Workforce Capacity Grant to address service gap for Youth 10-17 with complex needs

Press Release
Written By Renee Hacker, M.ADS, R.B.A. (ONT.) BCBA (She/Her)

24-Jun-25

We are excited to announce to everyone at Lake Ridge Community Support Services that we have been successful in our application for an Expansion Workforce Capacity Grant. 

We have been approved to receive a total of $391,135, which will be distributed over a 24-month period. Over the next two years, this grant will help us address the gap in service for children ages 10 to 17 with complex needs, including mental health concerns, sexual behaviours, and caregiver burnout.

We will use the funding to: 

  • Develop an evidence-based clinical skills curriculum.

  • Mentor BC/BAs in case formulation, individualized strategies, and caregiver training.

  • Train BC/BAs to supervise their staff, expanding expertise within teams.

This training will enhance workforce confidence and competence, equipping BC/RBAs to meet the evolving needs of youth with complex behaviours, reduce risks, and maximize their potential for community participation.

We are so grateful to the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services for approving our application for the OAP Expansion Workforce Capacity Grant Fund and for validating the much-needed investment in programming for those diagnosed with Autism. 

This is a tremendous accomplishment, but the work is just beginning. We are excited to continue sharing with you the progress of this grant and its positive impact on the lives of those in our community.

Renee Hacker, M.ADS, R.B.A. (ONT.) BCBA (She/Her)

Renee is a leader, clinician, Registered Behaviour Analyst in (Ontario) and a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst. She completed a Psychology Degree from Queen’s University, then attended Saint Lawrence College to complete her postgraduate training in Behaviour Science Technology. It was there that Renee developed a passion for Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), more specifically, Intensive Behaviour Intervention for children with autism. Renee pursued a career in the field completing a Master of Applied Disabilities Studies and a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst certification. Renee loves the field and the impact ABA has on all the families who enter through our doors. As part of the family here at Lake Ridge Community Support Services since 2005, Renee is proud of the organization’s ability to adapt and thrive in the ever-changing behavioural services landscape in Durham Region. Renee feels the success at Lake Ridge Community Support Services is a result of ordinary people doing a little extra which results in extraordinary outcomes for their clients and families.

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