Community Resources

Please Note:

This page is still under development and will be updated regularly to achieve an exhaustive list of resources surounding London & Middlesex. Thank you for your patience.

London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) - General Programs & Services

A large, acute-care teaching hospital offering a comprehensive range of specialized medical services for adults across multiple sites (Victoria Hospital, University Hospital).
Key Services (not an exhauative list):
• Emergency Departments: Adult Emergency Departments at both Victoria and University Hospitals.
• Cancer Care: The Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre, offering various treatments including radiation and chemotherapy.
• Cardiac Care: Specialized cardiology and cardiac rehabilitation programs.
• Critical Care: Adult Critical Care Trauma Centre (CCTC) and Intensive Care Units (ICUs).
• Mental Health Care: Adult Mental Health programs, including inpatient and outpatient services.
• Transplant Programs: A major multi-organ transplant center.
• Specialized Surgery: General surgery, plastic surgery, joint replacement, and more.
• Renal Program: Dialysis and treatment for kidney disease.
• Women’s Care: Maternal Newborn Care, Gynecology, and Pregnancy Options.

How to Access/Refer:
• Physician/Nurse Practitioner Referral (Most Common): Most specialized services and programs at LHSC require a referral from your family doctor or a nurse practitioner. They will assess your needs and send the necessary medical documentation.
• Emergency Situations: For immediate medical emergencies, go directly to an LHSC Emergency Department.
• Emergency: For life-threatening emergencies, call 911.

Children's Hospital at LHSC: Services & How to Access

Providing highly specialized medical, surgical, and mental health care specifically for infants, children, and youth (generally up to 18 years old). It’s a regional referral centre.

Examples of Key Services:

  • Children’s Emergency Department: Dedicated emergency care for pediatric patients.
  • Intensive Care: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for newborns and Paediatric Critical Care Unit (PCCU) for critically ill children.
  • Extensive Medical & Surgical Specialties: Including pediatric oncology (cancer), cardiology, neurology, gastroenterology, diabetes, genetics, and various pediatric surgeries.
  • Child & Adolescent Mental Health (CAMH): Offers inpatient, outpatient, and day treatment for youth with mental health challenges, including eating disorders.
  • Supportive Programs: Child Life (helps children cope with hospital experiences), Paediatric Family Resource Centre, and specialized pain management.

How to Access/Refer:

  • Medical Referral (Most Common): Similar to adult LHSC services, access to most specialized programs at Children’s Hospital requires a referral from your child’s family doctor or pediatrician.
  • Emergency Situations: For immediate medical emergencies involving a child, go directly to the Children’s Emergency Department at Victoria Hospital.
  • Emergency: For life-threatening emergencies, call 911.
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Children's Aid Society London & Middlesex Services:
  • Child Protection:
    • Investigating allegations or evidence that children under 18 might be in need of protection (physical, emotional, sexual harm, or neglect).
    • Protecting children where necessary.
    • Providing guidance, counselling, and other services to families to protect children/youth and prevent circumstances requiring protection.
  • Care for Children and Youth:
    • Providing care for children and youth assigned or committed to their care (e.g., in foster homes, group homes, or with relatives/friends). Placements are usually short-term, with a goal of returning children home if safe.
  • Foster Care:
    • Recruiting and supporting foster parents who provide temporary care for children and youth when they cannot safely remain with their parents.
  • Adoption Services:
    • Placing children for adoption when they cannot return home and need a permanent family.
    • Providing information about adopting a child in Ontario.
    • Offering post-adoption support (financial assistance or referrals to community resources).
  • Adoption Disclosure:
    • Handling requests for birth family and adoption information for adopted adults and birth parents.
  • Youth Response Unit:
    • Strengthening protective services to youth, preserving family systems, and providing family-based supports, with an ongoing commitment to preparing youth for life and building permanent relationships.
  • Indigenous Services & Black African Canadian Services:
    • Offering specialized services to support these communities within their child protection mandate.
How to Apply for or Be Referred to Services:

The primary way people come into contact with the Children’s Aid Society is through a “Duty to Report” if there are concerns about a child’s safety and well-being.

  • Reporting Concerns (Duty to Report):
    • Anyone who has reasonable grounds to suspect that a child (under 18 years old) is or might be in need of protection due to abuse or neglect is legally required to promptly report their suspicion to CAS. This applies to both the general public and professionals.
    • You must make the report directly to CAS and not rely on anyone else.
    • How to Report:
      • Call: The most direct way to report concerns is by phone.
        • Main Phone: 519-455-9000
        • After-Hours/Emergency: 519-455-9000 (press #5)
        • Toll-Free: 1-888-661-6167
      • Email: info@caslondon.on.ca (though they prefer calls for reporting concerns).
      • Consultation: You can call and consult a protection worker without identifying the family if you are unsure or want to discuss a situation.
      • Anonymity: It is possible to make an anonymous referral by not providing your identifying information, but it’s encouraged to share concerns with CAS if you are worried about being identified.
      • Immediate Danger: If a child is in immediate danger, call 911 first.
  • Applying for Foster or Adoptive Parent Services:
    • If you are interested in becoming a foster or adoptive parent, you can proactively reach out to CASLM.
    • Contact:
      • Call: 519-455-9000 ext. 2777
      • Email: info@caslondon.on.ca (Subject line: Foster Adopt)
    • Process:
      1. Contact & Application: Reach out to them to schedule an information meeting (in-home or virtual) to discuss the process and review the application package.
      2. PRIDE Training: If you decide to proceed, you’ll be invited to mandatory PRIDE training (Parent, Resource, Information, Development and Education), a 9-week (27-hour) provincial program.
      3. Home Study: A Structured Analysis Family Evaluation (SAFE) home assessment will be completed, involving interviews and a home safety check.
      4. Requirements: This process involves police checks, child welfare record checks, financial disclosure, personal references, and medical exams.
      5. Support: Approved foster/adoptive parents receive ongoing support, training, and a per diem rate to cover child care costs.
    • Information Sessions: They often hold monthly foster information sessions; check their website for details.
  • Post-Adoption Support:
    • Families needing support after adoption finalization can contact CASLM directly for assistance (e.g., subsidy requests or referrals to community resources).
  • Service Complaints:
    • If you have a concern or complaint about the services received from CASLM, you can contact your worker’s supervisor or call CAS to request a copy of their complaint procedure.

Important Note: The Children’s Aid Society is required by law to intervene when a child under 18 has been threatened, harmed, or neglected. Their primary goal is to keep families together safely whenever possible.

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Family Service Thames Valley (FSTV) Services:

Family Service Thames Valley (FSTV) is a community-based organization in London & Middlesex that provides counselling and support services, with a strong focus on empowering individuals and families to navigate life’s challenges. They are particularly known for their accessible and affordable mental health, trauma, and wellness services.

  • Family Counselling:
    • Provides professional counselling and psychotherapy to families facing various difficulties.
    • Helps manage relationship issues, communication breakdowns, and family conflicts.
    • Supports families adjusting to significant life transitions like separation, divorce, grief, or other changes.
    • Aims to improve family dynamics and create healthier home environments.
  • Counselling for Children & Youth:
    • Addresses a range of challenges specific to children and youth, including:
      • Anxiety and depression
      • Low self-esteem
      • Grief and loss
      • Adjustment to parental separation/divorce
      • Bullying
      • School-related issues
    • Counselling can help children and youth express themselves, develop coping strategies, and navigate difficult emotions.
    • Note: For children aged 6-11, a specific consent form for counselling is available on their website.
  • Developmental Services (Community Integration Program):
    • Supports children, adults, and their families who have a developmental disability.
    • Family Services: Specifically helps families with a child who has a developmental disability by:
      • Linking them to natural community supports and resources.
      • Providing crisis and case management support.
      • Offering referrals to other relevant community services.
    • Passport Program Services: While primarily for adults (18+), FSTV assists families in managing Passport funding for individuals with developmental disabilities. This funding can be used for community participation, caregiver respite, or hiring support workers.

General Services (also benefit families and individuals within them):

  • Community Counselling Program: Offers individual, couple, and group counselling for a wide range of issues including:
    • Anxiety, depression, stress
    • Grief and loss
    • Past trauma or abuse
    • Parenting challenges
    • Relationship difficulties
    • Adjustment to life transitions
  • Support Services for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse (SSMSSA): Provides counselling and support to male-identifying individuals (16+) who have experienced historical sexual abuse or recent sexual assault. Families of survivors may also be eligible for services.
How to Access Services
  • Initial Contact: The primary way to access FSTV’s counselling and support services is by calling them to request an intake appointment.
    • Phone: 519-433-0183
    • Email: reception@fstv.ca (for non-crisis situations)
  • Intake Process: An initial intake appointment (often free) will be scheduled to determine your specific counselling needs and preferences.
  • Fees: FSTV operates with set fees, but a sliding fee scale may be available based on income, and some services (like SSMSSA) may be free. They also work with government-funded programs, employer-paid supports, and subsidized counselling.
  • Developmental Services Access:
    • For the Adult Protective Service Worker (APSW) program and initial access to adult developmental services (including Passport funding), referrals are made through Developmental Services Ontario (DSO).
    • For Family Services within their Developmental Services, you can contact FSTV directly via the main number or developmental services specific contact (check their website for direct line if available).
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London & Middlesex Family Centres: Community Hubs for Families

London and Middlesex have a network of “Family Centres” (many co-located with EarlyON Child and Family Centres) that act as community hubs. They bring together families, service providers, and neighbours to support children’s growth, development, and learning from birth through the school years.

Key Features Across All Family Centres:

  • Learn and Play: Free or low-cost activities, events, and programs.
  • Community Connection: Opportunities to meet neighbours and make friends.
  • Resource Access: Connection to a variety of community services for parenting and family life.
  • Community Connectors: Staff available at each centre to welcome families, provide initial answers, help navigate services, and make referrals or connections to meet family needs. They can even make calls on a family’s behalf.
  • EarlyON Programming: All London Family Centres host EarlyON Child and Family Centre programs, focusing on children 0-6 years old and their caregivers. These programs are free drop-in sessions, offering engaging play, early learning support, and parenting workshops.
  • Specialized Connections: They facilitate connections to specialized programs and services, including those for Indigenous and Francophone families, and for children with special needs.

Family Centre Locations & Programs (Examples – as offerings vary by site and time):

While specific daily programs change, here are some examples of the types of activities and services offered across the London Family Centres. Each centre has its own calendar.

  • Family Centre Argyle (Lord Nelson Public School, 1990 Royal Cres, London)
    • Examples: EarlyON Playgroups (general, Motion Monday for gross motor skills, French immersion with La Ribambelle), Baby Move & Groove, Infant Hearing Screening Program, “Get School Ready with the Kinder-Krew!”, Sensory Room Open, various off-site park/library programs.
  • Family Centre Carling-Thames (Northbrae Public School, 335 Belfield St, London)
  • Family Centre Fanshawe (Cedar Hollow Public School, 1800 Cedarhollow Blvd, London)
  • Family Centre Fox Hollow (Sir Arthur Currie Public School, 2435 Buroak Dr, London)
  • Family Centre Huron Heights (St Anne Catholic School, 1370 Huron St, London)
  • Family Centre Nshwaasnangong (449 Hill St, London) – Noted for Indigenous-led Early Years Programs.
  • Family Centre Westminster (St Francis Catholic Elementary School, 690 Osgoode Dr, London)
  • Family Centre Westmount (St Rose of Lima Catholic Elementary School, 1019 Viscount Rd, London)
  • Family Centre White Oaks (White Oaks Public School, 565 Bradley Ave, London)

Programs for Families & Children (Common Themes Across Locations):

  • EarlyON Programs: Free drop-in playgroups, songs, stories, sensory activities, gross motor play for children 0-6 and their caregivers. Focus on early learning and development.
  • Parenting Support: Workshops, social opportunities, and connections to resources.
  • Child Development: Activities supporting physical, cognitive, social, and emotional growth.
  • Community Building: Events and spaces for families to connect with each other and their community.
  • Information & Referrals: Assistance connecting to specialized services like speech and language services, developmental screening, support for children with disabilities, and referrals to child/family mental wellness resources.
How to Apply for or Be Referred to Services:

The key strength of Family Centres is their ease of access and self-referral model.

  • Direct Access/Self-Referral:
    • Most programs, especially EarlyON activities, are drop-in and free. You do not need a formal referral. Simply visit a centre during their program hours.
    • Step 1: Visit or Call a Centre: The best way to learn about specific programs and services at a particular location, or to get help finding resources, is to directly visit or call your nearest Family Centre.
    • Step 2: Connect with a “Community Connector”: These staff members are designed to be your first point of contact. They will listen to your needs, provide information, and help you connect to internal programs or make referrals to external community services if needed. They can assist with making phone calls or explaining how to access other services.
  • Middlesex County Community Connectors: In Middlesex County, Middlesex County Library Branches also act as trusted Community Connectors, providing information and helping families access services.
  • No Formal Doctor Referral Needed: Unlike hospital services, you do not need a physician’s referral to access Family Centre programs or their Community Connector services.

Essentially: You can simply walk into or call any Family Centre and speak with a Community Connector to get started. Check their online calendars (via familyinfo.ca) for current program schedules at each specific location.

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