Funding a GPS tracker in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) serves children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Its family support funding and its Children's Autism Waiver both list safety-monitoring devices. This page explains which programs to ask about, how to apply, and what to ask. It is general information, not advice.

Last updated 7 October 2026. Written by StepSafe, which sells a GPS tracker for children who wander, so read the product parts with that in mind.

Read this first

This is general information, not legal or medical advice. We are not benefits advisors and we have no relationship with any program named here. No product of ours is covered, approved or endorsed by any of them, and we cannot tell you whether your child qualifies.

Programs change. Treat this page as a list of questions to ask, confirm everything with the agency before you spend money, and keep your receipts.

Last checked: 7 October 2026. The mass.gov website could not be opened from where we did this research, so we read the DDS and MassAbility pages and the autism waiver document from archived copies saved between September 2025 and September 2026. The links below go to the live pages. Confirm the current version with DDS.

Programs in Massachusetts to ask about

None of the official pages we read names GPS trackers for children who wander. What they do list are services such as assistive technology, adaptive aids, specialized equipment and personal emergency response systems. Those are the words to use when you ask.

DDS Family Support Centers and flexible funding

Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services

There is at least one Family Support Center in each DDS Area. Centers help families apply for DDS, offer information, training and service navigation, and administer flexible funding.^[5]

DDS may give families individual flexible funding based on priority of need and available budget.^[5] Its list of allowable spending includes Adaptive Equipment and Supplies, with examples including "safety equipment" and "personal safety-monitoring devices to benefit an individual with disability". Families must use other sources, such as MassHealth, private insurance and schools, first.^[6]

Safety devices: May cover safety or assistive technology; ask your coordinator. DDS lists personal safety-monitoring devices as an allowable use of flexible funding; whether a GPS tracker qualifies, and how much is available, depends on need and funding.

Children's Autism Waiver Program

DDS Autism Division, under MassHealth oversight

The Children's Autism Waiver Program serves children with autism from birth through age 9. Its main service is Expanded Habilitation, Education, intensive in-home support for up to three years, after which a child may use supplemental services until their 10th birthday.^[1]

The waiver document lists Assistive Technology, defined as "an item, piece of equipment, or product system" used to develop, increase, maintain or improve the child's functional capabilities. State Plan resources must be explored first.^[3]

Its Home Modifications and Adaptations service covers changes needed for health, welfare and safety. The list includes "electronic devices used to safely monitor children and alert the parent/guardian", as long as they do not restrict the child's movement or behavior, along with door and window alarms and fences.^[3]

Individual Goods and Services can provide resources to purchase safety equipment.^[3]

Safety devices: May cover safety or assistive technology; ask your coordinator. The waiver lists electronic devices that monitor children and alert a parent; whether a GPS tracker for wandering fits is the program's decision, not ours.

MassAbility Assistive Technology Services

Massachusetts's Assistive Technology Act program

The national AT3 Center lists Massachusetts Maximizing Assistive Technology in Consumers' Hands, at the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, as the state's Assistive Technology Act program, with MassAbility's Assistive Technology Services page as its website.^[8]

MassAbility offers device loans on a short and long-term basis, Demo and Pickup Centers, and a donated equipment program called REquipment.^[7] We have not confirmed whether it lends GPS trackers.

Safety devices: Lends and demonstrates assistive technology; ask whether a locating device is available to try.

Who qualifies, in general terms

DDS children's supports run from birth to age 22. From birth to 5, a child must have a substantial developmental delay; from 5 to 22, an intellectual or closely related developmental disability with substantial functional limitations, determined by a qualified, licensed clinician and verified by DDS.^[4]

The Children's Autism Waiver is for children with an autism spectrum disorder, from birth through age 9, who meet its eligibility criteria.^[1] They must need the level of care of an intermediate care facility for people with intellectual disabilities (ICF/IID).^[3]

DDS recommends applying for adult supports between 17 and 18, since children's supports end at 22.^[4]

Only the agency can decide whether your child is eligible. These are the general rules as published, not a test you can apply yourself.

How to apply, step by step

Contact your local Family Support Center or Autism Support Center for help applying to DDS.^[5]
Send the application with copies of the birth certificate, Social Security card, health insurance cards, proof of living in Massachusetts, and reports documenting the diagnosis. An intake and eligibility specialist then sets up a face-to-face interview.^[4]
Ask your Family Support Center about flexible funding, and whether a personal safety-monitoring device could be approved for your child.^[5],[6]
If your child has autism and is 9 or younger, watch for the Children's Autism Waiver open application period, held once a year. DDS says information about it is available in September, and its 2025 page said to check back in fall 2026.^[1],[2]
While you wait, ask MassAbility whether you can borrow or try a device.^[7]

What to ask your case manager or service coordinator

Questions to take to the meeting

Could flexible funding pay toward a wearable locating device as a personal safety-monitoring device?
Under the autism waiver, would a locating device be requested as Assistive Technology, a home modification, or Individual Goods and Services?
Is the Children's Autism Waiver open request period open now, and when does it close?
What documentation do you need from my child's doctor or therapist about the wandering?
Do you need quotes, a product description, or a specific vendor?
Does the program pay for an ongoing service plan, or only for the device?
If it is not approved, can I have the decision in writing, and how do I appeal?

For a sample request letter and a note on how wandering is recorded in a medical file, see what to say when you ask.

Programs change

Waiver services, eligibility rules and application steps are updated regularly. We last read these pages on 7 October 2026. Before you rely on anything here, confirm it with the agency or your coordinator. If you find something out of date, email support@stepsafekids.com and we will fix it.

Other states

Not listed? Read the United States overview for the routes that exist in every state.

What we make

StepSafe makes a clip-on cellular GPS tracker for children who wander. StepSafe ships in early 2027. Nothing on this page means any program will pay for it.

See the shop, or start with our free safety toolkit, which works whatever device you choose.