KENORA – Two Kenora-area organizations are each receiving $400,000 in provincial funding to provide more access to autism services.
FIREFLY – Physical, Emotional, Developmental and Community Services as well as Kenora-Rainy River Districts Child and Family Services are the recipients of the funding.
Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford made the announcements last week.
The money will be rolled out over a two-year period to help hire new staff, increase staff hours, train employees, invest in technology and reach rural and remote communities.
Karen Ingebrigtson, chief executive officer of FIREFLY, said the funding enables FIREFLY to expand access to core clinical services.
“With this investment, we are stronger than ever in meeting the needs of children, youth, and families throughout our region—ensuring they receive timely, accessible, and high-quality care wherever they are,” she said.
Alicia Rogerson, executive director of Kenora-Rainy River Districts Child and Family Services, said they are grateful for the investment.
“We are able to enhance our ability to provide mental health programming to specifically address the needs and strengths of children and youth who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder,” Rogerson said.
In a news release, Rickford said families and care providers in the Northwest deserve “real, responsive supports.”
“Through the Ontario Autism Program’s Workforce Capacity Fund, we’re strengthening the teams at FIREFLY and Kenora-Rainy River Districts Child and Family Services so more families can access the services they need, close to the people and communities who care for them,” he said. “By building stable, skilled local service teams, we’re making sure children and youth across our region have a better chance to thrive.”
