There are many organizations and agencies that provide services and supports to adults with a developmental disability and their families. This website focuses upon the over 30 developmental services agencies funded by the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services to provide one or more services or supports to adults and their families.

The Toronto Partnership
Partner Agencies are working with individuals, families and the Toronto Region of the Ministry of Community and Social Services to improve the design and delivery of services for adult with developmental disabilities and their families. The shared goal of the partners is to improve the quality of life of individuals with developmental disabilities - today and into the future.

The partners are committed to the equitable, strategic and effective use of all available resources in meeting the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. They are working together to provide simple access to a variety of services including respite services, day programs, residential programs, community support, and crisis response.

Guiding Principles
There are five principles that guide this partnership between individuals, families, service providers, and funder. These are:
a. Person-Centred Approach
b. Equity
c. Accessibility
d. Accountability
e. Planning

Contributing Groups
The Toronto partnership includes a number of groups that contribute to achieving its goals and objectives.

The Developmental Services Council provides a consumer perspective on the experience of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, as well as on the functioning of the services and supports that are provided through the Toronto partnership. The Council is made up of individuals with a developmental disability, family members, board members from developmental services agencies, community members, representatives from the Service Provider Committee, and representatives from the Ministry. Its members also participate on a number of committees focused upon such things as communications, information collection and planning, and improving quality of service.

The Service Provider Committee contributes a service provider perspective on the functioning of the services and supports that are provided through the Toronto partnership. It also oversees and integrates the activities of a number of "system features" including those that involve intake, access, and service review. The Committee is made up of the Executive Directors of the partner agencies, representatives from the DS Council, and representatives from the Toronto Regional Office of the Ministry.

The Developmental Services Forum oversees the design and functioning of the Toronto Developmental Services partnership, and is the only body with the authority to makes changes to the major features of the partnership. The Forum is made up of the Executive Director and Board President (or their designate) of the partner agencies in Toronto, the members of the Developmental Services Council, plus the Regional Director of the Ministry.