RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES

The following section provides information on organizations and resources
in your community that may be helpful to you as you go through the
transition planning process.

• Dufferin County

Dufferin Access Agencies

Other Dufferin County Resources

• Halton Region

Halton Access Agency

Other Halton Region Resources

• Peel Region

Peel Access Agencies

Other Peel Region Resources

Support and Trustee Advisory Services
Support & Trustee Advisory Services (STAS) is a resource for parents with
children who have a disability who need information about future planning
and will preparation. Our mandate is to assist families in Peel Region in
setting up workable trust funds for their sons and/or daughters who have a
disability by: providing information, public education and assistance to
families who are planning for the future of a family member who has a
disability; maintaining and providing up-to-date information on wills, trusts,
government benefits, and financial and estate planning; providing names of
appropriate professionals who can provide legal and financial advice; educating
and providing information to financial and estate planning professionals about
the challenges facing individuals who have a disability and their families;
and encouraging individuals and families to develop networks of support.

STAS offers free public seminars, as well as visiting families individually, to
share resources and discuss the importance of future planning. STAS has
prepared a workbook entitled “Parent Planning Guide” which helps parents
begin the planning process. STAS may be reached at 905-542-2694 in
Mississauga or 905-453-8841 in Brampton;
www.supportandtrusteeadvisoryservices.ca

Coordinated Information Peel (CIP)
Free telephone line services with information available on services for
children, youth and adults relating to autism, dual diagnosis, mental
health, behaviour management, and special needs. Interpretative services
are available. Please call: 905-890-9432 or TTY 905-890-8089 or visit the
web-site at www.cdrcp.com

Peel respiteservices.com
Helping families requiring respite services for children and adults with developmental disabilities to make the process of recruiting and contracting their own respite workers easier. Information on Peel community respite services, training, events and other related resources. Web based database.www.respiteservices.com

Peel Crisis Capacity Network
The Peel Crisis Capacity Network (PCCN) provides time-limited crisis
supports to individuals (aged 11 and over) with a developmental
disability or a dual diagnosis (developmental disability and mental
health needs). The Network’s services are provided by a variety of
organizations in Peel Region who have partnered together to create
the PCCN. Call 905-273-4900.

Peel Case Management & Planning and Networking for Transitions
Peel Case Management is a regional developmental service provider.
Through service coordination they work collaboratively with families
and other service providers to help families who have a child with a
developmental disability create a network of systems and supports.
They assist families and individuals with making the transition into the
adult service system.

Planning and Networking for Transitions workshops assist the young
person with a developmental disability and their families to become
engaged in a networking process which will enhance their ability to
develop a “working vision” and a “networking plan” that matches the
child/young adult’s interests and abilities. For more information call
905-799-7700 or email at www.peelcasemanagement.ca

Loafers Lake Adult Day Program
Loafers Lake is an adult day program for individuals with developmental
disabilities. Activities vary each day between activities offered within the
centre as well as activities out in the community. These activities may
include swimming, crafts, literacy, cooking as well as community outings
such as grocery shopping, library and restaurants for lunch. The application
process is described in the Fall & Winter Brampton Parks and
Recreation Brochure. For more information, please call 905-874-2311.

Reach for the Rainbow
Reach for the Rainbow develops integrated community and summer
camp opportunities across Ontario for children and youth with disabilities.
Through a tested model of integrated programming, training and active
resource support, Reach for the Rainbow provides an opportunity for
children and youth with physical and/or developmental disabilities,
living at home, to participate in typical summer camps and community
programs. http://www.reachfortherainbow.ca

Opportunities Mississauga for 21 +
Opportunities 21 + is a grassroots group that focuses on building
opportunities in Mississauga for adults who have an intellectual
disability. They work with community groups, agencies and businesses
to expand services and facilities for intellectually disabled adults and
their families. Opportunities 21+ worked with Community Living
Mississauga to develop a successful joint application to the Ministry of
Community and Social Services. Ministry funding was used to organize
two "day activity programs" that now serve 120-150 adults on a part time
basis who have an intellectual disability. More information is available at
www.om21.ca

Pathways in Education
This web-site is sponsored by Region of Peel, Community Living Mississauga,
Kerry’s Place Autism Services, Brampton Caledon Community Living, and
has been created to provide educational resources to families of students
with special needs, educators and developmental service providers in the
Region of Peel. This website will provide you with information on
community resources, educational rights and responsibilities, upcoming
events and “hot off the press” news as it relates to special education.
For more information go to http://www.pathwaysineducationpeel.com

• Waterloo Region

A great starting point for all individuals with disabilities and their families
in Waterloo Region is the Community Connections 2007 Information
Booklet of Support Services for Persons with Disabilities, accessible online
at www.waterlooregion.org/cic/files/CommunityConnections2007.pdf.
This booklet provides valuable information on work and volunteer supports,
education, home supports, recreation, financial assistance, health, advocacy
and supports, transportation, and respite. It is maintained by the
Community Information Centre (CIC) of Waterloo Region.

Waterloo Access Agency

Other Waterloo Region Resouces

Other Waterloo Region Agencies

• Wellington County

Wellington Access Agency

Other Wellington County Resources

Other Wellington County Services

Autism Society of Ontario Wellington Chapter
The Autism Society of Ontario is the leading source of information and
referral on autism and one of the largest collective voices representing
the autism community. They provide information, referral and advocacy
for services on behalf of persons with autism and pervasive developmental
disorders (PDD) and their families. Their mission is to work together
to improve the quality of life for persons with autism and pervasive
developmental disorders and their families, and to ensure that they
can live with dignity within their own communities.

For more information, contact the office at 519-993-6699, or fax
519-822-6599, e-mail mail@autismontario.com or visit the website at
www.autismontario.com.

Keeping Involved in Down Syndrome
This group donates money raised to community and social services,
which help children with Down syndrome. They hold a summer picnic
event and Christmas party as well as other activities. Members have
developed an information package for families of newborns with Down
syndrome and new parent visits are conducted through the mother/baby
unit at the local hospital. For more information, contact the office at
519-763-7718.

Families for a Secure Future
Families for a Secure Future is committed to reaching out to and supporting
individuals with developmental disabilities and their families by establishing
a network of local family groups across Ontario. These mutual support
groups come together to learn and to support one another to take the
next step toward imagining and creating a better future for their
sons/daughters. Families for a Secure Future is based on the fundamental
principle that individuals and their families can define and prioritize
their own needs. It is believed that individuals can make choices and
direct their lives with support. To this end, Families for a Secure Future is
governed by families and individuals themselves. For more information
about Families for a Secure Future, visit the website at:
www.familiesforasecurefuture.com or call 905-770-2819.

Action Read
Action Read offers adults, 19 years of age and over a variety of literacy
programming. People wishing to come to the program for literacy help
can drop by or phone for an appointment. Learners meet with staff for
an interview and an informal assessment. Adults will be able to choose
from several support options. Early Start Family Literacy Read-Ins are for
parents, caregivers and children (birth to six years) who can attend the
Read-in programs. These sessions are facilitated by certified Early Childhood
Educators. Each Read-in session lasts for two hours and begins with a
story time where the facilitator reads books, tells stories, does rhyming
games, songs and movements with parents and children together. The
facilitator can assist families to connect to other services and programs in
the city, to share information about developmental concerns or to suggest
inexpensive ways parents can promote early learning in the home.

For more information on these programs and locations call 519-836-2759
or visit the Action Read website at:
http://www.actionread.com/index.html

Other Central West Region Resources
The following resources provide information and supports for families
with children with developmental disabilities in Central West Region.

Erinoak
Erinoak is dedicated to helping children with special needs “be the best
they can be”. A comprehensive range of clinical services and family
supports is provided to children and youth with multiple disabilities,
complex disorders and speech delay living in Halton, Peel and, in some
cases, Waterloo, Wellington and Dufferin. Their commitment is to build
on the strengths of children so that they may achieve their potential and
grow up to lead fulfilling lives. The resource section of the website offers
some interesting information – a transition manual, information on
applying for ODSP, information on tax rebates, post secondary information,
information on applying for scholarships and bursaries, recreation
information and information on applying for a disability parking
permit, etc.

For more information visit the homepage at
www.erinoak.org/Templates/home.htm, or use the resource link at:
www.erinoak.org/resources/pubs.htm.

respiteservices.com
respiteservices.com consists of agencies funded by the Ministry of
Community and Social Services and the Ministry of Children and Youth
Services in the Central West Region. Respite care is a family support
service that promotes active living and provides temporary relief from
the physical and emotional demands involved in caring for a family
member who has a disability (includes children who have a developmental
disability or a physical disability, and adults who have a developmental
disability). Respite creates greater opportunities for all family members to
live actively and participate in community activities and allows
parents/guardians time for themselves.

Organizations are collaborating to develop a more dynamic respite
network for both children and adults in Dufferin County, Halton Region,
Peel Region, Waterloo Region and Wellington County. For more information
visit the website at: www.respiteservices.com and select your local area.

Community Care Access Centres
Community Care Access Centres (CCACs) are local organizations established
in 1996 by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care to provide access
to government-funded home and community services and long-term care
homes. There are 14 CCACs in Ontario working together in the community
to enhance access and co-ordination for people across the province.
Community Care Access Centres (CCACs) help people to live independently
at home and apply for admission to a long-term care home.

CCACs also provide information about local community support service
agencies and we can link people to these agencies to arrange services.
Anyone can make a referral to a CCAC — an individual requiring service,
a family member, caregiver, friend, physician or other health care professional.
CCAC Case managers/care coordinators are regulated health
professionals with specialized knowledge and skills that help to arrange
the services you need. To find out more, visit the CCAC web-site at
www.ccac-ont.ca

[ Top of Page ]