Funding a GPS tracker in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) in the Department of Human Services runs three Medicaid waivers for people with an intellectual disability, autism or a developmental disability. All three list assistive technology. This page explains who qualifies, how to apply through your county, 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. That is the date we last read the official pages linked below.

Programs in Pennsylvania 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.

Consolidated, Community Living and Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS) waivers

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Developmental Programs

All three waivers list Assistive Technology among their services.^[1],[2],[3] The Consolidated and Community Living waivers also list Home Accessibility Adaptations, Remote Supports and Specialized Supplies.^[1],[2]

The approved Consolidated Waiver defines Assistive Technology as "an item, piece of equipment, or product system", bought off the shelf, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain or improve a participant's functioning. The federal service categories it is filed under include personal emergency response systems.^[4]

Remote Supports, monitoring by offsite staff in real time, is for participants aged 16 and older.^[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.

TechOWL

Pennsylvania's Assistive Technology Act program, at Temple University

TechOWL runs a statewide lending library of assistive technology devices and offers free demonstrations and consultations.^[6] 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

The diagnosis and age rules for the three waivers are: people of any age with an intellectual disability or autism; children under 9 with a developmental disability highly likely to result in an intellectual disability or autism diagnosis; and people under 22 with a developmental disability due to a medically complex condition.^[1],[2],[3]

The person must also be recommended for an intermediate care facility (ICF) level of care based on a medical evaluation, be eligible for Medical Assistance (Medicaid) in Pennsylvania, and meet financial requirements set by the County Assistance Office.^[1],[2],[3]

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 Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities (MH/ID) office and make an appointment to register for supports or services.^[1],[5]
Apply for Medicaid if your child does not already have it: online through COMPASS, at your County Assistance Office, by mail, or by calling 1-866-550-4355.^[3]
If you have questions, ODP's Customer Service Line is 1-888-565-9435.^[3]
Supports Coordination is one of the waiver services.^[3] Ask your supports coordinator for the wandering risk to be in the service plan and for Assistive Technology to be considered.
While you wait, ask TechOWL whether you can borrow or try a device.^[6]

What to ask your case manager or service coordinator

Questions to take to the meeting

Could a wearable locating device be requested as Assistive Technology in my child's service plan?
What documentation does ODP need to show it is the right option for my child?
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.