Modernizing Special Needs Resourcing in Child Care
All Niagara Region projects

About the project

In 2024, Niagara Region hired a consultant to review the Special Needs Resourcing program. This was the first full review in over 30 years. The goal was to understand what is working well and what could be improved, so the program better supports children now and in the future.

The review was done by Taneja Consulting throughout 2024 and early 2025. They spoke with educators, families, resource consultants and other partners to gather ideas and feedback to inform a new model for Special Needs Resourcing delivery.

What's changing

Taneja Consultants recommended a new way to deliver services that: 

• Gives more support to educators, families and the system 
• Matches services to each child's specific needs
• Adds tools to help with coordination, quality and complex situations 

Niagara Regional Council approved the updated model on May 22, 2025.

Key changes

• Fewer agencies, same support

  The number of agencies providing services will go from seven to two. The number of resource consultants will stay the same. This will make services more consistent and efficient.

  The two agencies will be chosen through a fair selection process.

  Behavioural consultant support provided through Pathstone will not be impacted by these changes.

• Three tiers of support

  Services will be based on the level of need for each child.

  Watch a video explaining the three-tier model.

• Position changes

  Resource consultants will now be called inclusion and quality coordinators.

  They will spend about 80 per cent of their time working directly with children and educators.

• Dedicated support at each centre

  Every child care centre will have a dedicated inclusion and quality coordinator. This helps build strong relationships with children, families and staff.

• New advisor role

  Community pedagogical advisors will:

  • Support inclusion and quality coordinators
  • Make sure programs are high quality
  • Help connect child care centres with the two main agencies

The updated model is based on feedback from families, staff and community partners. It focuses on making sure each child gets the right support, increasing help for families and strengthening the overall system. 

Project timeline