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Welcome to “The HUB” where we Help U Belong. Quite often, people living with intellectual disabilities live isolated from the greater community around them. The families and caregivers of people with ID can also feel isolated. Going out might be too challenging, you may have felt unwelcome or uncomfortable in public, perhaps you’re even afraid to go out on your own. There are supports in your area that might help make life a little easier whatever your situation. Perhaps you just don’t know where to look. This page is designed to make it easy to find local organizations which reach out to your families. These are places where you can gain a sense of belonging to the larger community. Here you can make the connections that you might need for your family.

If there are any other links that you think might be helpful to our members, please forward the information to HACL at exdirhacl@eastlink.ca

“If you have knowledge, let others light their candles with

it.” Margaret Fuller

Supports and Services

www.cacl.ca Canadian Association for Community Living

www.hacl.ca Halifax Association for Community Living (that’s us!)

http://www.cdha.nshealth.ca/development-disabilities/links Capital Health Developmental Disabilities Links

http://www.nsnet.org/regionhes.html Nova Scotia Network of Organizations and Services

www.un.org/disabilities/convention/conventionfull.shtml UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

www.nshsc.ns.ca/index.html Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech Centres

www.iwk.nshealth.ca The IWK Health Centre provides quality care to women, children, youth and families in the Maritime Provinces and beyond.

http://www.eastlink.ca/eltv/ELTV_Programs/inclusionrevolution.asp Focused on the latest in “best practices” from across Canada and around the world, Inclusion Revolution is designed to change the way Canadians view disabilities in our community, workplace, and beyond.

www.sbeip.com Sackville-Bedford Early Intervention Program-A family-centered program, we target families with children, birth to school age, who are experiencing developmental delays/disorders or who are at risk of having developmental challenges.

www.progresscentre.com Halifax Progress Centre Early Intervention Program- A family-centered program, we target families with children, birth to school age, who are experiencing developmental delays/disorders or who are at risk of having developmental challenges.

www.halifaxdaycare.org Halifax Developmental Centre for Early Learning

http://www.familysos.ca/our-programs Family S.O.S. provides a number of programs and services directed toward strengthening families. Through Family Intervention, Positive Parenting Programs for Moms and Dads, Reunification & Aftercare and Teens’ Talk, staff make every attempt to keep the family and their needs at the centre of their work. The Healthy Kidz™ Programs operate as after-school and summer day camp programs for children and youth based in the Greystone and North End Halifax communities.Here are some stats:      From April 1st, 2008 – March 31st  2009, 496 families were served by the agency. The average number of families actively working with Family Intervention and Reunification & Aftercare workers at any given time: 42  Approximately 54 moms and dads complete our Positive Parenting Program each year.During the 2008-2009 school year, approx 72 students in the HRM participated in the Teen’s Talk Program.Healthy Kidz™ provides after-school and summer day camp opportunities for approximately 200 children, youth and their families eachyear.

http://www.cdha.nshealth.ca/mental-health-program/programs-services/mental-health-mobile-crisis-team The Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team (MHMCT) provides intervention and short term crisis management for children, youth and adults experiencing a mental health crisis. We offer telephone intervention throughout the Capital District and mobile response in areas served by Halifax Regional Police including Halifax, Dartmouth and Bedford. Our support is confidential, non-judgmental and respectful.

www.weecareforkids.ca/index.htm Wee Care is a non-profit community service. It provides pre-school programs based on the rationale of early intervention and integration. Care is available for children with special needs aged six months to six years and typically developing children.

www.memorylanefamilyplace.com/page1.htm An outreach program in Lower Sackville for families. Community outreach work is an important part of our work. Many parenting and pre-school programs.

www.sackvillenovascotia.ca/resources/daycares.htm Sackville-Bedford Area daycare centre, including the Sackville-Bedford Developmental Centre.

www.gov.ns.ca/health/mhs Mental Health Services in your community and across the Province.

http://www.gov.ns.ca/hpp/publications/08-35069-oral_health_review.pdf DENTAL CARE BENEFITS!! Full, lifetime coverage for persons diagnosed with an intellectual disability. See pages 12 and 13 regarding dental healtbenefits for persons with intellectual disabilities. Your dentist should have the required forms to fill out and fax to M.S.I.

www.specialneeds-ns.blogspot.com Practical advice to assist parents and guardians of children with special needs in Nova Scotia with navigating the educational and community services systems. Provides timely and practical information to individuals with disabilities and their families on numerous issues, including special education, various government programs, human rights and future planning for persons with disabilities (along with the appropriate use of such tools as Powers of Attorney, Wills, the Henson Trust and the Registered Disability Savings Plan).

www.larchehalifax.org L’Arche is an international federation of faith-based communities creating homes and day programs with people who have developmental disabilities.

www.novascotiadownsyndromesociety.com The Nova Scotia Down Syndrome Society is a volunteer, non-profit organization which acts as a resource to everyone with an interest in Down syndrome in Nova Scotia.

www.provincialautismcentre.ca The Provincial Autism Centre is a non-profit association located in Halifax, Nova Scotia. We are a professionally run Centre that provides programs and services to the autism community while helping families and professionals across the province access resources and quality information about autism spectrum disorders (autism). We provide respectful, understanding and confidential services to individuals and families as needed.

www.hrcpa.ca The Halifax Regional Cerebral Palsy Association has as its main objective the betterment of life for its members and those in mainland Nova Scotia who are living with cerebral palsy. The Association endeavors to do this through the provision of social events, financial assistance and education for members and the general public.

www.mentalhealthns.ca The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia is a registered charitable foundation that was established in 1987 to create a higher level of awareness of mental health and to support organizations to deliver the highest level of mental health care in every community in Nova Scotia.

www.aboutkidshealth.ca —trusted answers from The Hospital
for Sick Children. This site provides families with current,
evidence-based information, about child health. Pictures
and animations help to make it easy to understand.

www.bigbrothersbigsistershalifax.ca/en/Home/default.aspx Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Greater Halifax

www.centralrespite.nsnet.org/index.html The Central Region Respite Society is a community based non-profit agency funded by the Department of Community Services. We believe that a strong family unit is essential when facing the challenges of caring for a family member with special needs. Our Mission is to promote the well being of families through a comprehensive respite service, designed to meet the individual family needs and encourage the development of an independent support system.

www.rrss.ns.ca/training.htm Regional Residential Services Society offers residential choices that support the individual dreams and goals of adults with intellectual disabilities.

http://www.iwk.nshealth.ca/index.cfm?objectid=F9DA27CE-DA84-85AC-8D8A94A5E7CFC6AD “Solution-Focused Review of Obstacles to Recreation Participation for Parents and Families” This resource has been developed for families of children and youth who have a disability. It will assist you in overcoming barriers to recreation and community participation. At a “Leisure for Me” Parent Workshop, participants identified several obstacles that were used as the basis for this document.Contents include transportation, health, existing mobility concerns, respite, accessible and inclusive resources, and much more.

http://theclubscri.com/ THE CLUB offers a variety of leisure, social and life skills programs throughout the year. For information on the current programs, call Alice at 405-2053. People can also email us at registerinfotheclub@gmail.com

http://groc.ca/html/about_us.html To make the Gospel available in a fun and practical way to every child in the HRM via a sidewalk Sunday school model and home visitation program.Mulgrave Park – Albert & Dartmouth ave corner (In Winter: The Needham Centre),Greystone: Greystone basketball courts (In Winter: Cornerstone Family centre),The Pubs: Romans & Federal corner (In Winter: St Andrews Community Centre), Dartmouth: Demetreous Lane (In Winter: Indoor location),Uniacke square – Dixon Park (In Winter: The Dixon Centre)

www.bestbuddies.ca what: one to one matches for a person with a disability
and an university student When: during the years the student is in university How Often: the matches contact each other once per week and see each other twice a month Activities: movies, shopping, games, hanging out.

www. ebuddies.org An email pen-pal program that provides safe opportunities for one-to-one email friendships between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities.

www.ibelong.ca If you are a young adult with an intellectual disability, this website is for you!

Education

http://www.ednet.ns.ca/pdfdocs/studentsvcs/program-planning-process.pdf The Program Planning Process: A Guide for Parents

www.ednet.ns.ca/index.php?sid=331106322&t=sub_pages&cat=518 What resources are available for students with special needs? Put out by the NS Dept. of Education

www.hrsb.ns.ca/files/downloads/pdf/board/policy/sectionc/c.006-special-education.pdf Special Education Policy HRSB

http://studentservices.ednet.ns.ca/sites/default/files/inclusion.pdf Inclusion Supporting All Students- HRSB

http://studentservices.ednet.ns.ca/sites/default/files/Student_Success_web_full.pdf Supporting Student Success

www.disabilityservices.nscc.ca/en/home/default.aspx Nova Scotia Community College: We understand the challenges a physical, mental or learning disability can create at college. Disability Services can give you tools to overcome these challenges at Nova Scotia Community College. Explore this site to find out what services are available to you and how to get started.

www.ssrsb.ca/programs-and-services/verge-house-transition-program.html Verge House Transition Program. The goal of the Transition Program is to prepare young adults for employment (sheltered or community), community integration, and post-secondary education (if appropriate). Located in Bridgewater, NS.

www.halifaxpubliclibraries.ca Halifax Regional Public Libraries

www.hrsb.ns.ca The Halifax Regional School Board was created in 1996 through the amalgamation of three individual boards that operated schools in Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford and Halifax County.

www.hrsb.ns.ca/files/downloads/pdf/board/policy/sectionc/c.006-special-education.pdf Halifax Regional School Board Special Education Policy

www.ymcahrm.ns.ca The YMCA has been an integral part of the community in spirit, mind and body, evolving to meet the needs of its community, embracing change and welcoming people of all ages, backgrounds, abilities, social and economic circumstances.

www.friend2friendsociety.org The Friend 2 Friend Simulation Game program is a unique, innovative, age-appropriate educational tool that provides real-life information about autism and individuals on the autism spectrum in a positive light.

www.connectability.ca/connectability/pages/index.html A Toronto-based site that has many useful tools for families living with intellectual disabilities. Welcome to ConnectABILITY a website and virtual community dedicated to lifelong learning and support for people who have an intellectual disability, their families and support networks. The core of our community is accessible, self-directed access to valuable information and tools, ready on demand.

www.ednet.ns.ca/events/special_education_review/documents/review-committee-report-e.pdf NS Education Minister’s Review of Services for Students with Special Needs July 2007

www.gov.ns.ca/coms/families/childcare/SupportedChildCare.html Supported Child Care Program (SCC) is to ensure families of children with special needs have access to child care in their own communities regardless of the child’s developmental needs.

Sport

http://www.halifax.ca/Accessibility/documents/HRMAccessibility-InclusionDirectory.pdf

A list of sport and recreation organizations for those with disabilities within Halifax Regional Municipality

www.sons.ca Special Olympics Nova Scotia Official Website

www.halifax.ca/rec Halifax Regional Municipality Recreation Programs

www.mambec.com/about.html Martial Arts Mind and Body Education Centre; unique martial art center that teaches children both physical and mental martial arts. MAMBEC’s objective is to give children safe skills to deal with conflict at an early age and to provide them with a better understanding of the world around them.

www.ymcahrm.ns.ca The YMCA has been an integral part of the community in spirit, mind and body, evolving to meet the needs of its community, embracing change and welcoming people of all ages, backgrounds, abilities, social and economic circumstances.

Funding Supports

www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/sgmnts/dsblts/ddctns/menu-eng.html If you are a person with a disability or you support someone with a disability, you may be able to claim on your tax return the deductions and tax credits listed.

www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pbg/tf/t2201/README.html Disability Tax Credit

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/gncy/bdgt/2011/qa01-eng.html#_Toc288625238 Children’s Art Tax Credit (CATC) For 2011 and subsequent years, the budget proposes a new non-refundable tax credit based on eligible expenses paid for the cost of registration or membership of your or your spouse’s or common-law partner’s child in a prescribed program of artistic, cultural, recreational or developmental activity (eligible program).

http://www.gov.ns.ca/hpp/HealthyLivingIncentive.html Healthy Living Tax Incentive-The tax credit, or healthy living incentive, provides an allowable tax credit of up to $500/child to help with the costs of registering children and youth in sport or recreation activities that offer health benefits. Children and youth aged 17 and under who are registered in an approved organized sport, physical recreation or physical program will qualify. Only receipts from groups who have registered with the NS Dept. of Health Promotion and Protection are eligible. To find out if the organization your child is registered with is on the list check: www.gov.ns.ca/hpp/HealthyLivingIncentive.html Recreation Departments are listed under Physical Recreation/Physical Activity or Organizations

www.cra-arc.gc.ca/bnfts/dsblty-eng.html The Child Disability Benefit (CDB) is a tax-free benefit for families who care for a child under age 18 who is eligible for the disability amount.

www.gov.ns.ca/coms/disabilities/DirectFamilySupport.html This Direct Family Support (DFS) program provides supports and services to both children and adults with disabilities who live at home with their families. The intent of the program is to support and provide funding to eligible families to enable them to support their family member with a disability at home.

http://www.gov.ns.ca/coms/families/childcare/ChildCareSubsidy.html Nova Scotia’s child care subsidy helps eligible families pay for licensed or regulated child care. The Department of Community Services provides subsidies to the child care centre or family home day care on your behalf.

http://psds.ednet.ns.ca/canada-access-grant Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities

http://psds.ednet.ns.ca/provincial-access-grant Provincial Access Grant

http://psds.ednet.ns.ca/canada-study-grant Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Persons with Disabilities

http://psds.ednet.ns.ca/goods-access-program Post-Secondary Disability Services – Goods & Services

http://www.halifax.ca/rec/documents/HRMKIDSApplicationForm.pdf Funding for recreation

http://www.sportnovascotia.ca/Portals/0/kidsport/apps/KS10_app_hrm.pdf Sport NS program called KidSport provides funding for recreation programs and equipment.

http://t4gimages.com/LCL/email/PC/2011/WK33/PCCCApplication_May2011_EN.pdf President’s Choice Children’s Charity

http://www.childrenstrustfund.ca/UserFiles/Assistance%20Application%20Form%202011%285%29.pdf Q104 Children’s Fund

http://www.access2.ca/A2%20ENG%20NEW%20App%202011.pdf Access-to-Entertainment Card provides free movie pass for attendants, great program!!!

http://www.smd.mb.ca/uploads/Travel%20Assistance%20Program/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Travel%20Card%20Application-updatedMB.pdf Disability Travel Card