Resources & Support
NODCC Conference Grants
Conference Registration Grants
The NODCC offers two grants to help with the cost of conference registration (~$300 per recipient):
- For Adults with a Disorder of the Corpus Callosum – Supporting individuals with DCC who need financial assistance to attend.
- For Families – Helping families who may need support covering registration costs.
Priority is given to first-time attendees or those who haven’t attended in many years and have financial need.
To apply, complete the applications below:
Writing a Request Letter
Some organizations may not have a formal application, or you might want to reach out to local groups with a special request for support. In these cases, you may need to write a letter or personal statement.
Here are some helpful guidelines to get you started (adapted from FamilyConnect.org). Feel free to customize your letter to best fit your situation!
Funding from State Organizations/ Outside Sources
Conference Funding Opportunities
Note, the NODCC has compiled these opportunities from various sources and has not verified current availability of funding and opportunities. If you are aware of other sources of funding nationally or in your state, please send to Barbara at [email protected].
National Agencies
The Arc of the United States
Each chapter offers different programs/services. As an example, the ARC of IL offers a Consumer Stipend Project which offers grants to enable people with developmental disabilities and their family members to attend conferences of their choice that are directly related to developmental disability issues.
Find local chapter: http://www.thearc.org/find-a-chapter.
Councils on Developmental Disabilities
All states have Councils and some will fund conference travel. Some states require that you agree to share the knowledge you gained at the conference with others groups in your state. Many of these are listed in state section below.
Click here for a roster of Developmental Disabilities Boards by state: http://www.nasddds.org/state-agencies/
Click on your state and then on “county boards” and select your county of residence.
Medicaid Waiver
State by State
Idaho
The state’s Council on Developmental Disabilities has previously provided funding for families to attend conferences relating to a family member’s disability. You need to file a post-attendance report stating outcomes/lessons learned and a plan to share what you’ve learned with other Idaho families affected by developmental disability. Deadlines are 30 days prior to the conference. Site not current with info.
Welcome to Council on Developmental Disabilities (idaho.gov)
Illinois
The Financial Assistance for Training distributes consumer stipend funds to enable people with developmental disabilities and their family members to attend conferences of their choice that are directly related to developmental disability issues.
The Arc: Consumer Stipend (Financial Assistance for Training)
www.thearcofil.org/about-us/programs/financial-assistance-for-trainings/
Indiana
The state’s Consumer IEducation Fund supports conference travel. Funds are limited to $1,500 per person, per event for an individual, and up to $2,000 for a household. Deadline is at least 5 weeks prior to an out-of-state event:
Application: www.in.gov/gpcpd/featured-projects/consumer-education-fund/
Governor’s Fund:www.in.gov/gpcpd/featured-projects/consumer-education-fund/
Iowa
Provides funding for person with the disorder (under age 22) to attend conference. Other areas of funding available.
Children at Home – Iowa Family Support Network (iafamilysupportnetwork.org)
Maryland
The state’s Developmental Disabilities Council supports travel to out-of-state conferences. There is no fixed amount, but they encourage cost-sharing with families, rather than subsidization of the entire costs. Deadline is a minimum of 90 days prior to conference.
Michigan
The Megan Weisenbach Foundation:
Michigan
Families who live in Michigan can apply for a scholarship to help cover expenses for one parent (with a child, birth to 26 years old) to attend a conference related to their child’s special need. A youth (14-26 with special needs) can also apply to attend a conference related to their own diagnosis, condition or treatment with a parent or on their own.
The Family Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs
Nevada
Provides grants of up to $750 for individuals and $1000 for families to attend conferences out of state. No deadline provided, so call contact on the webpage for details on timing.
North Carolina
The state’s Jean Wolff-Rossi for Participant Involvement Fund offers up to $800 per person (and up to a maximum of $2400 per event, regardless of how many people apply) for participation in out-of-state conferences. Deadlines for application are 30 days prior to an out-of-state event; decisions are made on an ongoing basis.
North Dakota
Ohio
To check eligibility, email [email protected] or by phone at 216-241-8230.
South Dakota
The state’s Council on Developmental Disabilities provides funding up to $750 per person for out-of-state conference travel. Deadline is 60 days prior to the event.
Details and application:
www.state.sd.us/eforms/secure/eforms/E0512V2-DDCRequestTravelExpenses.pdf
Tennessee
The Scholarship Fund assists Tennesseans with disabilities and their families, especially individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, to attend leadership coalition meetings, disability conferences, and disability trainings held in Tennessee and across the U.S. Funds can reimburse individuals or families for the cost of registration, attendant care, hotel/lodging, transportation, child care or respite care, meals and other related travel expenses. All scholarship awards are subject to the availability of funds. Deadline is 30 days prior to the event.
Texas
Utah
Utah has an Empowerment Fund designed to support family attendance at disability-related conferences, but the information has not been updated since 2009. If you wish to pursue this, call first to make sure that the funds are still available and procedures are clear.
Council Grant Funding | Utah Developmental Disabilities Council (utahddcouncil.org)
Wisconsin
CCOP pays for many supports and services that you can’t get through other insurance, Medicaid, or the Children’s Long-Term Support Program. It can also pay for a one-time need.
Children’s Community Options Program (CCOP)
Other
Other Options
If you aren’t able to find a grant to assist you, some of the expenses you incur in traveling to a conference at which medical information is shared may be tax deductible if you itemize your medical expenses on your federal tax return. See “medical conferences” here for current rules and consult your tax preparation expert: https://www.irs.gov/publications/p502/ar02.html.