Grants, Scholarships & Financial Resources for Families of Children with Disabilities
Scholarships, grants, and funding sources for families with special needs children, including autism.
Therapy, specialized education, adaptive equipment, summer programming, and other services can create significant expenses for families raising a child with a disability. 💙
Peak Potential Therapy has compiled this resource to help families identify Ohio funding programs, disability grants, autism scholarships, special-needs scholarships, therapy grants, educational assistance, and other financial resources that may help offset those costs.
Some programs can help pay directly for therapy or educational services. Others may assist with adaptive equipment, tutoring, recreation, camps, communication devices, medical expenses, or other disability-related needs.
Funding programs change frequently. Eligibility, application periods, award amounts, and covered expenses are determined by each individual organization. Families should confirm current requirements directly with the funding organization before applying.
Ohio Funding Programs for Children with Disabilities
Ohio Autism Scholarship Program
The Ohio Autism Scholarship Program provides eligible Ohio students with autism funding to receive special education and related services from approved providers.
For FY2027, July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, the maximum Autism Scholarship is $34,000 per student for full-year participation.
Depending on the student’s eligibility, educational plan, and approved services, Autism Scholarship funding may be used for services such as:
- Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA);
- speech-language therapy;
- occupational therapy;
- behavioral intervention;
- educational services;
- instructional support; and
- other qualifying special education services.
Peak Potential Therapy is an approved Ohio Autism Scholarship provider.
Families interested in the program should review current eligibility and application requirements through the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.
Learn more about the Ohio Autism Scholarship
Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship
The Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program provides funding for eligible Ohio students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) to receive special education and related services from approved private or alternative public providers.
For FY2027, maximum scholarship amounts vary according to the student’s identified special education category:
- Speech or Language Impairment: up to $10,045
- Specific Learning Disability, Intellectual Disability, or OHI-Minor: up to $13,069
- Hearing Impairment or Emotional Disturbance: up to $20,069
- Visual Impairment or OHI-Major: up to $24,080
- Orthopedic Impairment or Multiple Disabilities: up to $29,750
- Autism, Traumatic Brain Injury, or combined Hearing and Vision Impairment: up to $34,000
Students must generally participate for the full scholarship year to receive the maximum amount.
Peak Potential Therapy is an approved Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship provider.
Learn more about the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship
Post-Adoption Special Services Subsidy (PASSS)
Ohio’s Post-Adoption Special Services Subsidy, or PASSS, helps eligible adoptive families pay for certain services related to an adopted child’s physical, developmental, mental health, or emotional needs.
Eligible children may receive up to $10,000 per Ohio fiscal year, or up to $15,000 when residential treatment is recommended by a qualified professional.
PASSS may help cover qualifying services such as:
- therapeutic services;
- psychological or psychiatric services;
- medical services;
- respite;
- residential treatment; and
- other approved special-needs services.
PASSS is intended to assist when other funding sources, such as insurance or Medicaid, are inadequate or unavailable. Funding is subject to annual state appropriations and may be exhausted during the fiscal year.
Applications are coordinated through OhioKAN and approved by the Ohio Department of Children and Youth.
Peak Potential Therapy works with families using approved PASSS funding when our services meet the requirements of the family’s authorization.
OhioRISE
OhioRISE is an Ohio Medicaid managed care program designed for children and youth with significant behavioral health and multisystem needs.
Children and youth who may qualify generally must:
- be eligible for Ohio Medicaid;
- be between ages 0 and 20; and
- have significant behavioral health treatment needs identified through the Ohio Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) assessment or meet another qualifying urgent eligibility pathway.
OhioRISE may be especially relevant for children whose needs involve multiple systems, who are at risk for out-of-home placement, or who require significant behavioral health coordination.
Families who believe their child may qualify can request information about obtaining a CANS assessment and beginning the eligibility process.
County Boards of Developmental Disabilities
Ohio’s county Boards of Developmental Disabilities may provide or coordinate funding for eligible children and adults with developmental disabilities.
Available assistance varies by county and may include:
- Family Support Services funds;
- respite;
- camps or community programming;
- adaptive equipment;
- transportation;
- therapeutic or recreational services; and
- other disability-related supports.
Families should contact their local county Board of Developmental Disabilities to determine eligibility and current funding availability.
Peak Potential Therapy works with several Northeast Ohio county boards and funding programs when services are authorized.
Find an Ohio County Board of Developmental Disabilities
SELF Waiver and Other DODD Funding
Ohio’s SELF Waiver, or Self-Empowered Life Funding Waiver, allows eligible individuals with developmental disabilities greater flexibility in directing certain services and supports.
Depending on the individual’s waiver plan and authorization, funding may be available for qualifying client-directed goods, services, community participation, assistive technology, and other supports.
Waiver availability and covered services are determined through the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities and the individual’s county Board of Developmental Disabilities.
Learn more about Ohio developmental disability waivers
Ohio Grants and Financial Assistance Programs
Community Fund Ohio
Community Fund Ohio provides individual grants to eligible Ohio residents with developmental disabilities.
For 2026, eligible applicants may receive grants up to a $7,500 lifetime maximum.
Funding may be considered for disability-related needs such as:
- adaptive equipment;
- home or vehicle modifications;
- specialized therapy services;
- specialized summer camps;
- assistive technology; and
- other items or services that improve independence and daily life.
Applicants must live in Ohio and generally must have a documented developmental disability or currently participate in Ohio Early Intervention.
Applications are accepted during quarterly application periods. Summer camp requests are accepted during the winter quarter only.
Community Fund Ohio specifically excludes certain expenses, so families should review its current funding guidelines before applying.
Learn more and apply through Community Fund Ohio
Learning Aid Ohio
Learning Aid Ohio provides grant-funded, individualized tutoring for Ohio students with developmental disabilities who have an IEP.
The program connects families with qualified tutors for in-person, one-on-one supplemental educational support.
Families may select a tutor from Learning Aid Ohio’s approved network or may be able to recommend an individual they trust who can apply to participate in the program.
Learning Aid Ohio operates statewide and serves families across most Ohio counties.
Application periods are offered by semester and space may fill quickly.
Learn more about Learning Aid Ohio
Parker’s Purpose Foundation
Parker’s Purpose Foundation provides financial assistance to families experiencing an immediate financial crisis related to a minor child’s life-altering illness or disability.
Ohio families receive priority consideration.
Assistance may be awarded for specific bills, medical expenses, equipment, or other needs connected to the family’s circumstances.
The foundation’s current application materials indicate grants of up to $1,000, with recipients generally eligible once within a two-year period.
Learn more about Parker’s Purpose Foundation
Rec2Connect Eileen Hewitt Scholarship Fund
Northeast Ohio’s Rec2Connect offers financial assistance through its Eileen Hewitt Scholarship Fund for individuals participating in Rec2Connect recreation and therapeutic recreation programs.
For 2026, Rec2Connect announced $40,000 in scholarship funding, with awards covering up to 50% of qualifying programming for up to 24 weeks.
Programs may include:
- adapted aquatics;
- aquatic therapy;
- biking;
- group fitness;
- outdoor recreation; and
- other Rec2Connect programs.
Applications are generally accepted annually from January through March.
Learn more about Rec2Connect financial assistance
National Grants for Therapy and Medical Expenses
UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation
The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) provides medical grants to help families pay for health-related services that are not covered, or are not fully covered, by their commercial health insurance.
Children must generally be 16 years old or younger when the application is submitted, and household income limits apply.
Grants may help with qualifying medical or therapeutic expenses that fall outside the family’s insurance coverage.
Families do not need to have UnitedHealthcare insurance to explore eligibility, but the child must generally be covered by a commercial health insurance plan.
Applications are accepted through UHCCF’s online grant process.
Learn more about UHCCF medical grants
MyGOAL Autism Grant Program
The MyGOAL Autism Grant Program provides need-based grants to families caring for an individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Funding may be used for treatment, enrichment, nutritional needs, educational services, or other needs that are not fully covered by insurance, school districts, county programs, or other funding sources.
For 2026, MyGOAL announced plans to award $25,000 to 25 families.
Applicants must be the primary caregiver of an individual with autism and provide documentation required by the program.
Learn more about the MyGOAL Autism Grant Program
Modest Needs
Modest Needs provides grants designed primarily for working individuals and families who may earn too much to qualify for conventional public assistance but are experiencing a short-term financial hardship.
Its grant programs are not disability-specific, but they may be useful to families facing unexpected expenses that threaten financial stability.
Eligibility and qualifying expenses vary by program.
Assistive Technology and Adaptive Equipment Resources
The Arc of Ohio Assistive Technology Program
The Arc of Ohio provides advocacy and support for Ohioans with intellectual and developmental disabilities and operates an Assistive Technology Program.
Available technology and supports may include items related to:
- communication;
- tablets and communication devices;
- sensory needs;
- home safety;
- environmental controls; and
- other assistive technology.
Families should contact The Arc of Ohio directly to discuss eligibility, funding options, and available equipment.
Learn more about The Arc of Ohio Assistive Technology Program
Red Treehouse
Red Treehouse, a program of Ronald McDonald House Charities Northeast Ohio, provides a searchable collection of resources for families and professionals supporting children and young adults with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and other health conditions.
The resource directory can help families locate:
- financial assistance;
- disability organizations;
- support groups;
- recreation;
- medical resources;
- educational resources; and
- other community services throughout Northeast Ohio.
While Red Treehouse does not itself fund every service listed, it can be a useful starting point for locating additional local assistance.
Search Red Treehouse resources
Scholarships for Students with Disabilities
Organization for Autism Research Scholarships
The Organization for Autism Research (OAR) offers postsecondary scholarships for autistic students pursuing higher education, vocational education, technical training, or qualifying life-skills programs.
OAR’s current scholarship programs include:
- the Schwallie Family Scholarship;
- the Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship; and
- the Synchrony Scholarship for Autistic Students of Color.
For the 2026–2027 academic year, each program offered awards of $3,000.
Applications are generally offered annually.
Learn more about OAR scholarships
Anne Ford Scholarship
The National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) awards the Anne Ford Scholarship to graduating high school seniors with a documented learning disability who plan to attend a full-time four-year bachelor’s degree program.
The scholarship provides $10,000 over four years, or $2,500 annually.
Students with ADHD may apply if they also have a documented learning disability.
Learn more about the Anne Ford Scholarship
Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship
NCLD also offers the Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship for graduating high school seniors with documented learning disabilities who plan to attend:
- a two-year community college;
- vocational or technical training;
- or a specialized postsecondary program for students with disabilities.
The scholarship provides $5,000 over two years.
Learn more about the Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship
Additional Places to Look for Financial Assistance
No single grant directory will contain every available funding source.
Families may also want to explore:
- local foundations and community foundations;
- county Boards of Developmental Disabilities;
- Family and Children First Councils;
- school district special education resources;
- hospital social workers and care coordinators;
- employer charitable funds;
- diagnosis-specific nonprofit organizations;
- religious or community organizations;
- local service clubs;
- adoption support organizations;
- military family assistance programs; and
- private foundations serving the family’s county or region.
Small local programs can sometimes be easier to access than large national grant competitions.
Using Funding for Services at Peak Potential Therapy
Peak Potential Therapy works with families using a variety of funding sources for eligible services.
Depending on the child’s needs, program eligibility, and authorization, funding may include:
- Ohio Autism Scholarship;
- Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship;
- PASSS;
- county developmental disability funding;
- certain waiver or client-directed funding;
- commercial health insurance;
- private payment; and
- qualifying grants or third-party funding.
Peak provides ABA, speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, behavioral support, and related developmental and educational services through our Northeast Ohio programs.
If your family has been awarded funding through a grant, scholarship, county program, or other organization, contact Peak Potential Therapy before services begin so we can determine whether the funding can be used for the services your child needs and whether any provider documentation or authorization is required.
Need Help Understanding Your Options?
Families often find a funding program before they understand exactly how it works with a therapy provider.
You do not need to have every detail figured out before contacting us.
If you are considering Peak Potential Therapy and have questions about an Autism Scholarship, Jon Peterson Scholarship, PASSS authorization, county funding, insurance, or another funding source, our team can explain the information we need and help determine the appropriate next step.
Our goal is to help families spend less time navigating systems and more time connecting their child with the support they need.