AccessOAP has a dedicated team of care coordinators who support families accessing services and supports within and outside of the Ontario Autism Program (OAP).
Care coordinators come to AccessOAP with a combination of relevant education and experience in the autism and developmental services fields. Through extensive training, AccessOAP ensures that all care coordinators gain an in-depth understanding of AccessOAP, the OAP, and other specialized topics that support the needs of families registered in the OAP.
Care coordinators can help families make informed decisions about accessing services and supports in their community. This includes the five service pathways available through the OAP (foundational family services, caregiver-mediated early years programs, the entry-to-school program, urgent response services, and core clinical services), as well as other programs and resources that may be available.
All families registered in the OAP can access care coordination through AccessOAP.
In this article, Aqdas and Kim. shed light on their experience, roles as care coordinators and how they can assist families throughout their OAP journey.
Meet care coordinators Aqdas and Kim
“When I’m able to find that one connection that was missing for a family, that really makes my day,” says Aqdas “I’m multilingual, so sometimes it’s as simple as supporting a family in a different language.”
Aqdas started her career as a behaviour therapist, providing services in clinics, homes, schools, and in the community. From there, Aqdas transitioned into service navigation for adults, and eventually for children. This gave her a better understanding of the broader autism sector and how to navigate resources for families with children on the autism spectrum in Ontario. These experiences ultimately led Aqdas to her current role, where she applies her knowledge and skills to helping families understand their options, as well as training new members to the care coordination team.
Kim’s background is in early childhood education and her journey in autism services started 15 years ago. Throughout her career, Kim gained experience as an instructor therapist, respite facilitator, behaviour therapist assistant, and family support worker. In 2019, she joined a team of autism service navigators, which eventually led her to the role as a care coordinator, team lead and trainer with AccessOAP.
“It’s a privilege to be a part of a family’s journey,” says Kim. “When you hear that a child is making gains, that’s a rewarding feeling.”
Ongoing support, every step of the way
AccessOAP care coordinators provide support to families. They can help families apply to the OAP, address inquiries about funding, expenses and services, and assist families in preparing for their transition out of the OAP. Specially trained care coordinators are also responsible for administering the determination of needs process, which determines a child or youth’s support needs and associated funding for core clinical services and supports.
“We recognize that navigating services and supports can feel overwhelming for families, and we want to change that feeling,” says Kim. “I try to make sure that families who come to me feel supported. They should know that they have someone they can reach out to who understands the OAP and can outline the options available to them so that they can make decisions that are right for their family.”
Care coordinators provide reassurance and timely support for families by sharing information that will help families make decisions that are right for them.
Families with children on the autism spectrum are encouraged to seek support from a care coordinator at AccessOAP. Care coordinators can support families who are looking for information on:
- creating an account at AccessOAP and applying for the OAP,
- looking for information about services and supports in their local community, and
- gaining information about services and supports for a youth who is about to turn 18.
“We’re here to listen and support,” says Aqdas. “We work with families with children registered in the OAP and help them understand the services and supports available to them.”
If you have any questions about the role of care coordinators, please get in touch with AccessOAP at 1-833-425-2445 (Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST) or email info@AccessOAP.ca.
