If you received new Passport Funding over the last few years you probably have mixed feelings. On one hand, you may have been grateful to receive the support, but on the other, disappointed with how hard it will be to stretch the funds.

In 2018/19, the majority of new recipients received $ 5000 annually in Passport funding. Paying a support worker $15/hour buys a little over 6 hours a week. Pay for a few activities and that number drops quickly. 

So how can you use the funds so they’ll make a difference and help your relative thrive? We asked our Planning Network Family Advisors for ideas on using Passport funds creatively. We’ll reference their insights throughout the guide.  

Those with a network of friends have greater opportunities, ongoing support and future security. However, people who spend the majority of their time in special programs have less opportunity to develop supportive and reciprocal relationships with those in their community. Supportive relationships are unpaid and freely given and have the potential to last for a long time. People who participate in regular activities in their neighbourhoods where the same people gather on a regular basis have the best opportunities to develop supportive relationships. The people who genuinely show interest in your loved one, may, over time, step up and become involved in their personal support network, participate in a Microboard or play a role when parents can longer provide care.

If you’re hiring a support worker, their role should not be to simply attend an event but should be to look for and facilitate opportunities to nurture supportive relationships with others.

Most people have a variety of roles in their lives and these can change over time. Sometimes they're based on relationships, like the role of being a parent, a child or grandchild, a sister, an aunt, an adult son or daughter living at home, a neighbour, etc. 

For example, an adult living at home may perform any number of activities as part of their role from cleaning, shopping, yard work, making meals, etc. They’re not participating in these activities to develop a life skill but to fulfill a valued role as a family member.

The role of being a neighbour is a great example. Neighbours help each other in times of need, they celebrate family achievements, look out for each others homes or pets and may invite neighbours for lunch or coffee. Some may volunteer at community events or serve as a crossing guard in their neighbourhood, they may join forces and organize a block party. Just think of the creative ways Passport could be used to strengthen a person’s role as a neighbour while deepening important relationships.

Other roles are based on an interest or passion. For example, think of the places and activities people interested in a sport or hobby may spend their time. Consider where people with roles such as a gardener, vegan, boater, artist, environmentalist or fitness enthusiast may spend their time and what they are involved with. With a little creativity, you will come up with a long list of ideas you can explore to use Passport funding to your long-term benefit. 

One of the objectives of Passport Funding is to provide respite for family caregivers. No doubt that is incredibly important for many, but it is possible to provide families with a break and use the time productively to develop new opportunities. Respite doesn’t have to be inactive. Some families  commented that their support worker provides respite by watching TV or playing video games, going for a walk or taking care of basic needs. Aiming higher and being more intentional can yield long term benefits.

Encourage your support workers to be more involved in the long term plan by focusing on nurturing relationships and developing valued roles. Depending on where you live, a walk can be so much more than a little exercise. It can be an opportunity to explore new interests or meet people in the neighbourhood or look for a job or find or develop a new role. 

There is a tendency to hire support workers specifically because they have disability experience or training. In some cases, this is critical. With Passport’s flexibility, it's possible to hire support workers based on unique interests, passions or skills.

Some of the more creative ideas our family advisors mentioned are:

• Hiring a chef or culinary student to support someone to plan, shop and cook a family meal
• Hiring a student (for a student with a disability) to support them to become more involved in social activities at college or high school
• A young man interested in becoming a DJ hired a musician to introduce him to the electronic music scene in Toronto
• A young businesswoman with a disability hired a business advisor to help her create promotional materials and a website
• A person interested in becoming a librarian, hired a librarian to mentor her and to help her develop her skills