The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) Passport Program is a program that helps adults with a developmental disability be involved in their communities and live as independently as possible by providing funding for community participation supports, activities of daily living and person-directed planning. The program also provides funding for caregiver respite services and supports for primary caregivers of an adult with a developmental disability.
Passport is a reimbursement program with the following goals:
- Foster independence by building on individuals’ abilities and developing community participation, social and daily living skills.
- Increase opportunities for participation in the community with supports that respect personal choices and decision-making, and help people achieve their goals.
- Promote social inclusion and broaden social relationships through the use of community resources and services available to everyone in the community.
- Help young people make the transition from school to life as an adult in the community.
- Support families and caregivers of an adult with a developmental disability so they can continue in their supportive role.
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In Eastern Ontario the Passport Program is administered by March of Dimes Canada,
serving the communities of Ottawa-Carleton, Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry,
Prescott-Russell, and Renfrew County.
Who May Receive Passport Funding?
Any adult, 18 years of age and older, with a developmental disability as defined within the
Services and Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act (2008). This includes young adults who are 18 years of age and still in school.
What can I use Passport Funding For?
The Passport program is designed to complement and work together with other government programs, resources and sources of funding to provide a wide range of supports. Once approved and the annual allocation is determined, funding can cover the following expenses:
- Community Participation
- Activities of Daily Living
- Caregiver Respite
- Person-Directed Planning
- Administration of Passport funding (up to 10% of Passport allocation)
How do I apply for Passport Funding?
All individuals interested in accessing Passport or any other developmental service in the province of Ontario must contact Developmental Services Ontario (DSO). Once the DSO confirms you are eligible to receive Passport funding you will begin the application process.
To contact the DSO in the Eastern Region:
Telephone: 1-855-376-3737
TTY: 1-855-777-5787
Once the application/assessment process is complete, the DSO will transfer your application for Passport funding to March of Dimes Canada where it is reviewed and the applicant is placed on a wait list. When new funding is made available by MCCSS, all applications on the wait list are considered. To promote a fair and equitable service system, all applications for Passport are prioritized according to individuals support needs and circumstances and available resources.
Due to the large volume of applicants on the service registry, we regret that is not possible to predict when an application may be selected for funding. To ensure applications are up to date, individuals on the wait list are asked to inform the DSO of any change to their name, address, phone number, living arrangement or supports and needs.
For program information please contact:
March of Dimes Canada, Eastern Region Passport Office
117 Centrepointe Drive, Suite 250
Ottawa, ON K2G 5X3
Telephone: 613-596-3463
Toll Free: 877-695-7999
