Changes to OAP Determination of Needs Meetings
Ontario has introduced a new option for some families receiving Ontario Autism Program (OAP) funding: eligible families may choose to waive their upcoming Determination of Needs (DON) interview for one funding period.
What does this mean?
If a family chooses to waive the DON interview:
- Their current support needs level and funding allocation continue for the next funding period.
- Their existing funding dates remain unchanged.
- They will need to complete a DON the following year and/or when their child moves into a new age range.
Who may be eligible?
Families may be eligible if:
- A DON has already been completed for the current funding period.
- The current funding period has not ended.
- A new DON has not yet been completed.
- Their child is not moving into a new OAP age range for the upcoming funding period.
Waiving the interview is optional. Families who do not submit their decision before their current funding period ends will need to complete a DON.
What should families do?
Families who receive the option to waive their DON should consider whether their child’s current support needs and funding continue to reflect their needs. Families can speak with their AccessOAP Care Coordinator if they have questions about which option is appropriate for them.
Important: A DON is different from a clinical assessment. The DON determines OAP funding based on support needs; it does not replace an assessment of your child’s current clinical or developmental needs.
For current information, families can contact AccessOAP at 1-833-425-2445 or info@AccessOAP.ca.
