Provincial FASD News and DTC success!!

This week's blog is just focusing on various FASD news from the province including funding for support groups, SEAC appointments, MedicAlert Pilot Project and DTC info.

First, though, is the funding for support groups coming from Health Nexus.  The following announcement was sent earlier this week.  The webinar will walk you through how to apply and the deadline is Oct. 24.

We are pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for the FASD Family/Caregiver support group funding!!

An informational webinar to assist with the application process has been scheduled for October 11, 2018 @ noon. 

Funding Details

• Up for $4,500 is available to create a new FASD Support Group or to further develop existing FASD Support Group activities across Ontario.
• Deadline for the first round of applications is October 24, 2018 at noon.
• Details of the second round of applications will be coming in early 2019. 
• The application package and funding details will be available in French shortly.

The below application materials can be found at https://en.healthnexus.ca/FASDSupportGroups

• Guidelines for Funding

• FAQs
• Funding Application Package

For additional information, please contact:

Angela Geddes, FASD Project Coordinator

a.geddes@healthnexus.ca

416-408-6868

1-800-397-9567 x 2292

It is important to note Health Nexus is tasked with developing new support groups as well.  The Rural FASD Support Network is applying for funding on behalf of the Smiths Falls FASD Caregiver Support Group and is hoping to be applying for support groups in the Lanark, Almonte, Kemptville and Winchester as well within the next year.  Each one of these groups is eligible for the full $4500 and size doesn't matter.  If you and a couple other people in your area want help getting launched, this funding can be used for that.  For us, child care and weekend meetings are non-negotiable.  It is just too hard to meet otherwise.  Finally, this funding is for now until March.  We apply again in April for another round of funding.

There was also an announcement sent out from Mary Cunningham of FASD One cunninghammary@rogers.com that if any individual wants to serve on an SEAC as a FASD rep, she will do the appointment.  Please note, though, if you are part of a current support group who is registered with Health Nexus, your local leader can also do the appointment.  Health Nexus is a provincially recognized organization and your registered support group is considered to be a local chapter.

Medic Alert just put out this announcement they are looking to expand their program across the province.  If you have a teenager, young adult or adult living with FASD, please consider applying for this program.  We constantly hear from our local first responders what a difference it makes for them when they know the individual they are helping is living with FASD.

MedicAlert FASD Pilot Program

MedicAlert Foundation Canada is a registered Canadian charity that proudly embraces our mission to put every Canadian in a position to benefit from high-quality health information at time of need. Since 1961, we’ve helped protect over 1 million Canadians.

MedicAlert is on their 3rd year of running our pilot FASD program.  This was created in November 2015 in partnership with the Anishinabek Police Service and Maamwesying North Shore Community Health Services to help those living with FASD in the community.  MedicAlert is working towards expanding this program nationally.This pilot program intends to achieve more equitable treatment for persons living with FASD by raising awareness among emergency first responders on how to approach these individuals as identified through their MedicAlert ID. As you know, FASD isn’t always recognizable to those who don’t know the signs.  With the FASD program, there’s an effective way to identify the subscriber, understand how to de-escalate a potentially volatile situation and immediately reunite the subscriber with family or caregivers.

Cost to join the program is FREE. This includes one year of MedicAlert service, the unique FASD ID, shipping, registration and tax. 

For customer service support, please contact Jennifer Cuthbert, Customer Service Manager of MedicAlert at 1.866.679.3217 ext. 1250.

Finally, some of you know that I had applied for the Disability Tax Credit for all three of my children and two were rejected.  After reapplying and being rejected again, we filed an objection to the decision to the Appeal Branch of the CRA.  We just received notice that both children have had their decisions reversed by the Appeal Branch.  Interestingly to me, the Appeal Branch is supposed to speak to our representative, in this case our accountant, but they did not.  They simply took the letter I wrote describing why I thought the decision was wrong and reversed it.  And they gave us six years instead of the normal three before we need to apply again.  I'm not going to share the letters I wrote as it is very personal to my son and daughter but I focused on the diagnosis they have according to the DSM-5, how it impacts their living, and how it affects their mental functioning.  I used this website which was extremely helpful.  http://www.fightingforfairness.ca/content.php?navID=8  I also wrote the letter using the advice that I needed to describe what life would look like as if my children had no support at all.  

The Rural FASD Support Network continues to grow in its advocacy.  Discussions continue with potential sponsors and garnering non-profit status.  We also received notice from MPP Hillier's office that they are continuing conversations with Minister MacLeod on our behalf and working toward getting an audience for us through the public consultation process.