Component: Autism

Legislation: Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017

Service description

To provide flexible and responsive Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) respite services to children/youth who are diagnosed with ASD (and their families).

People served

Children and youth served will meet the following criteria

  • All children and youth have received a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder from a qualified professional up to the age of 18

Program/service features

ASD respite services/programs may involve either direct service programs or community support programs.

Specific service provided

Direct Service Programs

  • will provide temporary relief for families aimed at reducing family stress and breakdown
  • will provide opportunity for the child/youth to engage in meaningful and purposeful activities that promote the continuity of skills and/or help to develop new skills and relationships
  • may be in or out of home, planned or emergency-base
  • will be provided by a Transfer Payment Recipient or through direct funding to families
  • will be age and ability appropriate Community Support Programs
  • will respond to community needs and/or service gaps
  • non-direct service programs will be geared towards supporting or improving ASD respite services

Program goals

ASD respite services will provide temporary relief from the physical and emotional demands involved in caring for children and youth with ASD.

ASD respite services will allow the child/youth to engage in meaningful and purposeful activities that promote the continuity of skills and/or help to develop new skills and relationships.

Ministry expectations

Services will be

  • reflective and responsive to individual, family and community strengths and needs
  • accountable to the individual, family, and community
  • sensitive to the social, linguistic, geographic and cultural diversity of families and Indigenous communities
  • staffed by individuals with a suitable range of skills and abilities necessary to respond effectively to the needs of children/youth and their families
  • based on the individual’s assessed needs, preferences and availability of individual, agency, community, and contracted ministry resources

Reporting requirements

The following service data will be reported on at an Interim and Final stage. Please refer to your final agreement for report back due dates and targets.

Service data name Definition
# of individuals served (out-of-home): ASD Respite Services

The number of individuals for whom a record has been created and who were recipients of the approved service(s) at some point during the fiscal year through out-of-home respite services.

# of hours (out-of-home services Received): ASD Respite Services

The total number of hours of out-of-home respite service received by the individual(s) approved for service during the fiscal year. This is a cumulative number, and the total number of hours represents the hours purchased/funded by the ministry. Respite care that is overnight should also be recorded in hours. For example: In the first quarter, if 100 hours or respite service were received, this would be reported at the end of June (end of the first quarter). If 75 additional hours of respite service were received during the second quarter, a total of 175 hours of respite service received would be reported at the end of September (end of the second quarter).

# of hours (in-home services received): ASD Respite Services

The total number of hours of in-home respite service received by the individual(s) approved for service during the fiscal year. This is a cumulative number, and the total number of hours represents the hours purchased/funded by the ministry. Respite care that is overnight should also be recorded in hours. For example: In the first quarter, if 100 hours of respite service were received, this would be reported at the end of June (end of the first quarter). If 75 additional hours of respite service were received during the second quarter, a total of 175 hours of respite service received would be reported at the end of September (end of the second quarter).

Ministry-funded agency expenditures: ASD Respite Services

Total ministry-funded expenses for the Transfer Payment Recipient to administer and/or deliver this service in the Funding Year (cumulative).

# of individuals served (in-home services received): ASD Respite Services

The number of individuals for whom a record has been created and who were recipients of the approved service(s) at some point during the fiscal year through In-Home respite services.

Ministry-funded agency expenditures for out-of-home services: ASD Respite Services

The expenditures associated with providing services to the number of individuals who received out-of-home ASD Respite Services.