Commission on the Reform of Ontario's Public Services

Child and Youth Mental Health
� Fragmented services, provided by 260 community
agencies, 17 hospital-based outpatient programs,
and supports at a number of secure
custody/detention facilities for youth in conflict
with the law
� Long wait-lists
� Inadequate information on where to get help
� Increasing mental health disability costs with a
significant economic impact.
Developmental Services
� Over 370 agencies deliver residential services and
community living support, with diverse ways of
assessing needs and determining funding levels
� Long wait-lists
� Historically, inconsistent eligibility across
Ontario — new, single point of contact to access
services for new clients, since July 2011
� Inconsistent service delivery — lack of choice,
life-stage interruptions, quality concerns.
Youth Justice
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Current System Transforming to Reformed System
� A network of facilities/agencies including
seven directly operated secure custody/detention
youth centres, 64 directly operated youth
probation offices, and 210 transfer payment
agencies that are mainly not-for-profit
organizations
� Declining demand for custodial facilities.
� Improved co-ordination with standardized
definitions and application processes
� Integrated service delivery, including client
communications, intake, eligibility and entitlement,
and payment issuance
� Streamlined governance and accountability
� Effective early intervention would address the
risk of mental health disability costs becoming
unsustainable
� Clear roles, responsibilities and accountabilities
across education, health and children’s systems.
� Fully implemented single point of contact to
access services
� Funding allocated based on assessed needs,
using individual-based funding allocation model
(community services)
� Clear eligibility criteria used consistently
provincewide
� Person-centred, individualized approach to
planning and making life transitions with minimal
service disruption; quality assurance measures
support consistent service standards.
� More community-based system, with reduced use
of custody and more youth being diverted from the
formal court process for less serious offences and
more youth being referred to alternatives to
custody program
� Savings reinvested in preventive measures
(e.g., mental health supports).