PUF Providers – Autism Calgary

Program Unit Funding (PUF)

Alberta Education provides Program Unit Funding (PUF) for families to access early intervention support. This is programming for children who require additional support to prepare them for Kindergarten and Grade 1. Depending on the level of support needed, children can access PUF services as early as 2 years 8 months and for a maximum of 3 years, with the last year intended for kindergarten. Children must be at least 5 years old as of December 31 of the year they have started Kindergarten. PUF services begin in September of each year & you MUST register your child for programming before September 29th otherwise they will not have the funding support for the year.

Contact your local independent ECS operator for more information about available programming and registering your child. Some community preschools (not listed here) offer their own PUF program. We recommend that you call your community preschool directly if you are interested and ask them if they could provide PUF supports for your child.

The following list includes service providers (agencies) that work with a child in their community school as well as some independent schools that have their own therapy team on site. These organizations can offer PUF services when FSCD funding for home services is not in place. Some also offer Mild/Moderate support for children without severe delays that do need extra help within the classroom.

Some service providers may offer FSCD rates, however not all professionals within an organization charge the same, so some may still require parents to top-up the rate. Please check in with each service provider individually.

Behaviour Therapy and Learning Centre

Specialized ABA based preschool/kindergarten program (in-house and community support).

www.btlc.ca

Beyond Speech Therapy Services Inc.

They provide person-centered pediatric speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and behaviour consulting PUF and ECS services to preschools in Calgary and southern Alberta. Their therapists work with individuals of all ages for a variety of needs in group and 1:1 sessions.

https://www.beyondspeechservices.com/

Centre for Autism Services Alberta

A non-profit organization founded in Edmonton in 1997 by parents of children with autism. CFASA’s vision is to support individuals with autism in leading meaningful, engaged lives; their purpose is to empower autistic people and their families to thrive. CFASA works with autistic people and their families to promote the development of skills that create inclusion, meaningful engagement, and autonomy. Specializing in strategies to assist in maximizing family capacity.

http://www.centreforautismab.ca/

Foothills Creative Beginnings

Located in Cochrane and Calgary, the school offers programs for typically developing children as well as PUF and Mild/Moderate programs for 2.8 years and 5 years.

http://creativebeginnings.ca/

GRIT Calgary Society

Provides PUF in community preschools.

https://www.gritcalgarysociety.com/

Heartland

Provides ECS programming for children aged 3-6 in multiple areas of the city. All children who are accepted qualify for PUF and attend 5 days a week for a half day program. Heartland endeavors to support families with the most need through our door to door bussing, food program, and family centered programming.

www.heartlandagency.org

I’m for Kids

Could offer PUF only in community preschools when in-home services are not required.

http://www.imforkids.org/

Inspiration Station

Offers PUF services for 3 and 4 years old children.

www.inspirationstation.ca

Kids Developmental Services

Kids Developmental Services teams (certificated teachers, assistants, and therapists) work with your child in a community preschool or child care centre of your choice.

Professionals Available: Aide Support, Behavioral Specialist, Occupational Therapy, Psychologist, Speech & Language Pathology, Parent Courses

www.kidsds.org

KIN-DIR Education Foundation

An early childhood services operator, providing early intervention for children in Calgary and surrounding areas. They partner with daycares and preschools to support student development and learning in the home, school, and community. They have an intensive in-school and/or in-home program that includes: Program Unit Funding, Mild/Moderate, FSCD, ESL and Fee-for-Service (FFS).

https://kindired.com/

Lead Foundation

Provides PUF, Mild/Moderate, and ESL Alberta Education support. Works with children of all ages who are eligible for Alberta Education programs. Their teams provide services in preschools, child care programs & kindergarten programs in Calgary and surrounding areas. Their multi-disciplinary teams may include: Teachers, Speech Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Behaviour Specialists, Psychologists, and Child Development Specialists.

https://www.leadfoundation.ca/

Little Blossoms Early Intervention Foundation

A non-for-profit, approved ECS Operator with Alberta Education. Provides PUF and mild/moderate programming for children 2 1/2 to 6 years of age. Programs are individually designed to meet the needs of each child.

https://littleblossomspreschoolincdotorg.wordpress.com/

Pacekids Programs

Pacekids Programs supports children with diverse needs and their families through therapy, education, and play. Pacekids is an approved Private ECS Operator for PUF Funding from Alberta Education. Pacekids operates two schools and accepts children from all areas of Calgary.

www.pacekids.ca

Providence

Working together with the child, family and community, Providence offers specialized programs and services that support the well-being and development of all children. Providence offers two unique Alberta Education-funded program streams: those based in our six schools across Calgary and those based in approved neighborhood community preschools and child care programs (our LEARN Program). Our programs are designed to support children who may not be meeting typical developmental milestones.

www.providencechildren.com

Renfrew Educational Services

Preschool and Kindergarten for special needs (PUF and Mild/Moderate) and typically developing children. It has 4 locations throughout Calgary.

https://www.renfreweducation.org

Society for Autism Support and Services

Can offer PUF at their centre and/or a community preschool if the child does not qualify for Specialized Services or while waiting for services to be approved.

https://www.autism.ca/

Step by Step Early Intervention Society

Step by Step is a private ECS provider that follows the Alberta Education curriculum and standards. Led by a certified teacher, our classes offer a high level of adult to child support. Speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, music therapy, and behavior support may be included as part of your child’s program depending on their areas of need. Funding to attend the ECS program could be provided by accessing Program Unit Funding (PUF) from Alberta Education. If your child has been screened and found to have significant developmental delays or disability they may be eligible.