Ida Grove family receives help from FHC’s new scholarship fund. Annual Campaign raises over $55,000 
 
JENNY AHLERS
Pilot-Tribune Staff

When Austin was two years old a social worker discussed his extreme hyperactivity with his parents, Melissa and Jeremy Hansen of Ida Grove. Austin would often sleep for only two to three hours at a time, just enough to give him energy to go for the next 24 hours. 

“Austin has always been very hard to take places. He screams, yells, and throws fits a lot more than most kids,” Melissa, said.

Austin, four years old, has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). ODD children show an ongoing pattern of defiant, uncooperative and hostile behavior towards those in authority. This behavior is much more frequent than that of children without the disorder who are oppositional at times, such as when tired or hungry. 

Austin has been on a variety of medication to help him with his inattentiveness and defiance. Currently, the Hansen’s are working to lower the medication and use other intervention methods. 

Caregivers of children with special needs, disabilities or other chronic illnesses in their home often need and deserve a break to re-group. 

Faith, Hope & Charity's  first annual fundraiser raised an amazing $55,496.98 towards a new community services center support scholarship program that can assist parents and caregivers. This amount more than doubles their original goal of $25,000.

“We saw a need for families in Northwest Iowa to receive respite services while their child/children were on the waiver waiting list and that is what this scholarship program can do,” Mary Sorensen-Ludwig said. 

Recipients of the scholarship will be awarded $1,500 for multiple uses over a one year time frame.  The fund will go towards allowing families to share their children with the staff for a partial weekend or for the full weekend. 

Melissa and Jeremy Hansen and their son Austin of Ida Grove are the first family to utilize the scholarship fund.   

Until the scholarship became available, the Hansen’s did not have any time away. Melissa explained that most people do not know how to handle Austin’s tantrums and behaviors and therefore did not feel safe leaving him with a babysitter.

“This scholarship has impacted our life by allowing us not to worry about where Austin is if he’s not with us. We know that he is safe and is well taken care of. Now we don’t have to worry about trying to afford bringing him here,” explained Melissa. “I feel that the respite program will give him more opportunities to grow and see more things than what we can do at home,” Melissa stated. 

In order to be eligible for the scholarship dollars, children must be between the ages of 0-17; are on the waiting list for any of the following waivers, Children’s Mental Health Waiver, Brain Injury Waiver, Mental Retardation Waiver, or the Ill and Handicapped Waiver; children who have been accepted and enrolled in the Faith, Hope & Charity Community Services Program; and children who will use FHC’s Community Services Program.

Families who wish to apply for the scholarship can contact FHC’s Social Services Department at 1-877-723-5127 to get the application process started.