At ErinoakKids, it is our mission to help children and youth with physical, developmental and communication disabilities achieve optimal levels of independence, learning, health and wellbeing.
Our innovative approach to clinical services, featuring tiered interventions and integrated care models, is led by a dedicated and skilled team of clinicians who centre the needs of children and families in their work every day.
Check out some of our 2025/2026 highlights below!
Implementation of Year 1 AI Strategy
ErinoakKids is piloting the use of Artifical Intelligence tools to explore possible improvements in clinical and administrative efficiency across some of our programs and services.
Guided by the newly established AI Steering Committee and AI Working Group, ErinoakKids is prioritizing a transparent governance structure and strict rules of engagement to ensure all AI initiatives align with our ethical standards, strategic goals, and regulatory requirements.
Central to our AI strategy is an organization-wide AI Policy and dedicated intranet AI Hub focused on protecting confidential data and the personal health information of our clients. Through intentionally selected staff pilot groups, we have successfully established consent practices, disclaimer use, and clinical job aids, ensuring ErinoakKids is equipped to manage both the benefits and risks of these technologies into the future.
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Continued Advancement of the Digital Health Strategy
Entering its third year, our first Digital Health Strategy made significant progress modernizing our organization and strengthening connections with client families, partners, and stakeholders.
Key milestones included launching JotForm to create an accessible, user-friendly online referral experience, as well as the continued expansion of SharePoint for more efficient sharing of information both internally and in the development of external collaboration sites to support engagement with our Board, partner agencies, and clients and families.
Our Patient Connect system successfully relaunched text message appointment notifications and reminders using short codes, navigating technical limitations, legislative requirements and workflow complexities to ensure a stable and reliable platform for digital communication with families.
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Clinical Excellence and Innovation
Grounded in our commitment to clinical excellence, ErinoakKids introduced vital service innovations to address community needs and build on the strengths of children and youth.
We successfully expanded our Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) service by launching a small group option in winter 2026.
The winter 2026 term also marked a transformative period for our respite services, driven by strategic enhancements and informed by family feedback, designed to improve equity, efficiency, and family support. To better meet diverse client needs, we restructured our programming into distinct day respite (recreational, enhanced, and therapeutic) and overnight service streams. Shifting overnight care from week-long stays to a weekend-based model allowed us to better align with the schedules of school-aged clients, providing targeted support when families need it most.
Supported by a newly streamlined, user-friendly referral and intake process that maximizes organizational efficiency, these winter updates have set a strong precedent for upcoming high-demand summer initiatives, including the launch of Camp Erin, which will provide much needed day respite during the summer.
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Enhanced Fundraising Growth and Donor Retention
To maximize our storytelling impact, fundraising responsibilities were strategically transitioned to Communications this year, establishing a unified Communications and Development team.
This transition sparked an exceptional year of diversified philanthropy, including a refreshed employee giving campaign that introduced merchandise sales and boosted overall staff giving by 15%.
We proudly recognized the generosity of long-time partners like BMO and the Mississauga Fire Fighters Benevolent Association with permanent on-site signage.
Community events also thrived, with our second annual Marketplace on Main Street in Brampton raising $90,000, which is a 20% increase over the 2024 event, while a highly focused year-end stewardship appeal secured over $36,000 through increased average gift sizes.
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Efficiencies and Quality Improvement
Driving organizational sustainability and making the best use of limited resources remained a core focus. To respond to employee feedback, we introduced a 360 Feedback tool for senior leadership and launched an intentional, supportive Annual Development Goal setting process.
We also implemented some new employee wellness practices, one of our staff favourites being Mr. Muggs, the therapy dog! He has made multiple visits across all sites, providing a moment of pause for staff from teams across the organization.
Our commitment to excellence extends to the way we engage with our community. We recently celebrated our volunteers’ dedication at an Appreciation Event, highlighting the essential role they play in our success. By continuing to empower and recognize our volunteers, we hope to foster a collaborative environment where their support directly enhances our programs and strengthens the ErinoakKids community.
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Expansion of Community Partner Connection and Collaboration
Deepening our cross-sector collaborations allowed ErinoakKids to expand its reputation as a leader and lay a strong foundation for supporting regional families.
We added three community physicians to our ASD Diagnostic Hub to work alongside our clinicians, successfully reducing waiting times and broadening our reach. Direct advocacy efforts culminated in an Extensive Needs Service pilot program starting early in 2026, where ErinoakKids and Reach out Centre for Kids (ROCK) collaborate to deliver seamless, wraparound care to Halton families.
Furthermore, our community medical alignment flourished as resident physicians from Toronto Metropolitan University joined us for regular learning rotations starting in July 2025.
We also opened our physical doors wider by offering our spaces to community partners and initiating construction Erin’s.
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Highlighting our Board’s Support
Thank you to our Board of Directors for their dedication to ErinoakKids! Your support, guidance and commitment makes ErinoakKids a better place. We are grateful to Jamie Sutherland and Nancy Anderson for their years of dedication on our Board and wish them the best, as their terms end this year.
Board of Directors Cycle 2025/2026
- Matt Horan (Chair)
- Scott Sullivan (Vice Chair)
- Nancy Anderson
- James (Jamie) Sutherland
- Sana Worley
- Liana Hart
- Lucie Pimental
- Kathy Swaile
- Liza Cheong
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