program/
Contact Dua at dua@varietywi.org or call 262-777-2090 ext. 108.
- May provide funding when all other resources have been exhausted for adaptive bicycles, walking systems, wheelchairs, standers, adaptive strollers, lifts, ramps, communication devices.
- Also fund adaptive services (swim lessons, driving lessons, dance/art/equine/etc., sport team fees, camps, etc.).
United Healthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) www.uhccf.org
Insurance coverage does not have to be through UnitedHealthcare. Helps with medical expenses not covered, or not fully covered, by family’s commercial health insurance. Families can use the grants to pay for child’s medical services and equipment such as physical, occupational and speech therapy, counseling services, surgeries, prescriptions, wheelchairs, orthotics, eyeglasses, and hearing aids, etc.
- Child must be 16 years of age or younger at the time of application, living in the United States and facing a clinical condition. Child must be covered by a commercial health insurance plan. Family must not exceed maximum eligible adjusted gross income (for a family of 4 in 2024 this is $135,000).
- Once a family incurs a child medical expense, they have 60 days to apply for a UHCCF grant. Upon grant approval, they must use the funds to pay the expense within a year.
Respite Care Association of Wisconsin
RCAW has several grant programs. The Supplemental Respite Grant Program supports primary caregivers by providing funding for supplemental respite services. This grant allows you to hire the person of your choice to help you with housekeeping, meal prep, laundry, lawn care, snow removal, transportation, sensory items, and technology. respitecarewi.org/grants/supplemental-respite-grant-program/
Independent Living Centers
Independent Living Centers can assist with several programs. They are your local contact for the WisLoan and Wisconsin TEPP programs. The Wisconsin TEPP Program helps people with disabilities buy specialized equipment to use the telephone. WisLoan helps with assistive technology, home modifications, vehicle adaptations, or other equipment. Consideration is given to realistic terms for repaying the loan, as well as reasons for the poor credit history.
Loan closets at Independent Living Centers include assistive technology, sensory tools, and many other items for both children and adults. You can use the AT4ALL website to see what is available: wisconsinat4all.com/ or contact the Independent Living Center in your area:
- Indigo- Ashland, Bayfield, Iron, Price, and Sawyer counties
- indigowi.org
- Phone Number: 800-924-1220
- Midstate Independent Living Choices: Forest, Florence, Lincoln, Langlade, Marathon, Portage, Taylor, and Wood counties
- www.milc-inc.org
- Phone Number: 715-344-4210
Loan Closets:
Good News Project- Wausau
- Phone Number: 715-843-5985
- Website: www.goodnewswi.com
- The Good News Project has many walkers and other adult items, but it has limited pediatric items.
Katy’s Kloset- Waukesha teamupwithfamilies.org/katys-kloset/
- (262) 746-9034
- Katy’s Kloset lends medical equipment and supplies to children and adults.
- Items catalogue: teamupwithfamilies.ezrentalstore.com/
Kindred Kids- Columbus kindredkids.org/about-us/
- 608-438-5844
- wendy@kindredkids.org
- Free lending library for children with disabilities of toys and specialized equipment.
NorthLakes Pediatric Therapies Lending Closet-Hurley
- (715) 329-1288
- More information
- Serves children in the Hurley-Ironwood community
Opportunities for Specific Disabilities or Equipment
- Financial and other assistance from the National Organization on Rare Diseases can be found here. Scroll to the bottom for respite care support.
- Autism Society of Central Wisconsin Grant Program for members: www.autismgreaterwi.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Central_Grant_Guidelines_and_Application.pdf
- Kiwanis Autism Project (IPads): www.kiwanisautismproject.com/
- Spina Bifida Zip Zap loans: www.sbwis.org/submit-for-toddlers-on-the-move
- Wishes for Wheels www.motioncomposites.com/en_us/community/wishes-for-wheels-program
- Kids Mobility Network utilizes specific funding programs available in Wisconsin to maximize funding to reduce and sometimes eliminate families’ out of pocket expense for adaptive bikes, www.kidsmobility.org/
Equipment and Vehicles.
- WisTech– Wisconsin’s Assistive Technology Program provides information on funding and selecting assistive technology and provides statewide coordination.
- Funding a vehicle- newmobility.com/funding-an-expensive-vehicle/