Direct Support Services

Respite Funding and Respite Enhancement Funding through the Ministry of Children & Youth Services

The Ministry of Children and Youth Services funds two programs that can give families a break (or "respite") from the day-to-day care of their child with special needs.

Out-of-Home Respite

Families of children with multiple special needs can receive up to seven days of respite per year, provided in a location other than their own home.

Who is eligible for this program?

The child must:

  • be under 18 years of age
  • have multiple special needs because of a physical or developmental disability
  • live at home and need care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

and, without out-of-home respite, there's a real possibility that

  • the child would require long-term residential placement
  • the child's family is at risk of breakdown, or
  • there's a risk that the child could harm himself or others.

Enhanced Respite Funding

This grant is paid to families who are caring for a child who is medically fragile and/or depends on a technological device needing care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is paid in addition to other respite services. Families may be eligible for up to $3,500 per child, per year.

Examples are children who:

  • rely on medical and technological equipment, such as mechanical ventilators, apnea monitors, renal dialysis, urinary catheters, colostomy bags
  • take drugs intravenously
  • rely on tracheotomy tube care, suctioning, oxygen support or tube feeding.

Who is eligible?

The child:

  • is under 18 years of age
  • lives at home
  • needs intensive care and constant monitoring on a 24-hour basis.

How to apply:

Contact the ministry's regional office nearest you.

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