Firefly Therapy Services understands that purchasing therapy for your child is not only an investment of your time, but also of your money. Our family-centred approach to therapy means that the therapists work with you and your child to achieve independence in skills as efficiently as possible. Our therapists will provide you with strategies for ways to incorporate teaching opportunities into your daily lives so that your child has the benefit of generalizing new skills across all environments.
In keeping with this family-centred philosophy, we wanted to provide a list of funding options for you to consider when making the decision to enrol your child in therapy. Please see the list below, and if we can support your process in applying for any of these options, please let us know!
Insurance Coverage
Many insurance companies offer coverage or financial assistance for health services such as Speech-Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy. Firefly Therapy Services employs Speech-Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapists who are registered with their prospective colleges. All receipts for Firefly Therapy Services are issued with the clinician’s credentials and registration number for easy submission to insurance companies. For more information on insurance coverage, please contact your insurance provider.
President’s Choice Children’s CharityFamilies can apply for funding through President’s Choice Children’s Charity to help finance therapy fees for children under 18 years of age. Services covered through President’s Choice Children’s Charity funding include (but are not limited to): Speech-Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy, and Applied Behaviour Analysis programs that are offered through Firefly Therapy Services. Eligibility for President’s Choice Children’s Charity funding is determined on a case-by-case basis, and more information can be found on the Application Form. Firefly Therapy Services will support families as appropriate in the application process.
Jennifer Ashleigh Children’s Charity
Families can apply for funding through Jennifer Ashleigh Children’s Charity to help finance therapy fees for children under 21 years of age. Jennifer Ashleigh Children’s Charity funds services for children who are seriously ill or have permanent disabilities (e.g., Downs Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder). Services funded by Jennifer Ashleigh Children’s Charity include (but are not limited to): Speech-Language Pathology and Occupational Therapy services such as the ones offered through Firefly Therapy Services. Eligibility for Jennifer Ashleigh Children’s Charity funding is determined on a case-by-case basis, and more information can be found on the website. Call (905) 852-1799 for a Request for Assistance form. Firefly Therapy Services will support families as appropriate in the application process.
Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities
This is a direct funding program for low to moderate income families who are experiencing extraordinary costs associated with their child’s disability. Extraordinary costs, according to this source of funding, include (but are not limited to): transportation to and from medical appointments, learning and development equipment, and social opportunities. Financial support through Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities may be offered for families wanting to enrol their children in the social skills groups and camps offered through Firefly Therapy Services. For information on eligibility for this source of funding, please visit the website. Call (519) 886-4700 to request an application form. Firefly Therapy Services will support families as appropriate in the application process.
Developmental Services Access Centre
The Developmental Services Access Centre (DSAC) - Waterloo Region, offers assessment, consultation, and support services to individuals who are challenged by a developmental disability, and to their family and support agencies. There is no fee for this service for the individual user, and once on caseload the DASC team may be able to connect your family to financial resources that support the development of your child. Families can self-refer to this service by filling out the referral form. For more information on the services available through DSAC, please visit their website.
Disability Tax CreditThe Disability Tax Credit can be claimed for individuals who have a severe and prolonged impairment in physical or mental functions. If your child has an impairment that has lasted, or is expected to last, for a continuous period of at least 12 months, it is recommended that you fill out this form. Eligibility for this tax credit can be confirmed by a Firefly Therapy Services Speech-Language Pathologist if the impairment is related to speech, and by a Firefly Therapy Services Occupational Therapist if the impairment is related to feeding or dressing. A medical doctor can also support the application process for the above areas of impairment, as well as impairment in walking, hearing, elimination (bowel or bladder functions), and mental functions. Firefly Therapy Services will support families as appropriate in the application process.
Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy
The financial assistance programs are available to persons of all ages with cerebral palsy in the province of Ontario who are Individual Members of OFCP. To become an Individual Member of OFCP please fill out theIndividual Membership Application Form. The financial assistance programs operate from June 1 to September 1 each year or as long as funds are available. The Day Program Funding Assistance Program provides opportunities to persons with cerebral palsy to participate in structured and meaningful activities in local communities of their choice. This assistance aims to allow individuals to learn new skills from literacy, arts and crafts, physical activities to life skills and more. Please review the guidelines for this financial assistance option, and fill out the Day Program Funding Assistance Application Form. The Vacation Funding Assistance Program provides opportunities to people with cerebral palsy to have a vacation or attend a camp of their choice. Please review the guidelines for this financial assistance option, and fill out the Vacation Funding Assistance Application Form.
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For more information, or to discuss which funding option may be best for you, please call:
(519) 886-8886 ext 1052 or email: firefly-info@kidsability.ca