The Ontario government has given the green light to development of a new children’s treatment centre in Brantford.

The government announced on January 12 that it had given approval to Lansdowne Children’s Centre to complete the necessary planning work for the development of a new facility that would increase access to services for children and youth with special needs and their families in Brantford, Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk counties, Six Nations of the Grand River, and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.

“Our government is working hard to improve the lives of children and youth with special needs, and their families,” said Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. “A larger, state-of-the-art Lansdowne Children’s Centre will have the ability to serve more children and youth in Brantford and surrounding areas, ensuring enhanced accessibility, shorter wait times and improved service delivery.”

Once built, the new Lansdowne Children’s Centre will provide space to treat more children beyond the current 3,500 being served in the area. In so doing, it will reduce wait times for a range of children’s rehabilitation and respite supports. The centre plans to offer a range of specialized services and supports in a safe and accessible space, including: speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, services for children and youth impacted by fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, audiology, respite services, autism services and services for children and youth with complex special needs.

"Current and future families served by Lansdowne Children’s Centre appreciate our government’s investment in their children’s potential,” said Executive Director Rita-Marie Hadley. “For over 50 years, we have grown in serving area infants, children and youth living with physical, communications and/or developmental disabilities. We recognize the leadership over the years that brought us to this important juncture and the local advocacy to ensure every kid counts. Having appropriate space to deliver critical rehabilitation and child development services sets the stage for success at the individual and community level."

As part of the planning process, Lansdowne Children’s Centre will work with the Ontario government to determine the project scope, budget, location and timeline for construction.

Once the planning work is complete, the province will work with the centre on the next phase of the project to hire a construction firm.