Children’s Community Network is leading the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services’ (MCCSS) Urgent Response Service (URS) in Algoma, Sudbury-Manitoulin and Nipissing, Muskoka and Parry Sound. URS is one of the key elements of the ministry’s revamped Ontario Autism Program (OAP). The URS program is a time-limited (up to 12 weeks), rapid response service that addresses a specific need, in order to stabilize and prevent further escalation of a child or youth harming themselves, others or property. The service is available to any child or youth registered in the OAP who meets defined ministry criteria which is determined through a screening process that looks at high risk factors.

• Ontario Autism Program (OAP)

• aggression
• property destruction
• violent thinking
• fire setting
• harm to animals
• risk of exploitation
• self-injurious behaviour
• suicidal thoughts or behaviour
• inappropriate sexual behaviour
• flight risk

• Service navigation and coordination to existing services outside of the OAP
• Direct support to the family and/or professionals involved to implement intervention and/or therapy techniques with the child/youth (e.g., mediator model intervention)
• Respite
• Short-term interdisciplinary consultation to a child/youth’s intervention team and/or family and/or educator(s)

• Is not a 24/7 crisis support service or a residential service
• Does not provide direct funding for families
• Is not a fast track to core clinical services in the OAP or other services outside the OAP

Families requiring immediate support should proceed to their nearest emergency department of their local hospital, or contact their local crisis service.

Families who live in Algoma, Sudbury-Manitoulin and Nipissing, Muskoka and Parry Sound who have a child/youth, registered for the Ontario Autism Program can access Urgent Response Services by calling our team at 1-877-272-4336, via email at info@ccnsudbury.on.ca. One of our URS Coordinators will make initial contact with the family within two business days of receiving the referral to determine eligibility for the service.

• Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder?
• Registered with the Ontario Autism Program (OAP)?
  Note: if your child or youth with a diagnosis is not registered with the OAP, contact 1-888-444-4530 or oap@ontario.ca to register your child/youth.
• Living in Algoma, Sudbury-Manitoulin and Nipissing, Muskoka and Parry Sound?
• Engaging in a new or recently escalated behaviour (in the past 14-day period) that is harmful to themselves or others?

If you answered yes to the above, please contact a CCN URS Coordinator who will help determine URS eligibility based on defined ministry criteria.

The service can be accessed through:

• Self-referral
• Referral from a clinician, care coordinator or other relevant professional