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Breaking Down Barriers PFC Forum
Tools and Resources

Thank you for joining us for the Breaking Down Barriers Forum hosted by the Planning and Facilitation Collaborative (PFC). The PFC is a national online community created for people who care about building capacity to offer quality, value-based future planning and facilitation supports to people with developmental disabilities and their families. In this virtual online space, professionals can network, share resources & information and learn from one another through conversations, education opportunities, and special events.

The Breaking Down Barriers event was created to learn alongside people, families, and others in our communities. If you are engaged in this work and want to continue the dialogue, consider joining the PFC. 

Below is a list of actionable tips, links, and resources relevant to the topics discussed. We hope you find this information useful.

TIPS TO TAKE ACTION AFTER THE WEBCAST

  1. If you are a family member, consider ways that you can start the discussion. Make a list of small, manageable goals. Start talking to the key people, document your initial thoughts and work through the goals together. Remember, this responsibility for planning doesn't have to rest on one person.

  2. If you are a sibling, create a list of topics you want to speak to your family about in connection to the future of your sibling. Start having the conversation, to express both worries and hope.

  3. Visit the Safe and Secure site, to download chapters and worksheets. This is a great way to start building a plan for the future and understanding the foundations of Wills, Trusts, and the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). Note: this edition is for Ontario and laws may be different in other jurisdictions. If you are in British Columbia, you can visit Plan Institute for a more regional focus.

  4. If you are a professional who is currently working in the field of planning & facilitation, consider joining the Planning & Facilitation Collaborative (PFC). This online group provides a platform for professionals to learn, grow, and connect with one another. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Anna Bruno abruno@p4p.ca.

 

LINKS AND RESOURCES

Siblings Canada
Siblings Canada and the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence (CCCE) share a vision of a Canada where all caregivers, including siblings are values and supported. Siblings Canada offers training and courses such as:

Partners for Planning
P4P is a national non-profit organization that supports people with a developmental disability and their families to be proactive in planning for the future. In addition to resources on various elements of planning, P4P has also developed a set of Ontario-wide directories. If you are looking to be connected to someone outside of Ontario, please contact P4P at info@p4p.ca
This course, developed by Prosper Canada explores the ways in which we communicate and deliver financial education. The first module, which explores financial literacy and barriers to having conversations about money is completely free to try. 
Safe and Secure helps you imagine, plan, and take action toward building a good and purposeful life, and a secure future. Chapter five, which focuses on the RDSP, Wills and Trusts, provides worksheets and content to help families begin to think about how they can help protect their family member's financial well-being in the future. If you are in British Columbia, you can visit Plan Institute for a BC-centric perspective. 
Plan institute is a national non-profit organization based in British Columbia dedicated to supporting people with disabilities and their families. They provide educational content to help families and individuals address major planning considerations. Plan Institute has a number of webcasts on topics like the RDSP that are available in ASL, LSQ, and other languages. Visit their events calendar for more information.
Microboards is a group of family and friends joining with a person with a disability to create a non-profit organization. Microboards Ontario is an organization that promotes and supports the development of Microboards across Ontario. 

Since 1990, VELA has supported the creation of 1,100 Microboards in British Columbia. In addition, in 2009, they began supporting people to access and manage Individualized Funding. VELA has assisted and/or mentored a variety of family groups, organizations and governments across the globe, including other provinces within Canada, in Australia, several US states, England and Ireland. 
The Financial Planning Association of Canada (FPAC) is a non-profit organization and community for financial planners. They have a directory of their membership you can use to find a financial planner.  

 

FINANCIAL RESOURCES

The Registered Disability Savings Plan
An overview of the RDSP.

Free DTC Application Support
P4P's Service Navigation page highlights community-based, non-profit organizations that offer free, one-on-one support for those applying for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), the Canada Disability Benefit, and other related federal, provincial or territorial programs.

RDSP Calculators
This page provides an overview of all the RDSP calculators.

After Opening an RDSP
Tips and strategies for Plan Holders once they have opened an RDSP.

RDSP.com
This website is provided by Plan Institute. It was created to provide families and professionals across Canada with the most accurate and up-to-date information available on the RDSP. RDSP.com also offers a toll-free help line for assistance with the RDSP. 1-844-311-7526


Henson Trust
The Henson Trust, also known as a discretionary trust, is structured to protect the assets of a person living with a disability, as well as their right to collect government benefits and entitlements.

Benefits2 provides a paid online tool to help people with disabilities and their medical practitioners complete the Disability Tax Credit Application. 
DABC and Access RDSP have created a tool individuals can use to assist their medical practitioner with completing their Disability Tax Credit application. 


 

PRESENTER INFORMATION

Natasha Knox
Financial Advisor & Owner
Alaphia Financial Wellness

Nicole Callander
Family Member
Friends 4 Kindness
ncallander@friends4kindness.com

Jesse Auguste
Family Member

Jill Teeple
Executive Director
Partners for Planning


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