Children's Services

Children’s Services are available to families and children from birth to 18 years of age. A wide variety of family-centered programs and services are available to meet the individual needs of families and children.

Click on the links below for more information on each program:
Early Intervention Program
Family Support Services
Group Program
Summer Program
Early Childhood Development
Family Consultation and Training Network

Early Intervention Program: This program is funded by Capital Health and is available to children from birth to 3½ years of age who may be experiencing developmental delays or have a diagnosed disability. The program provides home-based programming, playgroups, support networks, and consultation to families. Referrals to the program can be made by families and/or guardians or with consent through a variety of professional resources such as doctors, public health nurses, or hospitals. Service area includes Strathcona County including Sherwood Park, and Leduc County including Beaumont, New Sarepta, Thorsby, Calmar and Leduc.

Children eligible for the program will be screened through a voluntary questionnaire to help prioritize urgency of service. Areas of concern can include behaviour, attention, movement, language development and feeding. Referrals to the program can be made through a centralized intake number at (780) 486-KIDS (486-5437), or by calling the Robin Hood Early Intervention Program at (780) 467-7140.

Family Support Services: This Program offers short-term relief and support to families of children with special needs. Services are provided in Strathcona County including Sherwood Park and the City of Fort Saskatchewan, and are funded through Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD). The program provides flexibility to meet individual family needs. Qualified support workers provide a wide variety of relief services, including:

• in-home relief
• aid assistance with community outings
• aid assistance in daycares and recreational programs
• group programs for children and teens
• specialized daytime summer recreation program
• specialized daytime Christmas break camp
• host families
• 24 hour overnight relief
• aftercare program
• parent network support group
• adaptive equipment lending library

Families registered in the program can make relief bookings by calling the Family Connections Facilitator at (780) 467-7140, Ext. 231.

Group Program: This is a specialized recreation-based group program located within Sherwood Park. Group Program operates year round and is available to children with special needs from 2 1/2 to 18 years of age. The program is divided into groups based on the child’s age. Each group is run at different times and focuses on different activities. The groups and ages ranges are:  Movers and Shakers (ages 2 ½ to 7), Kids Day (ages 8 to 12), Teen Day (ages 13 to 16) and Young Adult Night (ages 17 to 21). Activities include crafts, music, play and community activities. A specific focus is placed on developing social interaction and interpersonal skills. Ultimately, Group Program is focused on creating an environment in which your son or daughter can meet friends, socialize and experience new and exciting activities. Pre-registration is required; please see the related links below. For further information or to register in the program please contact the Group Program Facilitator at (780) 467-7140 Ext. 229.

Group Program Calendar

Group Program Application Form

Group Program Evaluation Form

Summer Program: This Program is a specialized recreation-based day camp located within Sherwood Park. The program operates during July and August. Program hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The program is available to children with special needs from 2½ to 18 years of age. Activities include crafts, music, play and community activities, social interaction and skill maintenance. Pre-registration is required.

Early Childhood Development: This program is available to families living in the County of Strathcona with children 6 years of age and under.  Working in partnership with Parent Link and Strathcona County Family and Community Services, this family centered program is voluntary, confidential and free of charge.  The program provides support, information, advocacy, referrals and links to community agencies.  The Early Childhood Development program can help you with a wide variety of issues and concerns including:

• child development
• parent education
• play groups
• parenting strategies

For information or to make a referral to the program, call (780) 467-7140 ext. 285.

Family Consultation and Training Network: The FCTN program is funded by Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) and offered in partnership with four Edmonton area agencies. This program was developed to help families who want to increase their understanding of their child's developmental or behavioral concerns.

Supports may include:

• Workshops
• Behavioral or Developmental Consultation
• Strategies and information specific to the child's behavioral and/or developmental needs
• Recommendations for a Behavioral / Developmental Aide. The family must be actively engaged and participate in this entire process.
• Recommendation for referrals to community services, such as respite, counseling, parenting groups, etc.

Referral Criteria:

• Child must be under 18 years of age
• Child must have a current FSCD agreement for services
• Referrals are generated by Region 6 - Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) Caseworkers, at the request of the family
• Participation in this program is voluntary, and at no charge to the family.

For more information on the Family Consultation and Training Network, call (780) 467-7140 Ext 232.

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For more information on Children's Services, contact Laurie Massie at (780) 467-7140, Ext. 253 or e-mail at massie@robinhoodassoc.com