Category Archives: Community

DSO Webinar: “Help Shape Canada’s National Housing Strategy”

Join Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) on Wednesday, May 20 from 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. (EST) for the free virtual webinar, Help Shape Canada’s National Housing Strategy.

This webinar will be facilitated by DSO Housing Navigators from the Toronto Region, South-East Region, and Eastern Region. It is open to people with a developmental disability, their family members and/or support networks, and developmental service professionals in Ontario.

Make your voice heard! Help advocate for a housing strategy that represents the dignity and human rights of all people, including those with developmental disabilities.

Topics include:

  • Basic information about the National Housing Strategy
  • Why the voices of people with developmental disabilities and those supporting them are essential to informing Federal housing policy
  • Information, guidance, and templates to help you write a letter to:
    • Your Member of Parliament (MP), and
    • The Federal Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, the Honourable Gregor Robertson

Register here: Help Shape Canada’s National Housing Strategy

For questions please contact:

Help Shape Canada’s National Housing Strategy_May 20, 2026

Notice of Meeting: Annual General Meeting

Notice is hereby given that the 2026 Annual General Meeting of the Members of Service Coordination Support (SCS) for People with Developmental Disabilities will be held as follows:

DATE: Tuesday, June 16th 2026

TIME: 6:00 p.m.

LOCATION: 1400 St. Laurent Blvd., suite 507, Ottawa, ON, K1K 4H4

Free parking is available.

The Agenda, Annual Report, Audited Financial Statements, Auditor’s Report for the Financial Year and the By-Laws will be available at the meeting in both official languages.

To RSVP, please call 613-748-1788 x 242,  or use the following link: Registration form for initiatives | Service Coordination Support (SCS)

If you have any questions, please contact vboucher-bertrand@scsonline.ca

New Client Portal for SCS Administered Funding

Later this year, SCS will begin using a secure online client portal. This new portal will make it easier for you to access your information and complete tasks online.

The portal is designed to support independence, provide clear up‑to‑date information and offer a secure and convenient way to manage your funding‑related details.

The expected launch is July 2026. We will share more information and provide opportunities to learn about the new system closer to the launch date.

Client Portal Capabilities:

When the client portal becomes available, you will be able to:

  • Send and receive secure messages with your SCS team about your funding and services
  • Review and update your personal information
  • View your approved SCS funding, including:
    • Your total approved funding amount
    • Payments that have been made
    • Your remaining available balance
  • View a list of payments made for approved services
  • View and update information for your workers and service providers, such as contact details
  • Submit invoices or review and approve invoices submitted by service providers
  • Review and sign required SCS funding agreements online

Support will be available to help you use the new client portal, including:

  • Clear, step‑by‑step instructions
  • Plain‑language guides
  • Assistance from our team

Algonquin College LIFE Program

This fall, the Academic Assistance for Students with Developmental Disabilities (AAADD) program at Algonquin College will relaunch as, “Living Independence, Functional Skills and Employment Readiness (LIFE).”
Led by Ottawa’s Horizons Behaviour Consulting, the new program will continue to focus on independence, life skills, and employment readiness.
Read more about what this change means for students with developmental disabilities and their families here: New LIFE for students with developmental disabilities | Ottawa Citizen

Register for CHEO Foundational Family Services’ Transition to Adulthood series

Transitioning to adulthood is a process that requires planning and preparation. This 2-part series from CHEO Foundational Family Services, Transition to Adulthood, is for teens and parents, and covers a variety of topics related to preparing your teen to become an adult.

Sessions take place on Tuesday, May 19 and Tuesday, May 26 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. Please note: This session is offered in English.

Register here: Foundational Family Services – CHEO

Register for Autism Ontario’s Journey to Adulthood Discussion Workshops

Autism Ontario’s Journey to Adulthood Discussion Workshops are a series of six virtual discussions featuring topics relevant to the transition from youth to adulthood:

Attend Project SEARCH Ottawa: Virtual Information Night

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 SEARCHThe Ottawa Hospital, and LiveWorkPlay.

To participate, students must be 18+ years old as of September 2026 (must not turn 21 before January 1, 2027).

Eligible students and their parents/caregivers are invited to join a virtual information session via Google Meet on Wednesday, April 15 from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. to learn how Project SEARCH bridges the gap between high school and the workforce. No registration is required.

Waitlist Watch

At SCS, our goal is to connect you with case management services as soon as possible.

The current average wait time for Children’s Case Management is 40 days, a decrease of 22 days from the previous quarter.

The current average wait time for Adult Case Management is 108 days, a decrease of 2 days from the previous quarter.

We remain committed to helping ensure you are connected to services promptly.

Waitlist Watch – EN – PDF

Have Your Say: Help Improve the SCS Brand

At Service Coordination Support (SCS), we’re working on refreshing our brand so it better reflects the people we serve. As part of this process, we’re gathering feedback from our community, and we’d love to hear from you.

There’s still time to have your say. Help shape what comes next by completing this quick, anonymous survey: https://forms.gle/8CE3dBjWF3PsDaxy9

If you have any questions, please reach out to Mackenzie Braithwaite at mbraithwaite@scsonline.ca.

Thank you for being part of our community, and for taking a moment to share your perspective.

Virtual Developmental Services Ontario Housing Strategy Forum

EN 2026 Housing Forum Flyer

Join Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) on Tuesday, May 12 from 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. for the fourth annual virtual Housing Strategy Forum, Pathways to Home: From Barriers to Belonging.

This event will highlight creative initiatives and practices strategies that are increasing inclusive housing opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities.

Topics include:

  • Keynote presentation from Michael Braithwaite, President & CEO of Jack.org
  • Exploring the National Housing Strategy Solutions Labs, and how they help communities develop innovative housing solutions
  • Panel discussion from individuals with lived experiences in creating a path to independent and supportive living
  • Speakers include:
    • Phillippe Cyr & Nicholas Cyr, Affordable Technology and Open-Source Software
    • John Barclay Legacy Homes, Brockville
    • Voices of Lived Experience
    • Gary Galdstone, Reena
    • Tracy McGarry Participation House, Durham Region
    • National Housing Strategy Solutions Labs
    • Updates on projects featured in previous forums
    • Aaron Nunes, EnviroCentre
    • Sarah Cipkar, Resimate Inc.

Register here: 2026 DS Housing Strategy Forum – Pathways to Home: From Barriers to Belonging

For questions please contact DSOhousing@dsoer.ca or info@dsontario.ca