Searching for Young Parents

Community Services Provider

• administers Ontario Works, Social Housing and Children Services
• Ontario Works provides employment & financial assistance to qualified applicants
• Social Housing provides access to affordable housing to qualified applicants based on availability
• Children Services provides Child Care listings, subsidies, before & after school programming information & parent resources

Agencies programs and services include:

• Free pregnancy tests and option information
• Peer mentoring and support
• Baby Supplies

Classes include:

• Parenting Program - includes development information, health & nutrition, infant first aid & CPR
• LEAD program - assist women with strengthening self esteem, relations, boundary and communication
• Grandmother's Heart - volunteer program to assist at your home after birth
• Post Abortion Care - program to assist with emotions and self care after an abortion

Community Services Provider

• administers Ontario Works, Social Housing and Children Services
• Ontario Works provides employment & financial assistance to qualified applicants
• Social Housing provides access to affordable housing to qualified applicants based on availability
• Children Services provides Child Care listings, subsidies, before & after school programming information & parent resources

Social Assistance - Financial and Employment assistance - programs to help people in temporary financial need find sustainable employment and achieve self-reliance through the provision of effective, integrated employment services and financial assistance

• Financial and Obtaining Employment Services
• Coordinate linkages with community services
• Linkage to employment services and opportunities
• Provide financial assistance to those who have been determined eligible
• Linkage to child care supports and social housing

Two types of assistance for people in financial need: Financial assistance: income support to help with the costs of basic needs, like food, clothing and shelter health benefits for clients and their families Employment assistance: to help clients find, prepare for and keep a job may include workshops on resume writing and interviewing, job counselling, job-specific skills training and access to basic education

Community Services Provider

• administers Ontario Works, Social Housing and Children Services
• Ontario Works provides employment & financial assistance to qualified applicants
• Social Housing provides access to affordable housing to qualified applicants based on availability
• Children Services provides Child Care listings, subsidies, before & after school programming information & parent resources

Financial assistance and employment supports including training and skills development, academic upgrading and work placements

Financial Assistance

• monthly allowance based on family size, housing costs and income
• monthly drug benefit card

Employment Start-Up Benefit

• covers costs related to starting a job or work placement

Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative

• help with housing or moving costs

Health-Related Benefits

• may include dentures, emergency dental services, eyeglasses, special diet allowance, health care supplies, medical transportation funds, prosthetic devices, funerals and burials

Employment Assistance

• clients 18-65 years who are not caring for pre-school age children or who do not have a serious disability or illness must participate in employment assistance activities

Employment Resource Centre

• walk-in job search centre
• access to computers, Internet, fax, photocopier, telephone, resource materials, job banks, labour market information
• assistance with resumes
• referrals to job counselling and training

Community Participation

• volunteer placements

Job Search Programs

• based on individual's skills, experience and circumstances

Employment Placement

• job matching service

Job Skills Training

• development of skills for specific jobs
• on-the-job training

Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP)

• helps young parents finish high school, improve parenting skills, locate and maintain employment

Other services:

Addiction Services Initiative

• assistance for recipients whose substance abuse makes it difficult to become/stay employed

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) 1-800-808-2268

• automated information and payment details, payment history, file status
• information and announcements about Ontario Works
• service not available to TTY users

Welfare Fraud Hotline 1-800-394-7867

• to report allegations of fraudulent collection of Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program assistance (ODSP)

Financial assistance and employment supports including training and skills development, academic upgrading and work placements

Financial Assistance

• monthly allowance based on family size, housing costs and income
• monthly drug benefit card

Employment Start-Up Benefit

• covers costs related to starting a job or work placement

Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI)

• to assist with arrears of rent/mortgage; housing or moving costs; prevention of homelessness; disconnection of utilities or arrears Health-Related Benefits - may include dentures, emergency dental services, eyeglasses, special diet allowance, health care supplies, medical transportation funds, prosthetic devices, funerals and burials

Employment Assistance

Employment Resource Centre

• walk-in job search centre
• access to computers, Internet, fax, photocopier, telephone
• resource materials, job banks, labour market information
• assistance with resumes
• referrals to job counselling and training

Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP)

• helps young parents finish high school, improve parenting skills, locate and maintain employment

Other services:

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) 1-800-808-2268

• automated information and payment details, payment history, file status
• information and announcements about Ontario Works
• service not available to TTY users but can be arranged

Welfare Fraud Hotline 1-800-394-7867

• to report allegations of fraudulent collection of Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program assistance

City of Kingston's Ontario Works program delivery is available on site, one day (Thursday) per week

Financial Assistance
Monthly financial assistance is available to eligible (needs tested) residents for basic needs and shelter. The amount of assistance paid is determined by family size, income and expenses.

Employment Assistance
Employment supports are available to help people become and stay employed. Funding and assistance may be available for community and employment placement, job searching, basic education or job-specific skills training, literacy training, supports to self-employment, Employment Readiness Scale, transportation, referrals to workshops and courses, Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP - a program offered to young parents) and addictions treatment.

Mandatory Benefits
Benefits prescribed in the Ontario Works provincial regulations include a monthly drug card, dental and vision care for dependent children, special diet, pregnancy nutritional allowance, diabetic supplies, incontinence supplies, medical travel and transportation, and guide dog allowance.

Discretionary Benefits:
Discretionary Health Benefits may include: adult vision and dental care, health and well-being benefits, new born / child benefits, and other items such as ID replacements.
Discretionary Residency Benefits may include: funding towards rent arrears, utility arrears, last month's rent deposit, moving expenses and emergency heating fuel.

Emergency Assistance
Emergency assistance may be paid to a person experiencing an extreme, urgent, and unusual situation that jeopardizes the health and well-being of a member of the benefit unit.

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) 1-800-808-2268 -- automated information and payment details, payment history, file status * information and announcements about Ontario Works * service not available to TTY users

Welfare Fraud Hotline 1-800-394-7867 -- to report allegations of fraudulent collection of Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program assistance

Northumberland County Community & Social Services is responsible for the delivery of Ontario Works, a program that provides income support and employment services referrals to eligible residents of the County

• Active participants have access to their case file information and important program announcements through the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) number, 1-800-808-2268. Clients will be asked to enter their 9-digit identification number and 4-digit security personal identification number (PIN). They will then have a number of choices that will allow them to access the information they are looking for.

Temporary financial assistance and employment supports to those most in need residing in the City of Kingston and County of Frontenac while they undertake requirements to become and stay employed

Financial Assistance
Monthly financial assistance is available to eligible (needs tested) residents for basic needs and shelter. The amount of assistance paid is determined by family size, income and expenses.

Employment Assistance
Employment supports are available to help people become and stay employed. Funding and assistance may be available for community and employment placement, job searching, basic education or job-specific skills training, literacy training, supports to self-employment, Employment Readiness Scale, transportation, referrals to workshops and courses, Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP - a program offered to young parents) and addictions treatment.

Mandatory Benefits
Benefits prescribed in the Ontario Works provincial regulations include a prescription drug coverage, vision care for dependent children, special diet, pregnancy nutritional allowance, diabetic supplies, incontinence supplies, medical travel and transportation, and guide dog allowance.

Discretionary Benefits:
Discretionary Health Benefits may include: adult vision and dental care, health and well-being benefits, new born / child benefits, and other items such as ID replacements.
Discretionary Residency Benefits may include: funding towards rent arrears, utility arrears, last month's rent deposit, moving expenses and emergency heating fuel.

Emergency Assistance
Emergency assistance may be paid to a person experiencing an extreme, urgent, and unusual situation that jeopardizes the health and well-being of a member of the benefit unit, where all other financial means have been explored and exhausted.

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) 1-800-808-2268 -- automated information and payment details, payment history, file status * information and announcements about Ontario Works * service not available to TTY users

Welfare Fraud Hotline 1-800-394-7867 -- to report allegations of fraudulent collection of Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program assistance

Satellite office of the City of Kingston's Housing & Social Services Department, Ontario Works Program serving residents of Central and North Frontenac.

Financial Assistance
Temporary financial assistance to those most in need while they undertake requirements to become and stay employed. Monthly financial assistance is available to eligible (needs tested) residents for basic needs and shelter. The amount of assistance paid is determined by family size, income and expenses.

Employment Assistance
Employment supports are available to help people become and stay employed. Funding and assistance may be available for community and employment placement, job searching, basic education or job-specific skills training, literacy training, supports to self-employment, Employment Readiness Scale, transportation, referrals to workshops and courses, Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP - a program offered to young parents) and addictions treatment.

Mandatory Benefits
Benefits prescribed in the Ontario Works provincial regulations include monthly drug benefits, dental and vision care for dependent children, special diet, pregnancy nutritional allowance, diabetic supplies, incontinence supplies, medical travel and transportation, and guide dog allowance.

Discretionary Benefits:
Discretionary Health Benefits may include: adult vision and dental care, health and well-being benefits, new born / child benefits, and other items such as ID replacements.

Discretionary Residency Benefits may include: funding towards rent arrears, utility arrears, last month's rent deposit, moving expenses and emergency heating fuel.

Emergency Assistance
Emergency assistance may be paid to a person experiencing an extreme, urgent, and unusual situation that jeopardizes the health and well-being of a member of the benefit unit.

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) 1-800-808-2268 -- automated information and payment details, payment history, file status * information and announcements about Ontario Works * service not available to TTY users

Welfare Fraud Hotline 1-800-394-7867 -- to report allegations of fraudulent collection of Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program assistance

COVID-19 (28 Mar 2022): In-person, video or phone services available and based on client preference.

Provides individual, couple, parental, youth, and family counselling

Offers:

• Family Life Education and counselling groups addressing such issues as self-esteem and anger
• parenting teens group
• adult male sexual abuse survivors group
• services of a Family Court Support Worker available

Walk in clinic available after client registers for services

Supports pregnant and parenting teens under the age of 24 to continue their high school education, develop their parenting skills, and address their emotional, social and physical needs

• high school credits through Peterborough Centre for Individualized Studies
• onsite licensed childcare program
• parenting courses and workshops
• referrals to other community services
• breakfast and lunch program

COVID-19 (April 24, 2020): Municipal offices are closed to the public until further notice, clients for Community and Social Service (CSS) are asked to email or telephone their caseworker

Financial assistance and employment supports including training and skills development, academic upgrading and work placements

Financial Assistance
Monthly allowance based on family size, housing costs and income

• monthly drug benefit

other services include:
Employment and Participation benefits -- cover costs related to starting a job or placement or education

Families with Children -- child care start-up costs

Health-Related Benefits -- may include emergency dental services, eyeglasses, special diet allowance, health care supplies, medical transportation funds, prosthetic devices, funerals and burials

Employment Assistance
Clients 18-65 years who are not caring for pre-school age children or who do not have a serious disability or illness must participate in employment assistance activities

Community Participation -- volunteer placements

Job Search Programs -- based on individual's skills, experience and circumstances

Employment Placement -- job matching service

Basic Education --

• basic adult upgrading
• high school upgrading
• literacy and basic skills

Job Skills Training --

• development of skills for specific jobs
• on-the-job training

Supports to Self-Employment -- referrals to self-employment programs

Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP) -- helps young parents finish high school, improve parenting skills, locate and maintain employment

Other services:

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) 1-800-808-2268 --

• automated information and payment details, payment history, file status
• information and announcements about Ontario Works
• service not available to TTY users

Welfare Fraud Hotline 1-800-394-7867 --
to report allegations of fraudulent collection of Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program assistance

Community Services Provider

• administers Ontario Works, Social Housing and Children Services
• Ontario Works provides employment & financial assistance to qualified applicants
• Social Housing provides access to affordable housing to qualified applicants based on availability
• Children Services provides Child Care listings, subsidies, before & after school programming information & parent resources

COVID19 - open for porch pick-up of diapers, formula, baby food, and wipes * call office

Christian ministry staffed by trained volunteers that provides support to individuals and families affected by pregnancy * services are confidential * free pregnancy testing, alternatives to abortion * practical assistance to mothers whenever possible which can include food, clothing, furniture, and other infant supplies * support and educate people regarding issues of sexual conduct, pregnancy, parenting and other life skills

Ajax Office
38 Hunt St,
Ajax, ON
L1S 3M2
905-619-9878
phcajax@durham.net

COVID19 -- Serving clients remotely, call office


Support programs for young parents

• layettes for new mothers and babies
• public education and speaking engagements

Individual Counselling for Young Parents

• supportive counselling for young mothers and fathers
• attachment-focused framework, counsellors support young parents to build on strengths and reduce their risks ensuring optimal outcomes for their children and healthy families
• advocacy and referral supports also available

Prenatal classes

• in cooperation with Durham Public Health Department

Teen Mom School Program

• in collaboration with Durham Catholic District School Board
• core academic courses in a child friendly environment
• support with re-entry into mainstream education system

Parenting Groups

• attachment focus which promotes positive infant mental health
• specific to individual needs and challenges of young families

Summer program

• for parents and children with field trips in the community and special events
• Christmas Party, Mother's Day event
• special workshops and seminars scheduled as needeed

Satellite location
North Durham and Ajax/Pickering Outreach
By appointment
905-914-3900

Parenting support groups throughout the region for families

Breastfeeding Groups

• weekly drop in groups, mother to mother breastfeeding support, with public health nurse(s) available

S.M.I.L.E. (Supporting Mother and Infant Learning Experience)

• free prenatal classes for young expectant parents under 23 years of age

Perinatal Mood Disorder Support Group (PMD)

• peer support group intended for pregnant women who are experiencing a mood disorder and new mothers who are having difficulty with postpartum adjustment and are experiencing symptoms of PMD
• group is facilitated by a Public Health Nurse

Individual Parent Support - Durham Health Connection is a telephone help line staffed by public health nurses who provide information and counselling on

• health
• parenting issues
• information on community resources
• family health
• pregnancy, prenatal care
• breastfeeding support
• infant and child development
• parenting questions

Home Visiting

• may be offered to families needing support as part of the Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program
• call the Durham Health Connection Line for details

Assistance for those that are in financial need

Financial Assistance

• monthly allowance based on family size, housing costs and income
• monthly drug benefit card
• income tax clinic

Other services include:

Mandatory and Discretionary Benefits

• may include dentures, emergency dental services
• eyeglasses
• special diet allowance
• health care supplies
• medical transportation funds
• prosthetic devices
• funerals and burials
• programs may vary by City or Municipality

Community Participation

• volunteer placements
• job search programs based on individual's skills, experience and circumstances
• employment placement, job matching service
• job skills training - development of skills for specific jobs
• on-the-job training
• supports to self-employment, referrals to self-employment programs
• basic education, basic adult upgrading
• high school upgrading
• English as a Second Language (ESL) classes
• literacy and basic skills

Employment Assistance

• clients 18-65 years must participate in employment assistance activities unless they are living with a serious disability or illness, or caring for preschool children

Employment Resource Centre

• walk-in job search centre
• access to computers, Internet, fax, photocopier, telephone
• resource materials
• job banks
• labour market information
• assistance with resumes
• referrals to job counselling and training

Employment Start-Up Benefit

• covers costs related to starting a job or work placement
• families with children -- newborn child allowance, child care start-up costs, basic dental care for children

Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP)

• help young parents finish high school, improve parenting skills, locate and maintain employment

Click here for Employment Supports

Additional services:

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) 1-800-808-2268

• available Mon-Fri 8 am-9 pm and Sat, Sun noon-5 pm
• automated information and payment details, payment history, file status
• information and announcements about Ontario Works
• service not available to TTY users

Welfare Fraud Hotline 1-800-394-7867

• to report allegations of fraudulent collection of Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program assistance

Satellite Locations for Existing Clients

Ajax Office
140 Commercial Ave,
Ajax, ON L1S 2H5
Phone 905-428-7400

Oshawa Office
C1A-200 John St,
Oshawa, ON L1J 2B4
Phone 905-436-6747

Oshawa Office (Employment Counselling)
200 John Street West, Upper Level
Oshawa, ON L1J 2B4
Phone 905-432-2929

Uxbridge Office
2 Campbell Drive, Suite 305
Uxbridge, ON L9P 1H6
Phone: 905-852-4566