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Family Support Programs

Providing families with support and community connections.

Durham Supervised Access Program

A stepping stone for families working to rebuild relationships in a safe, child-focused environment.
  • A welcoming, neutral space where children and parents can connect 
  • A short-term arrangement for access plans
  • A child-focused setting where adult issues are not discussed
  • Staff presence to help reduce the risk of allegations
  • Support for graduated access, including supervised visits and exchanges
  • Observation summaries ($100 for 10 weeks)

Types of Supervised Access

Supervised Parenting Times

Visits in the presence of program staff and trained volunteers

Key program details: 

  • For children ages 0 to 16
  • Biweekly visits up to 90 minutes each visit
  • No contact between parents
  • Offered in person and virtually
  • Supervised by YMCA staff and trained volunteers
  • Visits typically start 3-4 weeks after registration 

Supervised Exchanges

Safe exchange points for children to transition between parties without conflict

Key program details: 

  • For children ages 0 to 16
  • Visits may be daytime or overnight
  • No contact between parents
  • Multiple locations may be used for pickup or drop-off
  • Pickup/drop-off only during program hours
  • Exchanges typically start once intake process is completed
  • 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

boy playing with train

The Family and Community Action Program (FCAP) promotes the healthy development of young children from birth to age 6 who reside in Durham Region, and who face challenges that put their health at risk, such as:

  • Poverty
  • Teen parents
  • Social and geographic isolation (i.e. rural families and newcomers to Canada)
  • Substance use and mental health issues
  • Family violence

This program is funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada and Community Action Program for Children, and administrated by the YMCA of the Greater Toronto.

Types of support

FCAP programs adapt their activities to meet the needs of the families they serve. All programs and services are completely free, and many are offered in partnership with other community organizations. Some of the programs available include:

  • Nutritional support 
  • Parent education and support groups
  • Post-natal programs
  • Parent-child, play-based learning programs, including school readiness programs
  • Child health and development activities
  • Outreach and individual support
  • Specialized programs, such as support for mothers dealing with interpersonal violence, and newcomers support
  • Information and links to other community services

Programs are delivered virtually and in-person (outdoors and indoors).
Services and support are available in different languages.

For more information, please contact FCAP at fcap@ymcagta.org or 905-438-0822 Ext. 532

Here to Help

Since the beginning of the pandemic, our Family Support Programs and food security initiatives have stepped up to support our communities by:

  • distributing over 1 million meals to families of students in need
  • sharing 220+ hours of live story, song, game, and craft sessions on our YMCA of Greater Toronto's Facebook Livestream
  • providing free craft kits families can use at home
  • connecting with registered families through online learning portals
  • facilitating virtual and safe in-person visits between non-custodial parents and their children
  • offering online parenting and kindergarten-readiness programs
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Did you know?

Together with our partners, the Y has provided over 1 million meals to youth who would otherwise go hungry.
Woman with child working on crafts

“On a weekly basis now, I visit two teens living in an apartment in Brampton. You have helped me deliver hope, care, kindness, and compassion to these youth who needed all of those things. So, thank you for the fruit and the bread and the milk. But thank you the most for allowing me to partner with you to make our community stronger.”

—Vice Principal who uses the Peel Student Nutrition program operating out of a YMCA Child Care centre to bring food to students in need.

Your support helps the Y continue our food security initiatives, from our three permanent food banks to harvesting and distributing fresh food from our farm.

Learn More About Our Charitable Impact