Additional Support Services
External Resources for Ontario and Waterloo Region
This page provides information and links to additional organizations and agencies in the region/province that support families through Developmental Services, Mental Health Services, and caregiver resources.
Please note that Sunbeam does not necessarily endorse or recommend third-party websites, products, or services, and is only interested in providing its people-served with as much information as possible to relevant and available resources.
For your convenience, we have segmented the resources into five categories:
Autism Services
Organization / Agency
Autism Ontario
Provides information on autism, supports autism research, and implements programs and services for the autism community. Services include workshops, resources for autistic individuals and families, and an OAP provider list.
Provides information on autism, supports autism research, and implements programs and services for the autism community. Services include workshops, resources for autistic individuals and families, and an OAP provider list.
Kerry's Place
Kerry’s Place Autism Services provides virtual social, recreational, educational, consultation and behavioural learning opportunities for children, youth and adults. The primary objective of Kerry's Place is to enhance the quality of life of the persons they support, and to empower them and their families through evidence-based and person-directed supports.
Kerry’s Place Autism Services provides virtual social, recreational, educational, consultation and behavioural learning opportunities for children, youth and adults. The primary objective of Kerry's Place is to enhance the quality of life of the persons they support, and to empower them and their families through evidence-based and person-directed supports.
Ontario Autism Program (OAP)
The Ontario Autism Program (OAP) offers support to families of children and youth under the age of 18 who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by a qualified professional. 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.
The Ontario Autism Program (OAP) offers support to families of children and youth under the age of 18 who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by a qualified professional. 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.
Children’s Treatment Services
Organization / Agency
CPRI
CPRI stands for the Child and Parent Resource Institute. CPRI provides highly specialized trauma-informed mental health and developmental services. These services include Assessment, Consultation, Treatment, Research and Education.
CPRI stands for the Child and Parent Resource Institute. CPRI provides highly specialized trauma-informed mental health and developmental services. These services include Assessment, Consultation, Treatment, Research and Education.
KidsAbility
Kids Ability supports children and youth to reach their communication, social, physical and behavioural goals. No diagnosis is needed to access services at Kids Ability. Some services include, SLP, PT, OT and Social Work supports. Kids Ability works with children from birth to age 21.
Kids Ability supports children and youth to reach their communication, social, physical and behavioural goals. No diagnosis is needed to access services at Kids Ability. Some services include, SLP, PT, OT and Social Work supports. Kids Ability works with children from birth to age 21.
Developmental Services
Organization / Agency
Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) (Central West Region)
Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) is the access point for adult developmental services funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) in Ontario. The DSO determines eligibility to receive adult developmental services and supports in the community.
Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) is the access point for adult developmental services funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) in Ontario. The DSO determines eligibility to receive adult developmental services and supports in the community.
Extend-a-Family Waterloo Region
Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region offers a variety of programs and services for individuals with a disability at all ages and abilities. Extend-a-Family assists many families with the management of SSAH and Passport funding.
Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region offers a variety of programs and services for individuals with a disability at all ages and abilities. Extend-a-Family assists many families with the management of SSAH and Passport funding.
Ministry for Children, Community, and Social Services
The Ministry for Children Community and Social Services helps to improve outcomes for children, youth, families and individuals who need support by overseeing a variety of services and supports offered across Ontario.
The Ministry for Children Community and Social Services helps to improve outcomes for children, youth, families and individuals who need support by overseeing a variety of services and supports offered across Ontario.
PLEXUS
Your network of FASD supports and services in our community. The word PLEXUS means an intricate network. Those with FASD, their caregivers, service providers and community members all make up this network of people who create space for individuals of all ages and their families. PLEXUS can help access FASD informed services and supports.
Your network of FASD supports and services in our community. The word PLEXUS means an intricate network. Those with FASD, their caregivers, service providers and community members all make up this network of people who create space for individuals of all ages and their families. PLEXUS can help access FASD informed services and supports.
Mental Health
Organization / Agency
Camino Wellbeing
Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health unites the work of Carizon Family and Community Services, KW Counselling Services and Monica Place all under one umbrella. Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health provides tools, resources and services that help people reach their full potential as they walk the path to achieving their best wellbeing and mental health.
Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health unites the work of Carizon Family and Community Services, KW Counselling Services and Monica Place all under one umbrella. Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health provides tools, resources and services that help people reach their full potential as they walk the path to achieving their best wellbeing and mental health.
CMHA
CMHA (Canadian Mental Health Association) is a nationwide organization that promotes mental health and supports people recovering from mental illness. CMHA WW provides a full care system for those with addictions, mental health, or developmental needs. CMHA WW serves all ages.
CMHA (Canadian Mental Health Association) is a nationwide organization that promotes mental health and supports people recovering from mental illness. CMHA WW provides a full care system for those with addictions, mental health, or developmental needs. CMHA WW serves all ages.
The Counselling Collaborative
The Counselling Collaborative of Waterloo Region is a partnership between five non-profit, community mental health agencies within Waterloo Region. They work together to make it easier for you to find local and affordable counselling, wherever you live in the region. Their “no wrong door” approach easily connects you to any of the member agencies and their services.
The Counselling Collaborative of Waterloo Region is a partnership between five non-profit, community mental health agencies within Waterloo Region. They work together to make it easier for you to find local and affordable counselling, wherever you live in the region. Their “no wrong door” approach easily connects you to any of the member agencies and their services.
Here 24/7
In Crisis or Need Support? Call 1-844-HERE247 (1-844-437-3247) anytime. Here 24/7 is your front door to the addictions, mental health, and crisis services provided by 11 agencies across Waterloo Wellington. Here24/7 does the intake, assessment, and referrals for most local government funded addictions and mental health services.
In Crisis or Need Support? Call 1-844-HERE247 (1-844-437-3247) anytime. Here 24/7 is your front door to the addictions, mental health, and crisis services provided by 11 agencies across Waterloo Wellington. Here24/7 does the intake, assessment, and referrals for most local government funded addictions and mental health services.
Lutherwood
Lutherwood is a not-for-profit health and social service organization that provides mental health, employment and housing services to individuals and families in Waterloo Region and Wellington County with a variety of services and supports offered.
Lutherwood is a not-for-profit health and social service organization that provides mental health, employment and housing services to individuals and families in Waterloo Region and Wellington County with a variety of services and supports offered.
Parent & Care Provider Resources and Supports
Organization / Agency
Waterloo Wellington Down Syndrome Society
The Waterloo Wellington Down Syndrome Society (Formally Waterloo Regional Down Syndrome Society) is a charitable, non-profit organization created by parents of children with Down syndrome in Waterloo Region. Through services and activities such as education, advocacy, public awareness, events and parent support, WWDSS is dedicated to providing a social and information network for parents and families, advocating for persons with Down syndrome to lead healthy and active lives as an included part of our community.
The Waterloo Wellington Down Syndrome Society (Formally Waterloo Regional Down Syndrome Society) is a charitable, non-profit organization created by parents of children with Down syndrome in Waterloo Region. Through services and activities such as education, advocacy, public awareness, events and parent support, WWDSS is dedicated to providing a social and information network for parents and families, advocating for persons with Down syndrome to lead healthy and active lives as an included part of our community.
Early Learning and Child Care Navigators
ELCC Navigators are a newly funded role by the Region of Waterloo Community Services. They support both families with young children and service providers. Follow the link to learn more about this role and how to connect to a ELCC Navigator.
ELCC Navigators are a newly funded role by the Region of Waterloo Community Services. They support both families with young children and service providers. Follow the link to learn more about this role and how to connect to a ELCC Navigator.
EarlyON Waterloo Region
EarlyON offers a range of free online and in-person programs. They have on-site EarlyON Professionals ready to provide support, advice, and helpful resources to expecting parents and caregivers. Their centres and mobile sites are places where children, parents, and caring adults can learn, play, laugh and be curious.
EarlyON offers a range of free online and in-person programs. They have on-site EarlyON Professionals ready to provide support, advice, and helpful resources to expecting parents and caregivers. Their centres and mobile sites are places where children, parents, and caring adults can learn, play, laugh and be curious.
Family & Children’s Services
Family & Children's Services of the Waterloo Region is authorized under the Children, Youth and Family Services Act to respond to concerns about children in the Region. Follow the link to learn more about how Family and Children's Services supports children and families in Waterloo Region.
Family & Children's Services of the Waterloo Region is authorized under the Children, Youth and Family Services Act to respond to concerns about children in the Region. Follow the link to learn more about how Family and Children's Services supports children and families in Waterloo Region.
Waterloo Region Family Network
WRFN is a peer-developed and peer-driven network that works to help exceptional families and individuals thrive. WRFN provides a variety of supports and services to individuals both with and without a confirmed diagnosis. Follow the link to learn more about their unique program offerings.
WRFN is a peer-developed and peer-driven network that works to help exceptional families and individuals thrive. WRFN provides a variety of supports and services to individuals both with and without a confirmed diagnosis. Follow the link to learn more about their unique program offerings.