Supported Employment

• Employment Ontario Participant Registration form
• Employer Registration Form
• Financial Support Agreement

Who is eligible?

• Ontario-licensed employers seeking to hire supported employment participants
• Organizations operating in compliance with federal and provincial legislation (e.g., Occupational Health and Safety Act, Employment Standards Act, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act)

Eligible expenses

• Salaries, wages, and benefits for staff and management directly involved in program delivery.
• Hiring and training of staff, including professional development.
• Marketing and outreach costs (e.g., signage, print/web ads).
• Facility costs such as rent and interest on mortgage payments.
• Accounting services and auditor’s fees related to program operations.
• Direct operating expenditures necessary for delivering supported employment services.
• Job-related skills enhancement or onboarding training for participants, including costs associated with temporary reduction in productivity and increased supervision for new hires.
• Workplace anti-stigma training and employer training on best practices for inclusion and supervision of people with disabilities.
• Participant financial supports to address temporary barriers, such as transportation, work clothing or uniforms, safety shoes, tools and special equipment, emergency or infrequent child care, language skills assessments, and translation of academic documents.
• Specialized diagnostic assessments required to determine employment capacity when not available through other services.
• Purchase or cost-sharing of assistive devices and adaptive technology for the workplace (e.g., mobility aids, communication tools).
• Job-specific communication skills training (e.g., ASL, Braille, remedial writing).
• On-the-job supports such as sign language interpreters, readers, or note takers.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Gift cards used as rewards for attending workshops or answering surveys
• Bulk purchase of gift cards in anticipation of client needs

Eligible geographic areas

• Ontario

• Service provider performance against the Provincial Service Quality Standard (SQS), including customer satisfaction, service coordination, and employment outcomes.
• Achievement of improvement targets as set out in annual business plans.
• Evidence of organizational capacity, including planning, resourcing, administrative processes, and community coordination.
• Compliance with all agreement terms and service guidelines.

• Step 1: Identify a Service Provider
  • Locate an approved Employment Ontario Supported Employment service provider in your community.
  • Contact the service provider to express interest in participating in the Supported Employment program.
• Step 2: Initial Intake and Referral
  • Meet with the service provider for an intake interview to determine eligibility and suitability for the program.
  • If eligible, proceed with further assessment; if not, receive a referral to alternative services if needed.
• Step 3: Individual Assessment
  • Provide written consent for an individual assessment.
  • Participate in the assessment to identify employment goals, strengths, service needs, and potential barriers.
• Step 4: Develop Supported Employment Action Plan
  • Collaborate with the service provider to create a personalized action plan outlining services, milestones, and supports required.
• Step 5: Provide Documentation
  • Submit completed and signed Employment Ontario Participant Registration form.
  • Present valid identification and immigration/work permit documents, if applicable, for verification.
• Step 6: Participate in Program Activities
  • Engage in employability skills workshops, job search assistance, job matching, job coaching, and job retention support as outlined in the action plan.
• Step 7: Access Financial Supports (if applicable)
  • Work with the service provider to apply for eligible financial supports for employment and training needs, as required.

• Applications are reviewed by the ministry and service provider under the program’s transfer payment and delivery requirements.
• Funding decisions are based on performance management measures and the funding decision matrix.
• Transfer payment recipients must submit financial and activity reports to show expenditures and performance commitments are on track.
• Service Provider Transfer Payment Agreements set out the legal responsibilities for service delivery.

• Service providers may contract out delivery of certain program components, such as job coaching, if they lack specific expertise, but remain fully accountable for outcomes.
• Participants who exit the program can be re-admitted if they require further employment assistance due to job loss or changing circumstances.
• Employers must have appropriate workplace safety and liability insurance to participate as hosts for job placements or trials.
• Service providers are required to regularly monitor participant progress through site visits and ongoing follow-up, including satisfaction and outcome surveys.