Direct answer
The OAP care coordinator call is a 30 to 60 minute needs assessment conversation. The coordinator explains your funding options, reviews your child's diagnosis, and helps you select an OAP-approved provider. Bring your child's diagnosis report, any existing therapy records, your therapy goals, and a list of questions. The next step after the call is provider selection.
Start with the short answer, then reveal deeper context where helpful.
After waiting years for this moment, parents describe being terrified of saying the wrong thing on the care coordinator call. Will you lose your spot if you answer a question incorrectly? Will they judge your parenting? The answer to both is no. The care coordinator call is not an evaluation of you — it is a collaborative conversation to understand your child's needs and match them with appropriate services.
Have your child's diagnosis report handy — the coordinator will reference it. If your child has received any previous therapy (private ABA, speech, OT), bring those records too. Write down your top therapy priorities: What does your child need most? What are your biggest concerns? Having clear goals helps the coordinator match you with the right provider.
After waiting years for this moment, parents describe being terrified of saying the wrong thing on the care coordinator call. Will you lose your spot if you answer a question incorrectly? Will they judge your parenting? The answer to both is no. The care coordinator call is not an evaluation of you — it is a collaborative conversation to understand your child's needs and match them with appropriate services.
The coordinator will review your child's diagnosis, ask about current therapies and challenges, explain the funding options available to your family, and walk you through the process of selecting an OAP-approved provider. Think of it as an intake meeting, not a test. The coordinator is there to help you navigate the system, not to gatekeep.
Have your child's diagnosis report handy — the coordinator will reference it. If your child has received any previous therapy (private ABA, speech, OT), bring those records too. Write down your top therapy priorities: What does your child need most? What are your biggest concerns? Having clear goals helps the coordinator match you with the right provider.
Prepare a list of questions. Good ones to ask: What is our annual budget amount? Can we split services between multiple providers? What happens if we want to change providers? How do we access foundational services in the meantime? What is the timeline for starting therapy after this call? Do not leave the call without understanding your next concrete steps.
MCCSS
Ontario Autism Program — Care Coordination Process (2024)
MCCSS
OAP Core Clinical Services — Getting Started Guide (2024)
Ontario Autism Program core clinical funding ranges up to $6,600–$65,000/year. Amounts vary by age band and support level.
The OAP is not a lottery. Invitations are issued by registration date and needs determination. Learn how the opaque process actually works.
Practical strategies to get the most from your OAP core clinical childhood budget. Provider selection, therapy planning, and expense optimization tips.
Understand the difference between OAP core clinical services, with childhood budgets up to $6,600–$65,000/year, and foundational family services while waiting.
Commitment to Accuracy: Our data is verified against official government reports (FAO, MCCSS), peer-reviewed scientific literature, and accessible public records. Last updated: March 24, 2026.
Written by Spencer Carroll
Founder & Autism Advocate