New Parents Baby Packages

• Children First: 519-250-1850 | www.children-first.ca
  Children First provides services to families with children birth to 6 years who have special needs. These needs may include developmental and mental health. It is a community based non-profit agency. Staff includes speech/language pathologists, social workers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists, and resource consultants. Parents may self refer.
• John McGivney Children’s Centre: 519-252-7281
  For children up to 21 years of age who have special needs. Services may include: speech/language therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy. They have a preschool program for children 18 months to 6 years old.
• Connections Early Years Family Centre:  519-252-0636 | http://www.connectwithus.ca/
  Offering the following programs:
  • Talk 2 Me: For children up to 5 years of age. Services may include: speech/language assessment, educational workshops and parent intervention programs.  This service is not in addition to the services provided by JMCC or Children First.
  • Be Back Soon: Parents may drop off their children for short, supervised stays. For example, doctor appointments.
  • Ontario Early Years Centre: Free stay and play drop-in centres where parents can participate in early learning activities with their children.
  • Parenting Courses and Groups
  • Infant Hearing Screening
  • Blind Low Vision Program
  • Dads Matter

• Ask your pediatrician about the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) shot that every baby with Down syndrome is medically covered to receive through Met Hospital for the first 2 years of life during the winter months.

• Family Respite Services: 519-972-9688 | www.familyrespite.org Respite support services are provided to enhance the quality of life for children with various disabilities.
• SSAH-Special Services At Home: 519-254-1651 Helps children with developmental disabilities and their families by providing monthly funding to purchase services and supports.
• ACSD-Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities provides financial help to assist with some of the extra costs of caring for a child with a disability. Financial and medical criteria must be met.
• Disability Tax Credit is for people who have a severe and prolonged mental or physical disability. Form T2201.
• Disabled Person Parking Permit-DPPP: You may qualify for this permit. Form to be completed by a Physician www.mto.gov.ca

Other Funding Options:

• Easter Seals: 519-944-0044 Ext.223 www.easterseals.org
  • For children 3 years of age and up with incontinence issues. Funding is provided for supplies. Receipts for supplies must be submitted annually. See your family doctor to complete necessary paperwork.
  • Access2 Card covers the cost of a Support Person while attending a movie with a card holding member. Accessible entertainment at Cinemas throughout Canada.

• Nursery schools, Preschools and Daycare for socialization in language rich environments.
• Winstars: 519-972-1397 | http://www.winstarsgym.com/
  • Private gymnastics sessions by Melinda Outram are available on request. Can be very helpful in helping children with Down syndrome with gross motor development and strengthening.
• Windsor/Essex Therapeutic Riding Association: 519-726-7682 | wetra.ca
• SPEQTRA Special Equestrian Therapeutic Riding Association: 519-322-2463 | http://www.speqtra.ca/
• City of Windsor Parks and Rec. offers a 10% discount for special needs children
• Check out the local community rec. centre in your area, many offer parent and baby swimming, yoga and stroller fitness classes.
• Mother Care-Support for New Moms (Paramed Health Services): 519-966-5200. Personal Support Workers provide support by doing a variety of tasks such as; meal preparation, prepare formula, light housekeeping, care for older children and assist mom with infant care. Fees do apply.

• Up About Down: 519 973-6486
  • Our members are divided into the following age groups: Newborn – 5 years, 6 – 12 years, 13 – 21 years, and 22 + (Adults). Connections are made with other parents through events and activities planned by the group leaders of each age group.
• Windsor-Essex Family Network: 519-974-1008 | https://windsoressexfamnet.ca/
  • Become a member for $10 per year and receive newsletters and workshop information.
  • The UAD Resource Library is located at this facility and our extensive collection of materials are available for borrowing and researching.
• Ensemble:  519-776-6486, Ext. 225  www.ensembleunderstands.com or Email: ensemble@communitylivingessex.org
  • Connecting parents with parents of children with special needs.
  • Provides workshops and webinars.

• Contact a lawyer to establish a will with a “Discretionary Trust” (Henson Trust) left for your child.
• RDSP (Registered Disability Savings Plan)
  • Contact your Financial Institution to discuss setting up a RDSP for your child. The RDSP was introduced in 2008 and some Financial Institutions have more experience than others.