SERVICES

As detailed in the Parent Handbook, AFU will pay for only some types of services. Also, some are permitted only for children under the age of six; others only for those six and older.

Service-types include:

speech therapy
occupational therapy
physiotherapy
counselling
music therapy
one-on-one support (BI)
behavioural consultant
camps
sexual health education
tutoring
psychology
dietician
auditory processing therapy
equine therapy
neurofeedback
and more

For some therapies, AFU may require a 'letter of recommendation' written by a specific third party. This can be a simple paragraph affirming the third-party's support for this intervention specific to your child.

Following is how to approach this use of funding.

Need more help?
If you need extra help at any point, we have volunteers ready to help you by phone, PM, text, email, etc!
See: https://www.facebook.com/groups/821437868348930/permalink/831516400674410/

CAMPS
For a guide on camps (day or sleepaway), see:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/821437868348930/permalink/883059142186802/

ALL SERVICES - STEPS IN ORDER

1. Select a Service

To determine what AFU-fundable services may be relevant and helpful for your child, here is a guide:

https://www.facebook.com/notes/afu-families/optimizing-funding/827227907769926/

2. Find Providers

Almost any person is eligible to provide a service and have that paid by AFU. Once you have determined what service is required, you can google for local options, or ask in your autism chat group for recommendations.

Also, even if you are geographically isolated, or for other reasons your family cannot access in-person services, there are options. In our Services Posts Directory (https://www.facebook.com/groups/821437868348930/permalink/930086820817367/), you'll find posts for virtual options:

VIRTUAL SLP THERAPY
VIRTUAL OT THERAPY
VIRTUAL SOCIAL GROUPS
VIRTUAL CONSULTANTS
VIRTUAL COUNSELING
VIRTUAL INTERVENTIONISTS

To learn which of these can sign for equipment, see:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/821437868348930/permalink/878221639337219/

3. Select Provider

Do I just pick one and hope for the best? What might be considered?
https://www.facebook.com/groups/821437868348930/permalink/895049527654430/

4. Wait for Approval

When your child needs a service, it is best to NOT start the service yet. AFU may not approve it for funding. Also, AFU cannot reimburse you; AFU must pay the service provider directly. (If you did pay, see:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/821437868348930/permalink/883981662094550/ )

5. Review Services FAQs

In our group's category 'Services', you'll find answers to FAQs such as:

BACKDATING SERVICE FUNDING
BI EMPLOYMENT RELATED EXPENSES
USING INSURANCE TO PAY PART OF A SESSION
CAMPS
APPROVING A PROVIDER FOR NEXT FUNDING YEAR
COUNSELLING
MUSIC THERAPY
OUTSCHOOL
DOGS & TRAINING
ANIMAL THERAPY
CANUCKS AUTISM NETWORK
SERVICE PROVIDERS OUTSIDE CANADA
SEXUAL HEALTH EDUCATORS
...and more!

A full directory of these is here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/821437868348930/permalink/930086820817367/

Alternatively, you can scroll through the topic headings via the Services category. Click here and allow up to twenty seconds for the contents to load: https://www.facebook.com/groups/821437868348930/post_tags/?post_tag_id=828223797670337

6. Consider Interventionists

Not all families have access to a therapist, some children are not in the designated age group to receive a specific therapy, and some children connect only with a very specific person. In any of these cases, hiring an interventionist can be a lifesaver. See:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/821437868348930/permalink/834662763693107/

7. Budget Services

You decide how much of your child's funding to allocate for this service provider. You can increase this amount, decrease it, stop it, or renew it at any point. See:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/821437868348930/permalink/912736685885714/

8. Request Approval

When you have determined a suitable, available service -and the initial amount you'd like to allocate for them- submit a Request to Pay. You can do so through the portal, OR download, save, then fill in this form: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/managing-your-health/autism/request_pay_service_providers_suppliers.pdf

Do not start services yet. Wait for approval with billing number. (Both you and the service provider will receive a copy.)

9. Appeal Services

Did AFU not approved the requested service? A quick, simple appeal is often successful:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/821437868348930/permalink/833905783768805/

10. Start Services

Once you've received the billing number, services can begin. If the service is approved, sessions going back up to six months can also be paid by AFU to the service provider. See: https://www.facebook.com/groups/821437868348930/permalink/883981662094550/

11. Arrange Payment for Services

If you have extended health insurance that can cover some of each session's cost, you have the option of invoicing AFU just for the difference, stretching your AFU dollars. See: https://www.facebook.com/groups/821437868348930/permalink/861279341031449/

The service provider (SP) will bill AFU. AFU will pay the SP directly. The service provider must bill AFU within six months of the date of service. (Again, if you paid for services, see #4 above.)

12. Track the Budget

It is a good idea to ensure the SP is billing the correct amount and within six months of the service appointment:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/821437868348930/permalink/838796299946420/

Services: Text