What Does Core Clinical Funding Actually Cover?

If you’re registered in the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) and waiting for your invitation to access core clinical funding, you’ve probably asked yourself:

• How many ABA hours will my child actually get?

• What assessments are included?

• How is the funding allocated?

• What happens when the funding runs out?

These are important questions - and surprisingly, many families don’t receive clear answers before their invitation arrives. At The Nest Family Behaviour Support Services, we believe that informed families make confident decisions. So let’s walk through what core clinical funding typically covers...and what it doesn’t!

First: What Is Core Clinical Funding?

Core clinical funding is individualized funding provided through the Ontario Autism Program to support evidence-based services, including Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA).

The amount is determined based on:

• Your child’s age

• Their assessed support needs

Funding is allocated for a specific period (often one year), and families work with a qualified provider to develop and implement a clinical service plan.

What Do ABA Hours Realistically Look Like?

One of the biggest misconceptions we hear is:

“My child will get 20–40 hours per week.”

While intensive ABA models do exist, most families receiving OAP funding are working within a budgeted annual amount — not unlimited weekly hours.

Depending on your funding level, services may look like:

• 5–10 hours per week of direct therapy

• 2–5 hours per week of focused intervention

• A combination of direct therapy and parent coaching

• Periods of higher intensity followed by maintenance phases

The number of hours depends on:

• The funding amount

• The hourly rate of your provider

• Whether services include supervision and programming time

At The Nest, we help families design plans that are strategic and sustainable - not just intensive for the sake of it.

What Assessments Are Included?

Core clinical funding typically covers:

• Comprehensive behavioural assessments

• Skill-based assessments (communication, daily living, social skills)

• Behaviour support assessments

• Ongoing data collection and progress monitoring

• Reassessment and goal updates

An initial assessment period may take several weeks before direct therapy begins. This allows for:

• Functional skill evaluation

• Goal development

• Behaviour planning

• Parent collaboration

Assessment is not “extra” - it is the foundation of effective therapy.

How Is the Funding Allocated?

Funding is not just for direct therapy hours.

It typically covers:

• Direct ABA sessions

• Clinical supervision by a BCBA (RBA in Ontario)

• Program development and treatment planning

• Team meetings

• Data analysis

• Parent coaching

• Report writing and documentation

Transparent budgeting matters.

Families should feel comfortable asking their provider:

• What is your hourly rate?

• How much goes toward direct therapy vs supervision?

• How will you structure services across the year?

What Happens When the Funding Runs Out?

This is one of the most important (and often unspoken) questions.

When funding for the cycle is exhausted:

• Services may pause until the next funding period

• Families may choose to privately fund services temporarily

• Programs may shift to lower-intensity or consultation-only models

Planning ahead is key.

Some families choose to:

• Spread funding evenly across the year

• Start with higher intensity and taper

• Focus on 2–3 priority goals rather than many

Strategic pacing can prevent sudden service gaps.

A Gentle Reality Check

Core clinical funding is incredibly valuable - but it is not unlimited.

It works best when:

• Goals are prioritized

• Services are structured intentionally

• Parents are actively involved

• Skills are generalized at home

Therapy does not only happen in sessions. It happens in routines, meals, transitions, play, and community outings.

Parent empowerment multiplies impact.

How to Prepare Before You Receive Your Invitation

Even while waiting, families can:

• Identify 3–5 top priority goals

• Track current challenges and strengths

• Begin building communication opportunities at home

• Learn foundational behaviour strategies

• Research providers and ask about service models

The more prepared you are, the smoother your transition into funded services will be.

How The Nest Can Help

If you are a York Region family waiting for OAP core clinical funding, we are happy to:

• Explain funding models

• Review sample budget breakdowns

• Help prioritize goals

• Offer short-term parent coaching

• Develop transition plans before funding begins

We believe in compassionate, evidence-based care - and in equipping families with clarity, not confusion. If you have questions about what funding might look like for your child, we welcome you to connect with our team.