• Accessing Training Funds
• Supplemental Security Income
• Indiana’s Family Supports Medicaid Waiver (FSW) and the Community Integration and Habilitation Medicaid Waiver (CIH)

Accessing Training Funds from the Indiana Governor's Council for People with Disabilities

The Consumer Investment Fund (CIF) implemented by the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities (GPCPD) can help individuals with disabilities and family members with funding to participate in educational events. Educational activities include conferences, workshops, and other training formats as well as attendance at public forums, hearings, and task force meetings.

The Consumer Investment Fund (CIF) is designed and implemented to invest resources in supporting the participation of persons with disabilities and/or family members who do not otherwise have the organizational or financial support to attend educational events. Individuals or a sponsoring nonprofit agency or organization can request the forms and complete the paperwork.

Upon request, an application that includes several forms is promptly sent. Applications can be requested at any time and should be submitted no more than three months prior to the event. Allow 4-6 weeks to process and authorize the application. Applications are accepted on a first come, first served basis. Applications can be requested directly from the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities. They are located in Indianapolis. The address, phone, and website are as follows:

Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities
402 W. Washington Street, Room E145
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-232-7770 Voice/TDD
bwade@gpcpd.org
http://www.in.gov/gpcpd/ 

The Consumer Investment Fund application also can be accessed on line at http://www.in.gov/gpcpd/2328.htm.

As part of the application process, a budget must be submitted. The budget must indicate any funds or ways in which the individual will reduce costs, such as sharing a hotel room or transportation. As of January 1, 2002, a 50% match of funds is required for applicants not receiving Social Security benefits (SSI or SSDI). Funds can be tailored to address individual need and can cover the cost of registration, mileage, hotel room, meals, respite care, attendant care, or any other service that is needed for full participation, such as a communication device for the event.

The applicant must demonstrate how participation in the proposed event will benefit the consumer and how the event reflects the Council’s mission and commitment to community inclusion. The Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities has the right to deny a request if the proposed activity is found to be inconsistent with the purpose of the Fund and/or with the mission of the Council.

Due to limited funds, out-of-state travel is restricted to one conference per family per year. Also, an individual will not be funded for more than one educational event per calendar year. Funds must be used specifically for those individuals identified in the grant. After the event, recipients are required to conduct/participate in two community activities from a list provided by the Council. Please contact Brenda Wade to obtain application forms, to gather information, and to ask specific questions. bwade@gpcpd.org or 317-233-4551.

Wheeler, M. (2007). Accessing training funds from the Indiana governor’s council for people with disabilities. Bloomington, IN: Indiana Resource Center for Autism.