Community Programs, Family Resource Fund

The Family Resource Fund was founded by staff members, exists to assist the families served by The Center at times of crisis, when a small amount of funding for a crucial service or item makes all the difference.  As the Center has been able to bear the administrative costs associated with the Fund, we have been able to ensure that all funds donated have been used entirely to benefit families and children. 

What is the purpose of the Fund?  to provide support to families in times of crisis or when their children with  special health concerns need an item or service that is not paid for by public programs or traditional funding sources.

Who is served by the Fund?  Families, children and individuals who participate in Coordinating Center programs are eligible.  Many people think that Medicaid will pay for all of a child’s or an adult’s needs when they have disabilities and special health concerns. That is not always the case.  And often to be safe and healthy in the community, people need things that are not covered by any source of funding.    

What kinds of things does the Fund pay for?  The Fund is designed to be very flexible.  It will pay for necessary items or services that can’t be funded in any other way.  It has been used to buy such things as developmental toys, adapted feeding utensils, over the counter medications, and audio tapes; it has been used to pay for repairs to major appliances, transportation for families to visit hospitalized children, transportation to college, books, camp scholarships, emergency childcare, and burial expenses.

The Living at Home program does not provide food for the first month after a person is transitioned from a nursing facility.  The fund has been tapped to buy food cards for those individuals.

Is there anything that the Fund won’t pay for?  Yes.  The fund will not pay for rent, utility or phone bills or ongoing grocery costs.    We do refer families to other agencies for assistance with those needs. 

How long does it take for families to be helped by the Fund?  When there is an emergency, a decision is made and a check made out to the provider of the service or item within one business week or sooner.  When the request is not an emergency, but still a critical need, the co-worker committee meets to make decisions and payments within one month of receiving the request. 

How are decisions made?   Requests to the Fund come from coordinators who work with the families.  The Fund is administered by a co-worker review team that meets regularly, once a month.  A small group of the review team members meets whenever a request is made, however.

How much of the money that is donated to the Fund actually goes to help families?  All of it.  The Coordinating Center bears the cost of administration.

Are donations tax deductible?  Yes.  All donations are fully tax deductible. 

How can potential donors be sure that The Center will respect their wishes if they have special concerns?  We have the ability to earmark money for stated purposes.    We will also accept donations as memorials to loved ones, and we send acknowledgements as directed by donors.  The Coordinating Center has been certified by the Maryland Association of Non Profits as a Standards for Excellence organization.  This means that we adhere to stringent standards of ethics and accountability in all of our operations, including fundraising.

How can people donate to the Family Resource Fund?  All funds donated to The Coordinating Center are designated for the Family Resource Fund.  Donors can send checks directly to The Center (8258 Veteran’s Highway, Suite 13,Millersville, MD 21108).  Donors can also contribute through the United Way by selecting us as an independent agency (Agency #2582). We also participate in the Combined Charity Campaign for Baltimore City Employees and Retirees. 

If anyone needs more information, what should they do?  Call The Center at 410-987-1048 or call or email Barbara McCord at bmccord@coordinatingcenter.org.

Copies of our financial statement are available upon request and documents submitted to the State of Maryland under the Charitable Solicitations Act are available from the Office of the Secretary of State for the cost of copying and postage.