1. What is SNIS Online?
SNIS Online is a website that provides a comprehensive directory and a user-friendly searchable database of service agencies and programs for children with special needs from birth to 18 years of age. It is an information service available free of charge to families, professionals and participating organizations and agencies.
2. Who are children with special needs?
SNIS Online uses the definition of children with special needs developed by the Centre of Excellence for Children and Adolescents with Special Needs.
- "Needs" refer to the things necessary for quality of life. They represent an interaction between the child and the contexts in which the child develops (family, school, community, culture).
- Children and adolescents with special needs have the same types of needs as others, but their needs vary in amount, quality and intensity.
- All children who require additional public or private resources beyond what are normally required for healthy development have special needs.
- Each child and adolescent with special needs is an exceptional individual, with a unique pattern of needs (CECASN 2001).
3. Will SNIS Online personnel help me obtain the services offered by agencies and organizations for my child or family?
SNIS Online cannot give personal advice or help individuals obtain services. Use the contact information such as phone numbers and email addresses within the database to contact agencies directly.
4. What does it cost to use SNIS Online?
SNIS Online is offered free of charge to users and to serviced agencies and organizations, It is supported through funding from the Centre of Excellence for Children and Adolescents with Special Needs, Public Health Agency Canada.
5. Who is included in SNIS Online?
Agencies and organizations included in SNIS Online meet 3 criteria: 1) offer services relevant to children with special needs, birth to 18, their families and/or professionals working with them 2) agree to be included in the database and 3) agree to annually review and update their information.
Currently three provinces are represented in SNIS Online: Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Additional provinces and territories may be included as hosts in these regions are identified. For more information about how to be a host site, Contact Us.
6. How does an organization become listed in SNIS Online?
Anyone can suggest an organization for inclusion using the Add an Agency function under Contact Us. Once the agency name and contact information is received, they will be contacted and asked if they wish to participate. Alternatively an agency or organization can add its own information to the database using Add an Agency under Contact Us. All suggestions and entries will be reviewed, edited and entered into the SNIS Online database.
7. How frequently is information updated?
The last update took place Spring 2009. All agencies and organizations are contacted for a review of their information annually. They can respond using Update an Agency under Contact Us. To change information or edit a listing at any other time, use Contact Us and we will do it for you. Or use the login and password issued for the annual update to access Update an Agency and do it yourself. Changes to agencies are made within one working week of receiving an update request.
8. Why can't I find a specific organization or agency which I know serves children with special needs?
SNIS Online lists regional services and programs. Some agencies and organizations may prefer not to be included or neglect to confirm or update their information. Unconfirmed and out of date information is not included in the database. There may also be groups offering services, for example, parent support groups, who don't know about SNIS Online and we don't know about them. If you think SNIS Online has missed something, please let us know through Contact Us.
