Our Impact – Learn about our Children’s Respite Program
Our Children’s Respite Program has long been a vital support for families across the Niagara region, offering children a safe, engaging, and growth‑focused environment while providing caregivers essential time to rest and recharge. Before the pandemic, the program operated full weekend respite from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon for up to seven children. Like many services, COVID‑19 forced a complete shutdown—but our commitment to families never wavered.
Over the past year, our team has worked tirelessly to rebuild the program to its pre‑COVID capacity. Recruiting and training staff has been challenging, especially given the specialized expertise required in children’s developmental services and the weekend‑focused schedule. Even so, we are proud to share that we successfully reopened with daytime weekend respite and have now expanded to include several weekend overnight sessions. This progress reflects both the dedication of our staff and the importance of this service to our community.
The Children’s Respite Program is designed to meet each child’s unique needs, supporting their personal growth, independence, and well‑being. Programming includes structured learning experiences that reinforce positive behavior, recreational activities that build community involvement, and opportunities for youth to participate in age‑appropriate outings and skill‑building. Each child’s strengths and goals guide their individualized Plan of Care.
Our program provides:
- Behaviour supports, including safety assessments and individualized safety plans completed at intake and annually.
- Life‑skills development through participation in daily routines and hands‑on activities.
- Community and recreation opportunities that encourage engagement, confidence, and connection.
- We are proud of the strides made this year and remain committed to expanding respite options so more families can access the support they deserve.
For more information on this or other initiatives at the agency, contact us at info@inclusionwestniagara.ca.
