Community Living Windsor

Passport Funding

Starting April 1, 2012, adults with an intellectual disability who are seeking direct funding for help with daily living and respite will be supported through Passport.  In the past, some adults received funding under the Special Services at Home (SSAH) Program.  Starting April 1, 2012, SSAH will be for children only.

Adults with an intellectual disability (or their families) who received SSAH funding are now supported entirely through the Passport program.  You can use your Passport funding in the same ways you used your SSAH funding.

What is the Passport Program?

Passport was designed to enhance opportunities for individuals who have an intellectual disability, who have left school, and who are seeking access to community participation supports.

Who Can apply for Passport?

Passport is intended for residents of Ontario who have an intellectual disability and who:

• have left school and would benefit from community participation supports; and
• have been waiting for service and are in need of community participation supports and
• are living at home with their family or in another living arrangement including supported homes, living on their own or with roommates (supported independent living), or with a Family Home provider.  Priority will be given to applicants who are living at home with their family.

Where can I get additional information about Passport?

The Passport designated agency in the Windsor - Essex County area is Community Services Coordination Network.  They can be contacted at (519) 438-4783 or toll free at: 1-877-480-2726.  Questions can also be sent by e-mail to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

How do I apply for Passport?

People who live in the Windsor - Essex County area must contact Developmental Services Ontario - South West Region toll free at 1-855-437-6797 in order to apply for the Passport Program.

Who will make the decisions regarding eligibility and funding levels that may be available to me?

Staff at Developmental Services Ontario - South West Region (DSO-SWR) are responsible for "confirming" that people are eligible to receive developmental services that are funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services, including the Passport Program.

Once eligibility is confirmed the DSO Assessor/Service Navigator will complete the Application for Developmental Services and Supports (ADSS), and administer the Supports Intensity Scale (SIS).

For more information on Developmental Services Ontario please visit the provincial website at: www.dsontario.ca

Staff at the Community Services Coordination Network are responsible for determining the level of Passport funding that applicants are eligible to receive.  Access to resources is based on priority for service, individual support needs, community capacity, and the availability of funding.

Are there options for managing the Passport funds?

Once the funding amount has been determined and when funding is available, an individual/family can:

• receive and manage funds directly, including managing human resources and financial/reporting requirements related to the approved funds, or
• receive the funds directly and use up to 10% of their total approved allocation to purchase planning and/or brokerage and administrative supports of their choice, or
• access funded services through an existing developmental services agency.  The Ministry of Community and Social Services will contract with the agency for the service that the individual will receive.

What types of supports are eligible for funding?

Supports such as work or volunteer activities, activities that develop skills in utilizing community infrastructure (such as transportation services, shopping and libraries), activities of daily living that enhance social skills, independent living and personal management, and employment preparation activities, are all examples of eligible activities.

For questions about the Passport application process or further information, please contact Sue Armaleo, Manager Family Support at Community Living Windsor at 519-974-4221 ext. 214 or email Sue at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it