Five Counties Children's Centre Receives Government Funding For Rehab and Speech Services
/Five Counties Children’s Centre (FCCC) has received $1,487,968 from the Ontario Government to enhance the centre’s services in an announcement made Thursday afternoon.
(left to right) Ashley Parsons, occupational therapist; MPP Dave Smith; Kristy Hook, board chair; Scott Pepin, CEO gathered in a colourful treatment room at the FCCC. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The press conference was held at FCCC with centre members and MPP Dave Smith as the government ambassador.
The Ontario government is investing $240 million over four years to increase access to critical rehabilitation services for children and youth with special needs and help them live happier and healthier lives.
This investment is part of the 2021 Budget, Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy.
When children in Ontario begin school, almost 30 per cent have at least one developmental vulnerability that could pose a risk to their lifelong health, learning, and behaviour. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
With this investment, $60 million in new funding will be provided annually starting this year to build additional service capacity and increase access to preschool speech and language services and community-based and school-based rehabilitation services across the province.
“We know when our kids thrive, our communities thrive. It’s incumbent on all of us to ensure we invest in our children and youth by providing the support they need,” said Smith. “Children with exceptionalities deserve every opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. Today’s investment will build on our government’s existing support so children in our community can live fulfilling and productive lives.”
In 2019-20, more than 53,000 children received services through Ontario’s Preschool Speech and Language Program. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
As part of the $60 million in new annual funding, Five Counties Children’s Centre will receive $1,487,968 to support the following:
Preschool Speech and Language New Budget Allocation:
$311,723 – 2021/22 new investment (including annualization) representing a 37% increase
Community-Based and School-Based Rehabilitation Services New Budget Allocation:
$664,286 – 2021/22 new total annualized investment for School-Based Rehab
$511,959 – 2021/22 new total annualized investment for Community-Based Rehab representing an 18.2% increase
The total new annualized investment is $1,487,968.
Children’s Treatment Centres also provided School-Based Rehabilitation Services for 71,000 students in publicly funded schools in 2019-20. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
