The Resource Consultant Program is a service for families of children birth to twelve years who have special needs, or require extra support in Hastings County. The services are free.

You can access our services if you:

• have your child enrolled in a licensed child care setting
• wish to have your child participate in licensed child care programs including Nursery Schools, Day Care Centres, Home Child Care, School-Age Programs, Best Start Programs, and Ontario Early Years Playgroups

You can make a referral to the Resource Consultant Program if you:

• are the parent/guardian of the child
• have consent from the child's parent/guardian

A Resource Consultant can support your family by:

• visiting you in your home to share information, resources and provide support
• talking with you about your priorities, needs and choices
• connecting you to resources and services in your community
• assisting you in choosing appropriate programs
• fostering and promoting inclusion for your child in the child care setting
• helping you complete applications for funding
• partnering with you to transition your child into school
• advocating with you for your child at case conferences

Your Resource Consultant can also support staff at the child care program by:

• providing funding to hire extra staff to foster and promote inclusion
• training staff in ways to develop inclusive child care settings
• consulting with staff while visiting your child in the program
• sharing resources