Family Support Programs
Providing families with care, community, and connection.
Durham Supervised Access Program
What Is Supervised Access?
Supervised access offers:
- A welcoming, neutral space where children and parents can connect
- A short-term arrangement for access plans
- A child-focused setting — adult issues are never discussed
- Staff presence helps reduce the risk of allegations
- Support for graduated access, including supervised visits and exchanges
- Observation summaries available ($100 for 10 weeks)
Types of Supervised Access
Supervised Parenting Times
Visits in the presence of program staff and trained volunteers
Supervised Exchanges
Safe exchange points for children to transition between parties without conflict
- How To Register
- Locations
- A family court order or mutually signed agreement is required
- Files with the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) must be closed before starting
- $200 annual fee per parent (unless agreement directs one parent to pay full fee of $400)
- $50 nonrefundable intake fee
- Reduced fees available for families with limited income
- Payment plans offered
- Each parent must call to register: 905-619-4565 ext. 305 or ext. 318
Oshawa YMCA location
Visits:
- Saturday: 10 am–11:30 am / 12:45 pm–2:15 pm / 3 pm–4:30 pm
- Sunday: 10 am–11:30 am / 12:45 pm–2:15 pm / 3pm–4:30 pm
Exchanges:
- Saturday (weekly availability): 9:30 am / 12:30 pm / 5 pm
- Sunday (weekly availability): 9:30 am / 12:30 pm / 5 pm
Ajax Early ON location
Visits:
- Friday: 6 pm–7:30 pm
- Saturday: 10 am–11:30 am / 12:45pm–2:15 pm / 3pm–4:30 pm
Exchanges:
- Friday (biweekly availability): 5:30 pm or 7:30 pm
- Saturday (biweekly availability): 9:30 am / 12:30 pm / 5 pm
* Availability for specific days and times may be limited. If a families’ preferred schedule is not available, they can begin at an alternate time and remain on the waiting list for their preferred schedule.
* Exchanges can take place at any of the listed times and at one or more designated locations. For example, a family may arrange pick-up on Friday in Ajax at 5:30 pm and return on Sunday in Oshawa at 5 pm.
Family and Community Action Program (FCAP)
FCAP is for families facing challenges that put their children’s health at risk, such as:
- Poverty
- Teen parenthood
- Social or geographic isolation (including newcomers to Canada)
- Substance use or mental health issues
- Family violence
This free program is funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada through the Community Action Program for Children and administered by the YMCA of Greater Toronto.
Free of charge, we offer:
- Nutritional support and community kitchens
- Parent education and support groups
- Pre- and post-natal programs
- Play-based parent-child programs, including school readiness
- Child health and development activities
- Outreach and individual support
- Specialized programs, such as violence support for mothers and newcomer support
- Information and referrals to other community services
Programs are delivered both in person (indoors and outdoors) and virtually. Services are available in various languages, including Spanish, Tamil, and Hindi.
Peel Student Nutrition Program
For the 60,000 students who rely on this program every year, it provides over 6 million access points to food– from balanced meals to nutritious snacks– so they can head to class each day with a full stomach, ready to learn, succeed, and shine.
The Peel Student Nutrition Program is funded in part by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, and operated in Peel Region by the YMCA of Greater Toronto in cooperation with the YMCA of Three Rivers.
Belonging shouldn't have a price tag
The Y is a charity and generous donors make it possible for families to access life-changing programs, from swim lessons to summer camps and beyond.