FAQs

What does Elevations fund?

Elevations funds therapy services provided by licensed professionals in Spokane County, WA for children 0-18 years of age. Elevations also funds therapy equipment and therapist supervised camps. Children must currently be receiving therapy services to receive a grant for services or equipment.

Elevations currently provides funding for children receiving services from:

  • Physical therapists
  • Occupational therapists
  • Speech-Language pathologists (speech therapists)
  • Feeding therapists (speech or occupational therapists)
  • Mental health therapists
  • Behavioral therapists
  • Dieticians/Nutritionists
  • Hippotherapy providers
  • Music therapists
  • Therapist-supervised camps (speech, stuttering, iCan bike, etc.)

Elevations currently provides funding for equipment including:

  • Therapy swings
  • Sensory processing equipment (chewables, weighted vests, home “gyms”, crash pads,
    trampolines, etc.)
  • SPIO suits
  • Therapy balls
  • Therapeutic listening headphones and music programs
  • iPads/iPad minis with communication apps
  • Bikes and trikes
  • Daily living equipment (bath chairs, special seats, safety items, strollers, wheelchair
    accessories not covered by insurance)
  • Other equipment or items recommended by therapist

Elevations

325 S. University Rd. Suite 203 Spokane Valley, WA 99206 FAX: 509-558-8464

Please call Elevations at 509-385-2116.

A qualified grant application includes a completed (all pages) application with signatures from both a parent/guardian and the child’s therapy provider(s) submitted by the due date.

The amount varies with the nature of the request, with the average grant at $700. The maximum amount currently available per grant cycle depends on Elevations’ available funds.

Elevations Application Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions:

 

Q: Will Elevations pay my outstanding balance to my child’s therapy provider?
A: No. Funds from Elevations may be applied to your child’s therapy services from the grant

award date forward.

Application Questions:
Q: Is my child’s therapist required to sign off on the application? (page 5)

A: YES. We want to ensure your child’s therapist agrees with your request and/or you agree with their recommendations. You and your child’s therapist(s) are a team in providing your child the best care and Elevations supports your team.

Q: What if I don’t know the names of my child’s therapist(s)? (page 2)
A: Please provide as much information as possible. We ask for therapist names in the event we

need to contact them for additional information about your request. Q: How do I know how much to ask for? (page 2)

A: Ask for the amount your child needs to fully benefit from their therapy services, whether that is help with 5 visits or 150 visits, or help with copays or your deductible. If you are requesting equipment, please provide the cost including shipping. Past requests have ranged from $20 for a therapy ball to thousands of dollars for multiple therapy services. Please talk with your child’s therapist to work out the details of your request.

Q: What are some examples of the “other funding opportunities” on page 2?

A: Some families have received financial assistance from other nonprofits, such as the ISAAC Foundation, or other resources, such as the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) or Infant Toddler Network (children age 0-3).

Q: Why do you want my child’s “story”? (page 3)

A: This is our best way to get to know your child and understand your family’s situation. It doesn’t have to be long, just tell us what your child needs and why, what challenges you face in getting those needs met, and how we can help.

Q: Why do you want to know if my child has tried a piece of equipment or a specific program in therapy? (page 3)

A: Elevations supports a family’s opportunity to continue or supplement their child’s therapy at home with therapist-recommended equipment. We need to know if your child has tried the equipment or program with a therapist, if that trial period was successful and beneficial for your child, and if the therapist will continue to support and guide you once the equipment or program is purchased. If a child has not tried equipment or a program, or if the therapist will not be involved in the use of the equipment or program, we will not fund the request.

Q: Why do you need insurance, deductible, and copay information? (page 4)

A: This information gives us an idea of what is available to your child and your out-of-pocket expenses for therapy. Each insurance company is different regarding therapy coverage, number of visits, copay per visit, and the annual deductible.

Q: If my child’s therapist recommends another provider’s services, how do I complete the application?

A: Elevations funds therapy services a child is currently receiving. We do not fund evaluations. If your child receives a grant, then initiates an additional therapy service with the same provider, you may use your grant for both therapies. (Example: Child is currently receiving speech therapy and adds occupational therapy.)

Q: Two of my children are in therapy services. Do I need to complete applications for both of them?

A: YES. The only exception to this rule is if more than one child is applying for a piece of equipment they will share. In this instance, you and your children’s therapist(s) will need to clearly indicate how the request will serve more than one child.

Q: Will you accept late applications?
A: NO. Elevations receives over 70 applications each grant cycle. If your application is

submitted and is complete but after the due date, it will be included in the next grant cycle.

Q: Why doesn’t Elevations ask for financial information or tax returns?

A: Elevations firmly believes that regardless of financial situation, sometimes a family needs help. We recognize that families over a certain income threshold may have additional financial pressures that may inhibit their ability to cover therapy costs and have to choose to either ration care or go deeply into debt. We want children to receive the therapy services or equipment they need. Financial pressures can affect the entire family and we want families of children receiving services to thrive.

Questions about Grants:
Q: How much money does Elevations give in grants each year?

A: In 2023, Elevations awarded over $169,000 in grants, plus an additional $69,690 special infant/toddler one-time program. The dollar amount increases every year.

Q: How many children does Elevations provide grants for?
A: In 2023, Elevations provided 265 grants and 165 special program grants

Q: Can I apply more than once a year to Elevations?

A: Yes. You may apply for a grant for your child three times each calendar year. Application deadlines are on the website elevationsspokane.org with the application link. Each grant must be used within one year of the grant date.

Q: When does Elevations award grants for children?

A: Elevations currently has three grant awards dates: one May 1st, one September 1st, and January 1st. Applications are due in April, August, and December for the corresponding award dates. Please go to elevationsspokane.org or call 509-385-2116 for application due dates and grant award dates.

Q: How long do I have to use my child’s grant?
A: The funding is available up to one year from the grant award date.

Q: Who receives the grant money?
A: Your child’s therapy provider will submit a bill for services or copays to Elevations. Funds

are allocated to your child’s therapy provider. Elevations orders equipment.

Q: I applied for a grant for my child after the due date. Do I have to wait until the next grant cycle to hear if s/he will get a grant?

A: Yes. Any applications received after a due date are rolled into the following grant cycle due dates. Example; you apply for the May grant cycle but missed the deadline, we can hold your application for the September grant cycle.

Q: What is a “provider agreement”?

A: Each provider receiving funds from Elevations for a child’s services must have a provider agreement in place with Elevations. The list of providers who currently have an agreement in place, as well as the provider agreement document, are available on the Elevations website, www.elevationsspokane.org.

Q: What kinds of requests has Elevations NOT funded? A: Elevations does NOT fund requests for:

● Medication

  • ●  Travel expenses 
  • ●  Vision therapy 
  • ●  Swimming lessons 
  • ●  Dance lessons 
  • ●  Martial arts lessons 
  • ●  Swing sets 
  • ●  Acupuncture 
  • ●  Hearing aids 
  • ●  Service animals 
  • ●  Specialist physician visits 
  • ●  Equipment not included in a therapist-supervised treatment plan 
  • ●  Equipment or repairs covered by other funding sources 
  • ●  Home updates/renovations