Due the provincial shutdown, all programs are closed until further notice.
Registrations continue for respite so that your child is on the list once we re-open.
Click here to learn more about Ontario’s lockdown.
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Christmas Camp CLOSED
We were so very excited to have our Christmas camp this year, however, due to the recent province wide shutdown announced Dec21st.
Thank you the many families that registered with us and we will keep everyone updated on our camps for next year.
Camp Great Strides is funded by the generous support of
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Our programs have been able to continue during these challenging times
through the support of the Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF).
Thank you to the Government of Canada,
Community Foundations of Canada, United Way Centraide Canada
and our local Durham Community Foundation
and United Way Durham Region!
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FOOTPRINTS provides respite services for families with children diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum in Durham Region. With programs located in Pickering and Whitby, FOOTPRINTS strives to provide respite care to as many as possible.
Having a child diagnosed with Autism can be one of the most stressful situations a parent ever faces.
The diagnosis is just the beginning of the journey as both the child and parent must learn together how to identify, prepare for and manage the variety of behaviours that make up the Autism Spectrum.
These might include impaired cognition and communication, social deficits, frequent tantrums and other challenging behaviours that often lead to physical and emotional exhaustion for all involved.
Faced with such overwhelming stress and barriers, many parents of children with Autism find themselves overwhelmed and unable to cope.
Respite care can help ease some of the burden on these families. Respite care ensures that, for a few hours each month, the families can enjoy a short but much needed break from the 24/7 care required by these children.
Respite time allows parents to pay extra attention to their other children, spend some time together, run errands or just have some down-time.
The program at FOOTPRINTS is geared towards recreation, rather than therapy, for children. Many children affected by autism spend several hours a week in therapy classes and often this does not provide a lot of time for social play and to just “be”.
Under the guidance of trained volunteers, who are supervised by a trained Program Consultant, FOOTPRINTS offers participants social interaction with others in a safe and happy environment.
Click for Brochure
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New Health and Safety Protocols
We continue to update our health and safety policy and procedures to meet the fluid situation of the pandemic.
New procedures are in place to safeguard everyone involved in our programs. Health screening assessment and a temperature check will be required before any participant can enter our program. This will be done outside of the facility and only the participant may enter. The screener is standard and similar to ones you most likely have come across already. Team members will have a mask and a face shield on at all times and we have increased hygiene and sanitizing measures.
Everyday Actions
Take these everyday steps to reduce exposure to the virus and protect your health:
- wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- sneeze and cough into your sleeve
- avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
- avoid contact with people who are sick
- stay home if you are sick
Poster: What you need to know to help you and your family stay healthy
Government sites regarding Covid-19
Durham Region Health Department
Government of Canada
Province of Ontario