Community Living Services for Youth

Family Support

Family Support Services provides services and support to families with relatives who have an intellectual disability and reside in the home. Family Support currently provides these supports to approximately 100 children and 94 families in the Welland Pelham area.

The supports and services offered include:

Assisting families in accessing Special Services at Home, Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities, Medically Fragile Dollars, and Ontario Disability Support program

• Providing the administrative supports related to any Ministry funded program

• Providing a case management support and assisting families to liaise and connect with other appropriate community agencies

• Supporting families in school advocacy issues, including transitional planning

Referrals for Family Support for children ages 0 to 18 are through Contact Niagara at 905-684-3407

Respite

Respite provides temporary relief to primary caregivers of children with an intellectual disability. This relief is creative, flexible, and responsive to the individuals need. There are private respite providers available to provide this support as well as Ministry of Community and Social Services funded respite providers.

For a list of respite options contact your Family Support coordinator 905 735 9019

There may be a fee for this service.

Summer Transitional Experience Program (STEP)

STEP provides a summer experience for youth between the ages of 13-21 who have the label of intellectual disability. The purpose is to explore work options to help each person determine interests, build on skills and to develop an understanding of what it means to work.

Getting involved in one's community is vital in building relationship, STEP promotes and encourages community involvement.

Recreation helps make natural connections along with having fun, STEP will help identify interests and support each person.