These programs are available to individuals eligible for funding through government body or agency, such as Person with Developmental Disabilities (PDD).
Dacapo Disability Services assists adults with disabilities (developmental, FASD, and brain injury) to develop skills and relationships that enhance their well-being, independence, and connectivity to the community.
Reaching Independence through Skills & Employment (RISE),
10-month skills-centered employment program for adults with developmental disabilities. Participants will develop necessary skills through in-class instruction and work-integrated learning to prepare for the transition to competitive and meaningful employment.
RISE is recognized by the Government of Alberta as a Transitional Vocational Program.
Eligibility for RISE:
Must be 18 years of age or older
Diagnosed with a developmental disability by a medical professional
Ready, willing, able to work
Capable of using public transit
Program location: YMCA of Lethbridge, 140-74 Mauretania Rd West, Lethbridge
Program start date: Septemeber
Classroom size: 16 Spaces
Financial Assistance: Funding may be available for eligible participants.
How to Apply,
Developmental Disability diagnosed by a medical professional
Two Letters of Reference
Payment of a non-refundable $78/75 application fee
Phone: 403-320-9119
Service Location: 1107 2A Ave North, Lethbridge
Office Hours: 9:00am-3:00PM (closed Statutory Holidays)
Contact: Lynette Taal, Program Manager
Email: rise@LFSfamily.ca
RISE
EMployment Services
Employment Services provide an individualized approach to finding and maintaining competitive and supported employment.
Services focus on an individual’s strengths and goals to develop a comprehensive plan for employment. Services encourage community participation and developing relationships within the community. Supports could include but are not limited to:
Maximizing an individual’s physical, material, and emotional well-being
Enhancing personal development and self-determination
Developing community connectedness
Employment skills training
Life skills training
Applied/practical learning experiences
Career planning
Assessments to determine employment goals and strengths
Employee-to-job matching
Development of accommodations and compensatory strategies
Ongoing job maintenance support for employee and employer
Developing natural supports
Eligibility for Employment Services,
Must have the primary diagnosis of developmental disability, brain injury or a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
Meet the requirements of available funding sources (i.e. PDD, Alberta Works, WCB, Private)
Demonstrate a willingness to participate in the service
Complete assessment as requested
Benefit from training/support in personal/social development or employment skills
Be interested in finding, obtaining, and maintaining employment
Not currently experiencing or have a history of engaging in behaviors that may place other clients, staff or the community at significant risk
Have transportation access to and from DaCapo Disability Services
How to access this program?
Individual are referred to DaCapo through the appropriate funding body. Those with private funding can contact DaCapo directly. Individuals seeking services that do not have funding in place will be directed to the appropriate funding body.
Cost of Program?
Program funding is provided by funding source (i.e. PDD, Alberta Health Services, WCB). Individuals are responsible for a monthly user fee ranging from $7.50-$27.00/month depending on the services accessed.
Phone: 403-320-9119
Service Location: 1107 2A Ave North, Lethbridge
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:00pm (closed Statutory Holidays)
Contact: Yanique Simpson-Pinnock, Program Manager
Email:YPinnock@LFSfamily.ca
FASD Assessmnent & diagnostic services
Individuals referred to the clinic are eligible for assessment by a multi-disciplinary team, once prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) has been confirmed. We collaborate with the individual and their support network to find documentation of prenatal alcohol exposure.
Assessment and diagnostic services may or may not lead to a confirmed diagnosis of FASD. The process of diagnosis for FASD includes assessment in 10 different brain domains as outlined in the diagnostic guidelines. The diagnostic process also includes a collection of current and historical information regarding the individual.
Why Diagnose?
Early diagnosis increases successful outcomes and quality of life, while also reducing the risks of developing secondary disabilities. We identify specific strengths and challenges for each child/individual and connect them and their caregivers with appropriate supports, services and information.
Eligibility,
Individuals aged 18+ residing in Southwestern Alberta
Geographical boarders are defined as Bow Island west to British Columbia and Vauxhall south to the U.S. border
Anyone can make a referral to the Lethbridge Family Services FASD Assessment & Diagnostic team, but only individuals with documented prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) are eligible for Assessment and Diagnosis from the Multidisciplinary Team (MT)
There is no direct cost to individuals being assessed, as FASD Assessment & Diagnostic Services is funded by the South Alberta FASD Network in collaboration with the Cross Ministry Committee. Fee for service opportunities may be available.
How to access this program?
Referral forms are available online, completed forms be emailed (to LTaal@LFSfamily.ca), mailed (to 1107 2A Avenue North, Lethbridge, AB, T1H 0E6), faxed (to 403-327-5726), or hand-delivered. Telephone referrals are also accepted.
Caregiver Support Group
As part of our FASD services, we host a support group for caregivers of individuals with FASD. This group is an opportunity to hear a variety of speakers and presentations, connect with other caregivers, get educated, and have fun! Each session covers a different topic and is hosted by LFS FASD Coordinators at our north office location, 1107 2A Avenue North, in Lethbridge.
Phone: 403-320-9119
Service Location: 1107 2A Ave North, Lethbridge
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:00pm (closed Statutory Holidays)
Contact: Lynette Taal, Program Manager
Email: LTall@LSFfamily.ca
Community Access services
Community Access Services assist individuals in developing skills and relationships that enhance well-being, independence, and connectivity to the community. Services provided vary according to the strengths and anticipated needs of each individual. Skill development can include:
Maximizing an individual’s physical, material, and emotional well-being.
Enhancing personal development and self-determination.
Developing community connectedness.
Participating in volunteer opportunities, work placements, and building employment readiness skills.
Developing natural supports.
Developing awareness and connections with community resources.
Receiving assistance with personal care routines.
Individuals receiving respite services:
Receive supports that provide a break for primary caregivers on a temporary basis.
May receive services in their own home or in the home of a contracted home provider.
Receive services that vary in frequency and length depending on the needs of the individual and their caregiver.
Developing personal safety and life skills.
Participating in activities that develop personal wellness (fitness, range of motion, etc).
Accessing educational opportunities.
Accessing employment opportunities.
Participating in recreational and leisure activities.
Developing communication skills.
Eligibility,
Must have the primary diagnosis of developmental disability, brain injury or a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
Meet the requirements of available funding source (i.e. PDD, Alberta Health Services, WCB, private).
Demonstrate a willingness to participate in the service.
Complete assessments as requested.
Benefit from training/support in personal/social development, recreation/leisure activities and/or employment skills.
Not currently experiencing or have a history of engaging in behaviors that may place other clients, staff or the community at significant risk.
Have access to transportation.
How much will it cost?
Basic program funding is provided by the funding source (i.e. PDD, Homecare, WCB). Individuals are responsible for a monthly user fee ranging from $7.50-$27.00/month depending on the services accessed.
How to access this program?
Individuals are referred to DaCapo through the appropriate funding body. Individuals with private funding can contact DaCapo directly. Individuals seeking services that do not have funding in place will be directed to the appropriate funding body.
Phone: 403-320-9119
Service Location: 1107 2A Ave North, Lethbridge
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:00pm (closed Statutory Holidays)
Contact: Tami Keiver or Yanique Simpson-Pinnock, Program Managers
Email: TKeiver@LFSfamily.ca
Ready, willing and able
Ready, Willing and Able (RWA) is a national partnership of Inclusion Canada and Autism Alliance of Canada and their member organizations. Funded by the Government of Canada’s Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities, RWA is designed to increase the labour force participation of people with an intellectual disability or on the autism spectrum.
RWA's focus is on the employer and connecting with businesses to help them hire inclusively. Ready, Willing and Able (RWA) provides funding to employment agencies that assist individuals hired for RWA-generated jobs. This funding helps cover on-the-job supports needed for employees to succeed in their roles.
Eligibility,
Currently employed
Be ineligible for provincially funded on-the-job supports
Self-identify as having an intellectual or autism
Their support is limited to job maintenance support for the employee. They can provide services in Lethbridge and surrounding areas—we have supported individuals in Taber, Magrath, Coaldale, Coalhurst and Lethbridge.
Phone: 403-320-9119
Service Location: 1107 2A Ave North, Lethbridge
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:00pm (closed Statutory Holidays)
Contact: Emma Garret
Email:EGarrett@LFSfamily.ca
Cross disability support services
Cross Disability Support Services (CDSS) assists adults with disabilities to access services they may not be able to qualify for or obtain through other means. CDSS provides navigation support to individuals through:
Referrals to skill-based training and mentoring;
Facilitating planning to develop life skills, healthy social networks, problem-solving abilities, and increased knowledge of community-based resources;
Assisting with access to income, disability, and other community supports/resources;
Referrals for accessing volunteer opportunities; and
Referrals for mental health and addictions counselling.
Eligibility,
be living with a disability;
be 18 years of age or older;
be residing in Alberta;
be a Canadian Citizen or permanent resident; and
be seeking support for the purposes of obtaining information related to potential disability-specific supports available to that adult, but the adult is not currently receiving supports through other programs.
Individuals in independent living situations:
Rent or own their own home.
Do not require overnight support.
Receive supports based on individual need.
Receive supports in household management, meal planning, meal preparation, budgeting, shopping, cleaning, laundry, personal safety, daily living skills and accessing community resources.
Phone: 403-320-9119
Service Location: 1107 2A Ave North, Lethbridge
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:00pm (closed Statutory Holidays)
Contact: Lynette Taal, Program Manager
Email: LTaal@LFSfamily.ca
Community Living services
Supports are provided to individuals in a variety of community living arrangements. Levels of support vary and are developed to build on and increase existing skill levels while maximizing independence, well-being and connection to their community. Services are divided into independent living arrangements, contracted arrangements, and respite services.
Individuals in contracted home arrangements:
Live with an approved home provider or roommate.
Enter into a room and board arrangement with the contracted home provider or roommate.
Receive supports based on individual need.
Receive supports in household management, meal planning, meal preparation, budgeting, shopping, cleaning, laundry, personal safety, daily living skills, and accessing community resources.
Eligibility,
Must have the primary diagnosis of developmental disability, brain injury or a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
Meet the requirements of available funding source (i.e. PDD, Alberta Health Services, WCB, private).
Demonstrate a willingness to participate in the service.
Complete assessments as requested.
Not currently experiencing or have a history of engaging in behaviors that may place other clients, staff or the community at significant risk.
Cost,
Basic program funding is provided by the funding source (i.e. PDD, Alberta Health Services, WCB). Participants are responsible for a monthly user fee ranging from $7.50-$27.00/month depending on the services accessed. Individuals are responsible for their own living expenses. Room and board may be arranged with contracted home providers prior to placement.
How to access this program,
Individuals are referred to DaCapo through the appropriate funding body. Individuals with private funding can contact DaCapo directly. Individuals seeking services that do not have funding in place will be directed to the appropriate funding body.
Phone:403-320-9119
Service Location: 1107 2A Ave, Lethbridge
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:00pm (closed Statutory Holidays)
Contact: Tami Keiver or Yanique Simpson-Pinnock, Program Managers
Email: TKeiver@LFSfamily.ca