March Break Reimbursement Fund

Need Support So Your Child With ASD* Can Attend A March Break Camp or Program?

***CLOSED for 2020***

March 18, 2020 Update

Dear Families/Caregivers,

Many of you have had questions about Autism Ontario’s March Break Camp Funding given all the program cancellations or gathering restrictions across Ontario. We sympathize with you at the loss of these opportunities for your children during March Break and for the loss of the respite it would have provided for you as caregivers. But these are unusual times and we share a commitment to keeping everyone safe.

In light of the current situation, we are taking these steps:
- Families who have paid for a camp space that is now cancelled will still be reimbursed. Please submit your paid receipt for reimbursement by March 31, 2020.
- Due to Ontario-wide school closures the timing for eligible reimbursements will be extended beyond the week of March Break to March 31st, 2020; however, families will still be required to spend their funding on the same list of eligible expenses as for existing reimbursements.
- If you know already that you will be unable to use your March Break camp funds between now and March 31st, 2020, please contact Ginny Kontosic by email at ginny@autismontario.com

Thanks,
Marg Spoelstra, Executive Director of Autism Ontario

The 2020 March Break Reimbursement Fund is available to Ontario families of children or youth with ASD who retain the services of a one-to-one support worker OR who has paid for their child to attend a 2020 March break camp or program, but not both.

Maximum reimbursements of $350, per child or youth, (up to 18th birthday) will be made to subsidize services purchased between March 16 and March 20, 2020. 

A minimum of 1,007 families from across Ontario are expected to receive reimbursements. Reimbursements will be provided based on a random selection made from all eligible applicants who apply between December 16, 2019 and Jan 24, 2020.

Process
1 - Application
We will accept completed and signed applications from December 16, 2019 and January 24, 2020. Your application must include evidence of a clear ASD diagnosis from a professional who is qualified to make the diagnosis (see website for details).

2 - Selection
By January 31, 2020, a minimum of 1,007 families will be randomly selected and ALL applicants will be informed by letter whether they were selected to receive funds or not.

3 - Payment
Autism Ontario will issue cheques to the randomly selected families who have submitted (by no later than March 31, 2020) all original receipt(s) for fees paid by the parent of the child with ASD for the child’s one-to-one worker.

Note: Membership in Autism Ontario is not required to access the Fund.

* Autism Spectrum Disorders

Contact
Ginny Kontosic
Summer and March Break Fund Coordinator
Autism Ontario
1179 King St. W., Suite 004 | Toronto, ON |M6K 3C5
416-246-9592 ext. 225
ginny@autismontario.com