Jordan’s Principle: Caregiver Relief Program
What is the Jordan’s Principle: Caregiver Relief Program?
It is a program we offer to give support to Treaty 8 families that have special needs or high medical needs children. We know that raising children is tough, and can be even harder when children have special needs. The extra care and attention can put a strain on even the most dedicated parents.
As well our program also covers Grandparents or extended family members who are raising other extended family members children in order to prevent the child from entering children’s services.
To fill this need we have created the Caregiver Relief Program, where we will cover a Caregiver that you choose, who can assist your family by providing support, assistance, or sometimes even just a much needed break.
Who Can Be A Caregiver
It can be anyone you choose, but someone you trust to look after your child, your kôhkom, aunt, family friend.
How Can We Help?
We provide financial aid to the Caregivers so the parents/guardians can take a break to do self-care, self-care can be:
What Qualifies As Special Needs?
Special needs can range from:
- Cerebral Palsy
- ADD/ADHD
- FASD
- Blindness
- Down Syndrome
- Autism
- Deafness and/or Hearing impairment
- Leukemia
- Plus many more*
*If you are unsure if you qualify we are happy to discuss your situation with you.
Client Feedback
“What a wonderful program Treaty 8 has developed for it’s members!”
“(That) we have the option to choose our own caregiver.”
“It benefits financially; get to spend money on other activities instead of child care all the time.”
“As a mother with a special needs child it’s very overwhelming emotionally and physically; having time to myself and get things done is fantastic.”
Eligibility Criteria
Disability Care:
- The child must be a Treaty 8 member and/or have a parent or sibling who is a Treaty 8 member.
- Can reside on or off reserve, within Alberta.
- Must have medical documents to support application (Doctor’s notes, assessments, report cards etc.).
- The following are mandatory from the caregiver: Criminal Record Check, Child Intervention Check.
- Have your own caregiver (must be 18 yrs+). Someone you trust with your child.
Extended Family Care:
- The child must be a Treaty 8 member and/or have a parent or sibling who is a Treaty 8 member.
- Can reside on or off reserve, within Alberta.
- Must have guardianship papers and/or two supporting letters with company letterhead indicating guardianship of children.
- No other financial assistance from other agencies.
- The following are mandatory from the caregiver and all adults in the household: Criminal Record Check, Child Intervention Check.
We will also consider:
- If you are in Treaty 8 territory without a Treaty number (either of the parents or the child must be from a Treaty 8 First Nation.
- If you are lacking in medical documents or assessments, that is something we can help you get.
We will definitely consider your case, please contact our Caregiver Relief Program to discuss.
Benefits for Parents/Guardians
Accessing our program has direct benefits for the parents/guardians in the form of:
- Stress alleviation, reducing the chance of leading to chronic stress
- The parents/guardians have support; don’t feel so alone
- We can do engagement sessions in the communities i.e., addictions, harm reduction, family violence, mental health.
- Allows more personal time for other children in the household
- Children become less socially isolated
- Feel more comfortable because you’re leaving your child with someone you know
Caregiver Program Options
There are three streams to our program:
Stream 1
Medical/disability care; children with disabilities or high medical needs. We pay a caregiver of your choice, to relieve you of your choice of duties.
Stream 2A
Extended family care: the extended family care is where the grandparents, aunts, uncles and/or relatives have taken child(ren) due to absences of the parents. We provide financial help to meet the needs of the children. This is a preventative measure to ensure that the children stay in a home they are familiar with.
Stream 2B
Extended family care with disability care; combination of both stream 1 & 2A. Kinship with a child who has a disability. We financially help the guardian meet the needs of the child(ren) and give respite services to assist with care giving duties.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve looked through this booklet and FAQ and I still don’t know if I qualify?
Don’t worry, please just contact us at the contact page and we can discuss your family and their needs. We can let you know if you qualify.
What if I don’t have a caregiver, will you help me find one?
Unfortunately, our program is very new and we don’t yet have the resources to find caregiver’s in each community. It is something we are looking at in the future.
What if my child’s special needs is not on your list?
Those were just examples, as long as you have medical documentation or assessments we can help. If you are still unsure please contact us and we can discuss your case.
I don’t have an assessment, can you help?
Yes! We work with a Registered Psychologist and she can conduct an assessment with your child at no cost to you.
I am from a Treaty 8 community but it is not one of the Alberta First Nations (SK, BC, NT) can I access this program?
Unfortunately, our programs are only accessible to members of Alberta Treaty 8 communities.
I am from a Treaty 8 community but I live off reserve in Edmonton, can you help?
Absolutely, if you are a member of Treaty 8 and you live off reserve, you can still access our program.
