COVID-19 Related Updates & Resources

Everyone age 12+ coming onto the sites will need to show proof of receiving both vaccinations (with the date of the second dose being 14 days or more prior to the date of your visit), along with a piece of photo ID*.  Documents that will be accepted for proof of vaccination at this time are:

• The paper vaccine receipts you received from the Ministry of Health for your second COVID-19 dose, or a clear picture of it 
• A clear printout or screenshot of confirmation of your second dose from the Ministry of Health website 

*Alternate means of identification will be used for those age 12 to 18 without photo ID

Once it has been confirmed that an individual is fully vaccinated, individuals will receive an Approved Essential Visitor card. This card must be presented at each visit, along with photo ID. The online screening form must also be completed prior to each visit.

Anyone age 12+ who has not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be required to pass a rapid test for COVID-19 each time they visit ErinoakKids. This test will be administered, at no cost, by trained individuals in the parking lot, or another designated location on site, upon arrival. 

Rapid COVID-19 tests take 20 minutes to complete, which means that parents/guardians requiring a test will need to arrive at least 20 minutes early for appointments or the time required for testing will be deducted from the appointment time. Due to the volume of appointments, appointment times cannot be delayed. Please note that infant screening hearing appointments are scheduled every 15 minutes and will need to be rescheduled should parents/guardians arrive late.

Visitors requiring a rapid test for COVID-19 should complete the online COVID-19 screening assessment prior to arrival. Once at the site, please follow the signage in the parking lot to proceed to the screening and testing area, and stay in your vehicle.

In order to give everyone time to get used to this new safety measure, the parking fee for the time of the rapid test for COVID-19 will be waived the first two weeks of this program. Beginning September 20, 2021, regular parking charges will apply.

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