HADSA GRANT PROGRAM The Hawkeye Area Down Syndrome Association (“HADSA”) has established a grant fund to assist members in providing needed services for family members with Down syndrome. The intent of the program is to formalize how, and to what degree, HADSA can support our members through the granting of specific scholarship requests. Although the grant budget is limited, the goal is to carry out our mission by providing funding to as many families as possible in the following areas: 1. EDUCATION Assistance with educational items that benefit individuals with Down syndrome, for example, seminars (registration fees), conferences (registration fees), and educational equipment. Education assistance includes instructive or assistive materials for library or teacher support. Applications for educational items must include detailed information on the item(s) to be purchased or the conference or seminar to be attended. If the conference/seminar is cancelled or the proceeds are otherwise refunded, the proceeds must be returned to HADSA. Tangible items will be limited to one item per family. Assistance for the attendance at a seminar sponsored by a group other than HADSA will be limited to members who have volunteered for HADSA at one of its major events in the twelve month period immediately preceding the date of the request for assistance. If assistance is awarded, it will be contingent upon the recipient sharing the information they received from the seminar through the writing of an article in the newsletter or by presenting at a parent support meeting, or to the Board of Directors.
2. MEDICAL Assistance with medical services and equipment for individuals with Down Syndrome would include medical treatment, therapy (including music and art therapy), specialty foods, and medical equipment. Items in this category will be considered if they are not otherwise covered under personal insurance or any government resources(waiver). An application may be submitted while waiting for waiver acceptance of the individual with Down Syndrome. Assistance is not available for the payment of insurance premiums. Upon request, documentation must be submitted to the Board, explaining the type of treatment, care or equipment you are requesting scholarship funds for and how it will benefit the individual with Down Syndrome. Applicants may be required to provide documentation from your insurance carrier to verify coverage.
3. RECREATION Assistance with recreational services and equipment for individuals with Down syndrome, such as camps, and recreational equipment that are not otherwise covered under personal insurance or government funding/resources.
4. TRUST ASSISTANCE/LEGAL GUARDIANSHIP/CONSERVATORSHIP Assistance in estate planning costs for the establishment of a trust for the specific benefit of a family member with Down syndrome. Assistance is also available for those entering into or working through the process(s) of legal guardianship and/or conservatorship. Documentation must be provided to show fees owed for all legal services paid for. No advanced funds shall be provided for planned services. Funds shall be awarded for reimbursement of charges paid. Assistance is limited to one per lifetime per individual with Down syndrome.
5. EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP Assistance for HADSA members enrolled in an accredited teaching, therapy or special education program. Applicants must submit a transcript verifying the completion of 24 credit hours of education beyond high school and must be enrolled and in good standing in an accredited program. All applications must be accompanied by a letter explaining how the applicant’s education will make a positive and direct impact for individuals with Down Syndrome. This grant would also include individuals with Down Syndrome enrolled in a post high school education program.
To qualify for grant funding, an applicant must be a current HADSA member and be a resident of Iowa. Only one application may be submitted per quarter per family. The maximum grant that will be awarded to any family in each calendar year will be five hundred dollars ($500.00). Lesser amounts may be awarded at the discretion of the Grant Approval Team or the Board of Directors, based on the determination of need and total Grant funds available. The approval of the grant and the amount is subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors of HADSA. In making its determination, the Grant Approval Team or Board of Directors may request additional documentation or information with respect to the request.
Scholarship requests will be reviewed on a quarterly basis.
Applications will be due by: December 1 to be considered for the First quarter of the following year. To be paid on January 1 March 1 to be considered for the Second quarter. To be paid on April 1 June 1 to be considered for the Third quarter. To be Paid on July 1 September 1 to be considered for the Fourth quarter. To be Paid on October 1
Applicants will be notified after the application has been considered. (During the board meeting in March, June, September and December each year). Funding is limited by the amount that has been set aside for this purpose in the HADSA budget. Priority will be given to those applicants who have not previously applied or received funds in the last 12 months. Applications received after the above dates, will be held for consideration the next quarter.