Supporting Children and Youth with Autism Through Mentorship

Ministry of Children and Youth Services

Ontario Investing in Jake’s House and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada Collaboration

North York, ON – June 13, 2017

Ontario is supporting skill-building mentorships for children and youth with autism through a new program at Toronto-based Jake’s House for Children with Autism (Jake’s House).

Minister of Children and Youth Services Michael Coteau made the announcement today at Chaminade College School in North York. This support will allow Jake’s House to launch the Legends Mentoring Program. In partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada, this program will pair children and youth with autism between the ages of 6 and 18 with mentors to help them develop strong communication and relationship-building skills.

This support is in addition to the new Ontario Autism Program (OAP), which will begin June 26. The new OAP will provide flexible, family-centred service for children and their families all across the province. The program includes a single point of access to make it easier for parents to access services for their child, individualized service based on each child’s unique needs and a direct funding option to be implemented by the end of the year that provides all families with a choice between receiving direct service or receiving funding to purchase services for their child.

Ontario is committed to providing supports for children and youth with autism to help them thrive and reach their full potential.