Quebec
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 Quebec that address children and youth with a neurodevelopmental disorder and their families.
Quebec Charter of Rights and Freedoms
An Act Respecting Health Services and Social Services
An Act respecting local health and social services network development agencies
An Act to Establish a Caregiver Support Fund
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 Quebec that address children and youth with a neurodevelopmental disorder and their families.
Case Management Services
In Quebec, most supports and services for children and youth with disabilities and their families can be accessed through CLSCs (centre local de services communautaires/local community service centres). CLSCs offer direct services as well as referrals to other resources as needed. CLSCs operate by territory and offer services to specific communities based on client postal code. Case workers evaluate the needs of clients and refer them to internal and/or external health and social resources as needed.
In 2003, the Quebec government reorganized Quebec's health and social service network. In 2004, 95 Centres de Santé et de Services Sociaux (CSSS) were created across 18 regions in Quebec. The CSSS merged local community health centres (CLSCs), residential and long-term care centres (CHSLDs), and general and specialized hospital centres (CHSGSs) to form local services networks.
Ministere de la Santé de des Services Sociaux (MSSS)
Visit the MSSS website to locate the CLSC nearest to you: http://wpp01.msss.gouv.qc.ca/appl/M02/M02ListeInstall.asp
Centres de Santé et de Services Sociaux (CSSS)
Visit Sante Montreal Portal to locate the CSSS nearest you by entering your postal code: http://www.santemontreal.qc.ca/en/
Income Support
The Quebec government offers several financial assistance programs geared to families of children with disabilities.
Child Assistance Payment
- In Quebec, the Child Assistance Payment replaces the Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB)
- Offers financial assistance for all families with one or more children under the age of 18 who are living in the family home
- Parents do no need to apply for this payment as the child is registered automatically when they are born
Supplement for Handicapped Children
- In Quebec, the Child Disability Benefit is replaced by the Supplement for Handicapped Children
- In order to be eligible for this supplement, parents must also be eligible for the Child Assistance Payment
- For those that are eligible, the Supplement provides $179/month regardless of family income or type of impairment
Refundable Tax Credit for Child Care Expenses
- Under Quebec's personal income tax system, some childcare expenses that parents pay out of pocket can be claimed as a refundable tax credit
- Visit the website to download an information guide regarding this tax credit: http://www.revenuquebec.ca/en/sepf/publications/in/in-103.aspx
Tax Credit for Caregivers
- In Quebec, caregivers may have access to a $1,062 tax credit that can be claimed for every eligible relative who lived with and was cared for by them
Tax Credit for Volunteer Respite Services
- In Quebec, a refundable tax credit of $1,000 is available to informal caregivers to allocate to volunteer respite service providers. The volunteer must have provided at least 400 hours of home respite care and may claim a maximum of $500 as a refundable tax credit.
Respite Care Services
In Quebec, CLSCs (centre local de services communautaires/local community service centre) are the main point of entry for access to respite services. CLSCs offer direct services as well as referrals to other resources as needed.
Services D'aide à Domicile de Québec
- Offers home care services for individuals in need of assistance with activities of daily living. May also provide some respite for parents.
Enfants handicapés et leur famille
- The Centre de Sante et de Services Sociaux de L'Energie (CSSS) provides a budget to CLSCs to offer families respite funding.
- Families must complete an assessment through the CLSC.
Nova Montreal
- Provides home care nursing services to the Montreal area and in-home respite services for parents and caregivers of children with special needs
- A referral from a health care provider is requested
Le Phare Enfants et Famille
- Offers both in-home respite services and palliative care services through La Maison André-Gratton
It is important to consider that due to high demand, some respite services may have a waitlist. Therefore it may be helpful to call in advance to inquire about wait times and have your name placed on the waiting list if need be.