$100,000 OTF Grant from the Ontario Government Strengthens Supports for Families
September 26, 2025
$100,000 OTF Grant from the Ontario Government Strengthens Supports for Families
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON – On Thursday, local MPP Jennie Stevens joined Niagara Children’s Centre at a donor recognition event to celebrate a $100,000 Seed grant they received from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). The funding was used to pilot an innovative Behaviour Therapy Program designed to address the social and emotional needs of children with developmental delays.
With OTF’s support, Niagara Children’s Centre was able to hire a Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA). The BCBA works with clinicians, children, and families to assess behaviour and create individualized intervention plans that improve social, emotional, and developmental outcomes. This approach ensures that children receive evidence-based, timely, and effective care that supports both therapy goals and family life.
Quotes:
“I’m so proud to see the Ontario Trillium Foundation supporting Niagara Children’s Centre with this important investment. This $100,000 grant is helping to ensure children with developmental delays get the specialized behavioral support they need to thrive. The work being done here is life-changing for kids and families across Niagara, and I want to thank the staff, the families, and every supporter of the Centre for the incredible difference they make in our community.”
- Wayne Gates, MPP for Niagara Falls
"Niagara Children’s Centre is an essential part of our community, giving children and families the supports they need to thrive. This Ontario Trillium Foundation grant will help the Centre pilot an innovative program that addresses the social and emotional needs of children with developmental delays. By investing in early and specialized supports, we are ensuring that more children can reach their full potential in school, at home, and in the community. This is about more than health care; it is about dignity, opportunity, and building brighter futures for families across Niagara. I am proud to celebrate this investment and the incredible work of the Niagara Children’s Centre.”
- Jennie Stevens, MPP for St. Catharines
“There is a growing demand for specialized behavioural supports in Ontario, especially following the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Oksana Fisher, CEO, Niagara Children’s Centre. “Having a BCBA on our team has been incredibly beneficial. They collaborate with our clinicians to address challenging behaviours, which in turn helps children participate more fully in their therapy and daily routines.”
- Oksana Fisher, CEO for Niagara Children’s Centre
“Since working with the Behaviour Analyst, our son is having stronger days with fewer meltdowns, and even when challenges come up, they don’t last as long. The personalized strategies we’ve learned have become second nature for our family and made daily life so much smoother.”
- Arethea Harris, mother of a child receiving Behaviour Support Services from Niagara Children’s Centre
About the Niagara Children’s Centre
Niagara Children’s Centre provides rehabilitation and child development services to more than 5,900 children and youth each year across the Niagara Region with physical, developmental, and communicative delays. Services include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language services, augmentative and alternative communication, family services, child development services, and therapeutic recreation.
About the Ontario Trillium Foundation
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. Last year, OTF invested nearly $105M into 732 community projects and multi-sector partnerships. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
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For further information contact: Michael Morrison, Marketing & Communications Officer
Phone: 905-688-1890 ext 260
Email: michael.morrison@niagarachildrenscentre.com