The Passport Initiative

One of the components within the Ontario government's Passport Initiative is funding. Effective April 1, 2012, for those over the age of 18, Passport funding expanded beyond Community Participation Supports to include support for Respite and Personal Development and Growth (formerly known as Special Services at Home)

The Ontario government created the Passport initiative to provide opportunities for individuals who have a developmental disability and who have left school to find more ways to participate in their communities.

Through Passport, participants can receive funding for activities that encourage their personal development and help them achieve their potential. Passport also helps to:

Improve the quality of participation in the community by providing supports that focus on individual goals, work activities and community participation
Smooth the transition from school to life as an adult in the community
Promote independence
Foster social, emotional and community participation skills
Promote continuing education and personal development.

The Passport initiative is intended for residents of Ontario who have a developmental disability and 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; and
Are not eligible for Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) employment supports.

Participants in Passport can live independently or in supportive living. Priority will be given to applicants who are living at home with their families.

*Individuals who are 16-17 years of age and/or leaving school and/or adults who are not in school and seeking assistance with transition planning and community participation supports can apply directly to their regional DSO.

If you have questions or would like additional information about the Passport initiative, please contact:

Developmental Services Ontario

Tel: 1-855-277-2121
Email: dsocentraleast@yssn.ca

Website: www.dsontario.ca