Special Services at Home (SSAH)
Temporary Changes to SSAH, Enhanced Respite and Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD) Programs
The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) has announced that expenditures deemed admissible for the SSAH, Enhanced Respite and Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities programs are being temporarily expanded to accommodate activities, services and supports that can be purchased by program recipients and their families while at home. This is being done to better support the health and well-being of program recipients and their families while physically distancing.
These changes are effective immediately and will remain in place until further notice by the MCCSS. All other aspects of the program, including program guidelines, remain in effect. For full details on these changes, please visit MCCSS’ website
Special Services at Home (SSAH) helps families who are caring for a child with a developmental or physical disability. Funding allows the family to hire a Special Needs Worker to provide respite and or personal development and growth activities (according to Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services guidelines,
available here).
Referrals
The Ministry of Children, Communicaty and Social Services guidelines for the provincial Special Services at Home program, that ErinoakKids administers in Halton and Peel, are that families are eligible to apply for funding if their child:
- Is under the age of 18 years with a diagnosed physical disability
- Has a diagnosed developmental disability
- Has ongoing functional limitations as a result of the disability
- Is a resident of the Region of Peel or Halton
- Lives at home with their family
- Requires support beyond what is considered to fall within normal family responsibilities
Frequently Asked Questions
What paperwork do I need to submit?
How do I get reimbursed for programs/activities?
Payment to Special Needs Worker (SNW)
Reimbursement to Parent
When are the invoices due?
How can I use my Special Services at Home funding?
- SNWs are individuals who spend time directly with your child. Some of their responsibilities may be: personal care (example: bathing, feeding, toileting), community outings (example: accompanying your child to the mall, movies, park, library), continuing with therapy goals as prescribed by your child’s therapist (example: stretching, communication strategies, puzzles, games – NOTE that the SNW can NOT be a therapist)
- SNWs may also look after your other children in addition to, or separately from your child with special needs. For example, if you are taking your child to a therapy appointment, you can hire a worker to watch your other children at home.
2. Programming/Community Activities
- Programs which would increase your child’s development such as swimming lessons, dance classes, etc.
- Summer/March break camps AND 1:1 support worker at camp or recreational program
- Out of Home Respite (example: Darling Home for Kids, Kerry’s Place Respite House, etc.)
- Can NOT be used for therapy (example: speech therapy, IBI, occupational therapy etc.)
- If you are unsure whether the program may qualify for reimbursement, please call Maggie Dima (ext. 2467)
How do I find a Special Needs Worker (SNW)?
- Look in your immediate area. Is there anyone who currently cares for your child? Do you have friends/neighbours/extended family members who might be interested? Ask at local schools; often teaching assistants may consider working as a SNW part-time. Ask local colleges, particularly programs focusing on child development (example: Early Childhood Educators etc)
- www.respiteservices.com – complete a family registration and you can access a database of potential workers. These workers have been screened, but you will still need to check their references and interview them. ErinoakKids does not provide or make specific recommendations regarding a special needs worker.
- Create a job posting to share details of the position including your child’s age, your preferred times/days, job duties and any experience necessary.
How many Special Needs Workers can I hire?
You can hire as many SNWs as you require. Some families will hire SNWs who will provide occasional respite in addition to SNWs who will focus more on continuing therapy goals.
Are there certain qualifications a Special Needs Worker needs to have?
- Choose a worker who is a good match for your child/family and whose skills meet your child’s needs.
- Family members need to be over the age of 18. Parents cannot be paid as a SNW for their own child.
- You cannot hire a professional therapist.
How does my Special Needs Worker get paid?
You decide who we will be paying. Sometimes it’s easiest if we pay your child’s SNW directly. However, there is also an option of reimbursing the parent after you have already paid your SNW.
1. Payment to SNW
- Ensure that your SNW has completed the SNW information form and attached their banking information.
-
Complete invoice as per
sample:
- Review dates and hours
- In the ‘Payable To:’ box, check SNW.
- Ensure that you and SNW have signed the invoice.
- Parents and SNWs should never sign a blank invoice.
2. Reimbursement to Parent
- Ensure that you have submitted your banking information by completing Parent Direct Deposit Form
- Complete invoice as per sample:
- Review dates and hours
- In the ‘Payable To:’ box, check Parent.
- Ensure that you and SNW have signed the invoice.
- Parents and SNWs should never sign a blank invoice.
NOTE: Regardless of who is receiving the payment, we require the SNW to complete
SNW information form AND the
SNW release form.
Can I use the funding for housekeeping/yardwork?
Yes,
temporary help with routine homemaking tasks such as light housecleaning, meal preparation, laundry, grass cuts, and snow shoveling so that you have more time for your child with special needs or for other family activities.
What do I do if I need more invoices/worker packages?
Call Maggie Dima at 905-855-2690 ext 2467
Who do I call to check my balance?
Call Maggie Dima at 905-855-2690 ext 2467
How do I complete an invoice?
Follow the
sample for details. The white copy is the original copy for submission; the yellow and pink copies are for your family and SNW’s records.
How do I submit my invoice?
All invoices, parent forms, worker’s forms, and banking information can be uploaded on our
secure portal.
Faxed and/or emailed invoices will not be accepted.
SSAH invoices/forms can also be dropped off at our new locations in Mississauga, Halton or Brampton.
How do I determine how much to pay my Special Needs Worker?
- Parents/Guardians are responsible to comply with the minimum wage requirements under the Employment Standards Act. In most circumstances, the average rate of pay will range from $14-$15/hour. On Jan. 1, 2018, the minimum wage increased to $14 per hour. The hourly rate should be based on the significance of your child’s needs, as well as, the experience and training (example: seizure protocol, g-tube feeding experience etc.) that your SNW may require.
- The hourly rate is not necessarily fixed and can change over time. This is up to the parent.
Did you know?
Did you know that babies are most alert four to six hours after birth? That is when communication should begin.
Read about Infant Hearing Services