Financial Resources



Extended Health Benefits
Extended Health Plans often cover a portion of speech and language assessments / therapy.  Please check with your personal health benefit provider for details specific to your plan.


Variety, the Children’s Charity of British Columbia
Individual Grants:Variety provides financial assistance for children who have special needs, with the costs of a wide range of equipment, therapies, educational, social and recreational programs.  Applications require a letter from a speech-language pathologist outlining the need for speech-language therapy.

For more information contact Tami Leidl, Director, Heart of Variety Fund at:

T: 604.268.3893     Toll Free:   1.800.381.2040 
F: 604.320.0535      Email:        heart.fund@variety.bc.ca

Website:  www.variety.bc.ca 


Autism Funding (British Columbia)
Autism Funding is provided by The Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) for children under age 6 and ages 6-18.

Autism Funds: Under Age 6 may be used for services of behaviour consultants, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists who are listed on the Registry of Autism Service Providers (RASP), at http://www.actcommunity.net/.

Autism Funds: Ages 6 – 18 may be used to for Behaviour consultants/interventionists, Speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, Life skills and social skills programs, Out-of-school support/tutoring (not part of regular school program), Specialized therapeutic activities and camps designed to address your child’s ASD, Dietary or nutritional counselling from a registered dietician/nutritionist, Family counselling/therapy, Other interventions recommended by a professional/specialist (pre-approval suggested).

If you have questions regarding Autism Funding Programs please contact:
Autism Funding Unit
PO Box 9776 STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, BC V8W 9S5

Telephone (toll-free): 1-(877)-777-3530   (service is available in several languages)
Fax: 250 356-8578
Email: MCF.AutismFundingUnit@gov.bc.ca
Website: www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/autism/contact.htm


CKNW Orphan’s Fund
A child or youth from birth to age 19 who is a resident of the Lower Mainland of BC who requires extra medical, social, educational or environmental supports to enhance or improve their health, development, quality of life and community integration.
In particular in the areas of:
  • Communication (speech, language, hearing) and Cognition
  • Sensory/motor
  • Social/Emotional/Behavioral/Prevention
  • Self-help (adaptive)

Phone: 604-331-2711
Email: cknworphansfund@cknw.com
Website: http://www.cknw.com/orphans/