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Exploring Funding Sources

boy holding a cheque

Where do you find individual funding sources to assist someone who wants to access work, volunteer and recreational opportunities; yet additional support is needed?

Funding sources may mean money to pay for personal supports, skills training or assistive devices so the person is able to choose those opportunities. Typically, such sources come from local or provincial funding. It is beneficial to contact your provincial Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services or local developmental service agencies in your area to explore what’s available.

Potential provincial funding sources in Ontario include:

Income Supports

Through the Ontario Disability Support Program, the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services provides financial assistance and other benefits to eligible people with disabilities and their families. This can include “Income Supports” for accommodation and basic living expenses as well as prescription drugs and basic dental care.

www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/odsp/income_support/apply_income.aspx

Employment Supports

Through the Ontario Disability Support Program, the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services also provides goods and services to eligible people with disabilities to help overcome barriers to employment.

“Employment Supports” are designed to help people with disabilities alleviate some of the challenges they face in finding or keeping a job.

www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/odsp/employment_support/what.aspx

Special Services At Home (SSAH)

The Special Services at Home program provides funding directly to families so they can purchase services to provide personal development and relief support to children with a developmental disability and children with a physical disability. With this funding, families can purchase supports and services which they could not normally provide themselves and are not available elsewhere in the community.

This program is funded and administered by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.

www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/topics/specialneeds/specialservices/index.aspx

Passport Initiative (Passport funding)

The Ontario government created the Passport initiative to provide opportunities for individuals who have a developmental disability and who have left school to find more ways to participate in their communities. Through Passport, participants can receive funding for activities that encourage their personal development and help them achieve their potential.

www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/developmental/servicesupport/passport.aspx
Update: Revised Passport Guidelines (September 2021)

Assistive Devices Program (ADP)

The objective of the Assistive Devices Program (ADP) is to provide consumer-centered support and funding to Ontario residents who have longterm physical disabilities and to provide access to personalized assistive devices appropriate for the individual’s basic needs.

www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/program/adp/adp_mn.html

Respite Services (respiteservices.com)

respiteservices.com consists of agencies funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services and the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. They are collaborating to develop a more dynamic respite network for both children and adults in Toronto. As well, participants include delegates from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, the Toronto District School Board, Toronto Parks and Recreation, and the Children’s Aid Societies. Other organizations providing respite services for families in Toronto are invited to join.

www.respiteservices.com

To find alternative funding sources in your area, search through your local sports clubs, faith or cultural groups, recreational facilities, charitable organizations or community agencies. For example:

Local Rotary clubs fund programs which benefit children and youth in the areas of health, education, child abuse and neglect, social development and life enrichment. It also funds community programs for the homeless, disabled and seniors and contributes, from time to time, to international Rotary projects which assist children and youth.

www.rotary.org

Check the Yellow Pages for Charitable Organizations for your local area.

www.yellowpages.ca

Check the Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL) for your local support agency.

CACL is a Canada-wide association of family members and others working for the benefit of persons of all ages who have an intellectual disability.

www.cacl.ca/


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