The Prestera Center Family Support Program is part of a statewide program passed by legislation in March 1991. It is a program designed to assist families having a member with a qualified developmental disability living in their natural home. Family Support was created as a last resort to assist when other resources and programs are not available. The Family Support Program is available regardless of income or the age of the person with a disability. Our goal is to make Family Support services available to all eligible families residing in Boone, Clay, Kanawha, and Putnam Counties.

Eligibility

Any family who resides in Boone, Clay, Kanawha, or Putnam Counties and has a person living in their home that has a developmental disability. The applicant must live with family members (no group homes, hospitals).

A qualified developmental disability as per the legislation means the applicant has a diagnosis of a severe, chronic disability, which is:

Attributed to a mental or physical impairment, or combination of mental and physical impairments
Manifested before the person attains the age twenty-two (22)
Likely to continue indefinitely
Substantially limits functions in three or more of the following areas of major life activities:
- Self care
- Receptive or Expressive language
- Learning
- Mobility
- Self-direction
- Capacity for independent living
- Economic self-sufficiency

Services

The Family Support Program offers several services to qualified families, free of cost. We offer case management, assistance filling out CDCSP packets for medial cards, assistance applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), linkage and referral to other programs and agencies, and stipend applications.

Family Support Services

The Family Support Program is funded by a limited state grant from West Virginia. This is not an entitlement program. Applications submitted to the Family Support Program DOES NOT GAURNTEE that the Family Support Council will fund the request. The Family Support Council will only consider completed applications received by the deadline, which is the second Thursday of each month. There are no meetings in the month of December, so any applications received during this time will be reviewed in January�s meeting.

Stipend Guidelines

Make sure ALL blanks are filled in on the application
Only one item can be submitted on each application
Only one application can be submitted per month
All previous documentation must be submitted prior to this application
Two written estimates must be attached to the application
A current treatment plan, psychological, and/or doctor�s diagnosis are encouraged to be attached to the application

Family Support Council

The Family Support Council consists of a minimum of seven members, the majority of whom must be a person or family member of a person having a qualified disability. Each county has at least one representative who volunteers their time to sit on the Family Support Council. Only the Family Support Coordinator knows the names of the applicants, the Family Support Council abides by all HIPPA and confidentiality regulations. The Council meets during the evening of every third Tuesday of the month.

Application

To download the Family Support Program Application, Click Here

To View The Family Support Application Information Sheet, Click Here

To View The Family Support Application Completion Tips, Click Here