Respite Funds
A new (in 2008) program funded by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services can put funds directly in the hands of families to fund specific respite requirements. It is intended for families who want to develop and direct their own respite plans to reflect the unique needs of their children. Perhaps your child’s age makes other respite options inappropriate, or your children needs more supports to take advantage of existing respite opportunities, or you want to explore alternatives to center-based respite. Funding can be used for March Break/summer camps as well as other programs, formal and informal.
You need to develop a plan, with specific goals and objectives and a budget, to apply for this funding. Contact Lorna Powers at lpowers@respiteservices.com or call 416-322-6317 x2 for details. For an application form, go to respiteservices,com, choose Toronto, click on Funding, then click Familiy Directed Respite. Several Toronto chapter members who have received this funding are willing to share their plans and their knowledge - if interested, please email laurie.pearce@sympatico.ca.
Disability Savings Plan
This is a new federal program starting in the spring of 2008. For more information, visit the web site of the group that spearheaded this initiative: PLAN. http://www.plan.ca/homepage.php
Medical Trust
Apparently there is something called a "medical trust" that can be set up to help pay for medical expenses. You should check with your financial advisor for more information.
Henson Trusts
Henson Trusts are special trusts that allow money to be left to disabled individuals without being "clawed back". One source of information about such trusts is the Special Needs Planning Group: http://www.specialneedsplanning.ca/
Service Groups
Local service organizations, such as a Kiwanis club or other group, may be willing to fund specific expenses. You can approach these organizations and make an individual case.
Loblaws runs a President's Choice Children's Charity with the goal of "helping children who are physically or developmentally challenged". You need to provide information about your family and the need, the child's date of birth, address and phone number, supporting documentation (diagnosis, independent second party, family income), two quotes on the cost of the request, information on funds already received or that the family will be contributing. The documentation does not explicitly say so, but it's probably the case that they are more likely to fund the acquisition of physical devices (such as a communication device) than services. Call 416-218-7918 or email them at pccharity@ngco.com.
Toileting Supplies
If your child is over 3 and still needs diapers (daytime or nighttime), you may be eligible for funding to pay for those supplies. Contact The Easter Seal Society, Incontinence Supplies Program for Children & Youth with Disabilities, 1185 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 706, Toronto, Ontario, M3C 3C6 or visit their web site http://www.easterseals.org/
Jennifer Ashley Foundation
This foundation provides children and families with financial assistance for things like specialized equipment, programs, therapy, camp, etc. Contact them at 905-852-1799 or generalmail@jafdn.org.