Journey to Belonging

For Benji and Giulietta, employment has never been about simply filling time or having somewhere to go during the day. Work has become an important part of who they are. Like everyone else, Benji and Giulietta want to be involved in their communities, contribute in meaningful ways, and have responsibilities that matter. Employment provides opportunities to do all of those things while continuing to build confidence, skills, and independence. For many individuals with developm

Over time, health became one of the most important foundations in Benji and Giulietta’s lives, not because it stands alone, but because it directly shapes how they are able to participate in everyday life. When people think about independence, health is often seen as separate from learning, communication, or community involvement. For Benji and Giulietta, it is what makes all of those things possible in the first place. Health is not something separate from daily life or trea

When people hear the term self-directed funding, they often think about budgets, administration, or how services are paid for. For Benji and Giulietta, self-directed funding is certainly about funding, but it is about much more than that. It is about having access to individualized funding and the flexibility to decide how that funding could best support their lives. Families know their children better than anyone else. They understand their strengths, interests, challenges,

Every person deserves the opportunity to build a life that reflects their interests, strengths, and dreams. For Benji and Giulietta, our vision has always been guided by three core values: choice, inclusion, and belonging. Choice means having opportunities to make decisions, explore interests, and shape the direction of their own lives. Inclusion means being active participants in community life, not simply present but genuinely involved. Belonging means developing relationsh

The following organizations offer guidance, education, advocacy, and direct services to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in Ontario. The list is not exhaustive and there may be additional organizations that can provide support. Partners for Planning (P4P) Partners for Planning is a national non-profit organization, founded in 2009, that supports people with a developmental disability and their families to plan for the future. P4P provides indepen

What Is a Transfer Payment Agency? A Transfer Payment Agency (TPA) is an organization that receives government funding from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) and delivers developmental services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities. The ministry does not distribute funding directly to individuals or families without an accountability structure. Instead, funding flows from MCCSS to a TPA, which then administers or distributes

Ontario offers several government funded programs that provide direct funding to individuals and families to purchase supports and services in the community. These programs allow recipients to choose their own providers and direct how funding is used, outside of residential or group home settings. The programs listed below are organized by age group and ministry. Children and Youth Under 18 (Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services) Special Services at Home (SSAH)