Autism Spectrum Disorder Enhanced Respite Funding

The purpose of this supplemental funding is to provide meaningful respite care opportunities for parents and caregivers who are supporting children and youth diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), who are under the age of 18 and reside in the districts of Cochrane and Timiskaming.

To be eligible, the following criteria are required:

  1. Resident of Cochrane/Timiskaming Districts
  2. Child is under 18 years old
  3. Diagnosis of ASD (Autism, Asperger Syndrome, PDD-NOS)
  4. Diagnosis report is required
  5. To be used for In-Home or Out-Of-Home Respite or Organized Recreational Activities for the child (i.e.: sports, clubs, camps etc.) that they can attend without parent/caregiver.
  6. Receipts must be submitted for reimbursement as per established & communicated due dates or future funding may be comprised.
  7. Custodial parents must arrange between them how the funds are used to support their child’s needs in all environments.

NOTE: Funding only; NEOFACS does not provide nor recommend respite workers/services.

See our frequently asked questions section below to find out more.

If you have any questions or would like to submit an application, please contact:

Sarah Robinson, Program Supervisor
705-360-7100, ext. 5433
sarah.robinson@neofacs.org
707 Ross Avenue East, Timmins, ON P4N 8R1

Please contact us if you require an alternative format of the application form.

Download a copy of the application form (PDF)
How to Access Autism Services
Preparing for Transition to Adult Services

Frequently Asked Questions

Most parents/caregivers need help from time to time to care for their children while they shop, visit friends, or just take a break. Many people arrange for a babysitter, or perhaps grandparents, to help out for a few hours. Families with a child with autism may find that they have both a greater need for this type of support and greater difficulty making arrangements for someone to care for their child. They may rely on friends or family members for respite, or they may choose to hire a formal respite worker (such as through respiteservices.com).

No. Although you may choose to hire a formal respite worker, you can also use the funds to pay a friend, family member or other individual of your choosing to offer the respite care to your child/youth. A signed receipt from the person who provided the respite care is required, showing the date care was provided, and the amount of money charged.

Yes, if daycare is used to provide you with respite as a caregiver (i.e.: time to yourself), this is an appropriate use of respite funds. Using the funds to pay for daycare costs to allow you to attend paid employment, however, is not an appropriate use of respite funds (this is not considered having a “break”).

The money is for respite care, meaning for care for your child without you present, thereby giving you a break from caregiving. As such, you may not use the funds to pay for a family movie or dinner out, or for gas or other expenses. It is acceptable if you hire a respite worker who decides to take your child on an outing, that you use funds to pay the cost of the outing for the child and worker (for example, the cost of a movie and snacks).

Yes, the funds can be used to pay for an organized recreational activity, as long as it is one that your child attends without you, thereby providing you some relief from caregiving while they attend the activity.

Yes, as long as the child is attending without you, thereby offering you respite while they are at camp, you may use the funds to pay for camp fees. This would not apply to a family camping experience.

Funds can only be used toward transportation costs if it is for an outing/activity for the child/youth with a respite worker (not with a parent).

No. The funding cannot be used to purchase items. The funding is to be used to pay for care for your child or youth, allowing you a break from caregiving.

Any respite costs over the amount of the funds provided become the responsibility of the family/caregiver.

Yes, an Invoice form is included with your funding. It must be completed fully and accurately, and receipts must be attached for any eligible expense (such as proof of payment of camp registration fees).