About Us

respiteservices.com consists of agencies funded primarily by the Ministry of Community, Children and Social Services. We are collaborating to develop a more dynamic respite network for children, adults and seniors in Thunder Bay and District.

Mission
“respiteservices.com working together to facilitate respite options that empower individuals with differing abilities and their families to lead active and rewarding lives.”

Vision
“Creating Community Connections”

The guiding principles of respiteservices.com are:

1. To develop a comprehensive respite system in Thunder Bay and District.

2. To develop and maintain a coherent access process for families of children and adults requiring respite options.

3. To facilitate respite options for individuals that match their identified needs.

4. To work closely with service providers to advocate for appropriate service options to meet the needs identified.

Respite Care is a family support service that provides temporary relief from the physical and emotional demands involved in caring for a family member who has a disability or chronic health condition. Respite creates greater opportunities for all family members to live actively and participate in community activities and allows parents/guardians time for themselves.

Coordinator
The Coordinators will work with families, Direct Respite Providers, and agencies in Thunder Bay and District to develop creative respite options for individuals, to identify the current resources and needs within the system, and to act as a respite information resource to agencies supporting families. Short-term coordination will be provided in order to overcome barriers to respite for individuals requiring support.

Family Directed Respite
Family Directed Respite aims to recruit a large base of  Respite Providers interested in supporting persons with a developmental disability and/or physical disability to provide meaningful respite opportunities through community based options.

Families or Agencies (where applicable) are able to engage Respite Providers through funding received from the following:
• Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities Program (ACSD)
• Special Services at Home (SSAH)
• Passport
• Individualized Funding (IF)
• Enhanced Respite Funding
• Autism Spectrum Disorder Funding (ASD)
• Family-Directed Respite Funding - Wesway
• Children's Mental Health Funding

District of Thunder Bay

• Autism Spectrum Disorder Funding (ASD)
• Family-Directed Respite Funding - Wesway