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Children and Family Funding

A mom and dad playfull swing their young son, who has Down syndrome
A mother and dog embrace a young boy with cerebral palsy

These funding opportunities can help make raising a family more affordable!

Also: Download our funding guide, an easy to navigate and extensive collection of even more funding opportunities: 

 

Children and family funding

Adult Upgrading Grant

This grant helps with costs related to unsubsidized child care and more. It also supports the cost of tuition for adult special education programs.

Affordable Child Care Benefit

A monthly payment to help families with child care costs. Children who have a special need may be eligible for an additional $150 per month towards the cost of child care.

Athletics for Kids

Provides families funding so that all BC children, regardless of socioeconomic status, can participate in organized sport

Autism Funding

The BC government provides funding to help families with the cost of purchasing intervention services that will promote their child’s communication, social-emotional, academic, and functional life skills development

Autism Program Bursaries

The Pacific Autism Family Centre provides funding to assist families with the cost of programming

BC Child Opportunity Benefit

Provides a tax-free monthly payment to families with children under the age of 18.

The maximum BC Child Opportunity Benefit is:

  • $1,600 for a family’s first child

  • $1,000 for a second child

  • $800 for each subsequent child under the age of 18

Bear Essentials 

Offers financial support for equipment, travel costs, and therapy for kids with special needs

 

Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative

The Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative enhances child care affordability by offering funding to eligible, licensed child care providers to reduce and stabilize parents’ monthly child care fees

Child Disability Benefit

A tax-free monthly payment of up to $236 per month, for each eligible child, made to families who care for a child under age 18 with a severe and prolonged impairment in physical or mental functions

Cops For Kids

Raises awareness and funds to assist children in medical crisis or with special needs

CKNW Kids’ Fund

Provides funding and support to vulnerable kids with physical, mental, and social challenges living in BC communities

Down Syndrome Resource Foundation Bursary Program

The Down Syndrome Resource Foundation offers a bursary to help families with program costs

Friends of Children

Provides financial support to BC families with children in medical need

 

Janna Epp Bursary

This bursary provides $5,000 to a child living with cerebral palsy every year. This money will assist with that child’s care, therapy, or recreation.

Kids Up Front

Provides free access to sports, arts, and cultural events to children and youth with diverse abilities across Canada

 

Kiwanis Children's Fund

The foundation’s main purpose is helping children, including those with disabilities. Contact the Kiwanis International Foundation for more information.

Make-A-Wish Foundation of BC and the Yukon

Grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich their experience with hope, strength, and joy

MCFD Special Needs Funding

Specialized service and funding options from the Ministry of Children and Family Development are available for children or teens who have special needs. Options for intellectual disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, hearing or vision impairment, and complex health needs.

Starlight Children's Foundation

Dedicated to brightening the lives of seriously ill children and their families, bringing hope and joy to kids from hospital to home

Variety – The Children’s Charity

Offers financial support to children with special needs, as well as organizations

Young Parent Program

Parents who are under the age of 25 may qualify for help with child care while they finish high school, including up to $1,500 per month per child to help cover the cost of child care, as well as a space for their child in a care program at or near the school they are attending

Supported Child Development Program

The Supported Child Development Program (SCDP) assists families of children 0-12 years old, and in some cases 13-19, who require additional support to access inclusive child care programs. Children may require extra support for reasons such as:

  • Developmental delay

  • Physical disability

  • Communicative disability

  • Social, emotional, or behavioral issues

Supports vary by region, but the following services are often provided through SCDP:

  • Individual planning to promote each child’s development

  • Training and information for families and child care providers to help each child’s development

  • Resources such as books, toys and specialized equipment

  • Referrals to other services such as therapists or specialists

  • Where necessary, additional staffing to ensure that children may participate fully with their peers

The service is voluntary and free of charge. Contact your local child or community resource centres to see if they offer the program.

BC Disability Funding Main Page

What is BC Disability?

BC Disability: BC PWD, Canada Disability Benefit, BC disability assistance, BC disability services, news, and resources. Here to help you with disability, BC PWD, Canada Disability Benefit, and more!

Editor, Spencer van Vloten: spencer@bcdisability.com

 

Many thanks to computer whiz Ryan Groth

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