Jordan's Principle: How do I apply for funding under it?
What is Jordan's Principle?
Jordan’s Principle helps children in First Nations communities in need of products, services or support. The goal is to ensure that all First Nations children have access to the public services that they need. These services include education, health, childcare, recreation, culture and language. Jordan’s Principle is a Human Rights principle and a Child First initiative for First Nations children aged 0 to 17 living on or off territory.
The Disability Programs - Specialized Services (DPSS) department of the Cree Health Board guides families through the process of applying for support under Jordan’s Principle.
Is My Child Eligible for Jordan's Principle?
Current eligibility criteria under Jordan’s Principle are:
- The child must be aged 0 – 17 years old
- The child is registered or eligible to be registered under the Indian Act (has a band number or is eligible for one)
- The child has one parent/guardian who is registered or eligible to be registered under the Indian Act
- The child is recognized as part of Eeyou Istchee
- The child is living on- or off-territory
Your child does not have to have a disability to be covered under Jordan’s Principle.
How do I get started?
Make sure that you have the all the information and documents ready:
- Supporting documents from a medical, social or health professional (if needed)
- Letter of support from a medical, social or health professional
- Band number
- Name of the professional and service that you are requesting
- Quotation from the professional/service
- Total estimated costs
How Do I Submit an Application?
- Put together a plan and a budget before submitting. The budget should include all the costs, including things like medical transport, shipping, and taxes
- Complete the Jordan’s Principle Application Form (download at bottom of page)
- Confirmation or denial of your request will be sent to you and Jordan’s Principle Office at the Health Board with the following:
- Case number approval (#ISC-QC000)
- Services and amount approved
- For an individual application, it takes 12 to 48 hours to receive an answer. For a group application, it will take up to one week to receive an answer from Indigenous Services Canada
The CBHSSJB will reimburse you or the community directly.
Keep all invoices and appointment certificates as records for verification.
DPSS personnel can help you with the application process.
Did you know?
Jordan's Principle is named after Jordan River Anderson.
Jordan was born in Norway House Cree Nation, Manitoba in 1999, with multiple disabilities and stayed in the hospital from birth. When he was 2 years old, doctors said he could move to a special home for his medical needs. However, the federal and provincial governments could not agree on who should pay for his home-based care. Jordan passed away in the hospital at the age of 5.
In 2007, the House of Commons passed Jordan’s Principle in memory of Jordan. Today, Jordan’s Principle is a legal obligation, which means it has no end date—it will support First Nations children for generations to come.
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Jordan’s Principle helps children in First Nations communities in need of products, services or support.
