Programs & Services > Passport Initiative

Passport

Community Participation Supports for young adults who have a developmental disability

Download Passport PDF flyer in French and Chinese .

Passport is an initiative funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services. Family Service Toronto is the designated agency to administer the program in Toronto.

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What is Passport?

Passport to Community Living is a Provincial Government initiative that provides opportunities for individuals who have a developmental disability and have left school to find more ways to participate in their communities. Passport participants receive funding for activities that encourage their personal development and help them achieve their potential.

Individuals and families have the option to either receive Passport funding directly to make their own arrangements to purchase supports and services, or to choose to access services through community-based agencies.

For more information read the guides for the Passport program available on the MCSS website:

English: Supports for young adults

French: Soutiens aux jeunes adultes

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What does it provide?

Passport is for individuals who have a developmental disability and are no longer at school and who would benefit from community participation supports.

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Who can apply for passport?

Passport is for individuals who have a developmental disability and are no longer eligible for school supports, but who would benefit from community participation supports.

This includes:

  • young adults who have left school and would benefit from community participation supports: or
  • have been waiting for day support services; and
  • are not eligible for Ontario Disability Support Program Employment Supports.

Applicants may be living at home with their families or in other living arrangements including group homes, supported independent living or with a Family Home provider.

Successful applicants will be determined by a community process based on funds made available to the Toronto community by the Ministry of Community and Social Services.

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How do I apply for Passport?

If you live in Toronto call DSOTR (Developmental Services Ontario Toronto Region)
           Phone: 1-855-DS-ADULT or (1-855-372-3858)
           TTY: 416-925-0295
           Fax: 416-925-3402
           Email: DSOTR@surreyplace.on.ca

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Do I need a Person Centered Plan to apply?

No, you don't have to have a Person Centered Plan to apply to Passport. However, going through a planning process that helps you think about how you want to do things, who you want to help you, and what are all the options available, assists you to identify the type of community participation supports that you require, and the goals and objectives that you expect to accomplish.

A planning guide titled "Creating a Good Life in Community: A Guide on Person-Directed Planning" is available at the Ministry of Community and Social Services website, www.mcss.gov.on.ca, and at the Individualized Funding Coalition for Ontario website, www.individualizedfunding.ca

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Do I have options for managing the Passport funds?

Once the funding amount has been determined an individual or family can:

  • receive and manage the funds directly , including managing human resources and financial/reporting requirements related to the approved funds, or
  • receive the funds directly and use up to 10% of their total approved allocation to purchase planning and/or brokerage and administrative supports of their choice, or
  • have all of the funds managed and administered through a Transfer Payment developmental services agency using up to 10% of their total approved allocation for that service.

Note: For individuals and families choosing #1 or #2, a Passport contractual agreement is required outlining terms and conditions of funding.

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What types of supports are eligible for funding?

Supports such as work or volunteer activities, activities that develop skills in utilizing community infrastructure such as transportation services, shopping and libraries, activities of daily living that enhance social skills, independent living and personal management, and employment preparation activities where the individual does not meet the criteria for funding through the Ontario Disability Support Program Employment Supports.

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Where can I get more information on the Passport Initiative in Toronto?

Contact DSOTR at:
Phone: 1-855-DS-ADULT or (1-855-372-3858)
TTY: 416-925-0295
Fax: 416-925-3402
Email: DSOTR@surreyplace.on.ca
www.dsotoronto.com
or Contact Family Service Toronto at 416-780-1106

Individuals requesting funding through the Passport program should contact their regional Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) organizations.  The DSO will confirm the person’s eligibility for development services and supports and complete the Developmental Services Application Package.  A separate Passport Program application form is no longer required. 

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Community Resources and Information Guide

Family Service Toronto is pleased to release this second edition of Community Resources and Information guide that may give you ideas and information about some of the services and resources available for you in your community. Accessing and networking with services and resources in your community; including self-interest, personal expression and learning new skills, are factors that may add to your quality of life.

The information in this guide is divided into the following sections: Learning; Employment Preparation and Skills Enhancement; Volunteering; Recreation, Self Interest and Personal Expression; and Community Resources Access Information. All of the resources listed in this guide are open for participation by everyone, pending program or service eligibility requirements.

Download guide (PDF, 473 kb)

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Resources

For more information about services and supports to adults with a developmental disability and their families go to the Developmental Services Toronto website.

For programs listing, read Community Participation Program Information booklet.

For provincial legislation information and other news regarding community and developmental services go to the Ministry of Community and Social Services website: http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca

To read issues of Spotlight on Transformation - the Developmental Services Bulletin from the Ministry of Community and Social Services go to: http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/publications/developmentalServices/spotlight/sotJuly11.aspx

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CHANGES IN SPECIAL SERVICES AT HOME AND PASSPORT PROGRAMS AS OF APRIL 2012:

  • Special Services at Home is one of two direct funding programs that the Ontario government has to help adults with a developmental disability who live in the community or with their families.  The other is Passport
  • The ministry is introducing some changes to make it easier for individuals and families to apply for developmental services and supports
  • As of April 2012, direct funding or eligible adults with a developmental disability will be available through Passport
  • Special Services at Home will continue to serve children and youth
  • Adults who are currently receiving Special Services at Home will receive that funding through Passport starting April 1, 2012.  After that, they will apply for Passport funding through the regular application process and cycles

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE UPCOMING CHANGES TO SPECIAL SERVICES AT HOME:

Q: Will these changes affect how much funding an adult who currently receives Special Services at Home gets?
A: No, the amount of funding a person is eligible to receive will not change.

Q.   Will these changes affect the services an adult who currently receives Special Services at Home gets?
A.  No, the changes will not affect the services a person is eligible to receive.

Q.  Are adults who currently receive service through Special Services at Home going to have to apply for Passport now?
A.  No. Adults who currently receive Special Services at Home will automatically receive the same level of funding through Passport for one year, starting April 1, 2012, without completing an application.

The ministry will be in touch with current adult recipients of Special Services at Home in the upcoming months to provide them with more information about this transition and future application requirements.

Passport is an initiative funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services.

 

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