Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK) is a non-profit, community-based agency dedicated to child and youth mental health in Halton Region, Ontario. With programs delivered from multiple offices and service sites, ROCK provides individual and group-based counselling, early years programs, autism and FASD supports, live-in treatment and other specialized services for children, youth and their families.
ROCK’s role in the funding and service ecosystem
ROCK has been designated by Ontario’s Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) as the Lead Agency for the child and youth mental health sector in Halton. In this role, ROCK is responsible for system planning and coordination and for overseeing MCCSS-funded core child and youth mental health services in the region. As part of the provincial Moving on Mental Health framework, lead agencies are expected to deliver or contract for the full range of core funded services and to hold subcontracted agencies accountable for results.
This means ROCK not only delivers services directly, but may also allocate MCCSS funding to partner organizations through service contracts and formal agreements. By coordinating these contracted services, ROCK effectively functions as a regional funder and system manager, ensuring that public mental health investments reach the agencies best positioned to support local children, youth and families.
Publics served and program portfolio
ROCK serves children from birth to age 17 and their families, with some programming extending to age 21 and certain partnership services for transitional aged youth up to 25. The agency’s portfolio includes walk-in and scheduled counselling, intensive and live-in treatment, autism and behavioural services, FASD supports, early years and EarlyON programming, as well as targeted groups for specific communities such as 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.
As lead agency for Coordinated Service Planning in Halton, ROCK also manages planning support for children and youth with multiple or complex special needs. This involves working closely with families and partner agencies to develop integrated service plans and ensure that resources and funded supports are aligned with identified needs.
Partnerships, accountability and reporting
ROCK collaborates with a wide range of local service providers, school boards, health organizations and community partners. As lead agency, it helps establish shared pathways to care, system protocols and standards that guide how MCCSS-funded services are delivered across Halton. ROCK is accredited by Accreditation Canada’s Qmentum program and has achieved Exemplary Standing, reflecting its commitment to quality, safety and accountability.
The organization reports on activities and impacts through annual reports and official communications, demonstrating how public and donated funds are used to expand access to mental health supports and strengthen the regional service system. Through these governance and reporting practices, ROCK maintains transparency in both its direct service roles and its responsibilities as a regional funder and coordinator of contracted services.