During the ongoing teachers’ strike, families with children who have complex care needs will receive additional financial assistance, as announced by the province on Friday. The Alberta government will offer up to $300 per five-day school week to families with children under Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) agreements attending schools affected by the strike. Eligible families with active FSCD agreements can receive daily payments of $30 for children aged 12 and under and $60 for children aged 13 and above, based on school days.
This financial support is separate from the previously introduced parent payment program, which provides $30 per school day for children under 12, totaling $60 per school day. Applications for the new funding can be submitted through the online parent portal starting on October 14. The province clarified that the funds for these supports are being redirected from teacher salaries that will not be paid during the strike.
Keltie Marshall, co-founder of Hold My Hand Alberta, a group advocating for children with disabilities and their families, expressed gratitude for the funding but highlighted that it falls short of meeting the actual financial needs. Similarly, Gillian Holloway, a parent from Fort McMurray with twins under active FSCD agreements, mentioned that while $60 a day is a positive step, it does not sufficiently cover their daily child-care expenses. Holloway emphasized the financial strain of affording child care, noting that the allocated amount does not significantly alleviate the costs incurred for each child.