Toronto, June 8, 2017 – The Honourable Michael Coteau, Minister of Children and Youth Services, announced today that the Ontario government is transforming the way that children and youth with autism, and their families will receive services and supports, beginning later this month.
As part of the new Ontario Autism Program (OAP) autism services for children and youth will be delivered consistently across the province, allowing for flexibility and choice based on each child’s need.
On June 26, families will begin to transition to the new OAP. The new program will include a single point of access; be based on family-centred decision making; and allow for services to be flexible and individualized.
The Minister also announced today that safe and effective autism services are a priority. The province intends to regulate practitioners in order to help ensure families receive high quality services. “At Surrey Place Centre, and at any of our partner agencies, families can rest assured and feel confident that our services are administered with the highest quality, evidence based approach,” said Mr. Steven Finlay, Chief Executive Officer of Surrey Place Centre. “We know that applied behavioural analysis (ABA) strategies are being used in many other fields, so today’s announcement about regulating practitioners is welcomed.”
To learn more about the OAP please visit the Government of Ontario’s website at Ontario.ca/autism.
For the official MCYS News Release and detailed information please click here.
Minister Coteau will be hosting a tele town hall on June 27 at 5:30pm to answer parents’ questions. More details will be available on Ontario.ca/autism.
For the PDF version click here.
Contact
Ms. Vaso Charitsis, BBA
Communications and Marketing Advisor
vaso.charitsis@surreyplace.ca
Surrey Place Centre
416-925-5141 ext. 3108
416-575-0778