Ontario's Minister of Children, Community and Social Services has announced $240 million over four years to increase access to critical rehabilitation services for children and youth with special needs.
Dr. Merrilee Fullerton said it will reduce wait times and serve up to 10,000 more preschool-aged children with speech and language needs and up to 47,000 more children and youth with rehabilitation needs annually.
"We know early intervention leads to better long-term outcomes for children and youth. By improving access to assessments and early intervention services, children can begin receiving the services they need sooner,” said Minister Fullerton. “We are making these investments, so every young person has the best opportunity to achieve their life goals and be set up for success.”
She added it will also support equitable access to service by addressing local challenges to recruitment and retention of clinical staff in northern, remote and/or rural communities.
She pointed out that the investment is part of the 2021 Budget, Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy.
“We know early intervention leads to better long-term outcomes for children and youth. By improving access to assessments and early intervention services, children can begin receiving the services they need sooner,” said Minister Fullerton. “We are making these investments, so every young person has the best opportunity to achieve their life goals and be set up for success.”
“Increasing access to rehabilitation services will ensure children and youth with special needs in our community have access to supports when they need them,” said Todd Smith, MPP for Bay of Quinte. “This funding recognizes the incredible work done by clinicians and staff at the Quinte Children’s Treatment Centre, and at Children’s Treatment Centre’s across the province, that are helping our young people reach their full potential.”
“Empowered Kids Ontario and our members thank the Government of Ontario for this commitment to kids with disabilities and their families. This support helps ensure the high-quality care they deserve will reach more kids and will begin to address the significant and growing wait times for care at home, in schools and in communities across the province.” said Jennifer Churchill, CEO, Empowered Kids Ontario-Enfants Avenir Ontario