Special Needs Resourcing Program

Special Needs Resourcing Program

Special Needs Resourcing supports the inclusion of children with special needs in licensed child care, camps and recreation programs across St. Thomas and Elgin County.

A child has special needs if their cognitive, physical, social, emotional, communicative or developmental needs require additional support.

Resource consultants

Resource consultants support children with special needs, under 13 years old, in licensed child care settings, including home child care, camps and recreation programs, at no cost to you.

A resource consultant may:

• provide program adaptation strategies and professional development for child care staff
• support the development of individualized support plans, under Ontario Regulation 137/15
• conduct developmental screenings
• provide referrals to community agencies
• share information and resources with parents
• help obtain specialized equipment

Resource consultants often support several children across multiple locations.

Program assistants

Program assistant funding lets licensed child care centres, home child care providers, before and after school programs, camps and recreation programs hire additional staff. These staff work alongside regular program staff and resource consultants to support children with special needs.

School-age recreation programs

If your child is 6 to 18 years old and has special needs, you may qualify for a fee subsidy and Special Needs Resourcing for an eligible recreation program. The program must be either:

• accredited by the Ontario Camping Association, or
• affiliated with the High Five quality assurance process, administered by Parks and Recreation Ontario

How to get support

In St. Thomas and Elgin County, All Kids Belong, a program of Merrymount Children's Centre, provides Special Needs Resourcing. A family or service provider can make a referral by contacting All Kids Belong. Your assigned resource consultant will discuss your child's situation with you and explore the support options available.