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.
Behaviour Therapy and Learning Centre: Specialized ABA based preschool/kindergarten program (in-house and community support)
Website: www.btlc.ca
Email:
Phone: (403) 217-5876 ext 0
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.
GRIT Calgary Society: Provides PUF in community preschools.
Heartland: Offers a variety of programs; Even Start for children at risk, preschool and kindergarten with PUF supports. Several locations across the city.
Kids Developmental Services: Providing Early Childhood Intervention to children between the ages of 2 years 8 months and 5 years. Kids Developmental Services teams (teachers, assistants, and therapists) work with your child in a community preschool or childcare centre of your choice.They come to your home and provide community playgroups with a focus on outdoor play and exploration.
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).
I’m for Kids: Could offer PUF only in community preschools when in-home services are not required.
Inspiration Station: Preschool that offers PUF through Airdrie Foundation 4 Early Intervention.
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.
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.
Pacekids Programs: Programs for children with special needs, including Autism. Preschool and Kindergarten programs are available at two locations (north & south), with both PUF and Mild-Moderate programming. FSCD-funded programs include the Toddler & Family Support Program for children 1-3 years old, BDS programming for children 1-10 years old, and Specialized Services programming for children 2-10 years old.
Providence: The school program operates in 6 locations throughout Calgary for children from 2.8 years of age to 6 years. (Early Intervention programs start at 19 months.) The school program is based on a learning-through-play philosophy. Certified teachers along with a team of therapists and educational assistants provide direct individualized treatment in the classroom.
Renfrew Educational Services: Preschool and Kindergarten for special needs (PUF and Mild/Moderate) and typically developing children. It has 4 locations throughout Calgary.
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.
Step by Step Early Intervention Society: Provides services for preschool aged kids with motor and developmental delays. Has a PUF program in their centre and/or in a community preschool.