Services

Passport

Passport Initiative

What is Passport?

Passport is an initiative introduced by the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services. Passport was designed to enhance opportunities for individuals who have a developmental disability, who have left school, and who are seeking access to community participation supports.

This initiative funds participation supports using community partnerships and builds capacity in existing day programs to help young adults make a successful transition from school to community participation activities.

Through Passport, participants will be exposed to a wide range of experiences that focus on post-school activities and the personal development each individual needs to achieve his/her goals for living as an adult in the community.

Who can apply for Passport?

Passport is intended for residents of Ontario who have a developmental disability confirmed, in writing, by a qualified medical practitioner and/or psychologist, who:

• Have left school and would benefit from community participation supports; or
• Have been waiting for service and are in need of community participation supports (where the individual does not meet the criteria for funding through ODSP Employment Supports); and
• Are living at home with their families or in other living arrangement including group homes, living on their own or with roommates (supported independent living) or with a Familyhome Provider. However, priority will be given to applicants who are living at home with their families

Note: An individual who is still in school may apply for Passport, however, the application will not be processed until the individual leaves school and has reached the age of at least 18 years.

Where can I get the application form and/or local information about Passport?

Application forms, Passport Guidelines and a Person Directed Planning Guide are available on the Ministry of Community and Social Services website.

Individuals who reside in London-Middlesex, Oxford, Elgin, Huron and/or Perth counties can get additional information about Passport by contacting the Community Services Coordination Network at: (519) 438-4783 or toll free at: 1-877-480-2726

Who will make the decisions regarding eligibility and funding levels that may be available to me?

Staff at the Community Services Coordination Network will determine eligibility, funding allocations and priority for service based on an individual’s needs and on community capacity. In order to respond to individuals’ changing needs and to reflect their ongoing personal plans, the Community Services Coordination Network will require each individual to submit an application every three years, or sooner if needs change, and adjust the level of funding accordingly.

Where do I send my completed application?

Individuals who reside in London-Middlesex, Oxford, Elgin, Huron and/or Perth Counties should send their completed applications to:

Community Services Coordination Network
171 Queens Avenue, Suite 750
London, ON N6A 5J7

Fax: (519) 673-1509
Toll Free Fax: 1-877-462-1509
E-Mail (copy and paste this address): Passport@cscn.on.ca

Do I have options for managing the Passport funds?

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

1. receive and manage funds directly, including managing human resources and financial/reporting requirements related to the approved funds, or
2. 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
3. choose not to receive/manage funds directly – in this case, service would be accessed through an existing developmental services agency and the Ministry of Community and Social Services will contract with the agency for the service that the individual will receive.

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

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, are all examples of eligible activites.

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