About Homeshare

Homeshare is a specialized family placement program for children and youth who have multiple disabilities and can’t live at home.

Children and youth live with families, who are specially screened and trained to care for them. Children and youth and families are supported by Homeshare staff throughout the entire placement. Children and youth are able to attend school in the community where they live. Placements are most often full-time and long-term. The child’s natural parents remain an important part of their child's life and keep legal guardianship of their child while they are placed with a Homeshare family.

Homeshare is not connected with children's aid societies.

Eligibility

Children up to age 17 can enter Homeshare. However, people are able to remain in Homeshare when they are older than 17 to allow for a seamless transition into adulthood.

Homeshare continues to provide supports to children and adults for as long as they are in the program.

Children in our program have significant and complex multiple disabilities including a significant cognitive delay. They may:

  • be medically fragile
  • depend on medical technology (like a tracheotomy or a g-tube)
  • have a diagnosis like autism spectrum disorder
  • have a dual diagnosis with challenging behaviours

There are many reasons why a natural family is unable to care for their child at home. Homeshare offers an option for families who want their child to be part of a family but are unable to provide the care their child needs in their own home.

How it works

Our workers at the Child, Parent Research Institute (CPRI) look after the entire placement process. The Homeshare coordinator visits the child and family at home to get to know them and matches them to a Homeshare family that is a good fit for the child’s needs.

We recruit, screen and train potential Homeshare families. We support our Homeshare families with:

  • in-home services
  • after hours support
  • emergency support
  • relief service
  • linking with community supports
  • financial support

We help the child’s natural family stay involved as much as they can. We encourage them to attend appointments, have their child home for weekends, visit their child and participate in their child’s plan of care.

Referrals and placements generally happen in the West Region.

Contact us

To find out more about becoming a Homeshare family contact the Homeshare coordinator at 519-471-0644. CPRI provides training, support, relief and financial remuneration.