Family supports for children with disabilities program

The Family Supports for Children with Disabilities Program assists families to address the unmet needs of the child or children with the disability by providing the required support and resources.

Overview

Some examples include: 

  • medical equipment 
  • medical transportation 
  • incontinence supplies 
  • costs that exceed typical child care such as day-care or after-school program aids
  • relief care 
  • home support services 
  • family support workers for social inclusion activities and skill-building 
  • support for therapeutic-based recreation activities
  • a health card (for families without health insurance.) 

The program is voluntary and families are expected to work with a social worker. There is a family financial contribution towards services for families who have the means.

Eligible families have two options for case management: 

  • Social Worker Managed: the social worker will be available for ongoing support and arrange services for your family.
  • Family Managed: your family will coordinate and manage the services identified in the Family Support Plan, which outlines the unmet needs of your child and the services that will meet those needs. You will receive the funds directly from the Department of Social Development to arrange and manage/direct the services. 

Application process

You can access the program in two ways: call the Department of Social Development at 1-833-733-7835 and make a self-referral for your family or ask a professional working with your child to call the department on your behalf to make a third-party referral.