Services
Children, Youth & Their Families
At Fello, the people we serve are at the center of everything we do. While we build our services around what each person wants and needs, we recognize that many things influence what those services look like. For many people, their families and communities play an integral role in shaping theirAt Fello, the people we serve are at the center of everything we do. While we build our services around what each person wants and needs, we recognize that many things influence what those services look like. For many people, their families and communities play an integral role in shaping their services. services.
Fully supporting people with disabilities starts with supporting children and youth throughout the community. Fello’s Children, Youth & Their Families program is part of our 2Gen approach where we don’t just tailor services to your child; we build a network of services that support your whole family and grow with your child throughout their life. With this approach, we provide support for children and families that grow with them into adulthood. This makes the change to adult services easier. The network of resources and flexible services can stay with you throughout your life.
Child-centered services are life-changing for the children and families who use them and lead to better outcomes as they grow. At Fello, we prioritize supporting the children, youth, and families who experience the most need.
Our programs cover three main areas: direct services, educational resources, and financial resources. These programs aim to remove the inequitable barriers parents face in supporting their children, so Fello subsidizes these programs and offers them for free or at a minimal cost.
Additional Resources
You don’t have to wait until your child is an adult to receive additional support in your home. Fello employs a team of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) who work one-on-one with people with disabilities.
With this service, families can receive regular drop-in and scheduled support for their children on their own schedule. This flexible support means that families can choose how many hours of support per week they receive. Direct services take place in the family’s home where our DSPs empower children and youth to begin making their own choices about the life they want to live and help develop the skills and experiences they need to get there.
Whether learning life skills or gaining volunteer experience to support a future career, engaging in activities based on young people’s hobbies and interests fosters a greater sense of self and independence. Fello’s teams always center the child’s choice, self-determination, and self-advocacy so they can be active in the community in the ways they want to be.
Together, we can create the foundation for a successful transition to adult services.
Our educational resources meet families where they are. Our Children, Youth & Their Families team is ready to empower you and your child with the knowledge, resources, and advocacy skills you need during critical moments. We’re here to support your journey every step of the way.
Family Navigation: Our Family Navigation services remove barriers for families needing access to resources throughout the community. We meet families where they are—sometimes literally. Whether you schedule a time to meet at one of our offices, your own home, or a community location, this service is more than just information and referrals—it’s a partnership between Fello’s team and your family. We can help you successfully apply for Developmental Disability Administration (DDA) services, complete the Family Fund application, decide what services best meet your needs, and overcome real and perceived barriers to your family’s success. Our goal is to provide you with the information you need to make informed choices and take action. This service is always free and is accessible to you as often as you need it. Contact our team today.
Project Learn & Project Learn Leadership Academy: Does your child have an Individualized Education Program (IEP)? Project Learn and Project Learn Leadership
Academy can support you and your student in understanding your rights, developing a strategy to build a stronger relationship with your school system, and helping you understand the IEP process. Through this program, Fello connects families with an experienced educational consultant and provides six sessions of one-on-one support. These services are traditionally costly, but a parent’s financial ability to pay for advocacy services shouldn’t determine their child’s success in school. Our goal is to equip you and your student with the tools and resources you need to become strong self-advocates.
Find out if you’re eligible for this program and apply today.
Sib Shops & Transition Series: Our team is well-connected, experienced, and knowledgeable. At Fello, we partner with organizations throughout the community to provide families with free information and activities. The Life Transition Series is a partnership with Anne Arundel County Public Schools. It offers a series of workshops designed to give you the information you need to support your student in transitioning from school to adult services. Sib Shops is a nationally recognized program that offers siblings of children with disabilities the opportunity to build peer support networks in a fun and recreational setting. Both resources are free. Contact our team for more information.
Raising a child with a disability is expensive. Often, families cannot afford to access the resources they need. Our programs reduce the financial barriers families face and create opportunities for people who would not otherwise have access to the critical services they need.
Family Fund: There are many effective resources, therapies, and services that make an incredible difference in the quality of life for children with disabilities. However, many of these are not covered by insurance and are financially out of reach for the families who need access to them most. In 2017, we founded the Family Fund to provide financial grants for families to access these critical therapies, equipment, and educational and life-enriching opportunities for their children with disabilities. Since its founding, the Family Fund has granted more than $382,000 to children throughout the community. Applications open annually in February.
Holiday Giving: The holidays can present a time of financial stress for many families. Fello’s Holiday Giving program supports the entire family by partnering with the community to provide gifts, wrapping supplies, and grocery gift cards to 300 children with disabilities and their siblings. Holiday Giving is unique compared to other holiday programs because it
allows families to request items specific to each child’s interests and abilities. Applications open on September 10 and close September 21.
Ready to Apply for Services?
It all starts with a conversation.
Explore your independence and self-determination with the support of Self-Directed Services. We’ll be with you every step of the way through your journey.