Understanding FSCD Services: How It Works & How Elevated Abilities Supports Your Family

For many families raising children with disabilities, accessing Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) programs can be life changing. It offers funding and access to services designed to ensure children get the support they need to thrive and help build family capacity. If you’re just beginning to explore FSCD, you’ve heard of it but aren’t sure how it works, or you’re unsure if it’s the right fit for your family, this guide breaks down the essentials and explains how Elevated Abilities can help you every step of the way!

What Is FSCD?

FSCD is a government-funded program in Alberta that provides financial support and services to families of children with disabilities. The goal is to reduce challenges at home or in the community and ensure children can access the tools and therapies they need.

Funding can help with:

• Clinical services: occupational therapy, behaviour consulting, speech language pathology, psychological services, and physiotherapy
• Counselling services for immediate family of children with high-support needs
• Specialty equipment and supplies
• Respite or specialized caregiving
• In-home supports to reduce stress on the family
• Skill-building programs (such as social skills groups)

What funding does not contribute to:

• Educational supports
• Assessments for diagnoses 
• Any services accessed before receiving an FSCD contract

Every family’s contract is unique and tailored to their child’s needs and your caseworker will explain the funding you receive.

How Elevated Abilities Supports Families with FSCD Contracts

At Elevated Abilities, we work closely with FSCD caseworkers and families to ensure services are easy to access, effective, and personalized. Our goal is to reduce stress on parents and create meaningful progress for children.

Here’s how we support families with active FSCD contracts:

Direct Billing to FSCD

We take care of the cost by directly billing to FSCD at FSCD rates. This means no paying out-of-pocket, no keeping track of receipts and less administrative work for families

Parents can focus on their child- we handle the paperwork.

 In-Home Services

We know that the most meaningful progress often happens right where children live and play. That’s why we offer in-home therapy and support options, including:

• Behaviour consulting
• Speech language pathology
• Psychological services
• Occupational therapy
• Therapy support aides
• Parent coaching

Families can benefit from having support delivered in their real-life environment.

A Multidisciplinary Team

By having different clinicians at our agency, we develop close working relationships and can support each other in creating, coordinating, and executing individualized care plans tailored to each child. Plus, families don’t have to track multiple agencies or their services and billing. 

Additional Supports for Families

In addition to the services listed in an FSCD contract, we offer programs and resources that complement a child’s funding, including:

• Social skills groups
• Parent workshops
• School-based consultations
• Center-Based respite programs
• Ongoing service navigation and support
• Support groups for siblings (Sibshops)
• Parent support
• Private counselling

We’re here to help families understand their funding, get the most out of their contract, and adjust services as their child’s needs change.

Our approach at Elevated Abilities 

At Elevated Abilities, we bring the following to our practice:

• Family-centred focus: We begin by listening to parents, guardians, and children alike, defining what’s most meaningful for a family, in the context of their child’s development.
• Individualized services: We know that no two families are alike. We work with families to meet their unique needs by tailoring therapy to match their goals.
• Evidence-informed modalities: We draw from therapeutic frameworks that are effective for developmental, behavioural, and relational support.
• Play-based intervention: Our therapy uses all children’s natural strength, play! This research-based approach facilitates learning, skill development and communication in a way that feels natural to kids.
• Collaborative planning: Together we create measurable, realistic objectives (aligned with an FSCD plan), monitor progress, and adjust as needed.
• Holistic support: We consider not only the child’s needs, but the entire family system which includes siblings, routines, community engagement, and caregiver wellbeing.

Getting Started with FSCD at Elevated Abilities

For families already have an FSCD contract, our team can walk you through how to get your services started, confirm which services are covered, and help navigate the network of support available to you.

For families that are new to FSCD or are considering applying, our team is happy to:

• Explain the process
• Suggest what documentation you may need
• Provide assessments or letters that support your application
• Answer any other questions along the way

You’re Not Alone – We’re Here to Help

Navigating support for your child can feel overwhelming. At Elevated Abilities, we strive to make FSCD services simple, accessible, and meaningful. Whether you need in-home support, specialized therapy, or guidance on the funding process, we’re here to support your family every step of the way.If you’d like to learn more and want to speak to a team member, please reach out anytime- we’d love to help!

Contact us to book a free 15 minute consultation today.