Special Needs Project (National project)
Provides help to the families of children (birth to 19 years) with special needs or disabilities.
- Financial help provided to reduce the higher cost of appropriate child care and other related
services.
- Personal support by phone from a special needs advisor
- Member-to-Member Connection newsletter twice yearly.
- Educational, information and web-based resource
materials
If you have a child with special needs, or would like more information contact the Special Needs project
at:
Toll-free phone number: 1.800.840.5465
E-mail: info@specialneedsproject.ca
Website: www.specialneedsproject.ca
Moving On Project (National project)
Provides help to the families of adult children (over 19) with disabilities.
- Information and resources (web-based resources and
links, Member-to-Member Connection newsletter
- Advisor familiar with resources and services for adults in each province
- Annual teleconference discussion on a topic of interest
- Funding for members whose adult children are dependent on their parents for care. Use of funds may
include additional expenses such as respite, supervision of adult child, life skills training,
transportation, tutoring and uninsured heath expenses.
If you have an adult son or daughter with special needs or a disability, or would like more information
contact the Moving On project at:
Toll-free phone number: 1.800.840.5465
E-mail: info@specialneedsproject.ca
Website: www.specialneedsproject.ca
Extended Hours Projects
Three projects operating that extend the regular hours of care at non-profit child care centres.
- In Winnipeg, Knox Day Care Centre meets the changing needs of the community, including
flexible hours of child care. Services families from diverse cultures, integrates children with special
needs. Services children from 18 months to six years. The Centre is open from 6:30 to 8 pm.
- In London, Ontario, Merrymount Children’s Centre, with programs for children aged 0-12.
Flexible 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week care available. Program integrated for children with special needs.
Other programs offered for families considered at risk as a result of stress, violence, and emotional or
physical difficulties. Also offers education, support and resources for parents.
- In Windsor and Amherstburg, CUPW is working with seven child care
centres operated by the City of Windsor. A variety of flexible quality programs and services are available
for children from infancy up to 12 years, which include extended early-morning and late-night care. All are
inclusive of children with special needs.
School-Age Projects
- In British Columbia (Vancouver, Royal City, Fraser Valley West, Upper Valley, Squamish)
and in Ontario (Toronto and Scarborough) there are projects for children aged 5-12. Purpose
is to make non-profit, centre-based care more accessible and affordable to CUPW members with children of
school age, 5-12, needing summer care. In some cases, extended hours may also be available. (In Ontario, the
project is also available to 4-year-olds enrolled in junior kindergarten). The Union provides support in
locating licensed programs and helps with the cost of care.
- In Halifax, members with school-age children can attend a summer camp program designed
especially for post office employees. Children have a summer camp experience that offers daily outings and
field trips, swimming, games, crafts, music and sports in a co-operative and creative environment. CUPW and
UPCE-PSAC work with a local unionized day care centre to set and run the tailor-made program.
- In Montréal, members with school-age children have access to two summer camp programs
located on both the North and South Shores. Activities include: field trips, swimming, art & crafts, etc.
This project is done in partnership with the Association des services de garde en milieu scolaire du
Québec (ASGEMSQ).
- In Chicoutimi, members with school-age children have access to child care services for
professional days, Spring and December break. The project is also done in partnership with
L’ASGEMSQ.
Family Home Child Care Program
- In Saskatoon, members have access to family day care services (care in a provider’s
home). We are working with a non-profit agency, the Saskatoon District Health Child Care Society. It provides
information and placement for children from six months to twelve years. The Society also provides training
for the caregivers and drop-in playgroups for parents and providers.
Multi-Faceted Child Care Services
- In Calgary, three community-based non-profit programs offer a range of affordable
quality services in a province that favours for-profit child care. Services include quality summer programs,
licensed home child care (care in a provider’s home), centre-based care and emergency care when child care
arrangements fall through.
- In Fredericton, CUPW along with UPCE-PSAC, have partnered with the Preschool Centre, a
non-profit community based program, to develop a child care centre for infants through school-age. In
addition, there is a summer camp program for school-age children and a satellite family child care home
program (care in a provider’s home), supported and monitored by the Preschool Centre. The Centre provides for
flexible extended hours.
Family Resource Centre
In St. John’s, members have access to the CUPW Family Resource Centre, which includes a
quality home child care program, a toy-lending library, a children’s play group for members and caregivers
and information and resources on parenting and child care services. Resource centre located at 50 Pippy
Place. Board of Directors includes members from the Union, along with local child care advocates.
More information: www.familyandchildcareconnections.com
Short Term Child Care (STCC) Project
In the Ottawa and Outaouais areas, quality non-profit child care
services for short-term emergency situations are available for children 0-12 years. Provides temporary
back-up when regular child care arrangements break down or when the child is mildly ill. Will meet the needs
of early morning, evening and overnight care. Especially helpful to special needs families since they usually
experience more frequent illness and care breakdown.
Website: www.afchildcare.on.ca/STCC/index.html
Rural Child Care
In Rocky Mountain House (Red Deer), the union has spearheaded a rural community
development initiative to bring together a broad cross section of community partners to address the lack of
quality child care and the connection of community based services. An multi-intergenerational initiative is
underway to develop a new multi-service centre that will offer flexible quality child care, a community
kitchen, a gym, a child and youth recreation program, an activity centre for seniors and a hub for many other
service groups. Along with CUPW, local government, aboriginal, literacy, and senior groups are all involved.
A new child care centre centre will be opened and moved into the new facility upon completion. This project
will support our RSMC members.
Information, Resource and Referral Services
The Union is developing links with the child care community to offer members information on the types,
locations, costs and hours of services available, resources on finding quality care and referrals to
available programs.
Click here to see the links
to the child care information and referral programs.
