Family Support Programs

Providing families with support and community connections.

Durham Supervised Access Program

a young girl

The Durham Supervised Access Program provides a stepping stone towards renewing relationships in a neutral, child-focused setting

What is Supervised Access?

  • a welcoming, safe, neutral place for all
  • a temporary place for parent/child access plans to occur
  • a visit or exchange where child-focus is maintained at all times; adult issues are not discussed
  • graduated access can combine visits and exchanges

What are Supervised Visits?

  • visits are planned for 2 hours
  • maximum frequency of one visit per week
  • available for ages 0 to 16 years
  • occurs in the presence of program staff and trained volunteers
  • both in-person and virtual visits offered

What are Supervised Exchanges?

  • visits can be for the day or overnight
  • visits may use different locations to pick up or return
  • service is for drop off and or pick up only during available hours
  • occurs in a safe, child-focused setting

For both Supervised Visits and Exchanges

  • no contact occurs between parents
  • summary observation notes are available ($100 for 10 weeks of documents)
  • A $50 No Show fee is applied. Files will close after three No Shows
  • No assessment or recommendations for future access plans are available

Benefits of Supervised Visits and Exchanges

  • provides a safe, child-focused environment
  • visits stay routine and consistent
  • predictability is improved and tension for children is reduced
  • can help where physical or emotional safety of children or parents is a concern
  • presence of program staff limits potential of allegations being made

How to Register

  • Family Court Order OR a mutually signed agreement for service is required
  • review dates for Court Orders or mutual agreements should be in place
  • CAS files must be closed before service can occur
  • $200 annually per parent unless the terms direct one parent to pay both
    • $50 non-refundable intake fee is charged
    • Reduced fees for those on limited income
    • Payment plans available
  • Proof of COVID-19 vaccination from both visiting and custodial parent is required
  • Each parent must call to register and book intake (905-619-4565 ext. 305 or 318)

Family and Community Action Program

boy playing with train

The Family and Community Action Program (FCAP) promotes the healthy development of young children from birth to age 6 who reside in Durham Region, and who face challenges that put their health at risk, such as:

  • Poverty
  • Teen parents
  • Social and geographic isolation (i.e. rural families and newcomers to Canada)
  • Substance use and mental health issues
  • Family violence

This program is funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada and Community Action Program for Children, and administrated by the YMCA of the Greater Toronto.

Types of support

FCAP programs adapt their activities to meet the needs of the families they serve. All programs and services are completely free, and many are offered in partnership with other community organizations. Some of the programs available include:

  • Nutritional support and community kitchens
  • Parent education and support groups
  • Pre/post-natal programs
  • Parent-child, play-based learning programs, including school readiness programs
  • Child health and development activities
  • Outreach and individual support
  • Specialized programs, such as support for mothers dealing with interpersonal violence, and newcomers support
  • Information and links to other community services

Programs are delivered virtually and in-person (outdoors and indoors).
Services and support are available in different languages (Spanish, Tamil, Hindi, etc.)

For more information, please contact FCAP at fcap@ymcagta.org or 1-800-214-7163

Here to Help

Since the beginning of the pandemic, our Family Support Programs and food security initiatives have stepped up to support our communities by:

  • distributing over 1 million meals to families of students in need
  • sharing 220+ hours of live story, song, game, and craft sessions on our YMCA of Greater Toronto's Facebook Livestream
  • providing free craft kits families can use at home
  • connecting with registered families through online learning portals
  • facilitating virtual and safe in-person visits between non-custodial parents and their children
  • offering online parenting and kindergarten-readiness programs
staff unloading food from box

Did you know?

Together with our partners, the Y has provided over 1 million meals to youth who would otherwise go hungry.

Woman with child working on crafts

“On a weekly basis now, I visit two teens living in an apartment in Brampton. You have helped me deliver hope, care, kindness, and compassion to these youth who needed all of those things. So, thank you for the fruit and the bread and the milk. But thank you the most for allowing me to partner with you to make our community stronger.”

—Vice Principal who uses the Peel Student Nutrition program operating out of a YMCA Child Care centre to bring food to students in need.

Your support helps the Y continue our food security initiatives, from our three permanent food banks to harvesting and distributing fresh food from our farm.


Learn More About Our Charitable Impact

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Charitable registration number 11930 7080 RR0001