Newfoundland & Labrador
Relevant Legislation
Legislation refers to those Acts or bodies or a body of law that codifies how a law operates and is used. Below we have listed a number of acts in Newfoundland & Labrador that address children and youth with a neurodevelopmental disorder and their families.
Government of Newfoundland & Labrador Website
Child, Youth and Family Services Act
Health and Community Services Act
Self-Managed Home Support Services Act
Relevant Policies
Policy is how legislation or a law is put into action. Social policies address issues of the health, safety, and wellbeing of the members of a particular society such as health care and education. Below we have listed a number of policies in Newfoundland & Labrador that address children and youth with a neurodevelopmental disorder and their families.
The Provincial Strategy for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities
Child and Youth Advocate Office
- See page 9 and 38
Newfoundland and Labrador CYFS Clinical Services Review: Final Report, 2008
- These documents outline the protocol for information sharing across services for children and youth with special needs.
Case Management Services
The Department of Child, Youth and Family Services provides a range of services for children and youth and their families through Family Resource Centres. Visit the webpage for information about programming: http://www.gov.nl.ca/cyfs/familyresource.html
Children and youth with developmental disabilities or intellectual impairments are eligible for Intervention Services, funded by the Department of Health and Community Care Services. Both programs listed below are delivered through the Regional Health Authorities:
Direct Home Services
- In-home early intervention services for preschool children who are either at risk of or have a developmental delay
- Parents may self-refer and the program is provided at no cost to the family
- Children 18 months to 7 years are eligible for Intensive ABA (Home Therapy). Intensive ABA involves up to 30 hours/week of one-on-one intensive behavioural intervention
Community Behavioural Services
- Offers community-based behavioural support to school-aged children and youth
- Parents may self-refer and the program is provided at no cost to the family
- The family often works with a Behavioural Management Specialist
- Intensive ABA (Home Therapy) is also offered for children enrolled in public kindergarten. They are eligible for up to 15 hours/week of one-on-one intensive behavioural intervention
Income Support
The Newfoundland and Labrador government offers several financial assistance programs geared to low income families and families of children with disabilities.
Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit (NLCB)
- The NLCB is a tax credit for low income families of children under the age of 18
Special Child Welfare Allowance Program
- Funded by the Department of Health and Community Care Services
- Provides financial assistance to offset some of the extra costs of caring for a child with a physical or intellectual disability
- Funding may be used towards items or services/resources
- Contact your local health authority for more information on accessing this program
Prescription Drug Program
- Funded by the Department of Health and Community Care Services
- Provides financial assistance in the purchase of medication and some medical supplies for eligible residents
Special Assistance Program - Medical Equipment and Supplies
- Funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development
- This program provides basic medical supplies and equipment to assist in activities of daily living for individuals living in the community
Child Care Services Subsidy Program
- Provides eligible families with a subsidy that covers part or all of the costs associated with the provision of licensed child care
- Transportation costs may also be covered
Respite Care Services
In Newfoundland and Labrador, families can apply to receive funding to find and manage their own respite care through the Provincial Home Support Program and the Special Child Welfare Allowance Program. Families can choose to have respite offered in or outside the home.
Provincial Home Support Program
- The Home Support Program provides financial assistance to individuals with special needs so that they may obtain in-home support for activities of daily living and respite
- This program is designed to supplement existing family and informal support networks
- Contact your local health authority for more information on accessing this program
Special Child Welfare Allowance Program
- Funded by the Department of Health and Community Care Services
- Provides financial assistance to offset some of the extra costs of caring for a child with a physical or intellectual disability
- Funding may be used towards items or services/resources
- Contact your local health authority for more information on accessing this program