Links to Ontario Government Services
Programs and services for children with special needs
Find programs and services for your child and your family. Eligibility varies and can depend on your child’s needs, family size or household income.
Contact your ministry regional office for more information about support and services that are available near you.
Ontario Autism Program
Learn about resources, support, services and programs for families of children and youth on the autism spectrum.
Children’s rehabilitation services
Learn about the rehabilitation services and supports for children and youth up to 19 years old with physical and/or developmental disabilities and/or communication disorders.
Coordinated service planning
Find out how to connect with a dedicated service planning coordinator who can connect you to cross-sectoral services, and monitor your child’s needs and progress through a single Coordinated Service Plan.
Mental health services for children and youth
Learn about mental health support for children with behavioural, emotional, mental health and addiction issues.
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
Find resources and support for families with children and youth affected with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).
Indigenous fetal alcohol spectrum disorder/Child Nutrition Program (FASD/CNP)
Find resources for this program that is designed and delivered by Indigenous Service Providers.
Child protection services
Child protection services are delivered by children’s aid societies and are governed by the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017, (CYFSA).
Children’s aid societies
Learn about children’s aid societies and how they determine if a child needs protection. Learn how to locate a specific children’s aid society, to recognize signs of child abuse or neglect or to review a decision by a society or licensee.
Licensed residential services
Learn about licensed residential settings for children and youth, existing programs in this area and how we’re making improvements to care for children who live there. Learn about our 12 quality standards and our efforts to help children and youth better understand their rights.
Protection services for 16- and 17-year-olds
Children under 18 can receive protection services in Ontario. Learn about specialized services that are available for people who are 16 or 17 and need protection.
Submit a complaint to or about a children’s aid society
Learn how to make a complaint to a children’s aid society (including an Indigenous children’s aid society), the Child and Family Services Review Board or the Ontario Ombudsman.
Ontario Autism Program
The Ontario Autism Program offers support to all eligible families of children and youth on the autism spectrum. You can select the services and supports that are most important to you and your child.
If you have previously registered your child for the Ontario Autism Program or already submitted your registration form and supporting documents to the ministry, you do not need to register again.
Ontario Autism Program
Funding types
Forms
Mental health and addictions support
It’s normal for you or your children to feel overwhelmed, stressed, confused, scared or angry during this time. COVID-19 can be difficult for children to understand, especially if they know someone who’s sick. Pay close attention to how your child is feeling and if you or your child are feeling anxious, experiencing other mental health or addiction challenges or you can’t access your regular in-person counselling support, there are services you can access online or by phone.
Find Mental Health Supports
Self-care is important. Parents and caregivers take better care of their children when they take care of themselves, too.
The following resources can be shared with your child:
- Kids Help Phone is available 24 hours a day for young Canadians (aged 5 to 29)
- this service provides confidential and anonymous care from professional counsellors
- call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868
- COVID-19: Youth mental health resource hub is a collaboration of Jack.org, Kids Help Phone and School Mental Health Ontario
Educational activities for children
The Federal Government created these educational activities to teach children about what they can do to reduce the spread of COVID-19: