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Supports and services
Families who are eligible for the Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) program may receive:
- information about government programs and services, community supports and local resources
- help coordinating and getting supports and services
- help with clothing or footwear that relates to your child’s disability
- counselling
- child care supports
- help with some of the costs to take your child to medical appointments such as parking, mileage, meals, accommodation and sibling care
- respite services in or outside your home to give you a temporary break
- help from aides who provide personal care, community, behavioural or developmental support
- help with some costs for medications, prescribed diets, ambulance or medical supplies
- specialized services for children with severe disabilities
- the same FSCD worker assigned to a family with more than one eligible child
- help planning your child’s transition during key changes or life events such as when they:
- are first diagnosed or the disability is identified
- return home from the hospital
- start an early intervention program
- start a new school program
- approach age 16 and plan for adulthood
Family Support Services
If your child is eligible for the FSCD program, a Disability Services worker will contact you for a conversation about an FSCD agreement for Family Support Services, including: respite, counseling, medical appointment supports and clothing and footwear supports.
Assessment of needs
If you require additional FSCD supports, a Disability Services caseworker will meet with you to gather more information and complete an assessment of needs to determine:
- your child’s specific needs
- the impact your child’s disability has on your family
- community programs or other supports including family or friends, that may be helpful
- other professionals the worker may speak with to understand your child’s needs
Your caseworker can amend your FSCD agreement, as needed.
Individualized Family Support Plan
If you require additional services after the assessment of needs, your Disability Services caseworker will work with you to create an Individualized Family Support Plan (IFSP). It is based on a shared understanding of:
- your child and family’s strengths, needs and priorities
- the short and long-term goals for your child’s development and participation at home, school and in the community
- the strategies, supports and services, individual responsibilities and timelines to meet the goals
FSCD agreement
You will get an FSCD agreement once you and your worker agree on services. The FSCD agreement outlines the services the FSCD program will provide to help you meet the goals. It is a legal document that can last up to 3 years.
Your Disability Services caseworker is available at any time during the term of your agreement to discuss changing or ongoing needs.
At minimum, you and your caseworker will connect when your FSCD agreement is expiring to:
- determine your child’s ongoing eligibility for the FSCD program
- discuss your child and family’s situation and needs
- update your IFSP, if needed
- update your FSCD agreement, if needed
What FSCD does not do
FSCD does not:
- provide supports related to a child’s educational needs
- meet emergency or crisis related needs
- provide equipment covered through Alberta Aids to Daily Living
- replace services/supports available in other programs
- individual therapy
- provide financial benefits
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Eligibility