Because Support Shouldn’t Be a Luxury
At S.L.A.T.E. Family Services, LLC, we believe that financial circumstances should not determine whether an individual or family has the opportunity to receive meaningful support, develop independence, and improve their quality of life.
Our mission is built on Social Skills, Life Skills, Advocacy, Training, and Education. We recognize that accessing these services can create financial challenges, especially for families balancing caregiving, medical expenses, disability-related needs, and everyday living costs.
For our founder, this mission is personal. As a mother who has navigated the challenges of raising children with disabilities and paying for needed services, she understands how difficult it can be to choose between immediate household needs and support that can make a lasting difference.
That experience helped shape S.L.A.T.E.’s commitment to accessible, proactive, non-clinical services.
Our Commitment to Financial Accessibility
We believe in being proactive, not reactive. Too often, families cannot access supportive services until circumstances become overwhelming. Early life-skills development, advocacy, education, and community-based support can help build confidence, independence, and long-term stability.
That is why S.L.A.T.E. offers a Financial Sliding Scale Assistance Program for eligible private-pay services. Our goal is to reduce barriers while maintaining high-quality, sustainable services.
How Our Sliding Scale Works
Financial assistance is determined through an individualized assessment considering:
Household income and the number of people supported by it
Household size and dependents
Essential expenses, including housing, utilities, food, and transportation
Out-of-pocket medical, disability-related, and caregiving expenses
Significant financial hardship, such as job loss or family emergencies
Two families with the same income may have very different financial obligations. We consider individual circumstances rather than income alone.
A Respectful and Confidential Process
Families may request a confidential sliding scale assessment. Our team will review the information provided, discuss available options, and determine whether a reduced private-pay rate can be offered. Every individual and family will be treated with dignity, fairness, compassion, and respect.
Important Information
Assistance is available for qualifying private-pay services and depends on eligibility, program availability, and organizational resources. Services funded through Washington State DDA or other contracted programs follow their applicable authorizations, contracts, and billing requirements; sliding scale discounts do not replace government-funded rates.
Let’s Find a Path Forward Together
If you or your family could benefit from S.L.A.T.E.’s services but are concerned about affordability, contact us to request a confidential Financial Sliding Scale Assessment.
Real People. Real Support. Real Independence.
Because building independence shouldn’t begin with a financial barrier.
PART II • PROPOSED INTERNAL SLIDING SCALE POLICY
Planning draft — proposed rates and criteria are not yet adopted policy. Review operating costs, funding restrictions, payer contracts, and applicable legal requirements before implementation.
Suggested private-pay fee schedule
Base rate for direct life-skills/daily habilitative services: $86 per hour. Use the current federal poverty guidelines adjusted for household size to assign the initial tier.
Eligibility and administration
1. Initial application
Collect household size, income range, requested service, and expected weekly hours.
2. Reasonable verification
Accept recent pay stubs, benefit statements, or similar documents. Avoid requesting full bank statements or tax returns routinely.
3. Hardship review
Consider significant unavoidable expenses and temporary income disruptions. Permit documented case-by-case exceptions.
4. Written decision
Communicate the approved rate, discount, effective dates, review date, and reconsideration process.
5. Periodic review
Reassess approximately every six months or following material financial changes.
Two forms of assistance
Standard sliding scale: Predictable discounts based on income relative to household size.
Financial hardship assistance: Additional case-by-case reductions when extraordinary costs or temporary hardship warrant support, subject to available resources.
Financial sustainability and oversight
Before adopting a minimum discounted rate, calculate direct labor, travel, payroll burden, insurance, administration, and overhead. Assign a designated administrator to handle confidential applications and the CEO or an authorized reviewer to approve exceptions. Apply criteria consistently and retain only necessary records.
Potential role of S.L.A.T.E. Family Services Foundations
The nonprofit may be able to offer separately administered scholarships or assistance, provided its charitable purposes, funding conditions, conflict-of-interest safeguards, and applicable rules permit it. Keep nonprofit assistance decisions separate from the LLC’s business interests.
Policy decision still needed
Determine whether this sliding scale applies only to $86/hour direct skills services or to all eligible private-pay offerings, such as coaching, caregiver education, and community support. Different services may require separate base rates and minimum sustainable rates.
Private-Pay Services & Pricing Guide
S.L.A.T.E. Family Services, LLC
S.L.A.T.E. Family Services, LLC
Daily Habilitative / Life-Skills Services
Pricing basis: per hour
Coaching & Personal Development
Pricing basis: per 60-minute session
Personal Online Support
Pricing basis: per 60-minute session
Personal Online Support
Pricing basis: per 30-minute session
Community Engagement Events
Pricing basis: per participant / event
Important Pricing Notes
DDA-authorized Alternative Living services are billed separately according to DDA authorizations, contract terms, and applicable state rates.
LLC and Foundations are separate legal entities; confirm which entity offers and bills each program.
Online Support prices are proposed and should be approved before publication.
All listed services are non-clinical; coaching and online support do not constitute psychotherapy or clinical treatment.
Rates and program availability should be confirmed before publication.