Education Scholarship Account (ESA) Supporting Diverse Educational Needs
The Education Scholarship Account (ESA) offers flexible financial assistance to support the unique educational needs of children, particularly those with disabilities, by providing access to a wide range of educational resources.
Eligibility: Available to Indiana residents with children aged 6 and above who meet the Indiana Department of Education’s eligibility criteria. This program is especially beneficial for families seeking specialized educational supports or alternative educational environments. To learn more on Eligibility criteria: click here
Benefits and Uses of ESA Funds: Funds can be allocated for various educational purposes, including:
- Specialized private school tuition
- Home education resources
- Supplementary online courses
- Targeted tutoring or therapeutic services
- Educational materials and technologies
Application Process: To apply, families should:
- Access the guidelines and application on the Indiana Department of Education’s ESA portal.
- Ensure all documentation is complete and accurate.
- Submit the application through the designated online platform.
- Monitor the application status and manage funds upon approval.
Learn More and Apply: For a detailed guide on ESA benefits, application procedures, and management, please visit our ESA Details and Application page. Our team at HANDS in Autism® is available to assist with any questions and support throughout the application process.
Commitment to Educational Access: At HANDS in Autism®, we are dedicated to empowering families by providing access to essential resources that support educational development and personal growth. The ESA program is a key component of our efforts to ensure every child can reach their full potential in a learning environment that suits their needs.
Services Provided Through ESA at HANDS in Autism®
Individual and Family-Focused Services:
- Individual/Caregiver Programming (Custom Sessions): Tailored inventories or assessments help evaluate specific training, and support needs to foster further programming and resource avenues.
- Dyad Consultation (Flexible Duration): Focused web-based, center-based or in person support for a caregiver and child specific to the training, education and programming needs.
- Family/Caregiver Intensive Trainings (Multiple Days): In-depth training sessions covering the HANDS Training Model, Framework and Process allow for a rich, hands-on environment for learning, applying and getting feedback for specific skill development and capacity building.
Educational Workshops and Training:
- Interactive Workshops (Varies): Workshops are interactive in activity, material or support development and application of core concepts with topics appropriate to students or individuals, caregivers and team members supporting educational, vocational and other skill development.
- Next Steps Workshops (2-Session Sequence): As a discussion-based workshop, this offering provides a time to explore diagnoses, strengths, self-awareness and sharing, resources, rights and regulations, and evidence-based practices across a 2-session sequence. Participants receive a virtual and/or printed manual to guide their learning.
Group Sessions:
- Online & In Person Small Group Sessions (Flexible Duration): Virtual sessions focus on learning and applying practical skills in the areas of job exploration, self-advocacy and self-care, workplace readiness, activities of daily living, community engagement, and more. Sessions are also offered at the HANDS Center and can be partnered with a group or organization in your area (inquire about minimum numbers required for community-based groups).
- Online Community Group Sessions (Ongoing): Virtual community of peers and colleagues learning, connecting, engaging with and exploring hot topics and activities that expand your network and options within a welcoming setting.
Consultations and Support:
- Setting-Based Consultation (Customized): Customized coaching, consultation and support in various community settings such as workplaces, homes, schools and other accessible settings (e.g., libraries, museums).
- Web-Based Virtual Support (Customizable): Accessible online consultation and support tailored to the training, education and programming needs of a team or individual.
Intensive and Practical Experience Programs:
- Intensive Training Institutes and Camps (3-5 Days): 3-5 day camps are offered as part of HANDS intensive trainings. During these camps, campers are embedded in early childhood, school-aged or transition-aged groups and engage in academic, non-academic, functional and leisure activities within a fun, structured and supported setting.
- Internships (Duration Varies): Real-world work experience is provided in person at the HANDS Center and within partnering HANDSmade sites with a focus on key areas and offerings of work-based learning (e.g., job shadowing, informational interviews, hands-on intern roles) tailored to the goals and skill areas of the individual. Interns can opt in to or complete added badging materials to further enhance their resume and career avenues.
Additional Support Services:
- Licensed Social Work Assessment and Navigation (Scheduled Sessions): Sessions focus on supporting families or individuals in navigation of the complex educational and therapeutic systems.
These services are designed to empower individuals by providing the resources and guidance needed to succeed in education, work, and life. If you’re interested in learning more or accessing these services, they can be invaluable in maximizing the potential of your ESA funding.
Interested in Applying or Learning More? If you would like assistance exploring how to apply for any of these specific services or need more information on their availability, please click here to access our referral form. We are here to help guide you through the process.