Through the Ministry of Children Community and Social Services, individualized direct respite funding is available to children and youth who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Leeds Grenville Counties. Families may use this funding to purchase in/out of home respite, such as:out-of-home support in order for the child to participate in community activities, orin-home support so the child can experience activities in a familiar setting with or without the parent present. Families may refer themselves or may go through one of the following agencies:

• Brockville & District Association for Community Involvement
• Community Living North Grenville
• Developmental Services of Leeds & Grenville
• Children’s Mental Health of Leeds & Grenville

Applications are accepted annually for support/service between April 1-March 31. Deadline for applications is March 1st, 2020 and people will be notified of their application status March 31st,2020.Late applications will not be accepted as the requests often far exceed the budget available. A committee consisting of a representative from the above agencies will make the approvals. A new application must be completed each year and families who are approved for funds shall not exceed the approved amount as the invoice will not be processed. Eligible families are prioritized for funding based on these factors:

• Whether the family has any other respite funding (priority is given to these families)
• The needs of thechild and family
• The proposed cost of their request plan