Your Source for All Things Respite
Go to the Toronto section of www.respiteservices.com for informatoin on a variety of programs and offerings, including details on the funding available for family-directed respite.
Weekend Respite in Toronto
Starting in September 2008, the Geneva Centre is offering a Step Down Respite Program for individuals with ASD or AS, weekends 10 am to 4 pm. Opportunities for skill development in positive peer interaction, participation in small groups, community safety skills. The program is for ages 6 - 18. For details go to www.autism.net Choose List of Services (on the left), then Services for Children, then Respite, then click the program you are interested in. Registration forms are available on the site or you can call the lead respite facilitator at 416-322-7877 x215.
After-School Respite
The Geneva Centre offers several after-school respite programs at their centre as well as a satellite site in the west end. These programs are for ages 2 - 18. The After School Respite Program (3 pm to 6 pm or 6:15 pm to 9:15 pm) for individuals with ASD provides opportunities for skill development in social skills, peer interaction, and transitions. The After School Drop in Program for individuals with AS, 3:30 pm - 8:30 pm. provides opportunities for relationship/rapport building, decision-making and self-regulatory coping skills.
Family Respite Weekends
Kinark Outdoor Centre offers respite weekends and family weekends. For more information, contact Jim McHardy at 1-800-805-8252 or jimmchardy@koc.on.ca or visit their web site. http://www.koc.on.ca/
Respite for Those Supporting Youth or Young Adults
East Metro Youth Services, an agency in East Toronto, has developed a respite program for parents of youth and young adults (12 - 24). For more information, visit www.emys.on.ca or contact Deborah Kernohan (dkernohan@emys.on.ca), 416-438-3697.
Respite for Those Supporting Adults
Kerry's Place Autism Services, offers adult weekend respite for families or caregivers who are supporting an adult (18 years and up) at home who is living with Autism Spectrum Disorder to take a break. Participants can join in social, recreation and life skill activities in the local community. Located at Kerry's Place Rusholme Road location. For details, contact Bridget Goldenberg, 416-534-1644 x226.
In-home Respite
Getting a break for yourself, you and your spouse, or the rest of the family, is important. In Toronto, respiteservices.com is a clearing house of respite information and services, including the CHAP (Community Helpers for Active Participation) program, which matches up families in need with trained and motivated helpers. You can post a request for a worker with particular skills, or browse the database of potential workers. All workers are screened, given a police check, and given some basic training. You engage with the workers independently of the respiteservice.com program, however. The Web site also allows you to search for possible CHAPS workers, or post a position for your family.
Respite services also runs a series of workshops that are open to registered families and workers. Workshops include, among other topics:
* first aid
* recreation support
* behavioural therapy
* crisis intervention
To register for a workshop (you or your worker must be registered with the organization), contact Natalie Blackwell at 416-422-7045, ext. 7 or visit the web site.
http://www.respiteservices.com/Ontario/index_e.aspx Another valuable resource at this organization is Anna Marie Teasdale, Access Facilitator for Autism, who can be reached at ext. 3.
Away-from-home Respite
Respiteservices.com has a program for low-cost overnight respite at a specialized facility in the east (Ellesmere and McCowan) or west (Eglinton and Dufferin). For an application form, call Access and Information at 647-426-3219. Note that among other things you will need to have a medical information form completed by your family doctor. An assessment interview will be conducted, and you will have the opportunity to visit the home.
TRE-ADD offers a respite program where people with ASD can stay on the grounds of Thistletown Regional Centre for weekends to give their families a break.
Reena offfers a summer cottage program for teens (over 16) and adults with a developmental disability. The program offers participants a variety of activities while giving families a break. Registration is due by mid-May. Contact Reena at 905-889-2690 x2112.
Although not formally respite programs, Reena's "Sunday Friends Club" and "After School Cool Club" offer 4 - 6 hour social programs for ages 7 and up, which gives valuable programming to the person with ASD while offering a bit of respite for the family. For more information on any of these program, contact Gloria at 905-889-2690 x2116. Reena operates out of the Toby & Henry Battle Development Centre in Thornhill (Yonge, north of Steeles).
Kerry's Place Autism Services and On the Move are offering a Saturday respite program for parents or caregivers of adults with ASD or developmental disabilities who are living at home. For more information, call On The Move at (416) 544-8847 or Kerry's Place Autism Services at (416) 560-1516.