COVID-19 Related Updates & Resources

May 28, 2022

Vaccination Policy 

In response to declining COVID 19 rates in the community, ErinoakKids has lifted the mandatory vaccination policy for visitors to our site. The mandatory vaccination policy remains in effect for staff and volunteers and we will continue to take precautions to protect our clients and their families. Please continue to follow all remaining safety protocols, including completing a screening assessment before your visit and wearing a mask provided by ErinoakKids while on site.

March 14, 2022

Important Reminder for Parents, Clients and Visitors: Masks Still Required When Coming to ErinoakKids

The Province of Ontario is removing the requirement for the mandatory use of masks in many settings as of March 21, with the exception of settings such as public transit, health care settings, long-term care homes and places of congregate care. 

As a health care facility, the wearing of masks will continue to be required (mandatory) when attending any ErinoakKids site.

For the protection of the vulnerable children and youth we serve, their families and our staff, ErinoakKids continues to have several COVID-19 health and safety measures in place. 

February 28, 2022

Important Update on COVID-19 Measures at ErinoakKids 

While the Ontario government is easing some additional COVID-19 measures as of March 1, including proof of COVID-19 vaccination in all settings, ErinoakKids still requires all individuals aged 12 and over to show proof of two COVID-19 vaccine doses before entering our sites, until further notice. This includes clients, parents/caregivers and visitors. Individuals who are not able to provide proof of two-dose vaccination must take a rapid test and produce a negative result before entering.

 Respite staff and clients will continue to rapid test until the end of March.

We continue to encourage all eligible individuals to be vaccinated against COVID-19. For more information on other local community-based vaccination clinics for children available within Oakville, Mississauga and Brampton, please visit the Halton Region website and Peel Region website. Additionally, ErinoakKids is hosting several COVID-19 vaccination clinics for children and youth this month, in partnership with Peel Public Health.  

Masking for those 12+ also remains in place. Upon entry to our sites, a level 3 medical mask will be provided to you wear for the duration of your onsite visit.

ErinoakKids is committed to keeping our staff and client families safe. Visit www.erinoakkids.ca/COVID19 to read about our updated COVID-19 measures in order to keep your family and our team safe during in-person appointments.

February 25, 2022

COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic Update for March

In partnership with Peel Public Health, ErinoakKids is continuing to host COVID-19 vaccination clinics which are open to all children aged 5-12 who live in Halton or Peel Region. In addition, appointments for booster doses for children and youth are now available. Clinics will take place on select weekends throughout February Brampton and Mississauga sites. Appointments must be booked in advance as walk-in appointments will not be provided. To book an appointment and for more details review our latest update.

January 27, 2021

New dates available for COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics for all children aged 5-12 

In partnership with Peel Public Health, ErinoakKids is hosting COVID-19 vaccination clinics. These clinics are open to all children aged 5-12 who live in Halton or Peel Region. Clinics will take place on select weekends throughout February Brampton and Mississauga sites. Appointments must be booked in advance as walk-in appointments will not be provided. To book an appointment and for more details review our latest update.

December 21, 2021

Third Dose Vaccinations Required for Adults 18+ or Pass a Rapid Test

At present, proof of receipt of 2 doses of vaccine against COVID-19 is a site entry requirement for contractors, students, visitors and/or those accompanying clients to appointments at ErinoakKids. 

Given the necessity of third doses of the vaccine to provide protection against the Omicron variant, effective January 3, 2022 these groups of persons will be required to provide proof of receipt of 3 doses of vaccine (14 days past the date of their third dose) to be considered “fully vaccinated” and enter our sites. 

Those who are unable to do so will (as is the current practice) be required to pass a rapid COVID-19 test administered by Bayshore screeners, or they will not be permitted on site. A rapid test will be required for each visit if no proof of vaccination is provided. Please arrive 20 minutes early if you require a rapid COVID-19 test.

December 20, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics for all children aged 5-12 who live in Halton or Peel Region 

In partnership with Peel Public Health, ErinoakKids is hosting COVID-19 vaccination clinics. These clinics are open to all children aged 5-12 who live in Halton or Peel Region. Clinics will take place on select weekends in January through March 2022 at our Brampton and Mississauga sites. Appointments must be booked in advance as walk-in appointments will not be provided. To book an appointment and for more details review our latest updates.

September 1, 2021

COVID-19 vaccinations required for everyone age 12+

Given current conditions and  related public health guidance, starting Tuesday, September 7, 2021, ErinoakKids will require everyone who comes into our sites who is age 12 or older, including the parent or caregiver bringing their child to an  appointment to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Anyone 12 and older who is not fully vaccinated will be required to complete a rapid COVID-19 test each time they come to one of our sites, before being allowed to come into the building.

About 90% of ErinoakKids clients are children under 12 who can’t be vaccinated, and many of them are medically compromised. Everyone who can be vaccinated needs to do so, so that ErinoakKids remains a safe place for these children to receive the essential therapies and supports they need in order to grow and thrive.

Read the full announcement

June 2, 2021

New! Online Screening Assessment Tool

On the day of your appointment, between 5:00 a.m. and the time of your appointment, all visitors to ErinoakKids are now required to complete an online COVID-19 Screening Survey.

After completing the screening questions you will receive an email telling you whether you have ben cleared to enter an ErinoakKids site or not. You must bring this confirmation email with you to your visit (either on your phone, or on a printout) and show it to the staff screeners at the entrance.

ErinoakKids will keep the information you provide confidential. By providing this information, you are providing us with consent to collect the information.

Read our frequently asked questions below for more information on the online screening tool.

Please see the general updates above which detail the policies and procedures currently in place.

Video For Children and Youth Returning to In Person Autism Services

To help children and youth with autism prepare for the enhanced safety measures at our centres, we encourage parents to watch this video with their child or youth:

Temporary Changes to SSAH, Enhanced Respite and Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD) Programs

The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) has announced that expenditures deemed admissible for the SSAH, Enhanced Respite and Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities programs are being temporarily expanded to accommodate activities, services and supports that can be purchased by program recipients and their families while at home. This is being done to better support the health and well-being of program recipients and their families while physically distancing. These temporary changes are effective immediately and will remain in place until further notice by the MCCSS. For full details on these changes, please visit MCCSS’ website.

Click here to go to ErinoakKids SSAH page

The following are questions that client, families and essential visitors will be required to answer during screening when visiting our sites:

1. Do you have any of the following new or worsening symptoms or signs?

• New or worsening cough 
• Shortness of breath 
• Sore throat 
• Runny nose, sneezing or nasal congestion? (Unrelated to seasonal allergies) 
• Hoarse voice
• Difficulty swallowing 
• New smell or taste disorder(s) 
• Nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain 
• Unexplained fatigue/malaise
• Chills
• Headache

2. Have you travelled outside of Canada or had close contact with anyone that has travelled outside of Canada in the past 14 days?

3. Have you had close contact with anyone with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days or been notified by the COVID-19 Alert App of possible close contact? 

4. Has anyone in your household been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 14 days or showing/displaying COVID-19 related symptoms?

5. Has anyone in your household been notified that they are a close contact with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19?

6. Has anyone in your household been tested and waiting for COVID-19 test results or scheduled to be tested?

7. Have you (or your child) had a fever in the last 24 hours?

8. Have you given anti-fever medications to your child, such as Tylenol/Advil prior in the last 4 hours? 

Do I need to bring a copy of the results with me to the appointment?

Yes, you must bring the email that indicates ‘CLEAR’ to your appointment.

What if I don’t pass the screening? How does my appointment get cancelled/rescheduled?

If you don’t pass screening, you will be directed to contact our scheduling department to rebook your appointment.

What if I forget and don’t complete the screening before coming to the appointment?

We strongly encourage everyone to complete the screening questions prior to leaving home. If you’re not able to do so, we ask that you complete the screening outside of our building before entering. If you drove to the site, you can complete it in your car. If you have any issues with the online screening tool, our screeners will be able to help you, however, it will mean spending a bit more time at the screening desk.

Why do I have to do this?

We want to make the screening process as quick as possible while still maintaining protocols. By completing the online screening tool prior to coming into the building you will greatly reduce the time spent at screening as well as avoid congestion upon entry.

Can I show the screening email on my phone or do I have to print it off?

You can show the email on your phone.

A different person is picking up. Do they need to do the screening too?

The screening tool is specific to the person coming to ErinoakKids.  If someone different will be picking up your child, they must complete the screening tool for themselves.

I have more than one appointment. Do I need to do the screening more than once?

The online screening is good for the day it is completed. If you have more than one appointment on site, you only need to complete screening once.

I’m back many days in a row for appointments.  Do I need to do it every day?

Yes, screening must be done each day you need to come to ErinoakKids.

Find the latest information about COVID-19: definitions, cases, information guides, etc.

Peel Region
Peel Region COVID-19 site
Child Development Resource Connection Peel (Emergency childcare for essential workers)

Halton Region
Halton Region COVID-19 site

Government of Canada
COVID-19 site

Public Health Ontario
Public Health Ontario site