Financial Assistance Policies:

The Jennifer Ashleigh Children's Charity assists children who are seriously ill, have a permanent disability, are 21 years of age or under and whose permanent residence is in Ontario. Family income impacts on assistance decisions.

We will consider requests for assistance in the following areas as they are related to the child's illness:

• Emergency financial relief
• Respite for a pre-determined period of time
• Developmental therapies (excluding Hyperbaric Oxygen, ABA, IBI or RDI therapy)
• Educational programs, materials, instruction
• Specially adapted computer equipment and software
• Medical treatments not covered by government health plans or insurance
• Recreation that promotes a child's involvement in the community.

To Request Assistance:

Please call the Charity office at (905) 852-1799 and ask for a Request for Assistance form. The form may be completed by the child's parent, physician, therapist, social worker, teacher or community liaison.

Commonly Asked Questions/Answers:

My child has Cerebral Palsy. It's not a serious illness. Will you still consider assisting us?

Yes, we do consider assistance to children with permanent disabilities under our guidelines.

How soon can I expect a call back after leaving a message?

Please understand we receive more than 30 calls a day from parents making inquires on the status of their application, as well as a high number of applications. We will respond as quickly as we can however you may not receive return call for 3 business days.

How long will it take to process my application?

Our first priority as an organization is emergency assistance. All other applications are reviewed as soon as possible on a first come first served basis.

Does Jennifer Ashleigh Children's Charity have an income guideline and what do I need to provide?

Yes, in order to help those with the greatest financial needs, we will only consider requests from families with a combined annual income of $60,000.00 gross (before taxes) or less. Please provide a copy of your current Income Tax Notice of Assessment. For example, we are now in the year 2009 - we would require proof of 2008 income.

The Jennifer Ashleigh Children's Charity application states proof of income must be provided. I am self -employed and do not file my taxes until later in the year. What do I do to meet your requirements?

If you are self-employed, we require the Statement of Business Activities (T2124) that is filed as part of your T1 General tax return. As we are in 2009, we would request this information for the tax year 2008. If your request is for emergency funding and you have not filed your income tax yet, we would request that you provide information for 2007 and the Advisory Board will review your request on an exception basis. If the request is not urgent, we would request that you wait until your income tax is filed for the current year.

Our income is over $60,000 combined but we have more than one child with special needs. Can we submit an application for our children?

Our Advisory Board will consider assistance if you have more than one child with special needs and your expenses associated with these children are exceptionally high.

Can you help me with purchasing a computer for my child?

Assistance will be considered only if your child requires specially adapted computer hardware as recommended by a medical professional. If your child can use a regular computer we do not assist. We will consider assistance with specialized computer software if recommended by a medical professional or your child’s teacher.

Do you help with mobility equipment such as a walker?

The only mobility equipment that we assist with is a specialized trike if it is recommended by a medical professional.

You have assisted our family in the past, are we able to apply again?

Yes, you are able to apply to JACC again if your child’s expenses due to their medical needs are still over and above what your financial situation can cover. Please note that we are receiving a high number of requests and we will do our best to assist where we can however we cannot guarantee ongoing assistance. Please ensure that you continue to look for alternate organizations, service clubs etc. for additional assistance.

The Jennifer Ashleigh Children's Charity assists with emergency household expenses. I’ve recently lost my job; can you help me with my mortgage?

I need to fence my yard for my child’s safety, can you help?

We are unable to assist with home and property renovations under our guidelines.

We need a modified vehicle, can you help us?

No, the charity does not assist with vehicle purchases or modifications.

Does your organization help with camp?

It has been our policy to fund only when no other assistance is available. We do not fund where other funds are available and/or when the camp will absorb or assist with any funding. E.g. - if a child is going to an Easter Seal camp, we would not assist with another camp request. Our maximum assistance considered for camp would be for one week only during a calendar year. Our first priority as an organization is to assist with emergency funding. We do not assist with sibling camp fees. Worker assistance for camp would follow the above guidelines as well.

We need assistance with our child’s therapy, preschool fees and transportation to appointments. Can you help me with everything we need?

Please prioritize your needs on your application. Due to the high number of requests we receive, we are not always in a financial position to assist with everything requested. We will give consideration to your greatest needs first.

What kind of therapy do you cover?

Our organization will consider assistance with traditional proven therapies such as speech therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy. Written documentation from your medical doctor recommending therapy for your child must be provided with your application. Please note hyperbaric oxygen, RDI, IBI, and ABA is not supported. We do not support any services or products associated with these therapies including transportation, assessments, materials or direct therapies.

Do you assist with respite care?

If the child’s medical requirements warrant more respite care than offered through Special Services At Home (SSAH), Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD) or the family is on a waitlist for respite care, we would consider assistance. We would require a written recommendation from a medical professional or social worker familiar with your situation and needs.

A family member is providing care for our child and driving them to school and medical appointments. Do you provide financial assistance for payment to a family member?

No, we do not reimburse family members as our assistance is intended to provide additional support beyond that which is normal family responsibility.

Do you assist with fees for community recreational programs?

If the recreational program is recommended by a medical professional to assist with the child’s development or social integration into the community we will consider assistance.

Do you call me when the assistance provided is complete?

No. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to track all funds utilized/paid to service providers.

NOTE: Please ensure your child's name is on all correspondence, statements or financial information that is faxed or mailed to us to ensure that we are able to identify which application it applies to. Thank you.

January 2009

OUR POLICIES AND GUIDELINES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE