The Katie Beckett Waiver program is for children under the age of 18 with disabilities or complex medical needs. The waiver is for children to get care needs even if their income is higher than Medicaid usually allows. Families can receive up to $15,000 on Part A or $10,000 on Part B a year which can be spent on music therapy. Part B is on a waitlist, with a current timeline of approximately 3-6 months of wait time after approval, subject to change.

Available for all ages, Tennessee Caregiver Coalition offers $600 a year per household for respite services. These funds can be used for music therapy and adapted music lessons. To apply for the Respite Voucher Program, call their office at (615) 269-8687 for assistance.

Family Support is a state funded grant that provides financial assistance for families who have a family member with a disability. Assistance is varied per each county and money can be used towards music therapy. Message us for an up to date list of your area’s contacts.

The IEA Program is a school choice program for eligible students with disabilities. The program gives parents and students access to public education funds to use on certain types of approved educational expenses that best meet their own unique needs. For homeschoolers, you can use this money for music therapy if you classify MT as your school music curriculum. Families must turn in supporting documentation by mid-June with dispersement beginning each September.

The Employment and Community First CHOICES program is administered by TennCare through its contracted managed care organizations. It offers services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities that are eligible for TennCare. Services in the program will help adults become employed and live as independently as possible in the community, and offer family support. You can use the money for music therapy if you have goals related to independent living and job readiness.

MAPs is a new program as of 2022 that supports Tennesseans with intellectual and developmental disabilities to create a vision for their lives and increase their independence at home, at work, and in the community. MAPs will provide services to individuals in high school and those who are waiting for services from—or may apply in the future for—the ECF Choices program. Someone can participate in the MAPs program for up to three years with a budget of up to $20,000 each year.

UCP is a branch of Family Support only for Rutherford County. The individual must have an intellectual or developmental disability that significantly impacts their abilities to perform daily life functions. Grants are typically $1200 and money can be used for music therapy.

*This grant is not for music therapy but can be used for traditional therapies and help offset music therapy costs.* Yearly grant up to $5,000 and lifetime maximum of $10,000. For ages 16 and younger. Income requirements and specific exclusions are available online.

Are you getting funding from any other sources? Please let us know so that we can share with others and help out our community!