What is the Family Involvement Fund?

The Family Involvement Fund (FIF) provides financial support for family members of children with disabilities to help increase knowledge and understanding of their child’s disability and/or the systems that provide services.

This may include attending conferences, conventions, seminars, public forums and hearings, task force meetings, online trainings, teleconferences, webinars, etc. The FIF provides financial support for the purchase of some print materials, and electronic media such as CDs/DVDs, and videos. Separate funding within the FIF is available for parents who participate officially as members on the LPCC-Local Planning and Coordinating Council, its committees, and sponsored activities.

See the FIF Guidelines for details on requirements and limitations for these activities and purchase requests.

Payer of Last Resort

The Family Involvement Fund is considered a “payer of last resort.” Families are encouraged to seek financial support from other sources before applying to the FIF. Please consider the following resources:

1) Local community service organizations such as Lions Club, Kiwanis, etc.

2) The Consumer Involvement Fund administered by the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities. Call 317-232-7700, or visit http://www.in.gov/gpcpd.  

3) Local CSPD (Comprehensive Systems of Personnel Development) Funds (for children ages 3-21). Contact your local Director of Special Education.

How Much Financial Support is Available from the Family Involvement Fund?

There is a limit is $250 per person, or $500 per family, per program year (October 1, 2007 – September 30, 2008). This amount is subject to change.

Who Can Apply to the Family Involvement Fund?

The FIF is available to families of children with disabilities, ages birth – 21 years of age. Family includes parents, siblings, grandparents, stepparents, other relatives, foster parents, legal guardians, and educational surrogate parents.

How do I Apply for the Family Involvement Fund?

You may request an application by calling or emailing the Indiana Institute on Disability & Community

You may download the application form and mail it to us, or

You may apply online

Please Note the Following Guidelines:

• Please submit your application at least 30 days prior to the date of the event.

• The FIF will reimburse for actual expenses and requires you to submit original receipts.

• Upon approval, you will receive a letter & the forms you will need to fill out & return after the event.

• If your application is determined to be outside the use of this fund, you will receive a letter of explanation.

• The FIF does not reimburse for therapies or other developmental services, purchase of instructional media, training for specific therapy modalities, or academic course work, the purchase of developmental toys, materials, equipment, etc. for specific use by a child or family, and will not reimburse enrolled providers for expenses related to attendance at a training required for credentialing purchases.

Contact Information

Indiana Institute on Disability & Community
C/O Family Involvement Fund
Cathy Beard and Sharon Hauss
2853 E. 10th Street
Bloomington, IN 47408
1-800-825-4733/812-855-6508
TT: 812-855-9396
Fax: 812-855-9630
Email: fif@indiana.edu
Web: http://www.inf2f.org