The information provided in this newsletter is for reference only. It is not intended as a recommendation or endorsement of organizations, news sources, policies or political parties, or as a comprehensive resource list.
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
- NEWFamily Tipsheet: What to do if your child cannot wear a mask
- NEWFamily Tipsheet: How to safely return to work when you have a vulnerable family member
- NEWASD Parent Coffee Chat - August 13 (Autism Ontario and Holland Bloorview Social Workers)
- COVID-19: Tip Sheets and Resources
- HB Info Line The HB Info Line is a new service to help kids, youth and families learn about and get connected to the many programs and services at Holland Bloorview.
- HB Alumni Network We want to ensure our connection does not end after clients have been discharged from our hospital. We have developed an alumni network so clients (13+), families, and caregivers can connect, share experiences and help us improve care and services.
- BLOOM’s blog on parenting children with disabilities To subscribe to BLOOM’s monthly e-letter, go to the link and scroll down to the blue banner to input your e-mail.
- BLOOM Facebook
- Parent Voices @ Holland Bloorview Facebook
Advocacy
- Statistics Canada: How COVID-19 is impacting Canadians with disabilities and those with long-term health conditions. The survey includes questions about employment, household expenses, support networks and access to services. Click here to fill out the survey. It will be online until July 6th.
- Progress Toronto 2020 Summer Training series You can sign up for any session and all workshops are free.
- Training: Digital Campaigning 101 (July 7)
- Training: How to Meet with Your Local Politician — Progress Toronto - July 14)
- Training: City Hall 101 - July 28)
- Training: How to Speak at a Government Committee (August 12)
- Training: Building Your Personal Narrative (August 18)
Diversity & Inclusion
- Need to Talk - Are you a child, youth or caregiver who is Black or a person of colour? (Lumenus Community Services formerly known as Griffin Centre)
- 7 Audiobooks to celebrate disability pride month
- Peer support for Queer, Trans, Two-Spirit* youth (29 and under) across Ontario (Youthline)
- Inclusion and Diversity- looking at hidden biases (The Conference Board of Canada)
- Racial Stress and Self-care: Parent Tip Tool (American Psychological Association)
- Toronto Public Library is seeking children with disabilities and/or Deaf children and their families to share feedback on a social story draft about visiting the library. They are seeking feedback from both library users and non-users. Deadline to complete survey is August 7
Advocacy
- Young Canadian’s Parliament (YCP) teaches children their rights and supports their participation in decisions that affect their lives. The YCP is open to children and youth in Canada under the age of 18. Click here for more information and how to register (Children First Canada)
- Progress Toronto 2020 Summer Training series
Caregiver Support
Funding, equipment, daily expenses
- Financial Relief Navigator Tool: Learn about the help you can get to raise your income or lower your expenses in these challenging times (Prosper Canada)
- Ontario Community Support Association Help for isolated, low-income seniors and people with disabilities and chronic medical conditions across Ontario get meals, groceries, medicine and other essentials to stay safe at home during COVID-19
- Funding Program Comparison Chart (Autism Advocacy Ontario)
- March of Dimes Home & Vehicle Modification program - now virtual
- How to complete ACSD and SSAH Application Forms (Surrey Place Centre)
Employment and Housing
- July/August virtual workshop and event calendar (Jobstart Employment Services)
- Tippett Park Affordable Urban Rentals: Deadline For Applications: July 30, 2020 at 5PM EST
Mental Health
- Virtual Family Support for Caregivers of Children - July 29 (York Support Services & Family Peer Mentor Program)
- Free-check in calls with a P4P Facilitator (Partners for Planning)
- Warm Line & Peer Crisis Support Services for York Region, South Simcoe and North York (Krasman Centre)
- Free Virtual Mental Health Counselling (What’s Up Walk-In clinics)
- Online peer and professional support (7 Cups of Tea)
- COVID-19 Mental Health strategies and podcasts (The Conference Board of Canada)
ASD specific resources
- COVID-19 Resources for the Autism Community (ACT - Autism Community Training)
- Free caregiver information sessions for those who support children and youth with autism (New Haven Learning Centre)
- Funding Program Comparison Chart (Autism Advocacy Ontario)
Summer
- ASCA Child and Family online program schedule (Agincourt Community Services Association Child & Family Centre)
- ParksPlayTO: free drop-in and activity-based, recreation programming for children age 12 and under (Toronto Parks and Recreation)
- Summer in the 6IX: free drop-in program for youth, aged 13 to 24, opportunities for youth to participate in fun, themed activities (Toronto Parks and Recreation)
- Camp Possible - free online programs for students enrolled in special education (Peel District School Board)
- Virtual Camp (Easter Seals)
- Camps Toronto summer camp (Variety Village)
- Online sports and physical-literacy education (ages 3 - 7) (Pick Up Sports Foundation)
- Online Adaptive Fitness FUNdamentals (ages 5 - 8) (Pick Up Sports Foundation)
- Summer passport - fun, safe outdoor activities (Come Alive Outside)
- MycommunityHub.ca summer programs, livestream virtual events, videos, archived programs for all ages
Transitions
Social
- Netflix To Debut Autism Dating Show
- Summer Fun Intensive (SFI) program for young adults 18 - 35 with ASD and/or developmental disabilities (Miles Nadel JCC)
- Friendly Connections, a way to stay connected with you through fun deliveries, such as a postcard, a letter or just a simple email to say ‘Hi’! (Connectability.ca)
Employment
- MentorAbility Summer Career Series (Ontario Disability Employment Network & March of Dimes)
- Employment Accessibility Program: Talk Tuesdays (Job Start)
- Edge Employment Program for people with disabilities (Brands for Canada)
Covid-19 related information
Legal and government updates
- COVID-19: Support for people (Government of Ontario)
- Updates on the law and legal services related to COVID-19 (Steps to Justice)
- COVID-19 updates on supports for people with disabilities (Partners for Planning)
- ODSP Covid-19 information (Ontario Disability Support Program)
Children and youth with disabilities and Covid-19
- My COVID Disability Q: Canada’s New Q&A Hub for Canadians with Disabilities (CanChild, the Kids Brain Health Network, and the CHILD-BRIGHT Network)
This e-letter belongs to a set of specialized resources for the COVID-19 and Coronavirus outbreak period. If you are looking for other family resources that have to do with childhood disability, please visitwww.hollandbloorview.ca/resourcecentre
Holland Bloorview’s Grocery Foundation Family Resource Centre is a place where you can find information and resources on childhood disability that are helpful to you and your family. We have information on: respite, recreation, housing, funding, education, parenting and more. All Holland Bloorview workshops and events are listed on www.hollandbloorview.ca/familyevents Questions? Please e-mail resourcecentre@hollandbloorview.ca
