Coordinated Service Planning
Coordinated Service Planning (CSP) helps children and youth with multiple or complex special needs get better access to the services they need. The program is designed to make it easier for families to find help, understand their options, and build a plan that brings all their services together.
Each family in the program works with a Service Planning Coordinator (SPC) that will help create a clear, connected plan that brings together services such as health care, education, mental health, and developmental supports. The goal is to make sure everyone involved is working toward the same goals for the child or youth.
Families may qualify for Coordinated Service Planning if they:
- Have a child/youth under 18 (or up to 21 if in school) residing in Ontario
- Are managing multiple or complex special needs that span across sectors (e.g., education, health, children’s services)
- Require additional help coordinating supports, regardless of whether the child has a formal diagnosis
If you would like to make a referral, please complete the CSP Intake Form and attach the complete form to the online referral.
CSP uses a tiered model. This means the level of support depends on how complex or urgent your child’s needs are. Some families may just need short-term help finding resources. Others may need more in-depth support, with a team of professionals working together to coordinate care.
No matter the level of support, CSP helps make sure families don’t have to navigate services alone.
Low-Intensity, Short-Term Support
Who it’s for:
- Families who need short-term help finding services or information
- Are trying to understand how different systems work
- Are facing smaller service gaps or just starting to look for support
- Don’t yet need a full, formal service plan
This level of support is often a good starting point for families who are new to the system or just beginning to explore their options.
What to expect from CSP workers:
- You will be connected with a Service Planning Coordinator for brief support
- You will have at least two check-ins (by phone, email, online, or in person)
- Support may include helping you find and apply for programs such as Special Services at Home or Autism funding
- Referring you to services such as early intervention or developmental supports
At this level, a formal Coordinated Service Plan is not created. But if your child’s needs become more complex or ongoing, we can move you into Tier 2 for more intensive support.
Moderate-Intensity, Ongoing Support
Who it’s for:
- Families already working with multiple services (school, developmental services, and mental health supports)
- Need regular help bringing all those services together in a clear, organized way
- Have youth who aren’t in crisis, but need structured planning, follow-up, and teamwork across providers
What to expect from CSP workers:
- Your family will work with an SPC to create a formal Coordinated Service Plan
- The SPC will check in with you regularly (monthly or quarterly, depending on your needs)
- Support includes setting up and leading care team meetings, tracking progress on goals and services, updating the plan at least once a year and helping with service navigation and solving problems as they come up
The SPC Helps With:
- Making sure all service providers understand the plan
- Clarifying who is doing what across different sectors
- Ensuring your voice and your child’s needs are part of every decision
If needs become more urgent, such as rising behaviours, ongoing service gaps, or barriers in the system, your family may be considered for Tier 3, which offers more intensive support.
High-Intensity, Complex Needs Support
Who it’s for:
- Tier 3 is for youth with urgent, complex, or safety-related needs. This may include risk of losing their current placement (home, group care, foster care), serious mental health concerns, or major gaps in services or support
- This level of support is often for children and youth who are in high-risk or unstable situations, or whose care needs are changing quickly and require fast, focused action.
What to expect from CSP workers:
- Intensive and proactive care coordination
- A formal Coordinated Service Plan is developed and reviewed every 6 months or more often if needed
The SPC Will:
- Lead frequent care team meetings with all service providers involved
- Provide high-level advocacy to ensure urgent needs are addressed
- Help make referrals to specialized or out-of-region services if local services aren’t enough
- Monitor goals, risks, and progress closely to adjust the plan as needed
At this level, families are assessed for Complex Special Needs (CSN) funding and may be connected with the CSN Resource Team for more specialized support.