Tuesday April 2, 2019, Toronto – Today the Ministers of Children, Community and Social Services, Education and Health and Long-Term Care jointly announced that the Ontario government will be conducting consultations to further enhance the new Ontario Autism Program (OAP).
Starting in May 2019, the government will launch public consultation through an online survey and telephone town halls. Input will be used to determine how best to provide additional supports to children and youth with autism who have complex needs, through additional direct funding.
In addition, a new advisory panel will be made up of parents with lived experience, autistic adults and experts from a range of disciplines such as psychology, behavioural analysis, rehabilitation services, education, developmental pediatrics and research.
The panel will review the results of the survey and telephone town halls and provide advice on a new needs assessment process as well as an approach to provide support through Childhood Budgets.
Autism Ontario has been asked to assist the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services with the online survey.
Today the Minister also confirmed that children in service will continue for an additional six months. As more details are shared we will continue to provide updates.
Access Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services here.
Access to Surrey Place announcement PDF version.
Media Contact:
Ms. Vaso Charitsis, BBA
Communications and Marketing Advisor
(C) 416-575-0778
(E) vaso.charitsis@surreyplace.ca