Expanding Supports for Families of Children With Autism
New core services and additional funding will offer greater choice based on need
Our PC government is pleased to announce that we’re moving forward with the implementation of the new needs-based Ontario Autism Program by launching core clinical services.
Starting in March, 600 children registered in the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) will be invited to participate. The Child and Parent Resource Institute will oversee the launch, which will see families receive funding to purchase core clinical services. This includes applied behaviour analysis, speech language pathology services, occupational therapy, and mental health services. Feedback from families will help the province evaluate and refine the process as we continue moving towards full implementation of the program.
“Providing core clinical services is a critical step forward in the development of a needs-based autism program designed by the community for the community” said Todd Smith, MPP for Bay of Quinte and Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. “We are determined to get this right so more children than ever before can receive the appropriate level of support they need close to home.”
We are determined to get this right, and we will ensure that children and youth on the autism spectrum continue to receive support while implementation of the new program is underway. That’s why families will be offered an extension of funding to purchase the services they feel are most appropriate for their children.
The result of our work will be an autism program that will see more children receiving support than ever before in Ontario.