Empowering Citizens for Health
and Opportunity Society

What is the Community Access Program?

The Community Access Program involves various areas of support for children with disabilities. These areas include:

Early Intervention - The purpose of this service is to provide support to individuals between the ages of 4 months to 6 years of age (Pre-school Age). Support workers will provide assistance to families for the follow-up of physiotherapy and speech therapy for the development of motor skills and communication skills. Additional intervention may include social skill development and increased cognitive development. Individual Service Plans (I.S.P. - see below) are developed with parents or guardians.

After-School Rehabilitation Support - The purpose of this support is to assist the individual in active participation in his or her home and community in such a way as to ensure that social isolation does not occur. Together with the individual and the parents/guardians, an I.S.P is developed that reflects recreational/leisure activities of choice, building of social skills, home-life skill building (ex; daily chores, hygiene, etc...), and other goal areas requested by the individual or his or her family. Each individual's support plan is reflective of his/her unique strengths, needs, and choices.

Summer Day Support - The purpose of this service is to provide continuity in the learning that occurs during the school year. An I.S.P. is developed that reflects a continuation of the I.E.P/I.P.P. (goals developed at school). In addition, community integration in summer recreational programs is part of the support plan. Each individual's I.S.P. is developed in consultation with the parents/guardians; the individual is involved at the request of the parents/guardians.

Back to Top

Qualifications for Service

1. Have a disability (i.e.; developmental, physical, brain injury, psychological).
2. Must have any medical disorder(s) under control (i.e.; Diabetes, Epilepsy, Mental Illness).
3. Must have updated assessment information that indicates the nature of your disability

Back to Top

Our Responsibilities

1. We will assist you in the following;
   • Identifying your strengths and your needs.
   • Setting your personal goals (I.S.P.). see below
   • Reviewing and assessing your progress.
2. We will also provide you with direction, encouragement, and assistance in obtaining your goals.

Back to Top

ECHOS Client Responsibilities in the Community Access Program

As an ECHOS client in the Community Access program you will be expected to...

1. With guardian/parent assistance, you will schedule and honour all appointments.
2. Set your own goals (I.S.P.). see below
3. You will also be held accountable to progress through your personal goals to the best of your ability.

*Special Note for Parent/Guardians:
If the support will be paid-for through Handicapped Children's Services Agreement, you MUST provide your H.C.S. Agreement document when you apply for support for your child.

Back to Top

Individual Service Plan (I.S.P.)

An I.S.P. is a tool used to help set and evaluate goals. It will identify how you, as an ECHOS client, will achieve them and help you set target dates for achievement. Every four to six months, you and your worker will evaluate your goals. You determine if you need to continue working on them or if you have achieved any of them; you may want to set different ones at that time.

Here are some of the Goal Areas you may want to choose from;

• Exploration (Who you are)
  • Interests and Needs
  • Abilities and Strengths
  • Skills
  • Guided Exploration
  • Follow-Up Physiotherapy Intervention to develop fine/gross motor skills
  • Follow-Up Speech Therapy Intervention to develop communication skills
• Socialization
  • Building Social Skills
  • Community Integration
  • Peer Interaction
  • Leisure/Recreation Planning
• Community Living: Skill Building for Independent Living
  • Cooking/Cleaning
  • Budgeting/Shopping
  • Hygiene
  • Time Management
  • Organizational Skills

Back to Top