Funding a GPS tracker in Michigan
In Michigan, the Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) funds services for children with developmental disabilities through the public mental health system, starting at your county's Community Mental Health Services Program (CMHSP). The Children's Waiver Program's equipment service includes environmental safety and control devices. This page explains who qualifies, how to ask for an assessment 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 MDHHS website (michigan.gov) denied access from where we did this research, so we read its Children's Waiver Program and Habilitation Supports Waiver pages from Internet Archive copies saved in June and April 2026. The Medicaid Provider Manual (October 2026 edition) was read live, and where the two differ we followed the manual. The links below go to the live pages.
Programs in Michigan 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.
Children's Waiver Program (CWP)
MDHHS, through Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans (PIHPs) and Community Mental Health Services Programs
The CWP lets Medicaid fund home and community-based services for children under 18 with a developmental disability who need medical or behavioral supports at home. Parent income is not considered for the child's Medicaid eligibility.[1],[3]
Its Specialized Medical Equipment and Supplies service includes durable medical equipment, "environmental safety and control devices", adaptive toys and daily living aids specified in the child's individual plan of services.[3]
Each item needs a prescription and must be essential to the child's health, safety, welfare and independent functioning, and the most cost-effective option. Requests go to the PIHP after all applicable insurance, such as private insurance, CSHCS and Medicaid, has denied them.[3]
The manual also says the CWP's overnight health and safety support may be appropriate after other preventive steps, such as assistive technology, a personal emergency response system or "electronic devices", have been tried.[3]
Safety devices: May cover safety or assistive technology; ask your coordinator. We did not find an official page that names GPS trackers for wandering.
Habilitation Supports Waiver (HSW)
MDHHS, through Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans (PIHPs)
The HSW serves people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, ages 0 or older, who meet an institutional level of care.[2] Enrollment requires a developmental disability, Medicaid eligibility and living in a community setting, and children leaving the CWP at 18 have the highest priority for entry.[3]
Its Enhanced Medical Equipment and Supplies service covers devices, controls or appliances, ordered on a physician's prescription and specified in the plan, that help a person perform daily activities or perceive, control or communicate with their environment. Equipment the State Plan can cover should be provided through EPSDT for participants under 21.[3]
The HSW also lists Personal Emergency Response Systems with a portable "help" button, but coverage should be limited to people who live alone or are alone for significant parts of the day without regular support.[3]
Safety devices: May cover safety or assistive technology; ask your coordinator. We did not find an official page that names GPS trackers for wandering.
Michigan Assistive Technology Program (MATP)
Michigan's Assistive Technology Act program
The AT3 Center lists MATP as Michigan's state assistive technology program.[5] It offers free demonstrations and a free device loan program that lets you borrow assistive technology, typically for 14 to 45 days, and use it in your own environment.[4] 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
For the CWP, a child must be under 18, have a developmental disability as defined in Michigan state law, and need habilitation services.[3] MDHHS explains that this is based on documented substantial functional limitations in three or more areas, such as self-care, learning, mobility, self-direction and language, not on diagnosis.[1]
The child must be at risk of placement in an ICF/IID because of the intensity of their care and a lack of support, and live with a birth or adoptive parent or a relative named legal guardian. The child must meet Medicaid income and asset limits as a family of one; parent income is waived.[3]
If a child already has Medicaid, in-home services can be requested through the county Access Center without the CWP.[1]
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 the Access Center of the Community Mental Health Services Program in your county and ask for an assessment for the Children's Waiver Program.[1]
- Be ready to describe your child's needs and functional limitations, the in-home help you are asking for, and your family's income and resources, including private insurance and Medicaid.[1]
- The PIHP assesses the child with the MichiCANS tool. If MDHHS confirms eligibility, the child joins an enrollment pool, and invitations depend on available slots, with priority based on complexity and habilitative needs.[3]
- All CWP services must be in the Individual Plan of Services, built with a case manager and planning team.[3] Ask for the wandering risk to be in it and for Specialized Medical Equipment and Supplies to be considered.
- Ask your child's doctor about a prescription; one is required for each item and is valid for one year.[3]
- While you wait, ask MATP whether you can borrow or try a device.[4]
What to ask your case manager or service coordinator
Questions to take to the meeting
- Could a wearable locating device be requested as an environmental safety device under Specialized Medical Equipment and Supplies?
- Which insurance denials do we need before the PIHP will review the request?
- 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
- CaliforniaPrograms, who qualifies and how to apply →
- TexasPrograms, who qualifies and how to apply →
- FloridaPrograms, who qualifies and how to apply →
- New YorkPrograms, who qualifies and how to apply →
- PennsylvaniaPrograms, who qualifies and how to apply →
- IllinoisPrograms, who qualifies and how to apply →
- OhioPrograms, who qualifies and how to apply →
- GeorgiaPrograms, who qualifies and how to apply →
- North CarolinaPrograms, who qualifies and how to apply →
- New JerseyPrograms, who qualifies and how to apply →
- VirginiaPrograms, who qualifies and how to apply →
- WashingtonPrograms, who qualifies and how to apply →
- ArizonaPrograms, who qualifies and how to apply →
- MassachusettsPrograms, who qualifies and how to apply →
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.