CMHO's Policy Work
Children's Mental Health Ontario (CMHO) takes a leadership role in advocating for the well-being of children and families, promoting an environment that leads to good mental health, and promoting quality children's mental health programs.
We influence the development of public policy through:
- independent and proactive policy analysis and development: our pre-budget submissions propose policy directions and articulate our position on children’s mental health issues;
- responses to government legislation and/or policy positions: we have been called on by government officials to provide input, recommendations, and advice in the development of a policy framework for children’s mental health.
Recently, in response to the potential closure of the Roberts/Smart Centre in Ottawa, CMHO -- along with the Centre’s Board of Directors and union, as well as local members of provincial parliament -- advocated strongly for the continuation of the Centre’s vital services for some of the province’s most at risk and hard-to-serve youth. This situation has since reached an interim, workable solution. For a timeline of advocacy efforts on this issue, click here.
Pre-Budget Submissions and Presentations
These are CMHO's submissions/presentations to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs for the years 2001 through 2010.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Children's Mental Health Ontario(2001 - 2010)
Submission 2010 (PDF, 7 pages)Submission 2009 (PDF, 9 pages)
Submission 2008 (PDF, 15 pages)
Submission 2007 (PDF, 5 pages)
Submission 2006 (PDF, 4 pages)
Submission 2005 (MS DOC, 4 pages)
Our Children's Mental Health: Worth an extra 4 cents a week (PDF, 20 slides)
Towards a Mental Health Policy for Ontario's Children and Youth (PDF, 7 pages)
2004 Submission
2004 Presentation
2001
Pre-Budget 'Asks'
Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Children's Mental Health Ontario.
2007 (PDF, 1 page)2002 (PDF, 6 pages)
Response to CFSA Review
Children's Mental Health Ontario provided a response to the Ministry of Children and Youth Services' review of the Child and Family Services Act. Legislation requires a review of the Act every five years. This review was broad in its scope, including a look at improving the child and youth mental health services to aboriginal children and youth living on reserves.
Toronto/Ontario, Canada: Children's Mental Health Ontario(2010)
Response (PDF, 6 pages)Submission to Dr. Charles Pascal, Early Learning Advisor
Dr. Charles Pascal, the Early Learning Advisor to the Premier, asked CMHO for its advice in establishing full day learning for four and five year olds. At Dr. Pascal’s invitation, CMHO provided some recommendations. The report is focussed on the relationship between our agencies and schools, programs that are working well (and are not funded), the Roots of Youth Violence Report and the impact of poverty on a child’s ability to learn.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Children's Mental Health Ontario(February 2009)
The Report (PDF, 6 pages)Brief Advocacy Survey
This survey was administered to CMHO's member centres in order to obtain information about their staffing and financial issues. Results from the survey supported CMHO's advocacy for more funding for child and youth mental health.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Children's Mental Health Ontario
Survey Results 2009 (PDF, 11 pages)Survey Results 2006 (PDF, 12 pages)
CMHO's Press Releases
Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Children's Mental Health Ontario
Release: September 9, 2009 (PDF, 1 page)CMHO issued this statement to the media following the release of Ontario's 2010 budget.
A Summary of Discussions Regarding Ontario's Policy Framework for Child and Youth Mental Health
Children's Mental Health Ontario partnered with the Ministry of Children and Youth Services in hosting 14 cross provincial community discussions between September 30 and October 28, 2005. These discussions sought the range of views of diverse stakeholders on key issues related to a CYMH policy framework for Ontario. This report summarizes feedback that was collected at these discussions from more than 300 services providers, parents and youth.Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Children's Mental Health Ontario(Nov, 2005)
Discussion Paper (PDF, 49 pages)For Professionals
2005 Presentation