Registration is now open for the FREE Partners for Planning (P4P) Family Compass: Guiding Care & Connection Workshop Series. 

The 3-part interactive virtual workshop series is designed to empower families and caregivers by providing practical guidance and support, helping to envision what’s possible as you take actionable steps toward creating a full life with and for your family member with a disability.

The workshop is divided into three 2-hour sessions, covering crafting a future vision, discovering purpose and valued roles, and building relationships and creating connections.

Upcoming 2026 workshop cohorts take place on the following dates:

Cohort 14:

• Session 1: November 16 (7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.)
• Session 2: November 23 (7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.)
• Session 3: November 30 (7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.)

Cohort 15:

• Session 1: November 18 (6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.)
• Session 2: November 25 (6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.)
• Session 3: December 2 (6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.)

Register here: Family Compass: Guiding Care and Connection

Project SEARCH is an innovative school-to-work transition program designed for students with an intellectual or developmental disability, who have completed high school, and are ready to transition into the workforce.

It is a partnership between the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB), Project SEARCH, The Ottawa Hospital, and LiveWorkPlay. Participants gain hands-on work experience at The Ottawa Hospital’s Civic Campus through a series of internship rotations, classroom instruction, and post-graduation employment support.

To participate, students must be OCDSB-enrolled (or eligible), with an intellectual or developmental disability between the ages of 18–20, who are in their last year of school.

Parents, caregivers, and students are invited to join the following in person or virtual information sessions to learn about the program and application process, and get answers to their questions:

In-person information session

• Date: Monday, November 9, 2026
• Time: 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
• Location: The Ottawa Hospital – Civic Campus (1053 Carling Avenue, Ottawa) in the Amphitheatre (C-CMB-A1-AMP)

Virtual information night

• Date: Monday, November 23, 2026
• Time: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Online (Google Meet Link)

Please note: Registration is not required.

St. Pius X Christmas ATC 2026

St Pius X is hosting its annual FREE Christmas ATC dance on Friday, December 11, from 6:30 – 9:30 PM at 1481 Fisher Ave!

Kick things off with a quick game of floor hockey, then dance the night away. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Floor Hockey

7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. – Dance

For any questions and inquiries, please reach out to Brad Boucher (brad.boucher@ocsb.ca)

The OCDSB is hosting their FREE annual Family Conference event on Saturday, November 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Riverside South Secondary School (702 Earl Armstrong Rd., Ottawa).

The Family Conference brings together families, educators, and community partners for practical workshops and engaging conversations focused on supporting children’s academic success and overall well-being.

Event highlights:

• Practical workshops
• Community resources
• OCDSB programs and pathways

Register here: Family Conference 2026: Registration Form

This event is open to all families across Ottawa, regardless of which school board their children attend.

The Accueil | Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est is holding their free annual transition fair open house on Thursday, November 12 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at College Catholique Samuel-Genest (704, Carson’s Rd., Ottawa, ON, K1K 2H3).

Parents and guardians of elementary and secondary students with a mild intellectual disability (MID), developmental disability, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are welcome to attend. Families and community members are welcome to attend, regardless of if they are members of the CECCE community.

This event is an opportunity to discover practical resources, and prepare for the next step in your child’s journey.

Partners for Planning (P4P) invites you to join their FREE online webinar, Wills and Estate Planning, on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, from 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. (EST).

This session is an open conversation about wills and estate planning with Brendon D. Pooran, Principal lawyer at Pooran Law.

This session will highlight:

• • An understanding of the fundamental elements of an estate plan.
  • An overview of estate planning considerations families caring for a family member with a disability must be aware of.
  • An overview of what’s involved in setting up a will, with steps you can take to get started.
  • A breakdown of different types of trusts people typically include in a will.
  • An overview of the two types of Power of Attorney.
  • An opportunity to connect with other families in our Virtual Discussion Groups.
  • A digital workbook filled with free legal resources, worksheets and practical next steps that will support you in taking action.

To learn more and register, visit Partners for Planning – Wills and Estate Planning

• The Canadian Dental Care Plan
• The Canada Disability Benefit
• Employment Insurance Benefits
• Canada Pension Plan/Old Age Security
• Benefits
• Apprenticeship Grants and Loans
• Services for Persons with a Disability

• The Registered Disability Savings Plan
• The Canada Disability Savings Grant
• The Canada Disability Savings Bond

Registration is open for the 2026 Ottawa Developmental Services Network (ODSN) Family Forum, taking place on Saturday, November 14 at Bayview Yards (7 Bayview Station Rd., Ottawa, ON).

Learn more about different service organizations, and find out the latest on programs and support initiatives related to housing, community participation, respite and employment.

Representatives from Developmental Services Ontario, ODSP, and Passport Program will be in attendance to provide up-to-date information on how to apply and navigate these services.

Register here: Registration Form | ODSN Training

St. Pius Halloween ATC 2026

St Pius X is hosting its annual FREE Halloween ATC dance on Friday, October 23, from 6:30 – 9:30 PM at 1481 Fisher Ave!

Attend in costume, and join the fun! Kick things off with a quick game of floor hockey, then dance the night away. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Floor Hockey

7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. – Dance

For any questions and inquiries, please reach out to Brad Boucher (brad.boucher@ocsb.ca)