Questions families ask
Eligibility, waitlists, what a subsidy covers and how camp works. If your question is not here, ask us rather than guessing.
Who is eligible for an Embers subsidy?
Families currently on the Ontario Autism Program or a private waitlist with no active therapy funding. Households with a total income of $150,000 or less are prioritised for ongoing and individualised programs. Your child needs a confirmed autism diagnosis, a referral from a developmental paediatrician, or to be actively in the assessment process.
Do I need to be on the OAP waitlist to apply?
For most programs, yes. Embers exists specifically for families waiting on funded services. Some programs, including the Low-Cost Summer Camp and PA Day respite, are open to all eligible families on a first-come, first-served basis regardless of income tier.
How long are Ontario autism waitlists?
More than 69,000 children are on waitlists for core autism services in Ontario, including behaviour therapy, speech-language support, occupational therapy and social skills programs. For some families the wait stretches five to seven years.
What does a subsidy cover?
Depending on the program: 1:1 Applied Behaviour Analysis, group and social skills programs, parent coaching and caregiver education, and remote or community-based services. Funding flows through approved partner providers rather than to families directly.
Where do programs run?
Across community sites in Durham Region and Scarborough, including partner clinic space, with Kitchener-Waterloo from September 2026. The summer camp also runs in West Toronto, which the subsidised RISE programs do not currently cover.
What is RISE?
RISE stands for Respite, Inclusion, Skills and Education. It is our integrated program model: rather than one service, a network of partners delivers four streams of support under one coordinated plan.
How old does my child need to be?
RISE programs are for children aged 2 and up. The Low-Cost Summer Camp is for children between Kindergarten and Grade 4.
What is the ratio at summer camp?
Two children to one clinician, with a maximum of six children per site. That is deliberate: enough support to be individualised, small enough that peer connection actually happens.
Is there a meet and greet before camp?
Yes, and it is required. It lets us check that the group setting and 2:1 ratio suit your child. If camp is not the right fit and that is determined before the start date, families may be offered a refund or alternative recommendations.
Can I use SSAH funding?
Families who qualify may use Special Services at Home funding toward participation in the summer camp.
How much of a donation reaches families?
Eighty per cent of funds go directly to family subsidies through approved partner providers. Twenty per cent sustains program operations.
Can my organisation become an approved provider?
Yes. We are building a province-wide network of therapy and educational providers, piloting in Durham Region and Toronto with rollout planned for Simcoe County, Peel, Hamilton and Halton in late 2026.
Still unsure whether to apply?
Apply anyway and tell us your situation in the form. Our program coordinator reads every application, and it is easier to work out fit with the details in front of us.