PUF FAQ:

What is Community Options?

Community Options is a not-for-profit Early Childhood Services (ECS) provider based in Edmonton. ECS refers to programs such as daycare and preschool offered by school authorities before children start elementary school. Community Options supports children ages 3-5 who have been diagnosed with a disability, delay, or disorder that severely impacts their daily functioning. Services are provided from September to mid-June. Funding for Community Options is through Program Unit Funding (PUF) provided by Alberta Education.

What is PUF?

PUF is funding through Alberta Education for children in ECS programs with severe disabilities/delays who require additional support in their educational environment. The goal is to provide early intervention services for children who need it to smoothly transition into elementary school.

How to access PUF Funding:

Families can contact an ECS provider to apply for PUF services, and the provider can determine eligibility. Alberta Education has specific criteria that children must meet to fit a special education code to receive services. Children may be eligible for up to 3 years of PUF, with the 3rd year being in kindergarten. Community Options does not provide support in kindergarten, that is the responsibility of the school the child attends. Children must be 2 years 8 months by September 1st to be eligible for PUF. Children with mild/moderate delays must be 3 years 8 months by September 1st to be eligible. Programs typically have fewer spaces available for children with mild-moderate delays, such as mild-moderate language and speech sound delays, as they receive less funding. Some examples of severe delays/disabilities that impact children in an educational environment are autism spectrum disorder, down syndrome, global developmental delay/early developmental impairment, anxiety, and language delays.

What does PUF offer?

PUF programs are offered in either site-based or community-based ECS agencies. Eligible children receive PUF services through one agency of the family’s choice. Community agencies, such as Community Options, provide services in a community daycare/preschool of the parent’s choice whereas site-based agencies provide services in their agency classrooms where all students are receiving support. An individual program plan (IPP) is created and tailored to each child to address their specific learning needs. The team working with the child will use the IPP to set goals and guide how they support the child in their classroom environment.

What other options are available?

Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD)

FSCD offers specialized services for home and family support. It’s provided in a 6-month or 1-year contract. To be eligible for FSCD, the child must be under 18 years of age and diagnosed with a severe disability or awaiting a diagnosis. The diagnosis must be chronic, developmental, physical, sensory, mental, or neurological condition or impairment. A team of specialized professionals will work directly with the parent and child to help the child build the skills they need to participate in everyday activities.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) Pediatric Community Rehabilitation Services

AHS provides specialized assistance for children diagnosed with a medical and/or developmental condition. Eligible children receive support from a team of healthcare professionals who address their health and developmental requirements. Children from birth to 5 years can qualify for blocks of care if they require support in daily activities at home or in the community. This is true even if they are enrolled in private programs like daycare and preschool. For example, a child with a speech sound disorder may receive an AHS treatment block to target a specific speech sound. They may also be receiving ECS to target skills in the educational environment.