Target audience - scope of application

These guidelines are intended for Preschool Speech and Language (PSL) Lead Agencies and (CTCs) and Surrey Place (Toronto) and their direct service partners and/or contracted regulated health professionals, including speech-language pathologists (SLPs), occupational therapists (OTs), physiotherapists (PTs) and supportive personnel (e.g., communicative disorders assistants, occupational therapy assistants, rehabilitation therapy assistants and others) delivering the Preschool Speech and Language (PSL) Program and/or the Children’s Rehabilitation Services, including Community-based Rehabilitation Services (CBRS) and School-Based Rehabilitation Services (SBRS).

Out of scope

While Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS)-funded service providers are encouraged and expected to work in local partnerships, these guidelines do not provide direction to employees funded through the Ministry of Education or Ministry of Health, including District School Boards (DSBs), schools, early years and community service providers, or health care providers. Specifically, the following areas are out of scope:

  • Rehabilitation services funded by the Ministry of Education through DSBs for the provision of health supports services in school settings. PPM 81 and subsequent joint ministerial memos from the Ministries of Health and Education and MCCSS provide direction for coordinated service delivery that is in alignment with the expectations in these guidelines.
  • Rehabilitation services funded by the Ministry of Health through Home and Community Care Support Services to students who are homeschooled or enrolled in private schools.
  • Autism services and supports funded by MCCSS and delivered through the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) to children and youth registered in the OAP. These include core clinical services and supports i.e., Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), speech-language pathology (SLP), occupational therapy (OT) and mental health services), caregiver-meditated early years programs, the entry to school program, and/or urgent response services.

Terminology

Throughout this document, terms may be used interchangeably for example “child/children” may include children and/or youth and “families” includes all family members/caregivers who are regularly involved in a child’s life and care. Additionally, “CTCs” refers to all CTCs as well as Surrey Place (Toronto).

“Service providers” or “service provider organizations” refers to agencies delivering the Preschool Speech and Language Program (i.e., PSL Lead Agencies and their partners) and/or agencies delivering the Children’s Rehabilitation Services program delivered through CTCs and their partners. In cases where statements apply to individual providers, this will be indicated.

For additional definitions, please see Appendix 1: Key Terms.