Orthodontic Coverage and Counselling for Kinship Families in Alberta

Two Expensive Needs, Limited Coverage

Orthodontics and counselling are two of the biggest out-of-pocket costs kinship caregivers face. Braces can run $5,000 to $8,000 in Alberta. A registered psychologist charges $200 or more per session. When you are raising a grandchild or relative's child on a pension or modest income, those numbers are not realistic without help.

Alberta does have programs that cover both — but eligibility depends entirely on your care arrangement and the child's history.

Orthodontic Coverage

Supports for Permanency (SFP). If the child was previously in permanent government care (under a PGO or PGA) and you obtained a private guardianship order, the SFP agreement can include coverage for medically necessary orthodontic care or assessments. Ask your SFP coordinator what clinical documentation and approval are required.

Formal kinship care (CYFEA placement). Children in the care of the Director through a formal kinship placement receive a medical and dental coverage card from Children and Family Services. Ask your caseworker whether orthodontic treatment qualifies and what clinical documentation or approval is required.

Informal care. If you are caring for the child without CFS involvement, there is no provincial orthodontic coverage program specifically for kinship families. Your options:

• Private dental insurance if you carry it through an employer or retiree plan
• University dental clinics at the University of Alberta or University of Calgary, which offer orthodontic services at reduced cost
• Payment plans offered by most orthodontic offices
• Alberta Child Health Benefit: Eligibility is separate from ACFB; check the program criteria and apply through Alberta Supports. Basic dental coverage does not generally include orthodontics.

Counselling Coverage

Children entering kinship care often carry trauma. The reasons behind the arrangement — a parent's addiction, incarceration, death, domestic violence, or mental health crisis — leave marks that do not disappear just because the child is in a safe home. Counselling is not a luxury for these kids.

Supports for Permanency (SFP). The SFP agreement provides up to 10 professional counselling sessions per year per child or family. Ask your SFP coordinator which providers and sessions qualify.

Emotional and behavioural funding (SFP). On top of counselling sessions, SFP provides up to $70 per week ($3,640 per year) for children with documented emotional or behavioural challenges. This can cover additional therapy, therapeutic activities, or specialized programs.

Both the counselling and emotional/behavioural supports are available regardless of household income — the $180,000 income test applies only to the SFP basic maintenance payment.

Formal kinship care. Children in CFS placements can access counselling through the child intervention system. Your caseworker can refer the child to publicly funded mental health services or arrange private counselling funded through the placement.

FSCD. If the child has a diagnosed mental health disability, the Family Support for Children with Disabilities program can fund counselling as part of the child's Family Support Plan. This applies to all care arrangements, including informal.

Informal care. Without CFS involvement or an SFP agreement, publicly funded counselling is harder to access but not impossible:

• Alberta Health Services offers children's mental health programs through community clinics — call 811 (Health Link) or your local AHS office for referrals
• Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868) provides free phone and text counselling for children and youth
• School counsellors can provide short-term support and referrals
• Community agencies funded through Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) often offer sliding-scale family counselling

Do Not Wait

If a child in your care needs orthodontic work or counselling, start by identifying your care arrangement and the programs that flow from it. Formal placements and SFP agreements unlock the most coverage. Informal caregivers have fewer funded options, but every program described above is available right now — it just takes knowing which door to knock on.

The Alberta Kinship Financial Help Guide lays out the full map of supports for each care arrangement, including how to apply for SFP, FSCD, and the Alberta Child Health Benefit.

See more Alberta guides →