City Urges Parents of Students with Disabilities to Apply for $500 Grants Before Applications Close Friday
About the Diverse Learners Recovery Fund
The city of Chicago is urging parents of students with disabilities to apply for the Diverse Learners Recovery Fund before applications close on Friday. The $5 million fund, launched earlier this year through a partnership with the city and Ada S. McKinley Community Service, aims to provide financial assistance to families with disabilities who were disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eligibility and Application Process
The fund provides one-time grants of $500 to up to 8,000 eligible K-12 students through a lottery system. Families with two eligible students may receive grants of up to $1,000. There are no restrictions on how the grant can be used. One parent told the Sun-Times she would use the funds to buy her son noise-cancelling headphones, to help with overstimulation.
To apply, a family must live in Chicago, have a household income less than 300% of the federal poverty level, and have a student in the household with an identified disability. The students must be enrolled in a K-12 school, public or private, and be on either an Individualized Education Plan, a 504 plan, an Individual Support Plan, or have a doctor’s note verifying their diagnosis.
How to Apply
Parents and guardians can apply online at www.AdaMOPD.com. Applications for the Diverse Learners Recovery Fund close on November 15.
What Families Can Do with the Grant
There are no restrictions on how the grant can be used. Families can use the funds to purchase necessary equipment, pay for therapies, or cover other expenses related to their child’s disability.
Conclusion
The Diverse Learners Recovery Fund is a valuable resource for families with students with disabilities in Chicago. With applications closing soon, parents are encouraged to apply before the deadline to take advantage of this financial assistance.
