Due to legal/political jurisdiction issues (Indigenous affairs are under the purview of the federal government, while disability services are handled by the provincial governments), Indigenous individuals and families might face extra challenges when seeking ASD-related funding supports. At this time (Fall 2021) there isn’t really a single streamlined way for Indigenous people living on reserves to gain access to standard or personalized ASD-related supports and services. However, that does NOT mean that these supports and services are completely inaccessible; rather, until advocates are able to push changes through to fix these issues and inequalities, those wishing to gain access to programming need to put in extra work beyond what is typical in the disability sector.
Below are resources and information on avenues for accessing funding supports, divided between Children’s Supports (to help those on the spectrum under the age of 18) and Adult Supports (for those 18 and older). For help or further information on accessing disability-related supports and services as an Indigenous person, please contact .
Children’s Supports
Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD)
Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) is provincial funding for disability-related expenses that are the result of raising a child with extraordinary needs. After you apply, you will be assigned a caseworker who will assess your family’s individual needs and create an FSCD contract, which is a legally binding document – it can and will see changes over time. Some things that can be funded are therapies, counselling, respite, aide support, medical expenses and more. FSCD is available to children living in Alberta who are under 18, Canadian Citizens, or Permanent Residents who have or are awaiting a diagnosis and fit the eligibility criteria.
“Jordan’s Principle is a principle that ensures there is substantive equality and that there are no gaps in publicly-funded health, social and education programs, services and supports for First Nations children” who are under the age of 18 and living on or off reserve. Jordan’s Principle is federal funding and can help with disability-related supports such as therapy, health expenses, social inclusion, education support and more. The family gathers supporting documentation, submits an application, and will typically receive a decision within 48 hours of the application being processed./div>
The Alberta First Nations Health Consortium is dedicated to helping families access and navigate Jordan’s Principle funding support. “First Nations Health Consortium (FNHC) Enhanced Service Coordination; the link between the child and the needed program, service, supplies, equipment and support, in accessing education, health or social programs to meet the child’s needs”.
“PDD helps adults with developmental disabilities get services to live as independently as possible in their community”. Families will be assigned a caseworker that will assess the needs and then provide the family with an Individual Service Plan (ISP). The ISP is a document that outlines which services are funded, such as respite (in-home or out-of-home), employment prep, community access and more. There are two ways to utilize PDD funding; Family Managed Services and Agency Based Services. Family managed allows the family to privately hire and pay workers, whereas agency based allows the individual to access multiple supports in an agency setting. Most adult individuals living on a Reserve typically meet the eligibility criteria for PDD funding. However, there is sometimes a more complex process, and the funding may be channelled through Indigenous Services Canada to the band rather than directly to the family.
Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH)
Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) is provincial “financial and health benefits for eligible Albertans with a permanent medical condition that prevents them from earning a living.” AISH provides a monthly living allowance, with the maximum amount currently (as of August 2021) set at $1,685/month. The health benefits cover medical, dental, optical and more; detailed information can be found HERE.
The “Assisted Living Program provides funds to identified service providers to help provide non-medical, social support services to people living on-reserve with chronic illness or disability”.