Assisting People with Special Needs
Family life is full of challenges. Special needs, like developmental disabilities or problem that come with advancing age, can make those challenges seem overwhelming. At Family Counselling Centre there is someone ready to get to know you, sort out what you need and speak on your behalf if needed. We understand you need to live safely, independently and free from worry. We can help you and your family find solutions that will help you reach your potential and support you to participate fully in your community through work, play and friendship.
Special Services At Home (SSAH)
Special Services At Home (SSAH) makes it easier for people with disabilities to live at home with their families or in the community.
The service, which is funded through the Ministry of Community and Social Services, is for:
- People of all ages with a developmental disability; and
- Children under 18 years with a physical disability
SSAH provides funding for in-home supports / services that are not available elsewhere in the community. An example of this support is parent relief or respite so that parents have time for their own needs or the needs of others in the family. There is no fee for this service.
Passport
Passport is designed to enhance opportunities for individuals who have a developmental disability, have left school and are seeking supports to help them participate more fully in the community.
The Passport initiative provides funding for individuals and their families to purchase day supports to help the young person make a successful transition from school to community. Using individualized funding provided by the Ministry of Community and Social Services, applicants can participate in a wide range of work or volunteer experiences that focus on post-school activities and personal development to achieve individual goals.
Connecting Point
Connecting Point provides information and referrals for developmental services in Lambton County and provides a single point of access for residential placements for adults with developmental disabilities.
Through a coordinated access process, it brings service providers together to better meet the needs of individuals/families. Connecting Point, which is funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services, assists the community in prioritizing the needs of individuals to ensure that those most in need are first to receive support services. There is no fee for this service.
Tel-Check
Tel-Check Program provides a daily telephone call to seniors and persons with disabilities who live alone. It offers emotional support and helps to ensure the individual’s safety. Calls are made 365 days a year. There is no fee for this service as the Sarnia-Lambton United Way and the Ministry of Health, Long-Term Care Division provide the financial support.
Advocacy, Planning and Support Services (APSS)
Advocacy, Planning and Support Services (APSS) provides a range of services to support individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to achieve success in their self-determined goals. Services include:
- Advocacy;
- Consultation;
- Counselling;
- Trusteeships;
- Life planning;
- Referral to appropriate resources;
- Case management/service coordination;
- Information about community resources; and
- Specialized group counselling programs;
There is no fee for this service as funding is provided through the Ministry of Community and Social Services.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Respite
Respite provides an occasional break for the parent or caregiver. The Ministry of Child and Youth Services has allocated funding to provide additional respite supports for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The purpose of the funding is to provide temporary relief from the physical and emotional demands involved in caring for children with autism and/or to enhance the respite services that families may already receive.
With these respite funds, families are able to purchase respite services from either a local service provider or from an individual recruited by the family to provide respite services. ASD Respite Funding can be used to purchase in-home respite, out-of-home respite and/or seasonal camps.
The deadline for submission of respite request forms is normally March 31 for the upcoming year.
