Service Navigator Supports - Early Years

Development Services are for families and caregivers who may be concerned about one or more of these areas:

• a child/youth’s ability to move around
• a child/youth’s ability to perform daily activities such as feeding/eating
• a child/youth’s ability to understand other people or tell people what they want
• a child/youth’s ability to get along with others, or the way their development impacts their ability to participate in activities

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Autism Services can offer therapy, services and support to children with autism and their families, delivered by qualified, caring professionals to help children and youth thrive at home, school and in their community.

Autism Services at JMCC could include:

• Foundational Family Services
• Core Clinical Services
• Caregiver Mediated Early Years Services

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Mental health services for young children and their families comprise a wide range of preventive and treatment interventions. Prevention services are designed to foster resiliency and build social and emotional competence.

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Family Respite Services works with families in Windsor/Essex County who are caring for individuals under the age of 18 who have intellectual, physical, or mental health challenges. FRS works in partnership with families who have children with disabilities to coordinate support and provide short breaks that strengthen families and contribute to children having meaningful lives in their community. Family Respite Services welcomes families to inquire about respite supports by calling their office at 519-972-9688.

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AccessOAP is an independent intake organization funded by the Government of Ontario to help families access the supports and services of the Ontario Autism Program. Through an online family portal and with the support of care coordinators, families can see what service options are available to them and be supported in choosing and accessing the OAP services that best suit their needs. To access their services children must be registered with an AccessOAP account.

OAP Services for students before they start school could include:

1. Families who are registered in the OAP can access Foundational Family Services at any point based on their child’s needs, at no cost.
2. Caregiver-mediated Early Years programs support eligible families with children between 12-48 months of age.
3. The Entry to School program is available to young children between three to six years of age prior to starting kindergarten or grade one for the first time- by invitation only.
4. Urgent Response Service is available to eligible children and youth registered in the OAP who have an immediate and urgent need.
5. Core Clinical Services are available to families based on the sequential order they registered with the OAP. OAP core clinical services and supports include:

• • applied behaviour analysis,
  • speech-language pathology,
  • occupational therapy,
  • mental health services, including counselling and/or psychotherapy, and
  • technology, program materials, and/or therapy equipment recommended by an eligible regulated professional.

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This program is open to any junior or senior kindergarten student. To participate in the program, an initial eye exam must be with a participating optometrist. Eye See…Eye Learn will provide one pair of glasses per child courtesy of our participating optometrists and corporate partners Onesight EssilorLuxottica Foundation Canada and Modern Optical Canada. 

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Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital Regional Children’s Centre - Positive Parenting

Parent/caregiver support groups focused on strategies at home fostering confidence and resiliency. Programs are offered as weekly sessions during different seasons of the year and can be found on their website. 

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Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital Regional Children’s Centre - Counselling Clinic 

Serves children and youth up to the age of 18 years who are in urgent need to speak to a Social Worker. If the child or youth is at immediate risk to harm self or others, please proceed to the Emergency Department.

Same-day, single-session counselling through the Counseling Clinic.

The Counselling Clinic is available during the following days and times:

• Monday to Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (last appointment time)

• Friday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (last appointment time)

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