Home Counselling & Supports for Adults & Families Developmental Services for Adults & Families Passports
Passport
Passport is for individuals who have a developmental disability, have left school and are seeking financial support for community activities, programs or services. Through Passport, participants can receive funding for activities that encourage their personal development and help them achieve their full potential.

The key goals of Passport are to:
  • improve the quality of participation in the community by providing supports that focus on individual goals, work activities and community participation;
  • assist participants to make the transition from school to life as an adult in the community;
  • promote independence;
  • foster social, emotional, and community participation skills;
  • and, promote continuing education and personal development.
Individuals and/or families have the option of receiving funding directly to purchase supports and services or they can choose to access services through community-based agencies.

Who is eligible for this program?
Residents of Ontario (Canadian citizen, landed immigrant, Minister's permit, permission to remain by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, e.g., refugee) who have a developmental disability confirmed by a qualified medical practitioner and/or psychologist in writing and who:
  • have left school and would benefit from community participation supports; or
  • have been waiting for service and are in need of community participation supports;
  • and are not eligible for Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) employment supports (i.e., where individual does not meet the criteria for funding through ODSP-Employment Supports);
  • and are living at home with their families or in other living arrangements including group homes, living on their own or with room mates (supported independent living) or with a Family Home provider. (Priority will be given to individuals who are living at home with their families).
Individuals and their families need to complete a Passport Application Form available from Contact Haldimand-Norfolk or from the Ministry of Community and Social Services website.

Individuals and their families are encouraged to submit a plan with their completed Passport application form that outlines the type of community participation supports they require and the goals and objectives they expect to accomplish.

Plans should be developed in partnership with educators and/or community-based organizations and, if possible, should build on transition plans that have already been developed by an individual's local school board.

A planning guide entitled "Creating a Good Life in Community: A Guide on Person-Directed Planning" is also available to help individuals and families through the process of creating a plan for community participation.

Is there a cost for this program?
There is no cost for this program. Funding is provided to individuals and/or families by Contact Haldimand-Norfolk using payment processes approved by the regional office of the Ministry of Community and Social Services.

Some funding is available to assist with the creation of personalized plans for individuals who are not already connected to community-based organizations.

The Contact Haldimand-Norfolk access process will determine eligibility, funding allocations and priority for service based on an individual's needs and on community capacity.

How can I access or find out more about this program?
Information, application forms and planning guides are available from the Passport Coordinator at Contact Haldimand-Norfolk, Haldimand-Norfolk REACH 1-519-587-2441 or 1-800-265-8087.

Completed Application Forms should be submitted to the Passport Coordinator at Contact Haldimand-Norfolk, Haldimand-Norfolk REACH, P. O. Box 5054, 101 Nanticoke Creek Parkway, Townsend, Ontario N0A 1S0

English and French versions of Application forms, Passport Guidelines and A Person Directed Planning Guide are also available from the Ministry of Community and Social Services website