Fee for Service Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Services –
During COVID-19 Pandemic
The Children’s Treatment Centre of Chatham-Kent has listened to families! 
Families asked for more services and families want services to be easy, familiar, comfortable, high quality, and under one roof. The Children’s Treatment Centre of Chatham Kent (CTC-CK) is proud of its reputation in the community as a provider of specialized, high quality rehabilitation services. Beginning on August 24, 2020 all children and families with special needs, regardless of diagnosis, will be able to purchase occupational therapy (OT) and speech language pathology (SLP) services.
What changed and why does the CTC-CK now offer Fee for Service OT and SLP?
Last year, the Ontario government opened the door for children’s treatment centres to offer services for purchase. In addition, the Ontario government introduced a new direct funding model for families of eligible children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder to be used to purchase additional services.
What will stay the same?
Clients and families can be assured that the CTC-CK will continue to provide government funded services. Families and children will be able to access the services they are eligible to receive at no cost and regardless of their diagnosis. Government funded speech and language services and occupational therapy services are limited and therefore the CTC-CK can only offer so much service for children and families and there are waiting lists. Fee for service options are in support of the mission of the Centre to provide specialized therapy and innovative programs to empower children, youth and their families to reach their potential.
As required by their colleges, the OT’s or SLP’s providing fee for service are responsible for communicating with their client’s other service providers to help ensure everyone is working together to meet the client and family goals and needs. Communication may be with other service providers in the CTC-CK or outside the CTC such as a school board SLP.
How do you provide safe FFS OT and SLP during the Covid-19 pandemic?
The health and safety of clients, families, staff, and our community, is a priority during the Covid-19 pandemic. To meet the needs of our clients and families, we are offering FFS occupational therapy and FFS speech language pathology services through telepractice. Telepractice is a way for CTC staff to connect with clients and families using an online platform. Through the use of live-streaming video, we can provide assessment, treatment and strategy sessions.
Not sure if telepractice is right for your child, ask about our free orientation session?
Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, OT’s and SLP’s have been increasing their knowledge and experience in providing assessments, therapy strategy sessions through videoconferencing or what we refer to as telepractice. Telepractice uses a safe and secure Zoom or Teams video conferencing to provide services for you and your child in a familiar and comfortable home environment. If you have questions about telepractice and aren’t sure if it is right for you and your child, we offer a free orientation telepractice session. Let us know if you are interested!
What services can be purchased?
Speech and Language Pathology services including assessments, therapy, and strategy sessions.
Occupational therapy services including assessments, therapy, and strategy sessions.