For all Hands services please call 1-800-668-8555 for more information or to book an appointment. You can also access our forms if you’d like to complete an online referral.
You can also direct your clients to our resources page for additional information and supports.
Child and Youth Services
Our Child and Youth Services are here to support children, youth, and their families. We have many different service types to suit our clients’ needs. Find a summary of our services below:

Autism and Behavioural Services
- Autism services provide support to children, youth, and their caregivers
- Families can get started by attending our free virtual Autism Consultations:
- Tuesdays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, with extended evening hours the first Tuesday of every month
- Consultations are open to any families who have a child or youth diagnosed with Autism
- Support with service coordination, behavioural consultation, and speech-language consultation

Child and Youth Mental Health Services
- We are a lead agency for Child and Youth Mental Health
- Our services support children, youth, and their families
- Families can get started by attending our weekly online Counselling Clinics.
- Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm (last appointment at 5:30 pm)
- During this time, we work with families to create a plan for next steps
- Families can contact us to book an appointment or get more information.
- Service providers may refer a child or youth to our mental health services by completing our online referral form

Child Development Services
- Our services help infants, children, youth, and families by encouraging maternal, infant, and child health. Our team also provides specialized services to help children diagnosed with a developmental disability, and their families. Our Child Development Services are available to families in the Districts of Muskoka and Parry Sound
- Clients and families get started in different ways depending on the supports they need:
- Developmental Services for Children: We offer specialized behaviour services for children and youth with a developmental disability, ages 0-18 years. Contact us to get started or complete our online referral form
- Infant and Child Development Services: We provide coaching and strategies for parents to help them support their child’s development. We’re here to help. Contact us to get started or complete a referral form
- Great Beginnings: We support pregnant people and parents of children 0-3 years of age. Contact us to register or visit our calendar for upcoming events

Justice Services
- We have a variety of programs designed to meet the needs of youth in conflict with the law. We also offer specialized services for youth diagnosed with a serious mental health issue or developmental delay
- A client gets started in different ways depending on the service they are accessing:
- Supervised Access Program: Referrals are made by the courts or other professionals and agencies. Families can also self-refer by calling Hands
- Youth Justice Committee Program: Referrals are made by the Crown’s office or local police services
- Youth Mental Health Court Worker Program:
- Referrals for Consultation and Court Support Services can be made by the youth or family, community partners, courts, or local police. Call Hands or email [email protected] to get started
- Referrals for Diversion or Bail Release Planning Services must come from attorneys, judges or police

Navigation Supports
- Navigation supports help clients find and connect with the right service within Hands, or another specialized service in the community.
- A client gets started in different ways depending on the service they are accessing:
- Coordinated Service Planning referrals can be made by completing a referral form. You can also contact us for more information
- Tele-Mental Health referrals can be made by the Most Responsible Mental Health Practitioner (MRMHP). The MRMHP is defined as a practitioner (i.e., MSW, MD, RN, PhD, Child and Youth worker, etc.) performing the role of a mental health service provider and who is affiliated with a publicly funded agency/entity (i.e., Ministries of Health and Long-Term Care, Education, Canadian Mental Health Association, etc.)
Adult Services
Our adult services are primarily focused on adults with developmental disabilities. Find a summary of our services below:

Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) – North East Region
- Single point of access for all Ministry-funded adult developmental services
- DSO helps adults with developmental disabilities connect to services and supports in their communities
- Get started by contacting DSO to complete an application

Adult Clinical Services
- We provide clinical services in-house, including assessments, treatments and caregiver supports
- Our North Community Network of Specialized Care team supports clients with specialized services across Northern Ontario
- Get started by applying to DSO, or connect with your client’s Clinical Team to learn more

Justice Services
- We support adults with disabilities who have been charged with a minor criminal offence
- We try to keep you out of the criminal justice system by using community-based sanctions instead
- Call Hands to get started

Service Coordination
- Service coordination connects adults with developmental disabilities to the care they need
- Through the North Community Network of Specialized Care, we are able to support adults with high levels of support and complex care needs.
- Get started by applying to the DSO, or visit the Community Networks of Specialized Care website to learn more.

Passport Program
- This program provides funding for adults with a developmental disability
- Funding is intended to help people be involved in their communities
- Funding may also support caregiver respite opportunities
- Get started by connecting with DSO to complete an application for Passport Program funding.