Early Learning Blog
At this stage in development children are discovering and exploring the world around them. They are learning about the world through ‘doing’ - through touch, grasp, reach and taste - and through ‘thinking’ about their world and how it works. How you families encourage their learning and exploration in their child through play? To read more: Click Here
The following video also has great ideas for sensory play.
Children with special needs can receive support from the Inclusive Child Care Program in approved child care centres, family day homes and preschools.
Inclusive Child Care Programs create flexibility to meet the individual needs of children with special needs or disabilities within these child care settings. Support may include training for child care staff, consultation on programming or inclusion, resource and referral information and/or funding for additional staff.
For information: Click Here
For information on a particular topic see the following FAQ Categories.
Specialized services is provided based on the individual needs of the child and family when:
the child has a severe disability that is significantly limiting their ability to function in normal daily living activities
the family needs to provide continual and ongoing assistance and supervision to ensure their child’s safety and ability to participate in normal daily living activities
the child has critical service needs in two or more areas, including behaviours, communication and social skills, physical abilities, cognitive abilities, or self-help skills, and
the child's and family's service needs can not be met by other programs or services.
The term “severe disability” refers to the degree to which the child is limited in their ability to function in normal daily living activities and the extra care demands this creates for their family.
The FSCD Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) is a group of health professionals established by the FSCD program to provide information to support FSCD in making decisions about providing specialized services and expert advice to families and their service providers about the service plan.
The MDT is made up of the following health professionals who have experience and expert knowledge about services and best practices for children with severe disabilities and their families, including:
speech-language pathologists
occupational therapists
physical therapists
psychologists
The MDT reviews and considers information provided by the family, their service provider(s) and other professionals working with the child and makes recommendations to the guardian and the FSCD worker about the need, type and level of specialized services that may be the most helpful for the child and family. The MDT supports families to ensure their plan is based on best practice and will address their child’s needs and family’s goals.
The health professionals participating on the MDT do not see the child, complete clinical assessments or make final decisions about the FSCD services that a child and family receives.
To read further: Click Here
Specialized services for children with severe disabilities involves direct support for children and support for families. Specialized services are individualized and flexible to meet each child’s and family’s unique needs and circumstances, time and priorities, cultural context and values. Specialized services complement other supports and services that a family already has in place.
Specialized services involves a team of professionals, such as a Speech-Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, Psychologist, behavioural specialist and aide. The specialized services team works directly with a child to determine the strategies and approaches that will work best to help the child learn skills and participate in everyday routines.
Parents determine what their involvement looks like and this can change over time. Parents are not expected to provide direct services or intervention to their child, and are not required to be in the room or participating when services are being provided to their child. The team works with parents to identify the approaches that will fit best for the child and family, based on their unique needs and circumstances.
Parents of children with disabilities sometimes need support so they can raise their children at home and fully participate in community life.
The Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) Program provides a wide range of family-centred supports and services. Services are meant to help strengthen families’ ability to promote their child’s healthy development and encourage their child’s participation in activities at home and in the community.
The program is voluntary; parents remain the guardians for their child and are responsible for all decision-making and the usual expenses of raising a child until their child turns 18 years old.
The FSCD program works in partnership with eligible families to provide supports and services based on each child and family’s individual assessed needs.
FSCD assists approximately 10,000 children and their families each year.
To Apply for FSCD: Click Here
For more information contact your local FSCD Office. Click Here
To watch an informative video on the new Family Support for Children with Disabilities: Click Here
Parents of children with disabilities sometimes need support so they can raise their children at home and fully participate in community life. Click Here
The Ministry of Children's Services provides financial assistance to eligible lower-income families using:
Licensed day care centres
Licensed group family child care
Approved family day homes
Licensed out-of-school care centres
Licensed pre-schools and
Approved early childhood development programs
Maximum subsidy rates vary by program type and the age of child attending child care.
You can apply for a subsidy if:
You or your spouse/partner, or the child receiving care are Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada and live in Alberta.
You or your spouse/partner are an Alberta resident.
Your children are 12 years of age or younger and are not yet attending Grade 7.
You and your spouse/partner are currently working, attending school, looking for work or have special needs
OR
You or your spouse/partner stay-at-home and have your child(ren) enrolled in a licensed pre-school or approved early childhood development program.
For general inquiries about child care subsidy call 1‑877‑644‑9992 or 780‑644‑9992 within Edmonton, Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 8:00 pm
Estimate Your Subsidy: Click Here
Apply for Subsidy: Click Here
Renew Subsidy: Click Here
Change Personal Information: Click Here
Community members are provided information and referrals to community resources that range from where and how to access programs and services to where to go for emergency food and clothing. Telephone and drop-in support available. Call a Resource Worker at 780-413-4521 for more information.
Resource workers are available to assist you in accessing resources in the community, improve your parenting skills, help you to develop personal goals, provide self-esteem and awareness support, or assess your child’s developmental milestones.
To have someone contact you with more information, click here
Parents or caregivers of children from birth to 17 years who have specific concerns about their children’s development or behaviour are invited to schedule an appointment with a Triple P practitioner. Discover strategies on how to manage behaviour and promote development (up to 4 sessions). Tailored sessions include behaviour management strategies.
To have someone contact you with more information, click here
