IV. Service Providers: Community Care Access Centres
While a variety of agencies provide attendant services,^26 the majority of services are
provided either by or on behalf of a local Community Care Access Centre.^27 Given the
large role played by CCACs in the provision of attendant outreach services across the
province, it is necessary to understand CCAC policies and practices when assisting
persons who wish to defend their access to attendant services.
There are 14 CCACs across Ontario, funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term
Care through Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs).
Community Care Access Centres help people with disabilities find their way through
Ontario’s health care system, understand their options and connect them to community-
based health care and resources. CCACs work with people of all ages to assist them in
making informed choices about their care and to ensure that they receive services in the
most appropriate setting. For people with physical disabilities, CCACs will co-ordinate
personal support services as well as certain professional and homemaking services.
Often these services are provided by other agencies on behalf of CCACs.
As noted, CCACs provide a range of services depending upon a person’s needs,
including professional services, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, nursing,
social work and nutritional counselling; personal support services, such as assistance
with personal hygiene and activities of daily living; and, training to carry out personal
support services. Services are provided to people in their own homes on a pre-
scheduled basis. Services are also available in school settings for children with
disabilities.^28
(^26) Services by agencies other than a CCAC can be accessed by contacting the Project Information Centre
(PIC) in Toronto or, outside Toronto, by applying to each service provider separately. PIC offers an on-
line list of service providers in their Ontario Attendant services Directory. 27
Community Care Access Centre (telephone (416) 310-2222); website http://www.CCAC-Ont.ca.CCAC’s often
sub- 28 contract with other local agencies to provide the services a person may be eligible for through CCAC.
The costs related to CCAC services are covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) and
services are governed by the Home Care and Community Services Act, 1994, c. 26 (formerly the Long-