Family Support Services
Find information and links to various family services provided by the Provincial government.
Most Requested Family Support Services
Adoption, Foster Care & Child Welfare
Adoption
- What is Adoption? How do I adopt a Child? And what services and supports would be available to me through the ongoing adoption process?
Types of Adoption:
- Public Adoption
- International Adoption
- Private Domestic Adoption
- Adoption of a Step-Child or Relative.
- How do I Begin the Adoption Process?
- What kinds of Services and Supports would be available to me once I begin the adoption process?
- How can I gain access to Adoption Records?
Foster Care
- What is Foster Care?
- How do I Become a Foster Parent?
Child Welfare
- What are Child Welfare and Child Protection Services?
- What kind of supports are available to Youth Already in the Child welfare System?
- The Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies has compiled a comprehensive list of Programs & Resources available to those already in the Child Welfare system.
- What are some Youth Programs and Resources available?
- What Resources and Supports are available?
- Visit the OACAS Library Guides and find useful reference lists and resources specific to the Ontario Child Welfare Sector.
Child Care
- Looking for a Licenced Child care centre near you? Let the Ministry of Education help.
- EarlyON child and family centres offer free, high-quality programs for families and children from birth to 6 years old.
- How do I Report or Make a Child Care complaint?
Disability Supports, Financial & Social Assistance
Disability Supports
- Ontario programs and services for adults with developmental disabilities.
- Passport program for adults with developmental disabilities.
- Specialized and Clinical Support available for individuals with higher support needs.
- Adult Protective Service Worker program supports adults with developmental disabilities to maintain independent living.
- Person-Directed Planning helps individuals with developmental disabilities prepare and plan for their distinct needs and goals.
Financial Assistance
- Ontario Child Care Fee Subsidy for parents whose children have special needs.
- Ontario Trillium Benefit is a tax-free payment that helps low-to moderate-income Ontario residents.
- Low-income Workers Tax Credit is a non-refundable tax credit that reduces or eliminates your Ontario personal income tax.
- Deferral of Provincial and Education Taxes for low-income seniors or low-income persons with disabilities.
-
Social Assistance
- What is Social Assistance? Learn about how can it help if you don’t have enough money for things like food or housing, or if you have a disability and are in financial need.
- Ontario Works, provides financial assistance, benefits, and employment assistance to those in need.
- The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) provides income support for qualifying residents in Ontario, who are above 18 and have a disability.
- What Health and Disability Benefits does ODSP make me eligible for?
- Apply for ODSP
- ODSP Forms
- Emergency Assistance is a short-term program, geared to help those in immediate crisis or emergency and who do not have enough money for food and housing.
- What are the Eligibility Requirements for Emergency Assistance?
- Apply online
- Temporary care assistance is for adults who are temporarily responsible for the care of a child, who is in financial need.
- The Assistance for Children with Several Disability program (ACSD )is for parents caring for a child with a severe disability.
- What are the Eligibility requirements for ACSD?
- Apply Online
Family Law
- What are Family Justice Services? And how does it help families experiencing separation and divorce?
- What is Family Mediation? And why is it an alternative to the court process?
Family Responsibility Office (FRO)
- What is the Family Responsibility Office?
- What are Family Law Services?
- Sign in or Register with FRO Online.
- The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services has created a useful Guide on how to operate the FRO Online Resource.
- Commonly used FRO Forms
- Where is my nearest family court location?
Child & Spousal Support
- How do you Arrange Child Support?
- What is Child Protection?
- What is Spousal Support?
- What are the Eligibility Requirements?
- How does the government Enforce Child Support and Spousal Support Payments?
Custody, Access & Restraining Orders
- What role does the Office of the Children’s Lawyer play in Family law?
- How do I apply for a Restraining Order?
Youth Opportunities & Justice
Youth Opportunity
- Learn about Youth Programs, Services & Supports in Ontario.
- Get help Finding a Youth or Student Job.
- What are some employment programs for people under 30?
- Are you a Young Entrepreneur, under 30 years of age, the Ontario government has support programs to help you get started.
Youth Justice
- What happens when a youth aged 12-17 gets in trouble with the law?
- The Government of Ontario has created a pamphlet informing youth of their Rights and Responsibilities.
Children & Women’s Services
Reporting Violence or Human Trafficking
- What is Child Abuse/Neglect and How do I Report it?
- What is Human Trafficking?
Domestic & Sexual Violence
- Learn about Domestic Violence, who it impacts and how to get help.
- Learn about Sexual Violence, including who is most affected.
Family-Support Services Recent News
