CHILDREN’S SUMMER PROGRAM

SUMMER PROGRAM INFORMATION

WELCOME!

Dear Parents,

It is an exciting time at Edenbridge Family Services as we are launching our first ever summer program for children with disabilities!!

What parents need to know is how to get funding, where to get funding, diagnosis, and if they qualify for funding as well as activities, cost and where the location of the program will be.

First and foremost, we have received feedback from the community and our funding body that something is missing, and with that, parents are wanting and needing a place where their children can feel good about themselves, have an amazing summer and most of all…keep busy!!

For parents who are wanting some information regarding the program, here are some things you need to know:

FUNDING; WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?

The majority of funding comes from Family Supports for Children with Disabilities or FSCD and can be done by meeting with an intake worker to see if you qualify for supports within the program.  Funding for services can also come from Children’s Services to help those children that are no longer able to live in their homes.

DO I QUALIFY FOR FUNDING?

Not everyone will qualify for funding as it is determined case by case.  FSCD determines if you qualify based on diagnosis of disability and the needs of the child.  A diagnosis can come from either a family doctor or a pediatrician.  The funding and how much each child will receive will depend on the diagnosis of the child.  Families can meet with an intake worker or simply contact them as they decide who qualifies for funding or not.

WHAT IS THE COST OF THE PROGRAM?

Any child under the age of 13 years will be required by FSCD to pay a parent portion.  This is based on their income, and approval of full-time or part-time.

Any child over the age of 13 years, is not required to pay a parent portion.  There will also be an activity fee that is over and above the parent portion for children to attend.

There is an activity fee attached to each child on a monthly basis.  This fee includes but is not limited to: arts, crafts, outings, swimming, museums, etc.

Full time costs of activity fee are $75 per month per child if registered by May 31, 2014.  Late fees of $5 extra per child per month if registered after May 31, 2014.

CAN MY CHILD ATTEND IF THEY DO NOT HAVE A DISABILITY?

Absolutely they can!!

There is an extra fee for siblings that attend but do not qualify for funding.  The fee are:

$300 a month per child including the activity fee – part-time

$500 a month per child  including the activity fee – full-time

HOW DO I GET A DIAGNOSIS?

It comes from either your family doctor or the pediatrician that your child sees.  They can determine what your child’s diagnosis is and what course of action to take.

CAN MY CHILD PARTICIPATE IN EVERY ACTIVITY?

This is parent driven program so we can build and design according to their specific needs.  Each child needs something they can participate in.

WHO DO I CONTACT TO APPLY FOR FUNDING AND SERVICES?

Parents/Guardians would contact their local FSCD office and ask to speak to an intake worker at 403-382-4275 from 8:30-4:30pm.

Erin can be reached at 403-320-8887 at Edenbridge Famiily Services from 8:30-4:30 Mon. to Fri. or at ehensel@edenbridge.ca 

The program will be located at the Westminster Centre adjacent to the park and swimming pool.

Eligibility Criteria

  1. Eligibility and allotted hours are determined by Family Supports for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) or Children’s Services.
  2. Eligible individuals are those that require assistance that can be safely performed by one or two staff members.  This may be accomplished with mechanical lifts if necessary.
  3. Benefits from being in the community rather than being institutionalized.
  4. Not be a danger to self and others.

Denial of Services will only occur when the agency is unable to meet the individual’s needs and provide the above supports in the community.

See below for further information regarding the 2014 program.

SERVICE PROVIDER LETTER – SUMMER PROGRAM 2014

This is a formal letter informing Family Support Services for Children with Disabilities the intentions of Edenbridge Family Services in regards to Summer Program 2014!!!

Edenbridge Family Services is pleased to announce that we are running a summer program for Children with disabilities starting July 2, 2014 , running Monday to Friday from 7:30am – 6:00pm until August 29, 2014. The program  will be closed Monday August 4th, 2014 to observe the civic holiday.

We will be offering sibling related care for those parents that need it at a cost of $300 a month for part time including the activity fee, and $500 a month for full time including the activity fee.  This is for the parents who need childcare for siblings who do not have a disability but can accompany their sibling to the same location.

We are accepting children ranging in ages from 4 – 17 years with a special focus on employment/volunteer work for those aged 11 – 17 years.  Some of the things the older children will be doing are but not limited to:

  • Coulee Clean Up
  • Resumes, cover letters, and applying for employment
  • Volunteering at animal shelters/humane society
  • Life skills based program, such as: taking the bus, budgeting, cooking, cleaning, etc.
  • Field trips (Locations will be discussed with parents/guardians)

There will be separate and tailored programming for the children who attend that are 11 years and under, and we anticipate that there will be exciting  new things for them to do , which include but are not limited to:

  • Swimming (Westminster Pool)
  • Mini golf
  • Arts and crafts
  • Exercising
  •  Tours to various museums, police stations, radio stations, culturally significant locations (Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump as an example).
  • Games, both indoor and outdoor
  • Movie Mill days
  • Corn Maze

We will also be running a tailored program for the children that are wheelchair based, as they require a more specific program due to their needs.  We will be accepting anyone from the ages of 4 – 17 years in this program.

The activity costs for children to attend the program are $40 a month per child for part-time, and $75 a month per child for full-time attendance.  Plus the parent portion if that applies to the child.

There will be theme days and inclusive programming for all children to attend and participate in so they have the best summer possible.  Our staff is well experienced in providing the best programming for children with special needs.

While the activities vary between the ages, there will be opportunities when all of the children can participate in some of the same activities.  There will be lots of opportunities for them to be included in the community where they can reach their potential abilities!!

Feel free to pass this information on to the parents that you serve so they are aware of this program and they can call Erin at Edenbridge Family Services at 403-320-8887 or via email at ehensel@edenbridge.ca

Thanks for your time and I look forward to working with your agency to provide children with the best summer yet!!