Four Developmental Services Sector Agencies Partner Together to Receive Ministry of Community and Social Services Funding

TORONTO, Feb. 27, 2015 /CNW/ - Autism Ontario, Community Living Toronto, Geneva Centre for Autism and Kerry's Place have received funding in the amount of $529,000 through the Ministry of Community and Social Services' Supporting & Improving Passport Recipient Supports in Ontario initiative for their collaboration on creating an autism focused stream on ConnectABILITY.ca.

The government's investment of $529,000 will allow the partners to enhance access to information related to Passport for persons with Autism, and their families. The grant will allow ConnectABILITY.ca to:

• Add an Autism stream to the site, and make Autism specific information more readily accessible and easier to find
• Provide province wide access to Passport opportunities, tools, available Passport services and other updated information
• Develop a forum for families to connect with one another to facilitate group collaboration responses to needs

"We are very excited about working alongside Community Living Toronto, Autism Ontario and Geneva Centre for Autism on this new initiative through ConnectABILITY.ca" says Jim Preston, Chief Operating Officer, Kerry's Place "This initiative is all about helping persons with ASD and their families to enhance their lives by adding value to their use of Passport resources. I am so looking forward to working with such committed organizations in doing this."

This fund is part of the Ontario government's $810 million investment strategy for community and developmental services. It will support the ongoing transformation of the developmental services sector towards greater inclusion and independence for individuals, and to encourage agencies in identifying and providing new approaches and innovative services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities.

For more information, please visit: http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/developmental/emf/index.aspx  

About Autism Ontario
Autism Ontario helps people on the autism spectrum and their families by advocating on their behalf, providing services & programs, and raising awareness. Autism Ontario represents thousands of families across the province through 25 Chapters that are under the leadership of committed and skilled volunteers who provide expertise and guidance to the organization and their communities.

About Community Living Toronto
Since 1948 Community Living Toronto has been a grassroots leader in developing community-based services and supports for people with an intellectual disability and their family. One of the largest organizations of its kind in Canada, Community Living Toronto provides services and support to over 6,000 people and their families across Toronto. Our mission is to change the lives of people with an intellectual disability by giving them a voice, and supporting their choices where they live, learn, work and play.

About Geneva Centre for Autism
Since 1974, Geneva Centre for Autism has been committed to individuals with an ASD and their families. This commitment has been demonstrated through the Centre's work to ensure evidence-based best practices in its service delivery. Geneva Centre for Autism's programs and services are driven by a person-centred philosophy with an emphasis on skill-building using evidence-based clinical practices and approaches that recognize the unique needs and strengths of an individual with an ASD.

About Kerry's Place Autism Services
On an annual basis, Kerry's Place supports over 8,000 people via community and residential services making us Canada's largest ASD supports and services provider to individuals of all ages and their families.

SOURCE Community Living Toronto

Karolina Kluska, Communications Coordinator, Community Living Toronto, telephone: [phone] mobile: [phone], email: [email protected]