Links are provided to assist our families in meeting the needs of their children. We do not guarantee the accuracy of information, nor should the links to programs and services be considered an endorsement. Families are encouraged to access information and services and exercise appropriate care, consultation, and judgment.
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Additional links and resources on these topics and others can be found at the Alberta Children's Hospital Family and Community Resource Centre.
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Many of these resources were taken from Children's Link website.
The Children’s Link Society provides parent-to-parent connections, resources, and information for families and professionals who care for and work with children and youth with special needs.
General Resources
Crisis & Emergency Resources
For immediate life-threatening emergencies call 9-1-1 or go to the emergency room. Many family doctors in Alberta are offering telemedicine and remote services. Contact your healthcare professionals to learn how they can assist you.
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Call 2-1-1: https://www.ab.211.ca/
Phone, text, live chat, and links to community resources and supports.
Kids help phone: https://kidshelpphone.ca/; 1-800-668-6868
Phone, text, and live chat providing support and counselling for children and youth. Links and online advice for mental health resources and supports.
Distress Centre: https://www.distresscentre.com/; 403-266-HELP (4357)
24 hour crisis line, email, daily chat, and daily text for our youth, professional counselling and connection to support.
Wood’s Homes: https://www.woodshomes.ca/; 403-299-9699, 1-800-563-6106
Text, chat, and phone services.
Mental Health Help Line: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/amh/amh.aspx; 1-877-303-2642. Offers 24/7 province-wide help line.
Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter:
https://www.calgarywomensshelter.com/index.php/programs/24-hour-family-violence-helpline
Family Violence Helpline: 403-234-7233; toll-free: 1-866-606-7233. Offers 24/7 support
Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services: https://aasas.ca/; Alberta's One Line: Call or text 1-866-403-8000 for advice and support regarding experiences of sexual violence.
Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse: http://www.calgarycasa.com/; 403-237-5888 for support and information.
Alberta Health Services Addiction Helpline: 1-866-332-2323 for advice and service referral for adults and youth requiring addiction support, translation services available. Available 7am-11pm 7 days per week.
Mental Health Supports
Calgary Counselling Centre: https://calgarycounselling.com/counselling
Online counselling during pandemic restrictions as well as online mental health information. Payment on a sliding scale
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Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Calgary Peer support: https://cmha.calgary.ab.ca/we-support/peer-support/; 403-297-1402 or email peer@cmha.calgary.ab.ca.
Emails and phone call responded to based on volume between the hours of 9am-4pm. Provides support for communities, families and individuals with a mental health and/or addiction concerns to manage mental health, wellness and recovery.
Children’s Mental Health Learning Series: https://www.alberta.ca/childrens-mental-health.aspx
Provides families with information to increase knowledge and support children and adolescents with mental health concerns.
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American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Resource list: https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_Youth/Resource_Centers/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Resource_Centers/Home.aspx?hkey=e10a850f-591a-4a5e-b8ce-fff68fb8e017
List of resources for parents, patients, and clinicians to help with the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
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Anxiety Canada: https://www.anxietycanada.com/
Education geared towards children and adolescents with anxiety disorders.
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Access Mental Health - AHS: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/services/page11443.aspx
Provides information, consultation and referral to individuals residing in Calgary who have addiction and/or mental health concerns.
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Mood Disorders Society of Canada: https://mdsc.ca/
Has evolved to become one of Canada's best-connected mental health NGOs with a demonstrated track record for forging and maintaining meaningful and sustained partnerships with the public, private and non-profit sectors throughout Canada.
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Alberta Children's Hospital - Family and Community Resource Centre Anxiety: http://fcrc.albertahealthservices.ca/
Provides additional information, links and books about anxiety in children.
Specific Supports for Children and Families with Disabilities
Healthcare Access Research and Developmental disabilities COVID Hub: https://www.hcarddcovid.com/info
Information and resources to support people with developmental disabilities and their families including question and answer videos and easy to read guides.
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Between Friends: programming for individuals with disabilities. https://betweenfriends.ab.ca/
List of resources divided by age groups.
List of educational apps for children with disabilities: https://www.edutopia.org/article/apps-
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Findings Resource Center (FRC) offers day programs for young adults with developmental disabilities. Find more information here: https://findingsresourcecentre.ca/
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Pediatric Rehabilitation: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/info/Page16633.aspx offers information for parents and caregivers that may help children and youth with their quality of life, building resiliency and taking part in activities that hold significance for them and their families.
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Alberta Children’s Hospital Family and Community Resource Centre: http://fcrc.albertahealthservices.ca/
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Kids Uncomplicated Inc: https://kidsuncomplicated.com/
Provides a team of professionals supporting children with developmental or behavioural issues.
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Inclusion Alberta: https://inclusionalberta.org/
Connects families to potential staff through an online database where families and children with developmental disabilities can find support staff to connect with. ​
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Pacekids Society for Children with Special Needs: https://pacekids.ca/
Provides an early intervention opportunities for children between the ages 1- to 3-year-olds with disabilities. Families are provided a chance to connect with clinical experts and peers to build support, and prepare for pre-school and kindergarten.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Ability Hub
Ability Hub is a centre for information and a welcoming space to facilitate the advancement of promising practices and innovative pilot programs and models geared towards the increasing the independence of the growing population of adolescents, adults and families living with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Autism Calgary
Autism Calgary is a member-based community charity focused on supporting individuals/families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Autism Calgary offers monthly support groups and provide regular information sessions open to the general public on topics like education options, Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD), obtaining a diagnosis of Asperger’s, and various conferences on Autism topics.
Spectrum Advantage - Autism Calgary
Autism Calgary offers a community-based program designed to educate, assist and support individuals, ages 18-30, living on the Spectrum. Provides participants with a continuum of employment and education opportunities within “digital economy” in order for them to gain meaningful and permanent employment. This 4 month program includes a 4 week classroom component to assist participants with soft skill development (financial assistance included). A wage reimbursement is available to employers for the remaining 3 months. Ongoing job coaching is available to participants both on and off the job.
Autism Society Alberta
Support local groups run by families and individuals with ASD; to facilitate communication and collaboration amongst these groups in Alberta; to work together on regional and provincial issues; and to speak on behalf of families and individuals affected by ASD at the provincial level. Autism Spectrum Disorder includes Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disabilities – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) and Rett’s Syndrome. People connected to other disabilities are also welcome to join.
Sinneave Family Foundation
The Sinneave Family Foundation is dedicated to developing evidence-informed initiatives that will build successful futures for adolescents and adults living with ASD. The foundation's 10-year plan focuses on five key areas: information and resource navigation, life and work skills, long-term accommodation and wrap-around services, improving skills of caregivers and other professionals and informing government policies.
Society for Treatment of Autism
Society for Treatment of Autism is an Alberta-based registered charitable organization providing comprehensive treatment, educational and consulting services for people with ASD and their families. They offer services throughout Alberta and upon request, other parts of the country.
Learning Disabilities & Education
Learning Disabilities Association of Alberta
Learning Disabilities Association seeks to promote understanding and cultivate support for people with learning disabilities. Their mission is to further public understanding and form support networks to build resilience and discover potential in people with leaning disabilities.
Parenting & Counselling Services
Calgary Counselling Centre
Calgary Counselling Centre is a charitable organization committed to providing compassionate, professional, and affordable counselling services to Calgarians. Through counselling and group programs, the Centre helps individuals, couples, parents, families, and youth resolve emotional and social problems. The Centre is always there to help with no waitlist, a sliding fee scale based on income and barrier free access to counselling for all Calgarians.
Calgary Family Therapy Centre
The University of Calgary's Centre primarily provides family therapy services. Professional therapists work with families whose children are experiencing psychological, emotional, or behavioural problems, with the primary goal of enabling these families to develop their own methods of managing these problems more effectively.
Canadian Mental Health Association
The Family Support program offers counselling to family members or friends living and coping with a relative or significant other who is suffering from a mental health issue. Fees for counselling are based on a sliding scale. No one is refused services due to financial reasons.
Children's Cottage Society
The Children’s Cottage Society is dedicated to preventing harm and neglect to children and building strong families through support services, respite programs and crisis nurseries. We are a recognized leader in providing effective programs and services to help ensure Safe Children in Healthy Families.
Carya
Services are designed to enhance individual and family relationships; help children reach their full potential; engage older adults in contributing to their communities and assist vulnerable citizens to maintain their dignity and respect. Calgary Family Services will direct you to your nearest location as there are several locations throughout the Calgary.
Child & Adolescent Addiction/Mental Health Community Clinics
Alberta Health Services provides assessment and treatment services to children 5 to 18 years with moderate to serious mental health issues, and their families. Services include individual, family, and group therapy in a community clinic setting. Services provided in 3 locations in Calgary: East Calgary Health Centre, Foothills Professional Building and South Calgary Health Centre.
CUPS
Calgary Urban Project Society offers a Shared Care Mental Program to adults receiving health care at CUPS or low income adults (must be referred by a CUPS’ doctor) while on the waitlist for Access Mental Health services. The program offers a breadth of support, such as emotionally supportive counselling, psychiatric assessment/follow-up, medication support/prescriptions, referrals for: addictions counselling, supported mental health housing, financial support and other mental health support agencies and programs.
Wood's Homes
Wood's Homes provides 24/7 crisis counselling via phone, text, LiveChat and email. Wood’s Homes is a nationally accredited and recognized children’s mental health centre based in Calgary. We provide services for vulnerable children and their families in Calgary, Lethbridge, Canmore, Strathmore, Fort McMurray and Fort Smith, NWT. Programs and services include: Crisis & Counselling; In-home support, Foster Care, Youth Street Services, Specialized Learning Centres, Campus-based mental health treatment services, Collaborate Family Services, Next Steps programs.
Government Services & Funding
Child Disability Benefit
The Family Support program offers counselling to family members or friends living and coping with a relative or significant other who is suffering from a mental health issue. Fees for counselling are based on a sliding scale. No one is refused services due to financial reasons.