Extensive Needs Service
If your family is in immediate crisis, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest hospital. To be connected with crisis supports in Brantford/Brant County, call Contact Brant at 519.758.8228.
Some families need extra support beyond core clinical autism programming. Working alongside Hamilton Health Sciences, Willowbridge supports families through the Extensive Needs Service (ENS), a longer-term, intensive support program to help children and youth with the highest, most complex needs.
ENS is funded by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. ENS is a free service for families in Ontario, but families must be referred into care through Contact Brant.
To be referred for ENS support, connect with Contact Brant by calling 519.758.8228 or emailing [email protected].
How Do I Know If My Child Needs ENS Support?
You may want to explore the Extensive Needs Service (ENS) if your child is:
- Showing unsafe or escalating behaviours (aggression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, property destruction, flight risk or other high-risk behaviours)
- Experiencing challenges that affect the safety or stability of your home, school or community environment
- Needing more help than can be provided through regular autism programming or OAP core clinical services
- Requiring ongoing, intensive support from multiple professionals to manage complex needs
If your child does not show these signs, they may still benefit from our core clinical services — such as ABA therapy, counselling or other individualized supports available at Willowbridge.
About Extensive Needs Services
The OAP Extensive Needs Services is a free program for families in Ontario, providing intensive, longer-term support for children and youth with the highest, most complex needs. The goal is to address persistent and severe challenges through coordinated services that improve safety, reduce family stress and support better quality of life at home, school and in the community. Services include behaviour consultations, counselling/mental health supports, respite and family support.
Extensive Needs Services are free for families in Ontario when referred by Contact Brant.
To receive a referral, families must contact Contact Brant by calling 519.758.8228 or emailing [email protected].
To access Extensive Needs Services support, families must be referred by Contact Brant. Contact Brant will determine service eligibility based on the following criteria:
- Children and youth 18 years old and under
- Needs go beyond what core clinical services or Urgent Response Service can provide
To receive a referral, families must contact Contact Brant by calling 519.758.8228 or emailing [email protected].
Through the Extensive Needs Services program, families can receive the following support:
- Behaviour consultation
- Counselling
- Respite
To access Extensive Needs Services support, families must be referred by Contact Brant. To receive a referral, families must contact Contact Brant by calling 519.758.8228 or emailing [email protected].
To access ENS support, families must be referred by Contact Brant. To receive a referral, families must contact Contact Brant by calling 519.758.8228 or emailing [email protected].
