What the New Autism Announcement Means for Families in the North

Minister Todd Smith announced on July 29, 2019 that Ontario is working towards a needs-based and sustainable autism program. https://news.ontario.ca/needs-based-and-sustainable-autism-program.

You have been asking what this announcement means for your family. While we are happy that the families currently in service will get a six month extension, we remain concerned about the many families that will continue to wait until April 2020 when the new program is scheduled to begin.

We are also concerned about our ability to fulfill our obligations to children currently in the program as this uncertain environment has resulted in a significant loss of skilled colleagues.

I will be meeting with the Minister on August 7, 2019 to communicate directly about our concern that families in the North are at risk of losing access to the expertise and services that your children need.

We appreciate Minister Smith’s commitment to increasing communication and building trust. We are grateful that some families in the North will also have the opportunity to meet with Minister Smith next week to share their story and advice for the future of the program.

As we look forward to the recommendations from the Provincial Advisory Panel, we anticipate that our capacity will continue to diminish until the system is stable. Thank you for your patience. We will continue to proactively communicate with you any information that we receive.

Autism meet and greets with Todd Smith, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS)
Kenora
Date: Tuesday, August 6th
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Location: MPP Greg Rickford’s office, 300 McClellan Ave, East Room, Kenora, ON P9N 1A8

Thunder Bay
Date: Wednesday, August 7th
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: Child & Community Resources, 1159 Alloy Drive, Suite 104, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6M8

Sudbury
Date: Thursday, August 8th
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Cambrian College, 1400 Barrydowne Rd., Sudbury, ON P3A 3V8

Sherry Fournier
Executive Director
Child & Community Resources
1.877.996.1599