Province Expands Program for Families Supporting a Child with a Disability

More Nova Scotia families caring for a child with a disability will soon have help thanks to a $1.3-million provincial investment.

The Department of Community Services is expanding the income eligibility guidelines for the Direct Family Support for Children Program to support more children with disabilities who live at home with their families.

"Families want their children to stay at home and in their communities," said Community Services Minister Denise Peterson-Rafuse. "This investment is making life better for families, and shows our commitment to improve services for persons with disabilities and their families."

Effective Dec. 1, the amount a family can make and be eligible for the Direct Family Support for Children Program jumps from $47,000 to $72,000, after taxes. More than 80 additional families will now have access to this funding, which helps with costs for things like transportation, medication and respite when a break is needed. The amount of assistance a family receives varies depending on their income, assessed need for respite and family size.

David Croft has two sons, both with autism.

"Parents can appreciate the need for a break from the day-to-day challenges of caring for children with disabilities," said Mr. Croft. "The respite offered through the Direct Family Support for Children Program has made that bit of time away possible."

About 800 families now use the Direct Family Support for Children Program.

"This investment means that many families who weren't eligible before will now have access to this program and the help it offers," said Dr. Noni MacDonald, a professor of pediatrics at Dalhousie University with a clinical appointment in pediatric infectious diseases at the IWK Health Centre. "This kind of funding can make all the difference to families caring for a child with a disability. It means families can breathe a little easier and be in a better position to make the decisions that best fit their needs."

Government has increased investments in programs for persons with disabilities by $19 million since 2009, bringing the annual budget to nearly $255 million.