Ontario Autism Program: What is AccessOAP?

Please note there are hyperlinks in this article *

If you registered for the OAP (Ontario Autism Program) prior to April 2022, you should have received an email or letter with a transition code and instructions on how to set up an AccessOAP account

Please note that transition codes are only being to families who are already registered in the OAP (which was previously done through either the regional provider or directly with the Ministry). A transition code is not required if you register for the OAP directly through the AccessOAP website 

Here's a short video from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS)

(1) What is AccessOAP?

Before 2019, the provincial autism program was managed regionally by providers such as Surrey Place, Erinoak, Ron Joyce, etc. Then, the Ministry centralized everything and handled administration of the program briefly from 2019-2022.

AccessOAP is a consortium comprising of Accerta Services Inc., Autism Ontario, Serefin and McMaster University (Centre for Health Economics and Policy Analysis or CHEPA and the Offord Centre for Child Studies). Going forward, AccessOAP will handle the administration of the OAP. The transition code in the email/letter sent to you enables the Ministry to transfer your child's file to AccessOAP.

NOTE: funding for the program and its guidelines are still under the purview of the government.

(2) How was AccessOAP created and what do they do?

(3) After I've created my AccessOAP account, what happens next?

Really depends on when you registered for the OAP. If you registered before 2019, you may eventually get a message in your AccessOAP portal about a Welcome Call. This is where your Care Coordinator will explain what AccessOAP is and next steps.

NOTE: A Care Coordinator won't actually be assigned to you until you receive an invitation to Core Clinical Services. However, you can still call one (or send a PM through the portal) with any questions you may have.

If you've only recently registered for the OAP, then you are still waiting a while for that invitation to Core Clinical Services. Once your registration has been processed, your child will be issued an OAP number. This is unique to your child and should be kept for reference. To register for free programs such as Foundational Family Services, you will be asked to provide it.

Your AccessOAP portal will indicate which programs your child is eligible for.

Image is a screen capture of a part of the AccessOAP Dashboard that shows the programs a child registered in OAP may be eligible for

Please see our blog post listing a few things you can do while waiting for Core Clinical Services here

(4) How do I register for the OAP?

As of October 2022, newly diagnosed families can register for the OAP through the AccessOAP website or via PDF. You can also contact AccessOAP to send you a paper copy of the registration form.

(5) When will I get an invitation to Core Clinical Services?

Invitations to Core Clinical Services are being sent to families in order by registration date.

Image is a screen capture from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services website

Once you get an invitation, you can schedule the Determination of Needs (DON). This is where a Care Coordinator (different from the one assigned to you) will ask you questions about your child’s goals, strengths and support needs across ten domains. This information will be used to determine your funding allocation.

If you have any concerns and complaints related to AccessOAP (website, portal, DON, etc.), you can contact them via their website here

NOTE: AccessOAP is not responsible for the policies that govern the OAP. Those concerns should be directed to the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services

Related links:

• News release: Ontario Increasing Access to Services for Children with Autism ( Dec 2021)

• Backgrounder: Ontario Supporting Children on the Autism Spectrum and their Families (Dec 2021)

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