WELCOME TO THE

Family Resource Centre

Gateway assists families supporting loved ones with disabilities to build their capacity, confidence, and connections.

 

About FRC

Family Resource Centre

We are so happy you are here! Welcome to the Gateway Association Family Resource Centre on Treaty 6 territory. Founded by families that envisioned a “gateway to a better life”, our Family Resource Centre (FRC) is here for families supporting loved ones across all ages with disabilities (developmental, physical, sensory, mental, or neurological) and/or health conditions impacting their daily activities (such as eating, grooming, etc.).

The ultimate goal of our Family Resource Centre is to enhance each family’s expertise on their own children and provide concrete resources that can ease the journey as the family navigates the next steps. Our FRC team is made up of families, neurodiverse individuals, and multiple ethnicities that have varied experiences. The team partners with various organizations to continually increase our diversity of thought and capacity to work with all families.

Watch the video below to see what our Family Resource Centre is all about.

HOW WE HELP

Building an Inclusive Community

If your loved one is 5 or under

We aim to meet families where they are at in their journey. We start by understanding your story and empower you to decide what the next steps are for you and your family members. Gateway offers a caregiver roadmap on the Gateway APP. Our family resources help you understand disability workshops. Gateway also offers Families Forward family mentorship groups to build family connections.

If your loved one is 6+

Are you a parent or caregiver to someone with a disability? We can help. Gateway offers a caregiver roadmap on the Gateway APP. We offer learning opportunities and workshops at our Learning Resource Centre for families and staff. We offer support services like brainstorming, system navigation, finding your community, strategies for advocacy, and family mentorship.

If you are a family accessing Family Managed Services (FMS)

Gateway Association offers learning opportunities specific to FMS for families and staff at our Learning Resource Centre and a caregiver road map on the Gateway APP. We have team leader and staffing supports for new FMS families. Gateway also offers an HR package and provides supports with hiring staff. View or Workshops Calendar for more information. 

Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) Support

A registered disability savings plan (RDSP) is a must-have tool for anyone living with a disability. We’re providing free RDSP support to all Albertans who are in need. Here’s what we can help with:

  • Explain what exactly an RDSP is and why it is AMAZING for long-term savings
  • Guide you through the process of setting up an RDSP for yourself
  • Assist with completing any documentation
  • Connect you with RDSP specialists who can continue to guide you on long-term savings

FAMILY RESOURCES

Workshops and Meetings

Visioning and Planning

Watch Workshop Films

These workshops offer families the opportunity to acknowledge the fear of the unknown and move forward with the acknowledgement that together we will work to support the values of each individual and family as a community.  They are offered according to the age of your loved one:

 

  • Families with Children 13-15 Years Old
  • Families with Children Up To 8 Years Old

Accounts and Claims

This workshop aims to have an open conversation about how to use the OCR system successfully.

The training has been developed by FSCD to address four significant challenges facing system users. They are:

  • Understanding the Agreement
  • Accessing OCR
  • Creating a Successful claim; and
  • Record keeping and preparing for reviews

 

A Service Roadmap has also been developed to give users a high-level overview of the entire process, with helpful links at each step to provide further details.

PDD 101

Watch Workshop Films

This workshop is an introduction to, and overview of, PDD for those who may be eligible. You will gain an understanding of the PDD program, options available for service provision, and information to determine the best supports for your family.
 This workshop will provide you with:
1. An understanding of the PDD program’s role in supporting adults with developmental disabilities
2. Knowledge of available options for service provision – Family Managed Supports (FMS) and PDD Service Providers (agency)
3. Information to guide you in determining which type of service provision will best suit your family and adult child’s needs

FSCD 101

Watch Workshop Films

FSCD 101 is an introduction to the Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) program. The presentation will support families with understanding how to utilize their FSCD agreement and is intended for families that have received their first FSCD agreement. We will talk about the different types of services and supports, review an example agreement, go over the records-keeping and invoicing requirements, and more. Prior to attending the session, it would be helpful for families to review the Family Package, sent to you by the Family Support Services (FSS) team, as we will be referencing this document throughout the session.

Family Managed Services (FMS)

The following workshops are available to families accessing Family Managed Services (FMS):

Having Difficult Conversations

Let’s get talking! Having conversations can be hard. How we communicate with others is important. During this short ninety minute workshop, we will explore what conflict is, how we respond to it and some key principles for good communication.

Transition Planning for Adulthood

Watch Workshop Films

This is a workshop series for parents/caregivers that engages families in building knowledge when navigating this critical time for 14-20 year olds. This workshop series includes topics on: life transitions, valued roles in the community, visioning and planning, and navigating the systems. Note: All three workshops must be taken consecutively.

Families Forward Meetings

Our Families Forward Monthly Meetings are where families connect with other families, learn from one another, and explore important issues such as schooling, leadership, and community and government support.

GATEWAY ASSOCIATION

Our mission is to develop meaningful, paid employment relationships that benefit persons with disabilities and employers.

SUCCESS STORIES

Testimonials

“Great workshop! Would definitely recommend it to others!”

— Workshop Participant, October 2021

“Such a warm & accepting environment.”

— Workshop Participant, October 2021

“[…] were very patient and kind, so thoughtful in your responses in the workshop.”

— Workshop Participant, October 2021

"[...] workshop through Gateway was AMAZING!”

— Workshop Participant, April 2021

“This is my first workshop. I no longer feel alone in trying to figure out how to continue to help [my child]. Thank you very, very much.”

— Workshop Participant, September 2021

“….my heart feels held after speaking with you….”

— Family/Caregiver, October 2021

“Thank you so much…for working on and sending us this wonderful document [Individual support plan]. I can see us using this all the time!! I better make a few hard-copies because I can see the paper wearing out!...”

— ISP Family/Caregiver, September 2021

“Thank you so much for meeting with……It was a real pleasure. We all enjoyed our time chatting with you both about [...] future…We are so thankful for organizations like Gateway Association-it's comforting to know we aren’t alone in this journey and that there are wonderful people willing to help….”

— ISP Family/Caregiver, September 2021

“It was also a pleasure meeting you and I appreciate your patience and thoughtfulness as we worked through [...] ISP goals and short term vision. I also really appreciate the lovely ISP you created….you really captured the essence of [...]!”

— ISP Family/Caregiver, September 2021

“….I wanted to thank you again for all your help for [...] ISP it went from this mild document showing very little needs to the true reality of the sincere needs and I could not have done this without your hard work and talent….”

— ISP Family/Caregiver, July 2021

“…..I am very pleased with the way everything went [ISP meeting], in fact, I think the meeting could not have gone better!....”

— ISP Family/Caregiver, August 2021

Connect with Us!

 

Contact Us

Edmonton
201- 10941 120 Street NW
Edmonton, AB  T5H 3R3
Tel: 780-454-0701

 

Calgary
1206 20 Ave SE
Calgary, AB  T2G 1M8
Tel:  587-779-7888

 

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