Ontario Government Commits $59 Million to New Children’s Treatment Centre in Chatham-Kent
Chatham-Kent — In a significant move to support children with special needs and their families, the Ontario government has announced a $59 million investment to build the new Children’s Treatment Centre of Chatham-Kent. This development promises to enhance access to vital rehabilitation services within the region.
The announcement was made at a groundbreaking ceremony, signifying the start of construction for the new 58,000-square-foot, fully accessible building. This facility will replace the existing site and provide a larger, state-of-the-art space equipped to serve more children and youth with special needs.
“Building a new state-of-the-art Children’s Treatment Centre for children and youth with special needs in Chatham-Kent and surrounding communities is one more way our government is ensuring families can connect to specialized services, no matter where they live,” stated Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. He acknowledged the efforts of the Chatham-Kent Children’s Treatment Centre Foundation’s Board of Directors and local advocates in making this project a reality.
Wonderful to join my colleagues Minister @TrevorJonesCKL and MPP @PinsonneaultLKM in #ChathamKent this morning to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Children’s Treatment Centre of Chatham Kent!
Our government is proud to be investing nearly $59 million into the… pic.twitter.com/ofYgcmXMDC
— Michael Parsa (@MichaelParsa) July 29, 2024
The new centre will house a team of professionals offering a wide range of specialized rehabilitation and respite services under one roof, including:
- Speech-language pathology
- Occupational therapy
- Physiotherapy
- Services for children and youth with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
- Audiology
- Respite services
- Ontario Autism Program services
- Coordinating care for children and youth with multiple and/or complex special needs
Donna Litwin-Makey, CEO of the Children’s Treatment Centre of Chatham-Kent, expressed her appreciation for the collective efforts that brought this project to fruition. “With our vision of Amazing Kids Today, Enriching our Community Tomorrow, this significant provincial investment will meet the needs of our Chatham-Kent children, youth, and families with physical, developmental, and communication needs. Groundbreaking is an incredible step forward, and we are excited to share this key milestone with our community,” she said.
This new facility is part of a larger provincial initiative that has seen nearly $600 million invested in modernizing children’s treatment centres across Ontario. Other projects include the new Lansdowne Children’s Centre in Brantford, Grandview Kids in Ajax, the 1Door4Care: CHEO Integrated Treatment Centre in Ottawa, and the recently relocated Health Sciences North Children’s Treatment Centre in Sudbury.
The Children’s Treatment Centre of Chatham-Kent is expected to be a cornerstone in the community, providing essential services to support the development and well-being of children with special needs. As construction begins, families in Chatham-Kent and surrounding areas look forward to a future where accessing specialized care is more convenient and comprehensive.
