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3 | Friday M ay 2 6 , 2 0 1 7 | O A K V ILLE B EA VE R | w w w .in s id e h a lto n .c o m by Nathan Howes Oakville Beaver Staff Funds fo r a u tis m p ro g ram s l a w n ) B R O S I'M you grow we mow N O WB O O K IN GP R O FE S S IO N A L W E E K L YG R A S SC U TTIN G P R O G R A M S The Ontario government came to Oakville late last week to announce it is responding to the need for more assistance for families of children with autism. The Province is offering a new, permanent di rect funding option, which will be implemented by the end of this year through the Ontario Au tism Program (OAP). This will allow families to choose between re ceiving direct service or receiving funding to pur chase services for their child. Ontario is investing $500 million over the next four years to create new services for children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Michael Coteau, Minister of Children and Youth Services, made the announcement at Mon arch House in Oakville May f8, where he spoke with families about the plan to offer flexible ser vices and supports for children and youths with autism. "We made a decision, as a government, to make some massive changes in the Ontario Au tism Program. We're rolling out a new program that is reflective of the needs of families in On tario," said Coteau. Starting in June, families will begin to transi tion into the new OAP, which will provide flex ible services that are customized to the needs of each child, regardless of age. Book Your Weekly Lawn Maintenance Today! Lawn Bros are the most Professional, Reliable, Competitively Priced & Award Winning Lawn Care Company Readers Choice Diamond Award Winner 4 consecutive years. S e rvin g O a kville , B u rlin g to n & M ilto n Call Today For a Free Quote (9 0 5 ) 4 6 7 - 1 5 0 7 · w w w .la w n b ro s .c a Ontario Minister Michael Coteau The program will be implemented gradually over the coming year, with the expectation it will be fully in place by spring 20 f 8. Families currendy obtaining direct funding will continue to receive their funding throughout the transition and will be able to choose the new OAP direct funding option to receive services from their preferred provider. Specific details of the direct funding model, including rates, expected to be in place this year, will be released as soon as Coteau approves the recommendations, he said. This new program is the "first step" in a mas sive overhaul of the current support system in Ontario. A IR E O N E M A D N E S S PACKAGE INCLUDES: S A L E ! H IG H E F F I C I E N C Y F U R N A C E & C E N T R A L A I R 95.5 % High Efficiency Gas Furnace High Efficiency Central A ir R41OA Refrigerant 10 Year Factory W arranty Limited Time Offer Call for details CENTRAL AIR OR FURNACE DIAGNOSTIC SPECIAL WWW. M f f l E U W V E .c o m i H E A TIN G & COOLING CENTAL AIR OR FURNACE CLEANING Call for details. BOOK YOURS TODAY! C all ford etails. see Funding on p.5 9 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU BETTER OAKVILLE (905) 849-4998 4 ® SPECIAL $15 off and free fast wax with this ad. Offer expires May 31, 2017 Rkotectfvourj Investm ent! Complete Cars from with the optimum in vehicle rust control and much more! NEW CARS, USED CARS, RUSTY CARS... WE DO IT ALL c39 0 5 .8 2 7 .7 8 7 8 For coupons and specials visit... \ y t y t y /I? ? iC T 7 7 T U 3 T r r n k 1490 UNIT # 5 SPEERS ROAD, OAKVILLE A ST E P BEYOND IN CA RE DO YOU HAVE: Salima Kassam Reg. Chiropodist Foot/Arch Pain? · Ingrown Toenails? · Diabetes? · Swollen Ankles? · Corns, Calluses? w w w .fo o ta n d h e a lth c lin ic .c o m CALL FOR AN A P P O iN T M E N T 9 0 5 -6 3 2 -1 4 1 4 7 2 8 B u rlo a k D rive