Two free supply closets have helped more than 165 children in 61 Livingston County families during their first year, county health officials said Thursday.
A $32,496 state Community Accessibility and Inclusion grant funded the Wellness/Hygiene Closet and Durable Medical Equipment Closet through the county’s Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs program.
The closets provide supplies and equipment without out-of-pocket costs or lengthy insurance approval waits, according to Community Health Director Margaret Betette.
The wellness closet offers personal hygiene products, infant care supplies, cleaning products and shelf-stable food. The county’s flyer says those supplies are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The medical equipment closet stocks medical helmets, weighted vests and blankets, gait trainers, adaptive strollers, communication devices and wheelchairs. The county said the equipment helps families meet children’s mobility, safety and daily living needs.
“Private insurance, at times, restricts or denies coverage for specialized equipment such as wheelchairs or communication devices, highlighting the importance of public support,” Betette said.
Betette said the initiatives address gaps in rural access to resources and reduce financial barriers for families. The state grant supports accessibility and inclusion for children and young adults with special health care needs.
The broader county program is a free public health service offering information, referrals and care coordination for families of children and young adults from birth to age 21 who have chronic physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional conditions.
Families interested in either closet can complete a referral form on the county program’s website or call the Department of Health at 585-243-7299 for information.
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