Child and Youth Programs

Early Childhood Education Resource Services at Community Living Mississauga provides support to facilitate the successful inclusion of children who have a developmental disability into licensed community child care programs.

Our philosophy is simple. We believe that all children belong and that all children should have the support and services they need to play, grow and learn alongside their peers in a welcoming and inclusive child care environment.

Through Peel Inclusion Resource Services (PIRS), our team of Resource Consultants work with community Early Childhood Educators to promote inclusive learning experiences.  Families that are concerned about the development of their child can access extra support through a Resource Consultant who regularly visits their child care program.

The Resource Consultant will:

– Create an individualized plan with you and the child care provider that focuses on your child’s strengths and areas of development

– Share ideas and strategies to use in child care and your home

– Build on the child care provider’s strengths to support the inclusion of all children

– Provide resources and information about other services that may benefit your family

– Support your child’s transition from child care to school, and to a service coordination program if appropriate

Peel Inclusion Resource Services (PIRS) is a partnership between organizations that provide Resource Consultant support and licensed Child Care Providers.  The PIRS program helps ensure child care is positive and inclusive for all children.

• Supporting children in licensed centre and home-based child care programs in Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga.
• Early identification of children who may benefit from Resource Consultation in child care.
• Providing resources and coaching to child care staff so that all children can fully participate in their program.

Any child who requires additional support to participate, play and learn in child care may benefit from Resource Consultation.  In order to receive these services, the child must be attending a licensed child care.  To find lists of Child Care Providers near you, contact Child Care Info Peel through Child Development Resource Connection Peel or call 905-890-9432.

Confirm your child is eligible

• Does your child currently attend a licensed infant, toddler or preschool program?
• Does your child have a start date in the next 2 weeks?

If you answer yes to either of these questions, then you can complete the PIRS referral form on the Region of Peel’s website. (https://www.peelregion.ca/children/special-needs-child-care.asp)

After reading the information about PIRS supports, click on “Complete a PIRS Referral Form” in order to place your child’s name on the referral list.  You will need to enter your name and contact information, your child’s name, and information about the child care program where your child is registered.

The referral will then be shared with the PIRS partner organization that supports your Child Care Provider.  A Resource Consultant will contact you to gather information about your child and will work closely with you to support a positive child care experience.

• Childcare fee subsidy is available to families who qualify to help with the cost of child care.

• Call: 905-791-7800
• Children’s Services – Region of Peel (peelregion.ca)
• Email: PIRS@peelregion.ca

PIRS is part of Peel’s Special Needs Strategy and a partnership between:

Community Living Mississauga offers youth, 13 to 21 years of age, a diverse and exciting community summer program that allows the youth to make the most of all that the summertime has to offer.
Program staff support groups of approximately four participants to plan and participate in a variety of community activities. These activities include: sports, art, shopping, movies, sight-seeing, special events, etc. Teens are grouped according to age, needs and where they live.

Each group meets at one of the local community centers in Mississauga. Participants and staff use public transit and Transhelp to get to and from planned daily activities. The program gives youth the opportunity to develop their leisure interests, enrich their life experiences and make new friends, all while having fun. Staff support participants to become more familiar with their community while developing new skills and independence.

People eligible for the Summer Teen Activity Program must have completed the intake process for Community Living Mississauga, be between 13 and 21 years of age, be currently enrolled in a school program and be a resident of Mississauga. Participants must be willing to follow the guidelines and expectations of the programs and be able to get to and from the pick-up and drop off locations as transportation is not provided.

• Initial meeting to discuss support needs and interests.
• Teens are grouped by age, support needs and interests.

Drop off and pick up at select local community centres.

Monday to Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm (No extended hours)

Families should contact the Manager of Respite and Leisure Services at 905-542-2694 ext. 2246 for more information.

The Children’s Summer Support Program provides one-to-one support to children (4-12 years of age), who have an intellectual disability, while they participate in a local day camp program.

Program staff provide one-to-one support to a child while they participate in a community based summer camp.

The following are just some of the day camp providers that Community Living Mississauga is proud to partner with:

• City of Mississauga
• University of Toronto at Mississauga – Sports Camps
• Magnitude Summer Camp

Children eligible for the Children’s Summer Support Program must have completed the intake process for Community Living Mississauga, be between 4 and 12 years of age, be currently enrolled in a school program that closes for the summer and be a resident of Mississauga. Participants must be willing to follow the guidelines and expectations of the programs and be able to get to and from the camp or bus stop locations as transportation is not provided by Community Living Mississauga’s staff.

• Initial meeting to discuss support needs and interests.
• A staff will be matched with your child for each week. Every attempt will be made to keep the same staff for all the weeks requested, however staff will be scheduled based on the needs of all children attending camp each week.

Community based summer camps operated in Mississauga.

Children’s Summer Support Program Staff work from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm or 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday. If your child will be staying at the program beyond these times, it is your responsibility to arrange for appropriate support during the extended time period.

Families should contact the Manager of Respite and Leisure Services at 905-542-2694 ext. 2246 for more information.

The Weekend Respite Programs are recreational opportunities for teens who have an intellectual disability. Girls and Guys Friday Nights Out Programs offer teens the opportunity to spend time with either just the girls or just the guys. The program runs from 6:30 – 9 pm alternating Fridays and the group meets at a different local activity each time.

The Saturday Teen Activity Program provides one Saturday of exciting activities per month. Program staff support small groups of teens to participate in a variety of community activities including sports, movies, sight-seeing and much more.

People eligible for the Weekend Respite Program must have completed the intake process for Community Living Mississauga, be between 13 and 17 years of age and be a resident of Mississauga. Participants must be willing to follow the guidelines and expectations of the program and be able to get to and from the pick up and drop off location as transportation is not provided.

• Initial meeting to discuss support needs and interests.
• Participants register for a 6-month session.
• Registration priority is given to youth who did not attend the previous session.
• Successful registrants will participate in 12 Friday Night Out program evenings (every other week) and/or 6 Saturday Teen Activity Program days (one Saturday/month).

The Friday Nights Out program meets at the scheduled activity each week.
The Saturday Teen Activity Program meets at Square One.

Friday Nights Out – 6:30 – 9:00 pm
Saturday Teen Activity Program – 10:00 am – 4:30 pm
No extended hours are offered.

Families should contact the Manager of Respite and Leisure Services at 905-542-2694 ext. 2246 for more information.

The Futures Summer Program provides opportunities for youth aged 16-21 to gain some valuable work experience through volunteering and to participate in fun-filled summer activities in their community.  The program operates in two-week sessions.

Youth eligible for the Futures Summer Program must have completed the intake process for Community Living Mississauga, be between 16-21 years of age, be currently enrolled in a school program and be residents of Mississauga.

Participants must be willing to follow the guidelines and expectations of the program and be able to get to and from the pick-up and drop-off location as transportation is not provided.

Youth register for a two-week session and must be available for both weeks of the program.  On the first day of each session the youth will participate in job-readiness workshops. For the remainder of the two-week session the youth will meet at Square One in the mornings then spend half of their day volunteering in a work experience opportunity and the other half of their day participating in recreational activities within the community, using public transportation to get to and from all the activities.

Support is offered in a small group setting, individualized support is not provided. Participants must be able to share support at all times and in all activities.

The drop-off and pick location is Square One.

Futures Program hours are from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.  There are no extended hours.

Families should contact the Manager of Respite and Leisure Services at 905-542-2694 ext. 2246 for more information.