Referral Procedures

General Eligibility

• The child/youth is a resident of the Regional Municipality of Niagara
• Programs/services are available from birth-age 21, dependent on the specific program
• The child/youth must have a suspected or diagnosed physical, developmental and/or communication delay or disability

Program Specific Eligibility

• The Centre offers a diverse range of programs and services. Eligibility can differ by program.
• Please refer to our programs and services listing for program-specific eligibility criteria.

Questions?

If you have questions about eligibility or referrals, please call our Intake Coordinators at (905) 688-1890 ext. 110. 

Parents/legal guardians can make a self-referral for:

• Core services of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language therapy for children ages 0-4* (*until August 31 of the year the child turns 4)
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication Clinic
• School-Age Active Rehabilitation
• Seating and Mobility Clinic
• Social Work
• SmartStart Hub

Parent/legal guardian referrals can be made by:

• Calling Niagara Children’s Centre Intake Coordinators at (905) 688-1890, ext. 110.
• For ages 0-4 speech-language pathology referral:
• Preschool Speech and Language Referral Portal (coming soon)
• For SmartStart Hub referral:
• SmartStart Hub Referral Portal (coming soon)
• Parents and legal guardians of children already involved with Centre services can ask their child’s therapist(s) about eligibility for/referrals to any of the Centre’s additional programs and services.

Primary Care providers are able to make referrals for most Centre programs/services. See Referral Portal (coming soon) or Referral Form for a complete listing.

Primary Care providers can make referrals by:

• Niagara Children’s Centre/Smart Start Hub Primary Care Referral Portal (coming soon)
• Faxing a completed Niagara Children’s Centre/Smart Start Hub Primary Care Referral Form to (905) 688-9181.

• Niagara Children's Centre Birth to School Start (OT| PT | SLP) Referral Checklist

Designated community partners can make referrals for the SmartStart Hub and/or core services of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language therapy for children age 0-4* (*until August 31 of the year the child turns 4).

Community Partner referrals can be made by:

• For age 0-4 core service(s) referrals with or without SmartStart Hub Referral:
• Niagara Children’s Centre Referral Portal for Community Partners (coming soon)
• Faxing a completed Niagara Children’s Centre/Smart Start Hub Referral Form for Community Partners to (905) 688-9181.
• For SmartStart Hub referral only:
• SmartStart Hub Referral Portal (coming soon)

• Niagara Children's Centre Birth to School Start (OT| PT | SLP) Referral Checklist
• All About My Baby Form
• All About My Child Form
• Access & Equity Questionnaire
• Guide to Obtaining Consent for Information Sharing Form
• Difficulty Contacting Legal Guardian For Consent Form
• Authorization Form
• CAS Authorization Form