Susan Senator

Today I received the following important notice from Massachusetts Advocates for Children (MAC), for parents of children on the autism spectrum ages 0-9. There are some tremendous resources available in early April under the Medicaid Waiver program! Please check it out, regardless of your income. I think — I could be wrong — that this is about diagnosis, not income-based.  Check it out yourself with the DDS, the phone number is below.

The Autism Division of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is launching an open enrollment period for the Children’s Autism Medicaid Waiver April 2 – April 14.

Please help us contact parents of children with ASD ages 0-9, as well as school districts, service providers, community organizations, educators, medical professionals and others that can help get the word out to families about this opportunity.

A Message from the Autism Division of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
PARENTS WITH CHILDREN WITH ASD AGES 0-9

Open Enrollment for the Children’s
Autism Waiver Program
April 2, 2012 through April 14, 2012

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

1) Parents who have children on the autism spectrum 0-9 years old

2) Parents who think intensive services are needed to support their child with autism spectrum disorder in the home and community (ABA, floor time, as well as respite and other services)
The Autism Waiver program offers $25,000/year of services for each child selected.

3) Parents who think they might be eligible for MassHealth

* Applications for the Autism Waiver Program must be postmarked between April 2 – April 14.  Applications with postmarks before April 2nd or after April 14 will be discarded.

* Even if you applied before during the enrollment period last year, you must apply again between April 2-April 14 to remain eligible for Autism Waiver services.

Additional Information about this Waiver Program is available on the DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES Website at: www.mass.gov/DDS under ‘Autism Spectrum Services’ or contact 1-888-367-4435.

Information is also available through the Autism Support Centers listed below.

Listing of the Autism Support Centers:

HMEA: Autism Resource Center
71 Sterling Street, West Boylston, MA 01583
#508-835-4278: Serving Central, MA

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ACL: Community Resources for People with Autism (CRPA)
116 Pleasant St. Easthampton, MA 01027
#413-529-2428: Serving Western, MA

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Community Autism Resources (CAR)
33 James Reynolds Rd, Unit C, Swansea, MA 02777
#508-379-0371: Serving Southeastern, MA

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TILL, Inc.: Autism Support Center
20 Eastbrook Rd. Dedham, MA 02026
#781-302-4600 x 4661: Serving Greater Boston

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SNCARC: The Family Autism Center
789 Clapboardtree Street, Westwood, MA 02090
#781-762-4001, X. 395: Serving Norfolk County Area

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NEARC: The Autism Support Center
6 Southside Road, Danvers, MA 01923
#978-777-9135: Serving Northeastern, MA

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Advocates: Autism Alliance of MetroWest (AAMW)
14 Central Street, Natick, MA 01760
#508-652-9900: Serving Metro West of Boston