On May 18, 2005, as part of the transformation of developmental services, the Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS) announced that four Networks of Specialized Care would be established across the province. The purpose of the Networks is to enhance service to adults with a developmental disability who need specialized care for co-existing mental health and or/ behavioural issues.

In March 2006, MCSS announced the following lead agencies for the four Networks:

• Northern Ontario (Nipissing, Parry Sound and Muskoka regions) – HANDS the Family Help Network 
• Central Ontario (from Waterloo in the west to Peterborough in the east, including Simcoe County and the Greater Toronto Area) – Surrey Place Centre (Toronto), Community Living Huronia (Pineview site), Central West Specialized Developmental Services (Oakville)
• Eastern Ontario (from Hastings County east to the Quebec border and north to Renfrew County) – Ongwanada and Prescott-Russell Services for Children and Adults
• Southern Ontario (including the Hamilton and Niagara regions and south western Ontario) – Bethesda and Regional Support Associates

The Community Networks of Specialized Care were created to ensure a system which is:

• Accessible – so that people and their caregivers/families can access the clinical services they need, when and where they need them;
• Coordinated & Integrated – so that the services and supports from a number of programs, organizations and sectors are working together with people and their families to make a difference;
• Accountable – so that we know the networks are actually making a difference.

Specialized Services are defined as clinical services that utilize a biopsychosocial approach and focus on informed practices. The continuum of services includes crisis response, specialized case management, community-based clinical services, day treatment, specialized residential accommodation and in-patient hospital treatment. Clinical services are provided by specialized health care professionals.

For more information please visit Community Networks of Specialized Care

The Tri Region of Central Ontario

The Tri Region oversees the activities within the Networks in the Central Region and conducts work related to the entire region.

The goal of the Tri Region is to deliver, coordinate, enhance, build capacity and make accessible, specialized clinical services for adults with a developmental disability and mental health issues and/or challenging behaviour. The Tri Region aims to “improve aspects of quality of life” for these individuals.

The Tri Region is a partnership consisting of representatives from the three regions in the Central Region of Ontario (Central East, Central West and Toronto).

The Lead Agencies are:
Central West Network: Central West Specialized Developmental Services (Oakville)
Toronto Network: Surrey Place Centre
Central East Network: Community Living Huronia

The Tri Region consists of representatives from each of the 3 regions, including Developmental Services, Mental Health Services, Academic Health Science Centres, Universities, Justice, Primary Care, Ministry of Community and Social Services and families.

The Central Region Education and Research Coordinator and the Videoconferencing Coordinator provide support and service to the Tri Region and the regional Networks.

For more information, visit Tri Region Alliance

Toronto Network of Specialized Care

The Toronto Network of Specialized Care is one of  three Networks in the Central Region of Ontario (Central East, Central West and Toronto) and is represented in the Tri Region. The lead agency for the Toronto Network is Surrey Place Centre

The Toronto Network is a multi-agency, cross sector partnership of organizations for adults who have a developmental disability and mental health issues (dual diagnosis) and/or challenging behaviours.

Our goal is to improve the quality of services for individuals and families by easing the access to specialized services in an efficient and timely way. Our role is also to enhance the continuum and continuity of care.

Toronto Network Functions:

• To integrate Toronto services for individuals with a development disability and mental health needs and/or challenging behaviour.
• To increase system and service providers' capacity to care for people with developmental disabilities and mental health needs and/or challenging behaviour through education and training.
• To promote research that will increase knowledge of best practices and that can inform system planning.

The Network Coordinator can also facilitate access to Specialized Clinical Case Conferencing and Service Resolution when an individual has complex treatment needs that cannot be met in the community.

For more information please visit Toronto Network of Specialized Care.