Family Directed Respite

APPLICATION WINDOW IS NOW CLOSED!
 

Funding year April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026

The application window will open on the dates listed below:

• Application Window Opens: Monday February 10, 2025

• Application Window Closes: Friday March 7, 2025
  

Family Directed Respite (FDR) funding is a reimbursement-based program intended to assist families with a child (2-17 years old) who has a diagnosis of autism who are not currently connected to a Ministry funded respite activity or camp program, to develop and direct their own unique respite plans. Family Directed Respite funding is administered on behalf of the Toronto Respite Network via the Geneva Centre for Autism.

Family Directed Respite funding is provided by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services to serve as an enhancement for families to access respite services in their communities. Each year, there is no guarantee of the availability of these funds.

NEW for the 2025-2026 funding year

The application process and reimbursement process will be completed online this year!  Our new online portal was designed to help make the process of applying for funding and submitting your receipts for reimbursement easier and faster. 

Please review the HOW TO GUIDE here
Please email FDRFunding@autism.net if you have any questions. We are here to help! 
Reminder: Applications will NOT be accepted by email (this is a change from last year)

Important information

• There is a limited amount of funding per year to serve many families. Your application is not a confirmation you will receive funding.
• Eligible applications will be placed in a pool, and applicants will be chosen by lottery selection
• Lottery selection will not be made until after the application deadline has passed
• If selected, the caregiver is responsible for tracking all monies spent and for invoicing using the online portal (emailed receipts will not be accepted – this is a change from last year)
• This is a reimbursement program. Your costs will be reimbursed once the respite program has finished, and you have submitted a valid receipt of payment regardless of when payment for the respite program was made.
  • For example: if your child attends camp from July 14/25 to July 18/25, you can submit your receipt for reimbursement starting July 18/25
  • For example: If your child attends swimming lessons weekly each Saturday from September 2025 to December 2025, you can submit your receipt for reimbursement starting on the last day of lessons in December 2025
• Funds may only be used in the province of Ontario
• Reimbursement for a summer camp must not exceed a maximum of 4 weeks of support for all services

Eligibility for FDR funding

• Child must have a diagnosis of autism (ASD)
• Child is eligible from the age of 2 until their 18th birthday
• Child must reside with a caregiver and be a permanent resident of the City of Toronto (home address must have a postal code that starts with the letter “M”)
• Families accessing Ministry funded respite programs or Ministry funded camp programs are not eligible.
  NOTE: If you have questions about the respite programs you are currently accessing, please get in touch with them directly to inquire about the funding they receive.
• FDR can be used towards the fees of an eligible respite program and/or the fees of an independent respite worker supporting your child within the respite program they are attending.
• All respite programming must take place: April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026.

FDR funding WILL cover the following:

• Fees for a camp (summer, winter, march break camps) to a limit of $750/week (exceptions may be considered if 1:1 support is included in program cost)
• Fees for a respite program to a limit of $150/day
• Staffing support in a respite program (camp, respite program, social group, recreational group, specialized class or lesson) to a limit of $25/ hour.
  NOTE: Workers must be 18 yrs or older and live outside of the family home.
• Fees for social groups, recreational groups, specialized classes (i.e. cooking, art, etc.), lessons (piano, swimming, karate, etc.)

FDR will NOT cover:
 

X   Costs associated with hiring someone to directly help with your child’s care (when not participating in a registered respite program)

X   Registration or administration fees /costs associated with the respite activity

X   Uniform fees associated the respite program

X  Transportation to and from the respite program

X  Technology (i.e. assistive devices, ipads/tablets, or other tech equipment)

X  Before/after care fees associated with the respite program

X  Daycare or childcare fees

X  Tutoring, clinically based programs, or therapeutic recreational programs (ABA, IBI, OT, SLP, PT, Counselling, assessments)

X  Home care or house cleaning costs

X  Basic living expenses (food/meals, groceries, clothing, home utilities)

Required documentation to include with your application:
 

• Confirmation documentation of an autism diagnosis (doctor’s letter, psychological assessment, etc.)
• Copy of the child’s Canadian Birth Certificate or Immigration Status in Canada
• Proof of address (current driver’s license, utility bill, hydro, internet, rental/lease agreement, etc.)
- Your address must have a postal code starting with the letter 'M'
• All sections of the application must be completed (if any portion of the application is missing, it will not be processed)
 

APPLICATION WINDOW IS NOW CLOSED!