Families of children with special needs in Michigan can apply for new grant funds to support accessibility devices including will have easier access to their homes and communities. The Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation has donated a $50,000 grant to The Children with Special Needs (CSN) Fund, to provide children with ceiling and stair lifts that will help them mobilize and gain independence.
By helping to purchase ceiling and stair lifts, families and caregivers will be able to safely transfer and move their children around their home and gain better access to community services and activities. They also make the home more accessible for the child, allowing him or her to be more independent in carrying out activities of daily living.
In order to assist the most families with the highest needs, the CSN Fund Advisory Committee reviews applications for ceiling and stair lifts twice per year. If your child could benefit from a ceiling or stair lift, contact the Children’s Special Health Care Services (CSHCS) office at your local health department or call the CSN Fund at (517) 241-7420 to find out how to apply.
The MDHHS will be awarding funds twice this year. Applications will be received for the following dates:
- May 23, 2019, and reviewed in June
- August 22, 2019 and reviewed in September
The Children with Special Needs Fund also assists families with partial or full payment for items such as vehicle accessibility devices and wheel chair ramps. Applications for these items are received year-round.
A program of by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), the Children with Special Needs Fund has been assisting the families of kids with special health care needs, for over 70 years. For those interested in donating, or finding out if a child is eligible to assistance, visit the Children with Special Needs Fund website, or call (517) 241-7420.
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This press release is being shared from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to raise awareness for YDL patrons who may be interested in making use of the grant funds.
Based in Midland, the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation was established by Eda U. Gerstacker in 1957 in memory of her husband. Eda Gerstacker died in 1975 and family members continue to serve as officers and trustees of the foundation. The Children with Special Needs Fund was created in 1944 when Dr. James Pardee, co-founder of Dow Chemical Company, made a generous bequest of Dow stock.