What documents are required?

1. For family support services, please provide:

• Awrittenmedicaldiagnosisofyourchild’s

conditionorimpairmentthatindicatesthat

yourchildhasadisability.

Ifyourchilddoesnothaveaconfirmeddiagnosis,

youmaystillbeeligibleforsupports.

2. For child-focused services, please provide:

• Awrittenmedicaldiagnosisofyourchild’s

conditionorimpairmentindicatingthatyour

childhasadisability;and

• Anassessmentofyourchildthatindicatesthat

yourchild’sdisabilityissignificantlylimiting

his/herabilitytofunctioninnormaldailyliving.

Alldocumentationmustbeprovidedbyaphysicianor

licensedhealthcareprofessional.

Resources

Forparentsandprofessionals,seetheAlberta

Children’sServiceswebsiteformoreinformation

abouttheFSCDAct,regulations,policyand

procedures:www.child.gov.ab.ca

Parent Resources

• ChildDisabilityResourceLink

(Alberta-toll-free)

1-866-346-4661

• SouthernAlbertaChildandYouthHealth

Network(SACYHN)

www.sacyhn.ca

FamilySupportforChildrenwithDisabilitiesProgram(FSCD)

CalgaryandAreaChildandFamilyServicesAuthority

FSCD Intake Line: (403) 297-6022

FormoreinformationaboutCalgaryandArea

ChildandFamilyServicesAuthorityvisitourwebsite:

www.calgaryandareacfsa.gov.ab.ca

The FSCD program assists

families with some of the

extraordinary demands of

raising a child with a disability.

We can provide families with

information, referral, advocacy

and supports.

Supporting you and your child

TheFSCDprogramprovidesarangeoffamily-centred

servicestoassistfamiliesinhelpingtheirchildren

achievetheirpotential.Wewanttosupportyourchild

withinyourfamilyandfacilitatetheirdevelopmental

growthandparticipationincommunitylife.Wewill

workwithyoutoplanservicesforyourchild.

How can I get help if my child has a disability?

Ifyourchildhasadisability,contacttheFSCD

programat(403)297-6022todiscussyourneeds.

Helpersandprofessionalsinthecommunityare

welcometocallandintroducethefamily.

Acaseworkerwillworkwithyoutoassessyour

family’sneeds.

What support is available?

Therearetwolevelsofsupport:FamilySupport

ServicesandChild-FocusedServices.

Family support services include:

• Individualandfamilycounselling

• Respiteservices(parentalrelief)

• Medicalappointmentsupports

(e.g.,parking,mileage,siblingcare)

• Out-of-provincemedicalappointmentsupports

(e.g.,meals,accommodation)

• Clothingandfootwear(disabilityrelated)

Child-focused services include:

• Respiteservices(parentalrelief)

• Extraordinarychildcaresupports

• Aidesupports

• Health-relatedsupports

• Specializedservicesforchildrenwithsevere

disabilities

• Out-of-homelivingarrangements

Is my child eligible?

AgeThechildwithadisabilitymustbeundertheage

of18years.

GuardianshipToapplyforandreceiveservices,youmustbethe

guardianresponsibleforthechild.

ResidencyThechildmustbeaCanadiancitizenor

permanentresidentofCanadaandresidein

AlbertainordertoreceiveFSCDservices.

DisabilityTheFSCDActdefinesachild’sdisability.AnFSCD

caseworkerwillassistindeterminingifyourchild

iseligible.

FSCD AgreementIfyourfamilyiseligible,youwillbeaskedtosign

anagreement.Supportscannotbeginuntilan

agreementissigned.Youandyourworkercan

changetheagreementifdifferentservicesare

needed.

Family-centered supports and services

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Family Support for Children with Disabilities

FSCD

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Who does FSCD work with?

FSCD came into effect August 1, 2004.

Provincially, we serve over 9300 children.

Children with diagnosis on the autism spectrum are 1/4 of the provincial caseload.

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The Calgary region serves over 3000 children. Approximately 1/3 are diagnosed on the autism spectrum caseload.360 children with autism receive Specialized Services, which is 65% of the provincial caseload. In Calgary, the number of children diagnosed on the spectrum has grown 72% from 2003 to 2007.The Calgary region has the highest rates in the province for autism, chromosomal anomalies and low birth weight.

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What is FSCD?

Family Support for Children with Disabilities is…

A program helping families with some of the extraordinary demands of raising a child with a disability;

Built to assist families in helping their children achieve their full potential;

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And….

Looks at maintaining and supporting the child with a disability in their family;

Tries to make the child’s development, growth and participation in society an easier process; and,

Works with the parent to plan services for their child.

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FSCD is not…

A financial support program;

A frontline emergency service;

Meant to take the place of the parent in raising a child with a disability;

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A program that provides services but rather one that supports the parent in finding them;

Meant for the parent to access supports for things normally done as a parent; and,

Pay for services that a parent who has a child typically developing would.

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Who is eligible?

A child is eligible if…

1. There is a a chronic developmental, physical, sensory, mental or neurological condition or impairment…

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2. … that does not include a condition for which the primary need is for medical care or health services to treat or manage the condition…

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Unless…

3. … it is a chronic condition that significantly limits a child's ability to function in normal daily.

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There is a a chronic developmental, physical, sensory, mental or neurological condition or impairment…… that does not include a condition for which the primary need is for medical care or health services to treat or manage the condition……unless it is a chronic condition that significantly limits a child's ability to function in normal daily.

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Also…

The child with a disability must be under 18;The child’s guardian must apply; and,The child and guardian must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents and reside in Alberta at the time an agreement for FSCD supports and services is negotiated. The child and guardian must continue to reside in Alberta for the duration of the agreement period.

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What does FSCDexpect of a parent?

The parent is an active participant in the child’s development;

The parent has a good idea of what is NEEDED instead of what is WANTED;

The parent is expected to be the child’s principal caregiver; and,

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The parent will develop the skills necessary to manage their child’s needs within the family so that over time FSCD supports would diminish.

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So what does the program offer?

There are two levels of service:

Family Support Services

Child Focused Services

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Family Support Services include:

Individual and family counseling,Respite services (parental relief),Medical appointment supports e.g. parking, mileage, sibling care,Out-of-province medical appointment supports e.g. meal, accommodations, and,Clothing and footwear, which are disability related.

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And to access those services…

What is needed:A written medical diagnosis indicating the child has a disability.

If the child does NOT have a confirmed diagnosis, eligibility for supports may still be possible.

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Child Focused Services include:

Respite services (parental relief),Extraordinary child care supports,Aide supports,Health-related supports,Specialized Services for children with severe disabilities, and,Out-of-home living arrangements.

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And to access those services…

What is needed:A written medical diagnosis indicating the child has a disability, and,

An assessment of the child that indicates the child’s disability is significantly limiting the ability to function in normal daily living.

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Remember…

All documentation must be providedby a physician or

licensed health care professional.

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A licensed health care professional is defined as:

Physician (pediatrician, general practitioner, psychiatrist)Nurse (Registered Nurse (RN), Nurse Practitioner, Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN))Clinical social worker (MSW w/advanced training)PsychologistPhysical therapistOccupational therapistSpeech and language pathologistAudiologist

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Specialized Services

Sometimes, a multidisciplinary assessment is needed. This occurs when:

The child has a severe disability…… resulting in a critical need for an array of specialized services to address their significant support needs and limitation…

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… in two or more of the following areas:

Behavior, Cognitive abilities,Communication and socialization skills,Physical and motor development, and/orSelf-help and adaptive functioning skills.

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… and if…

The level and complexity of the child’s needs require an array of integrated and coordinated specialized services,Relevant assessments have been completed and suggest the above, and,An Individual Family Support Plan has been developed coordinating the suggested services.

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Some conditions apply…

Measurable improvements in a reasonable period of time;Based on established rehabilitative practices;Effective, reasonable and least intrusive practices; and, No other support can answer the NEED!

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Such services can include a combination of the following supports:

Behavioral Cognitive (save for educational purposes)

Communication and social skillsPhysical and motor development

Self-help and adaptive functioningAccess to consultation for the guardian

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So, if a child has a disability…

You can call…

• Our intake line at (403) 297 6022

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… and if you need more info…

You can:

Go online at www.child.gov.ab.caCall the Child Disability Resource Link (Alberta – toll free) at 1 866 345 4661Visit the Family and Community Resource Centre (SACYHN) at www.fcrc.sacyhn.ca

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QUESTIONS

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THANK YOU!

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For Information on other upcoming sessions please contact:

Community Education ServiceFamily & Community Resource Centre, SACYHN – Alberta Children’s Hospital

2888 Shaganappi Trail NW Calgary, AB T3B 6A8

www.fcrc.sacyhn.caE-mail: ces@sacyhn.ca

Phone: 403-955-7420 Fax: 403-955-2444