Easter Seals Disability Services

Champions for Children

The Champions for Children Program is designed to primarily assist children and families who do not meet the eligibility requirements for the TEFRA/Katie Beckett Medicaid program.  The program will provide direct financial assistance and support services for Georgia’s medically fragile and special needs children and their families.  An Easter Seals Champions for Children Coordinator will work directly with families to determine eligibility, identify service needs as described by the family and connect them with resources and services. In addition, coordinators will also promote the program and raise awareness of other resources and services in the community.

Families of medically fragile and special needs children across Georgia are able to apply for and receive direct financial assistance and support services from the state-wide nonprofit collaborative to help cover the costs of caring for their children at home.

During the Champions for Children five-year grant period (2008-2012) $500,000 will be available annually for families in need of financial assistance to cover expenses including therapies, medications, and other goods and services for their children.  An additional $1.5 million has been invested in a permanent trust to provide direct financial assistance in perpetuity.

To carry out the Champions for Children work,  Easter Seals Southern Georgia will partner with the four other Easter Seals affiliates in Georgia:  Easter Seals North Georgia, Easter Seals East Georgia, Easter Seals West Georgia, and Easter Seals Middle Georgia, and with Parent to Parent of Georgia.  The group will be called the Easter Seals Georgia Coalition.

Who is Eligible?
 Children 21 and under
 Must line at home
 Have a physical, cognitive, developmental or medical disability
 Current Medicaid recipients are not eligible
 Those who do not meet the eligibility requirements for the TEFRA/Katie Beckett Medicaid program

What Services are Available?
 Respite Care
 Specialized medical supplies and equipment
 Medical services
 Therapies (OT, PT, and ST)
 Dental and optical services
 Travel reimbursements for medical appointments
 Recreational/therapeutic activities
 Other services related to the child’s disability not covered by other payment sources
 Parent to Parent of Georgia and other resources

Easter Seals East Georgia Service Area:
 
Burke                                    Jenkins
Candler                                  Lincoln
Columbia                               McDuffie
Elbert                                    Oglethorpe
Emanuel                                Putnam
Glascock                               Richmond
Greene                                  Taliaferro
Hart                                       Warren
Jefferson                                Washington
Wilkes

Contact Information:

Easter Seals East Georgia
P O Box 2441
(1550 Wrightsboro Road)
Augusta GA 30904
706-667-9695
http://www.eastersealseastgeorgia.org/

Champions Coordinator

http://www.championsforchildrenga.org/