In California, parents of children with special needs like autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other disabilities can apply for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), a program that provides financial assistance. Granting up to $3,000 per month, it gives you the chance to stay at home as your child’s caretaker, while receiving an hourly wage to take care of your child. Part of the application process is an assessment by a state case representative. But how can you best prepare for the IHSS social worker visit?

(more…)

If you are the parent of a child with special needs such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy or another disability, California State’s In-Home Supportive Services program (IHSS) provides a helpful program to get financial support every month. Especially for those of you who have had to stop working in order to take care of your child. Disability benefits such as IHSS and Protective Supervision allow you to be employed as your child’s in-home caretaker. But can you get retroactive payments? And if so, how far back does IHSS pay? (more…)

 

 

 

Parenting is difficult enough, and when your child has special needs, including autism, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy, you are challenged even further. The struggles seem to double, and if you don’t have support or you don’t practice acts of self-care, you can end up feeling alone, helpless and ultimately, an exhausted mom.

(more…)

 

 

 

 

All of us are still reeling about the news of Kobe Bryant’s death. As someone who was so influential in the public eye as a role model and hero for so many kids as well as adults, it strikes extra hard to our hearts. When a catastrophic event like this happens, children may be troubled by what they see or hear about the tragedy. They may react with emotions such as fear, worry, shock and grief. And if you have a child with special needs, he may respond in ways that are difficult to handle. And while we may not be able to shield our children from tragic events, there are plenty of ways to help them through.

(more…)

California State’s In-Home Supportive Services program (IHSS) provides an amazing program for financial support to enable you to stay at home with your child with a disability and keep her or him safe and happy. Children with special needs such as autism, Down syndrome, or cerebral palsy can often take a heavy financial toll on a family. It is common for you to have to stop working in order to take care of your child. But disability benefits such as In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and Protective Supervision allow you to be employed as your child’s in-home caretaker. But what if you already have IHSS, and they recently cut your IHSS hours? What do you do?

(more…)