Family Support offers support to families of children with special needs who are living at home. Using a family centred approach, workers assist families to identify and access the services and information they require to support themselves and their family member in the community. Direct and indirect supports are provided through family visits parent-to-parent contacts, groups, resource information, consultation to community agencies, and public education.
Family Support offers three levels of service: Resource Days offer office appointments to families who are on the waiting list, or who no longer need an ongoing family support worker as well as to families, individuals, and agencies who need a brief consultation. Brief Service may be provided for a period of up to six months. An individual family support worker may provide time-limited service to address specific identified goals. Ongoing support may be provided at the discretion of the program. An Individual Family Service Plan (I.F.S.P.) is established with the family and reviewed annually to address ongoing needs.
Family Support is available at no cost to families in Barrie, Bradford and the surrounding townships. It is funded by the Ministry of Children and Youth and governed by the Child and Family Services Act.
Family Relief Providers gives families a break from the responsibilities of caring for their family member with special needs. Hourly and overnight relief are available, both in the family home and away from home. This form of respite is available to adults and children with developmental delays, and children with physical disabilities. A parental contribution which is geared to income is required.
School Aged Day Care is short term day care available to working parents whose children and teens are temporarily unable to attend school, due to illness, modified school days, temporary suspensions, and other circumstances.
Family Relief and School Aged Day Care are available in both Barrie and Bradford.
Childrens Residential Respite in one of the children’s group homes in Barrie is available to children who are medically fragile or who have high physical support needs.