Ministry of Children and Youth Services seeks input of Autism Behavioural Service Providers
Occupational therapists – we encourage you to participate! Complete a 15 minute survey to help identify the experience, interests, and needs of individuals who, like you, deliver and/or supervise behavioural services for children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Ontario. It is completely anonymous and responses cannot be attributed to specific individuals or their organizations.
Access the survey here.
Response Deadline April 25, 2018
View Ministry Invitation
Background
The Ministry of Children and Youth Services is currently looking to understand how the autism behavioural services workforce in Ontario (including publicly-funded, private, and non-profit providers) can be developed. There is an interest to continue to build capacity so that families across the province can access qualified workers who meet their diverse needs.
This means finding new and better ways to support behavioural service providers, and to improve service access and quality for Ontario families who have children and youth with ASD.
How will this Survey data be used?
The ministry will use this data to make positive changes in the near future, including:
- refocusing Grant Assistance Program funding to provide grants to professionals (public, private, non-profit sector) who want to pursue additional education;
- developing strategies to grow the workforce capacity in under-served areas (such as Northern and rural/remote areas); and,
- developing the approach and timelines by which providers will need to comply with the new Clinical Supervisor staffing requirements of the Ontario Autism Program.
Who should complete the survey?
We value all responses. This survey is open to autism behavioural services staff at any level (front-line, Clinical Supervisor), in any sector (public, private, non-profit), and in all regions of Ontario. Though we appreciate that you may serve other client groups, this survey is designed to capture your experience providing evidence based behavioural services to children and youth with autism only.
The survey closes on April 25, 2018.
If you have any questions about this survey, please contact tamara.gates@ontario.ca.
Implications for Occupational Therapists
Occupational therapists are recognized as important stakeholders and service providers in Ontario Autism Program. The needs and issues of occupational therapists working to complement behavioural approaches will be critical for the Ministry and the OAP to hear and understand. Want to share your thoughts with OSOT too?
This will help us advocate for you and your services. Be reminded that OSOT has representation on the provincial
OAP Provincial Advisory Committee. Input from occupational therapists working with children with autism fuel our representation.
Learn more about the Ontario Autism Program.