Funding a GPS tracker in Ohio

In Ohio, the Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) runs three Medicaid waivers, and your county board of developmental disabilities is where you start. The waivers list assistive technology, and Ohio's rule for that service mentions GPS subscriptions. This page explains what to ask, who qualifies and how the waiting list works. 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 Ohio Administrative Code website (codes.ohio.gov) refused connections from where we did this research, so we read rules 5123-9-12 and 5123-9-04 from Internet Archive copies saved in May and June 2026. The links below go to the live pages. Confirm the current version with your county board.

Programs in Ohio to ask about

Ohio's assistive technology rule mentions GPS, but only as an example of a subscription that can come with equipment, not as a device for children who wander. The waivers list services such as assistive technology, remote supports and specialized medical equipment. Those are the words to use when you ask.

Individual Options, Level One and SELF waivers

Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD), with county boards of developmental disabilities; the Ohio Department of Medicaid is the administrative agency

Three waivers are available through DODD. The Level One Waiver provides minimal paid support to add to the natural supports a person already has, the Individual Options Waiver is more comprehensive, and the Self-Empowered Life Funding (SELF) Waiver lets people direct where and how they receive services.^[2]

The Individual Options and Level One waiver fact sheets both list Assistive technology, Remote supports, and Specialized medical equipment and supplies among their services. County boards provide service and support administration for these waivers.^[3],[4]

Safety devices: May cover safety or assistive technology; ask your coordinator. We did not find an official page that names GPS trackers for wandering.

Assistive technology (Ohio rule 5123-9-12)

DODD, through the waivers above

Ohio's rule defines assistive technology as an item, piece of equipment, device, product system or engineered solution that addresses needs and outcomes identified in the person's individual service plan. It includes a consultation to evaluate the person's needs and the equipment itself.^[5]

The equipment may include software or "monthly recurring fees (such as a subscription)" needed to use it. The rule defines a subscription as a recurring payment for a service, giving "global positioning system interface or transportation tracking" as examples.^[5]

Conditions apply. Assistive technology is provided under the individual service plan, waiver funds can be used only when no other funds or resources are available, and the purchase or rental must be the least costly alternative that reasonably meets the person's assessed needs.^[5]

Safety devices: May cover safety or assistive technology; ask your service and support administrator. Ohio's rule names GPS only as an example of a subscription, so whether a tracker for wandering qualifies is the program's decision, not ours.

AT Ohio

Ohio's Assistive Technology Act program, at The Ohio State University

AT Ohio is the officially designated Tech Act program for Ohio and is part of the College of Engineering at The Ohio State University.^[7] Its Device Lending Library lets you try a device free of charge for 30 days.^[8] AT Ohio says it is not a grants-giving or funding organization and does not help finance the purchase of assistive technology.^[7] We have not confirmed whether it lends GPS trackers.

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

Who qualifies, in general terms

For the Individual Options and Level One waivers, a person must meet the financial criteria for Medicaid, determined by the County Department of Job and Family Services, and meet a developmental disabilities level of care. Both are open to people of any age.^[3],[4]

Ohio's county boards of developmental disabilities provide assessment, service planning and coordination to adults and children with developmental disabilities.^[1]

Under Ohio's waiting list rule, a "current need" includes an ongoing need for continuous supports to address significant behavioral, physical care or medical needs.^[6]

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 county board of developmental disabilities. DODD's County Boards page helps you find yours, and DODD's call center is 1-800-617-6733.^[1]
Ask the county board to administer the waiting list assessment tool. Ohio's rule says a county board will do this when the person, their guardian or a family member asks for it, or asks for enrollment in a waiver.^[6]
The rule also says a county board will not put a person on the waiting list if they have an immediate need; instead it will take the action needed to make sure that need is met.^[6]
To request a waiver, the Individual Options fact sheet says to submit form ODM 02399, "Request for Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver", to your County Department of Job and Family Services. Ohio Benefits can explain more at 1-844-644-6582.^[3]
Each person who gets developmental disabilities services must have an Individual Service Plan.^[1] Ask for the wandering risk to be in it, and ask whether an assistive technology consultation could assess the need.^[5]
While you wait, ask AT Ohio whether you can borrow or try a device.^[8]

What to ask your case manager or service coordinator

Questions to take to the meeting

Could a wearable locating device, and its monthly subscription, be requested as assistive technology in my child's Individual Service Plan?
Can we have an assistive technology consultation to show which option is the least costly one that meets the need?
Does our situation count as a current need or an immediate need under the waiting list rule?
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.