Referrals

General Eligibility

• The child/youth is a resident of the Regional Municipality of Niagara
• Programs/services are available from birth to age 21, depending on the specific program
• The child/youth must have a suspected or diagnosed physical, developmental and/or communication delay or disability

Program Specific Eligbility 

• Each program at the Centre has specific eligibility. Each program may have specific age eligibility, address-specific needs, or require a specific type of referral (e.g. physician referral).
• You may also refer to our programs and services listing for program-specific eligibility criteria.

If parents/legal guardians have concerns about their child’s development, but are unsure of their child’s development support needs, what services to seek and/or how to access them, then they can request a “SmartStart Hub” appointment with one of our knowledgeable Intake Coordinators.

Parents and legal guardians can make specific service requests for core services of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language therapy for children from birth until August 31st of the year the child turns 4.

Based on the concerns identified by parents/guardians in their service request, our Intake Coordinators will also explore the options below for children/youth aged 0-18 years of age (if applicable):

• Augmentative and Alternative Communication Clinic
• School-Age Active Rehabilitation Services
• School-Aged Equipment Needs
• Seating and Mobility Clinic
• Social Work 

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) are encouraged to use the Online Service Request link to share their concerns and book a call with an Intake Coordinator at a convenient time.

Alternatively, you may choose to leave a voicemail for Intake at (905) 688-1890, ext. 110 to start the process of a service request/referral.

*For more information about these programs, see our A-Z listing.

Don’t see the program you are interested in listed?

Parents and legal guardians of children already involved with Centre services can ask their child’s therapist(s) about eligibility for/referrals to any of the Centre’s additional programs and services.

Physicians or Medical Professionals can make referrals for most Centre programs/services. The Online Service Request will provide you with a full list of options.

“Physicians or Medical Professionals” refers to allied health professionals:

• Niagara Health/Hospital Staff/hospital-based clinic staff
• Primary Care Physician/Nurse Practitioner
• Medical Specialist
• Pediatrician
• Ontario Health at Home Care Coordinators

Please note: Use of the Online Service Request link is preferred.

If you prefer fax, the following form must be faxed to Intake at (905) 688-9181:

• Niagara Children’s Centre/Smart Start Hub Physician/Primary Care/Healthcare Providers Referral Form

Supporting Documents:

• Families AccessOAP Handout
• Handout for Families with a New Diagnosis of ASD
• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic Eligibility
• The Early Years OT, PT and/or SLP referral checklists are optional:
  Niagara Children's Centre Birth to School Start (OT| PT | SLP) Referral Checklist

Designated local community partners may make referrals for the SmartStart Hub and/or core services of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and/or speech-language therapy for children aged 0-4* (*until August 31st of the year the child turns 4). 

“Local Community Partners” refers to any of the following:

• Family and Children’s Services (FACS) or any Children’s Aid Society (CAS) in Ontario
• Niagara Region and Public Health: Healthy Babies Health Children, Public Health Nurses, Niagara Parents, Children's Services
• Pathstone Mental Health
• Bethesda
• Contact Niagara
• De dwa da dehs nye>s
• Centre de santé Communautaire
• Professionals in a Preschool Speech and Language Program (PSL), Infant Hearing Program (IHP) lead agency, AAC Clinic or Children’s Treatment Centre in Ontario
• Childcare/Preschool (SLP only) and EarlyON Educators
• Click here for printable SLP checklists to use in your centre. If these checklists are used, the age-appropriate section must be uploaded to or copied into the online referral.

Online referral is strongly encouraged and preferred.

Alternatively, Community Partners (excluding Childcare/Preschool and EarlyON Educators) may choose to fax the appropriate referral form(s) to Intake at (905) 688-9181:

• Niagara Children’s Centre/Smart Start Hub Referral Form - if requesting core service(s) referrals and/or SmartStart Hub
• Niagara Children's Centre Birth to School Start (OT| PT | SLP) Referral Checklist must accompany the referral form if requesting OT, PT and/or SLP.

Supporting Information/Documentation (Optional)
Community Partners may choose to attach these optional forms to avoid families from having to share their story twice and/or to ensure the Centre receives all the necessary information to enable the highest quality care for the family.

• About My Baby Form
• About My Child Form
• Access & Equity Questionnaire

Supplemental Consent Processes and Documents 

• Guide to Obtaining Consent for Information Sharing Form
• Difficulty Contacting Legal Guardian For Consent Form
• Authorization Form
• CAS Authorization Form