Community Resources (page 2)
Social Skills
During your assessment, you may discover that your client is often shy and has difficulty in some social situations (e.g., initiating get-togethers with friends, talking to customers at work). He/she may want to consider additional support in developing his confidence in social situations. Social skill deficits are a common concern for clients diagnosed with ASD
■ The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®) for Young Adults (Ages 18-28) is a 16-week evidence-based social skills intervention for motivated young adults, who are interested in learning skills to make and keep friends and develop romantic relationships. During each group session, young adults are taught important social skills and are given the opportunity to practice these skills. There is also a PEERS group for Adolescents and Preschoolers. Click here to find out more information.
■SCOPE’s Social Knowledge in Practice (SKIP) Program is a free group that teaches social skills to youth in grade 7 to grade 12 that have been diagnosed with a developmental disability: https://www.calgaryscope.org/services/
Mental Health Supports
■ Cups Calgary – List of affordable mental health services
■ Canadian Mental Health Association
■ Calgary Distress Center
■ Alberta Health Services– Healthy minds, healthy children
■ Kids Help Phone
■ Lion Heart Foundation– Female youth anxiety supports
■ Anxiety Canada
■ Psychologists’ Association of Alberta – referral search
■ Alberta Health Services– Children’s mental health
■ Alberta Health Services – Children’s mental health learning series (free webinar)
■ Alberta Health Services – Community Education Service (free education service)
■ Woods Homes – Mental Health Concerns
■ Youth Mental Health Canada
■ Okotoks Health and Wellness Centre – Mental health urgent care
■ Okotoks Community Resource Guide
■ Airdrie Community Health Centre– Mental health urgent care
■ Toronto Sick Kids- Mental Health Resources for Children and Teen
Mentorship
■ Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area offers mentorship experiences for children, youth, and young adults aged 6 to 24. The program matches a mentee with a mentor based on their needs, interests, and location. In addition to Calgary, they also support matched in Airdrie, Cochrane, and Okotoks: https://bbbscalgary.ca/about/
■ The Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth mentorship program specializes in the mentorship of newcomer immigrant and refugee youth entering grades 7 to 12. The mentors in this organization were once newcomers themselves and provide their mentees with strategies, friendship, and knowledge of their new place of residence: https://www.cbfy.ca/programs/mentorship-program/
Schools
■ Calgary Catholic Schools – Diverse Learning Click Here
Independent Living
■ The Sinneave Foundation in Calgary offers a variety of programs related to employment and independent living: https://sinneavefoundation.org/thriving-in-adulthood/launch-skills/
■ It may be beneficial for your client and his/her parents to explore funding options, such as Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH): https://www.alberta.ca/aish.aspx
■ Community Living Alternative Services (CLAS): http://c-l-a-s.ca
■ L’Arche Calgary: https://www.larchecalgary.org
Community Involvement
■ The Developmental Disabilities Resource Centre of Calgary’s CHOICE program promotes and support an individual’s active involvement in their community: https://ddrc.ca/choices/
■ The Calgary Society for Persons with Disabilities supports adult individuals in their exploration of their communities: https://www.cspd.ca/services
■ SCOPE‘s Gateway’s program supports families of children aged 0 to 18 with developmental disabilities who are facing additional barriers such as ESL, mental health issues, have multiple children with disabilities, or are a low-income family. The program is offered at no cost and connects these families with resources and services in their community: https://www.calgaryscope.org/services/
■ Between Friends offers a variety of social community outings for children and youth with disabilities: https://betweenfriends.ab.ca/about-us/
■ Potential Place – Support for adults with mental health diagnoses in improving their lives through community, work and mentorship.