Speak Easy January 2023 Newsletter

Happy New Year!
From all of us here at Speak Easy, we’d like to wish you and your families a safe, healthy and happy 2023!
Claiming Medical Expenses on Taxes

A new year means the tax season is upon us once again, and in Canada many medical costs are eligible to be claimed on your taxes via lines 33099 and 33199. Having spoken to some of our clients, we realized this wasn’t widely known, so we wanted to inform all of our clients and their families speech therapy is eligible to be claimed on your 2022 taxes.

We are happy to send you a year-end statement that lists all of your charges and payments made to us in 2022, just shoot us an email at speakeasyadmin@shaw.ca to let us know if you’d like us to send you one.

For more information, please refer to the CRA’s website here: 
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/lines-33099-33199-eligible-medical-expenses-you-claim-on-your-tax-return.html#wb-auto-4
SD68’s Inclusive Practices Information Session
The Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District will be holding an information session on inclusive education services for NLPS students.

From their email:

During the session, we will focus on four key areas: how we define “inclusive education” as a school district, funding for inclusive education services, Ministry of Education designation criteria and processes, and current pressures on the system. We believe that having a common understanding these topics is crucial for our community to effectively collaborate in support of our complex learners and their families.

Through a moderated panel presentation, we will provide an overview of each of these areas.The Information Session will take place on February 27, 2023 at the Nanaimo Conference Centre.
There will be two options for time: 3-4 pm or 6-7 pm.
Refreshments will be provided.

We believe that it is important to bring together a diverse group of people to discuss issues that impact our community. This session is designed specifically for those of us providing services to families of children with diverse abilities and disabilities. Please share the information with others in your organization who may be interested.

Please indicate your plans to attend, and preferred timeslot, by “voting” for one of the options on the Information Session Poll.
Canada Dental Benefit
Tooth decay is the most common, but preventable, childhood chronic disease both in Canada and around the world. Oral diseases frequently begin in the preschool years which is why it is so important to establish good oral hygiene behaviours in those early years.

The Government of Canada has implemented the interim Canada Dental Benefit, which is designed to provide some financial support to help Canadian families access dental care. With this benefit, families can start addressing some of the basic dental care that their young children need while the Government continues its plans to develop a long-term Canadian dental care program.
Parents can apply starting December 1, 2022, for dental care received by their eligible child back to October 1, 2022, so long as their child will still be under 12 on December 1. For the second payment, parents can apply starting July 1, 2023.

Visit canada.ca/dental for more information, or call 1-800-715-8836
A Word About Waiting
Wait lists have become a universal reality in BC, given the shortage of registered health professionals like Speech Language Pathologists.

In order to provide intensive, effective, personalized service we will not over-burden our therapists with unachievable workloads. We do keep space in our week to provide urgent assessments, consultations with allied professionals, and staff training.

If you have questions, or your concerns change while you are waiting, please call us – we may be able to provide you with next steps.
Does This Mug Belong to You?
This cup was left in our office over the holidays, and we’re searching for its owner. Please email us or give us a call if this belongs to you. It’s waiting at the front desk to be picked up.