Parent and Community Resources
Links are provided to assist our families in meeting the needs of their children. We do not guarantee the accuracy of information, nor should the links to programs and services be considered an endorsement. Families are encouraged to access information and services and exercise appropriate care, consultation, and judgment.
Additional links and resources on these topics and others can be found at the Alberta Children's Hospital Family and Community Resource Centre.
Many of these resources were taken from Children's Link website.
The Children’s Link Society provides parent-to-parent connections, resources, and information for families and professionals who care for and work with children and youth with special needs.
General resources
Crisis and emergency resources
For immediate life-threatening emergencies call 911 or go to emergency room.
Many family doctors in Alberta are offering telemedicine and remote services. Contact your healthcare professionals to learn how they can assist you.
Call 211: https://www.ab.211.ca/
Phone, text, live chat, and links to community resources and supports.
Kids help phone: https://kidshelpphone.ca/; 1-800-668-6868
Phone, text, and live chat providing support and counselling for children and youth. Links and online advice for mental health resources and supports.
Distress Centre: https://www.distresscentre.com/; 403.266.HELP (4357)
24 hour crisis line, email, daily chat, and daily text for our youth, professional counselling and connection to support.
Wood’s Homes: https://www.woodshomes.ca/; 403-299-9699, 1-800-563-6106
Text, chat, and phone services.
Mental Health Help Line: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/amh/amh.aspx; 1-877-303-2642. 24 hour province-wide help line.
Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services: https://aasas.ca/; Alberta's One Line: Call or text 1-866-403-8000 for advice and support regarding experiences of sexual violence.
Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse: http://www.calgarycasa.com/; 403-237-5888 for support and information.
Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter: https://www.calgarywomensshelter.com/index.php/programs/24-hour-family-violence-helpline; Family Violence Helpline: 24/7 support: 403-234-7233, toll-free: 1-866-606-7233
Alberta Health Services Addiction Helpline: 1-866-332-2323 for advice and service referral for adults and youth requiring addiction support, translation services available. Available 7am-11pm 7 days per week.
Mental health supports
Calgary Counselling Centre: https://calgarycounselling.com/counselling
Online counselling during pandemic restrictions as well as online mental health information. Payment on a sliding scale
CMHA Calgary Peer support: https://cmha.calgary.ab.ca/we-support/peer-support/ 403-297-1402 or email peer@cmha.calgary.ab.ca.
Emails and phone call responded to based on volume between the hours fo 9am-4pm
Anxiety Canada: https://www.anxietycanada.com/
Education geared towards children and adolescents with anxiety disorders.
Children’s Mental Health Learning Series: https://www.alberta.ca/childrens-mental-health.aspx
Provides families with information to increase knowledge and support children and adolescents with mental health concerns.
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Resource list: https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_Youth/Resource_Centers/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Resource_Centers/Home.aspx?hkey=e10a850f-591a-4a5e-b8ce-fff68fb8e017
List of resources for parents, patients, and clinicians to help with the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
Specific supports for children and families with disabilities
Healthcare Access Research and Developmental disabilities COVID Hub: https://www.hcarddcovid.com/info
Information and resources to support people with developmental disabilities and their families including question and answer videos and easy to read guides.
Between Friends: programming for individuals with disabilities. https://betweenfriends.ab.ca/
List of resources divided by age groups.
List of educational apps for children with disabilities: https://www.edutopia.org/article/apps-
Findings Resource Center (FRC) offers day programs for young adults with developmental disabilities. Find more information here: https://findingsresourcecentre.ca/
Pediatric Rehabilitation: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/info/Page16633.aspx offers information for parents and caregivers that may help children and youth with their quality of life, building resiliency and taking part in activities that hold significance for them and their families.
Alberta Children’s Hospital Family and Community Resource Centre: http://fcrc.albertahealthservices.ca/
Autism Spectrum Disorder
403-210-5000
The Ability Hub is a centre of information and welcoming space to facilitate the advancement of promising practices and innovative pilot programs and models geared towards increasing the independence of the growing population of adolescents, adults, and families living with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Email: info@theabilityhub.org
403-250-5033
Autism Calgary is a member-based community charity focused on supporting individuals/families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Autism Calgary offers monthly support groups and provide regular information sessions open to the general public on topics like education options, Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD), obtaining a diagnosis of Asperger’s, and various conferences on Autism topics.
Email: info@autismcalgary.com
403-210-5000 Ext. 2032
Autism Calgary offers a community-based program designed to educate, assist and support individuals, ages 18-30, living on the Spectrum. Provides participants with a continuum of employment and education opportunities within “digital economy” in order for them to gain meaningful and permanent employment. This 4 month program includes a 4 week classroom component to assist participants with soft skill development (financial assistance included). A wage reimbursement is available to employers for the remaining 3 months. Ongoing job coaching is available to participants both on and off the job.
Email: spectrum@autismcalgary.com
1-519-695-5858
Autism Canada Foundation is a national, volunteer led organization, providing treatment and resource information to families living with autism, and influencing related health care and government policy.
Email: info@autismcanada.org
1-877-777-7192
Support local groups run by families and individuals with ASD; to facilitate communication and collaboration amongst these groups in Alberta; to work together on regional and provincial issues; and to speak on behalf of families and individuals affected by ASD at the provincial level. Autism Spectrum Disorder includes Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disabilities – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) and Rett’s Syndrome. People connected to other disabilities are also welcome to join.
Email: president@autismalberta.ca
403-892-9151
Families in Lethbridge and beyond. Provide information and support dedicated to autism and related resources. Opportunity for parents, community, and therapists to provide support and resource information.
Email: chinook@autismsocietyalberta.org
403-210-5000
The Sinneave Family Foundation is dedicated to developing evidence-informed initiatives that will build successful futures for adolescents and adults living with ASD. The Foundation’s 10-year plan focuses on five key areas: information and resource navigation, life and work skills, long-term accommodation and wrap-around services, improving skills of caregivers and other professionals and informing government policy.
Email: info@sinneavefoundation.org
403-253-2291
Society for Treatment of Autism is an Alberta-based registered charitable organization providing comprehensive treatment, educational and consulting services for people with ASD and their families. The Society for Treatment of Autism offers its services throughout Alberta and, other parts of the country, when requested.
Email: intake@sta-ab.com or consultation@sta-ab.com
1-888-362-6227
Advice and information for families and caregivers of children with autism during COVID and related restrictions.
Email: support@autismspeakscan.ca
ADHD
Learning Disabilities & ADHD Network
Resources to navigate struggles related to learning disabilities and ADHD, with a focus on building upon individual strengths.
CHADD
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
The National Resource on ADHD
CADDAC
Centre for ADHD Awareness Canada.
CADDAC is a national not-for-profit organization providing leadership and support in awareness, education, and advocacy for ADHD organizations and individuals across Canada.
ADHDandyou
Website with information and resources for people with ADHD throughout the lifespan.
Tel: 403-686-9300
CanLearn is an nonprofit society that provides knowledge and experience in the assessment and treatment of learning and attention difficulties (ADHD), gifted and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
ADDitude Magazine Online
Magazine for individuals, families, and caregivers affected by ADHD, learning
disabilities and other developmental concerns.
Learning Disabilities and Education
Promoting Understanding and Cultivating Support For People With Learning Disabilities. Our mission is to promote public understanding and cultivate support networks to build resilience and discover potential in people with learning disabilities.
Non-profit society that assesses children with academic difficulties and provides recommendations.
Learning disability information and support within Calgary Board of ducation
The ISE clinic offers high-quality psychoeducational assessments and intervention programs to support the educational and psychological well-being of children and adolescents.
Anxiety and Depression
While working with customers, we’re constantly learning about their needs and managing inquiries that arise. As a result, we’ve included a list of frequently asked questions along with answers in order to provide additional support. If your question isn’t addressed below, get in touch with us and we’ll provide the information you need.
Provides information, consultation and referral to individuals residing in Calgary who have addiction and/or mental health concerns
Anxiety Canada (formerly AnxietyBC™) is a leader in developing online, self-help, and evidence-based resources on anxiety and anxiety disorders. Their site provides information to help you understand anxiety, as well as resources and tools to help you manage your anxiety.
The Mood Disorders Society of Canada (MDSC) has evolved to become one of Canada’s best-connected mental health NGOs with a demonstrated track record for forging and maintaining meaningful and sustained partnerships with the public, private and non-profit sectors throughout Canada.
Provides support for communities, families, and individuals with a mental health and/or addiction concerns to manage mental health, wellness and recovery.
Alberta Children's Hospital - Family and Community Resource Centre Anxiety
Additional, information links and books about anxiety in children.
Parenting and Counselling Services
403-691-5991
Calgary Counselling Centre is a charitable organization committed to providing compassionate, professional, and affordable counselling services to Calgarians. Through counselling and group programs, the Centre helps individuals, couples, parents, families, and youth resolve emotional and social problems. The Centre is always there to help with no waitlist, a sliding fee scale based on income and barrierfree access to counselling for all Calgarians.
Email: contactus@calgarycounselling.com
403-221-8780
CUPS Shared Care Mental Program is offered to adults receiving health care at CUPS or low income adults (must be referred by a CUPS’ doctor) while on the waitlist for Access Mental Health services. The program offers: emotionally supportive counselling, psychiatric assessment/follow-up, medication support/prescriptions, referrals for addictions counselling, supported mental health housing, OT assessments, financial support and to other mental health support agencies and programs, consultations with and referrals to other agencies/hospitals/hospital programs (includes treatment programs and hospital discharge planning).
Email: info@cupscalgary.com
403-297-1700
The Family Support program offers counselling to family members or friends living and coping with a relative or significant other who is suffering from a mental health issue. Fees for counselling are based on a sliding scale. No one is refused services due to financial reasons.
Email: info@cmha.calgary.ab.ca
403-269-9888
Services are designed to enhance individual and family relationships; help children reach their full potential; engage older adults in contributing to their communities and assist vulnerable citizens to maintain their dignity and respect. Calgary Family Services will direct you to your nearest location as there are several locations throughout the Calgary.
Email:info@caryacalgary.ca
403-943-1500
The service provides assessment and treatment services to children 5 to 18 years with moderate to serious mental health issues, and their families. Services include individual, family, and group therapy in a community clinic setting. Services provided in 3 locations in Calgary: East Calgary Health Centre, Foothills Professional Building and South Calgary Health Centre.
Main Office: 403-266-1601
24-Hr Crisis/Helpline: 403-266-4357
Distress Centre ensures everyone has a place to turn to in a time of crisis by providing 24-hour crisis support, professional counselling and referrals - all at no cost. It's not up to us to define what the crisis is - it's different for everyone.
Email: help@distresscentre.com
Provides spectrum of clinical services to support parent-child relationships.
The Children’s Cottage Society is dedicated to preventing harm and neglect to children and building strong families through support services, respite programs and crisis nurseries. We are a recognized leader in providing effective programs and services to help ensure Safe Children in Healthy Families.
The Centre primarily provides family therapy services. Professional therapists work with families whose children are experiencing psychological, emotional, or behavioural problems, with the primary goal of enabling these families to develop their own methods of managing these problems more effectively.
403-270-4102
Provides 24/7 crisis counselling via phone, text, LiveChat and email. Wood’s Homes is a nationally accredited and recognized children’s mental health centre based in Calgary. We provide services for vulnerable children and their families in Calgary, Lethbridge, Canmore, Strathmore, Fort McMurray and Fort Smith, NWT. Programs and services include: Crisis & Counselling; In-home support, Foster Care, Youth Street Services, Specialized Learning Centres, Campus-based mental health treatment services, Collaborate Family Services, Next Steps programs.
Email: askus@woodshomes.ca
Government Services and Funding
403-297-6022
Assists families with extraordinary costs of raising a child with special needs.
403-297-5011
PDD funds programs and services to help adult Albertans with developmental disabilities to be a part of their communities and live as independently as they can.
Email:HS.PDDCalgary@gov.ab.ca
403-297-8511
AISH provides financial and health benefits for adult Albertans (18 years or older) with a permanent disability that severely impairs their ability to earn a living. The level of benefits depends on income and assets.
1-800-387-1193
The child disability benefit (CDB) is a tax-free benefit for families who care for a child under age 18 who is eligible for the disability tax credit. A child is eligible for the disability tax credit when a medical practitioner certifies, on Form T2201, Disability Tax Credit Certificate, that the child has a severe and prolonged impairment in physical or mental functions, and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) approves the form.
A registered disability savings plan (RDSP) is a savings plan that is intended to help parents and others save for the long term financial security of a person who is eligible for the disability tax credit (DTC).
403-955-6955
AADL assists families raising a child with a long-term disability, chronic or terminal illness, with the extraordinary cost of medical equipment or supplies needed for day-to-day living.