FAMILY SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES (FSCD)
Supporting Families Through Alberta's FSCD Program
Raising a child with disabilities comes with unique joys and challenges. Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) is a Government of Alberta program designed to help families like yours access the support you need.
Once your FSCD funding is approved, Care Wellness is here to support, bringing your family's plan to life with care, patience, and respect for what matters most to you.
What is the Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) Program?
Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) is a program created by the Government of Alberta to support families raising children with disabilities. The program was built on a simple but powerful belief: children with disabilities thrive best when they're supported within their families and communities, not in institutions.
FSCD provides funding so families can access services that are tailored to their child's unique needs, strengths, and circumstances. Every child is different. Every family is different. FSCD recognizes that and gives families the flexibility to choose supports that actually fit their lives.
The funding is designed to help children build skills, take part in everyday life, and feel connected to their communities, while also helping families maintain stability and balance at home. It's about supporting the whole family, not just the child!
FSCD Funding Eligibility
FSCD is for Alberta families raising children and youth with disabilities. If you've been wondering whether your child might qualify, here's a general overview. The final decision is made by Alberta Children's Services (not by us!) but we're here to help you understand the process.
Your child may be eligible if:
They're under 18 years old
They're a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
They live in Alberta
They have a disability that affects how they develop, move, learn, or manage daily life
You're their legal guardian
If you're not sure where to start, that's okay. Reach out to the FSCD program or give us a call. We're happy to help point you in the right direction!
Our Role as a Service Provider
Once your family's plan is in place, we help bring it to life!
We're here to:
Show up with consistency and care as we deliver the supports outlined in your FSCD Agreement
Stay in regular contact with your caseworker so everyone's on the same page
Make sure services feel doable and respectful of how your family actually lives day-to-day
Adjust and adapt as your child grows and as what you need changes over time
Our team includes highly trained professionals dedicated to empowering your child’s potential at home, in school, and in the community.
Supports We Provide
Family-Centred Supports
Respite Supports
Caring for a child with a disability can be deeply meaningful, but it can also be demanding. Respite supports are intended to give caregivers time to rest, recharge, or attend to other responsibilities, while knowing their child is safe and supported.
We offer:
Flexible Respite: Planned, temporary relief for parents, available both in your home and through our out-of-home care options.
Emergency/Crisis Respite: Structured short-term placement options for families during unexpected needs.
Out-of-Home Placements: Safe, secure, and supportive long-term living arrangements for children with complex needs, as approved under the FSCD contract.
We approach respite with care and continuity, helping children feel secure while supporting family well-being.
Community Supports
Below are examples of the kinds of supports we may provide, depending on what funding has been approved for your family.
Direct Child Supports
Our child-centred support focus on helping children build skills, confidence, and independence in their everyday lives. These supports are often woven into familiar routines, so they feel natural and supportive rather than disruptive.
This might include help with:
Daily routines and life skills
Social interaction and communication
Emotional regulation and behaviour supports, as outlined in your plan
Skill-building that supports participation at home, at school, or in the community
Our team takes the time to get to know your child as an individual, adjusting support as they grow and change.
Some children require more intensive or specialized supports. When this is approved within an FSCD Agreement, Care Wellness provides individualized care that reflects each child’s complexity while remaining grounded in compassion and respect.
FSCD recognizes that strong families are central to a child’s well-being. Family-centred supports are designed to help caregivers feel more supported, confident, and equipped in their day-to-day roles.
Depending on your plan, supports may include:
In-home assistance that fits your family’s routines and priorities
Guidance and practical support related to approved strategies
Help integrating supports into daily life in ways that feel manageable
We aim to work with families, respecting each family’s values, culture, and lived experience.
Community-based supports help children build connections and participate in activities beyond the home. These supports are guided by your child’s interests and goals, with an emphasis on inclusion and confidence.
This may involve:
Support to participate in community programs or activities
Opportunities to build social skills in real-world settings
Encouragement and guidance to help children feel comfortable and included
We believe meaningful participation looks different for every child, and we honour that individuality.
Working Together With Families and Caseworkers
We believe the best support comes from real collaboration across your child’s entire care team.
That means staying in touch with you and your caseworker, making sure everyone understands what's happening, and being willing to adjust when something's not working. We help with the coordination and the day-to-day pieces, so you're not left figuring it all out on your own!
How the FSCD Intake Process Works:
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After reviewing eligibility criteria and determining if FSCD is the right fit for your family, you’ll submit an FSCD application using the Government of Alberta FSCD Intake App.
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If approved, you’ll work with a caseworker to develop an Individualized Family Support Plan (IFSP) reflecting your child’s needs and your family’s goals.
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Once your plan is in place, you can choose a provider like Care Wellness to deliver the supports. We work with you to make sure everything feels right for your family!
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Care Wellness reviews the signed FSCD Agreement and IFSP to understand what’s been approved and what success looks like for your child.
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After funding is received, Care Wellness matches your child with appropriate support staff and coordinates scheduling, supervision, and delivery of approved services.
Every family's journey looks a little different, and that's okay! We stay in close touch with you and your caseworker to make sure the support you're receiving still makes sense as your child grows and your needs shift.
READY TO GET STARTED WITH FSCD SERVICES?
Our team is here to help you understand your options and find the right path forward!
If you're exploring support options for your child, your family, or someone you work with, we're here to help. Our team is happy to answer your questions, walk you through the process, and provide clarity on what services may be available.
You can reach out by phone, email, or by completing the form. Let us know what type of support you're looking for, and we'll be in touch soon.
📞 Phone: 403.349.9048
✉️ Email: connect@carewellness.ca
Land Acknowledgement
Care Wellness respectfully acknowledges that we operate on the traditional lands of the Treaty 7 and Treaty 6 territories. These lands are the ancestral and traditional territories of many Indigenous Peoples, including the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, and Piikani Nations), the Tsuut’ina Nation, the Stoney Nakoda Nations, the Cree, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux, Dene, and the Métis Nation of Alberta.
We honour the histories, cultures, and enduring connections Indigenous Peoples have to these lands. Care Wellness is committed to ongoing learning, reflection, and growth, and to engaging in meaningful actions that support reconciliation through respectful relationships with Indigenous communities.