Family Support Services (FSS)
Note: FSS is not an available service for individuals who are currently enrolled on a DD waiver.
Family Support Services Program is a state funded and county board implemented program which assists the family who lives with an individual who is eligible for services from the local county board of Developmental Disabilities. The goals of the Family Support Services program are to promote family unity, to maximize self-sufficiency and to prevent inappropriate institutionalization by accessing an array of supports that can be tailored to the unique need of the individual in need of services.
Assistance may be provided in the areas of in-home respite, out-of-home respite, home modification or adaptive equipment, incontinence supplies, special diet needs, camp, and adaptive therapies. Families may be required to make co-payments based on a sliding scale.
FSS is available to families who receive services from the Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities (DD). For additional information, please visit the North East Ohio Network (NEON) Council of Governments website:
Contact Us For More Information
Family Support Services are coordinated in conjunction with NEON (Northeast Ohio Network).
Should you have questions or concerns about the FSS program, please feel free to contact:
George Callow
721 Boardman-Poland Rd.
Boardman, Ohio 44512
Phone: 1-800-237-6828 ext.117
Fax: 330-793-8284
Email: gcallow@neoncog
The Mahoning County Board of DD Family Support Services Program allows for the items and services listed below:
Respite
- In home
- Out of home
- Day care
- Special needs camps
Counseling/Training
- Assessments
- Therapies:
- Family/Individual counseling
- Therapeutic Horseback riding
- Music Therapy
- Academic tutoring not covered by school
- Tuition/special education school
- Computer software c/o recommendations
Adaptive Equipment
(c/o Physician order or Therapist recommendation as appropriate to diagnosis)
- Wheelchair lifts (stair/van)
- Wheelchairs
- Ramps (portable)
- Adaptive bed
- TV monitor
- Adaptive car seats age 5+
- Stroller age 5+
- Bib/clothing protector age 3+
- Adaptive Utensils/plates
- Weighted blankets/vests
- Therapy ball
- Adapted swing
- Communication devices
- Personal Emergency Response System (may include fire/CO2 detection – Home invasion is home owner responsibility)
Home Modifications
(c/o Physician order or Therapist recommendation as appropriate to diagnosis)
- Ramps (permanent)
- Fence
- Shower/bathroom modifications
- Overhead lifts
Incontinence Supplies (after age 3)
- Diapers
- Bed pads/mattress liners/covers
- Wipes
- Briefs
- Liners for undergarments
- Hygiene gloves
- Swim diapers
- Diaper rash ointment/cream
Special Diets
(c/o Physician orders as appropriate to diagnosis)
- Pediasure/Ensure
- Regular formula (after age 1)
- Specialized formula
Medical
(c/o Physician orders as appropriate to diagnosis and not covered by insurance)
- Braces (dental/co specific health/safety issue)
- Orthotic braces/walkers/standers
- Shoe inserts
- Medical co-pays
- Medications
- Ambulance fees
- Air conditioner/dehumidifier/humidifier
- Generator
- Dental services beyond routine cleanings
- Special Eye Glasses
Other Requests, Such As:
- YMCA passes
- Guardianship fees
Should you have a request for an item or service not listed, please contact George Callow at NEON by phone 234-254-5874 or email gcallow@neoncog.org to discuss the special request process.
FSS Program Eligibility
FSS is available to families who receive services from the Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities (DD).
Families are required to make co-payments based on the sliding scale below:
Find your family's taxable income in the first column. The second column will show the percentage of the cost you will have to pay as a co-pay.
| Annual Taxable Income | 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 |
|---|
Services
The FSS Program can be used for respite, out of home activities, supplies (such as diapers and wipes) as well as adaptive equipment, counseling/training, home modifications, special diet needs, & medical costs.
FSS is available for services in which there is no other available funding source.
All special requests should be addressed to the Mahoning County Board of DD, but sent to George Callow at NEON for consideration prior to receiving services or purchasing of goods.
- Payments occur quarter to quarter unless pre-approved.
- Please note that there is no carryover of funds from the previous year to the next year.
- Usage of the yearly allocation in the beginning of the year requires pre-approval.
- The FSS program operates on a calendar year.