Ontario Community Support Association

02/19/2026

Supporting millions of people every year, the nonprofit sector is a major driver of innovation, job creation, and economic growth - sustained by nonprofit workers who are experts in delivering care-centred programs and services.

Thank you to all nonprofit organizations and workers for the care, commitment, and change you make possible.

02/19/2026

Ontario's community health sector is facing a staffing crisis due to a growing wage gap. If we don’t act now, it will mean:

• Reduced services
• Longer wait times
• More unnecessary emergency department visits

02/18/2026

“People don’t want to have to go to the hospital. They don’t want to have to move into long-term care unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

On AM980 London this morning, Lori Holloway spoke about why Ontarians want to remain at home, and why our health system must align with that reality.

OCSA is calling on the Ontario government to invest in Home Care and Community Support Services in the 2026 Ontario Budget. These services keep people safe, healthy, at home, and reduce pressure on hospitals and long-term care.

Visit https://www.everyoneneedscare.ca/ to learn more and send an urgent letter to your MPP.

Without immediate investment in Community Support Services, more seniors will be forced into overcrowded hospitals and our overstretched long-term care waitlists will only grow. We need your help by writing your MPP today!

02/12/2026

Ontario’s health care system is at a breaking point. Essential services like meal deliveries and caregiver respite keep seniors safe at home, yet chronic underfunding is pushing our community safety net to the brink.

Today, OCSA is launching ‘Community Care is on Life Support’, a campaign to urge our government to invest in the Home Care and Community Support Services that keep Ontarians safe, healthy, at home, and out of hospitals.

Visit EveryoneNeedsCare.ca to learn more about the campaign and use our automated tool to send an urgent letter to your MPP ahead of the 2026 Ontario Budget.

02/12/2026

The community health workforce loves the work they do, but the growing wage gap is making it harder to continue
delivering health care and support in the community that millions of Ontarians rely on.

02/11/2026

Happy 211 Day! Today we celebrate helping Ontarians find the support they need.

Every day across Ontario, 211's trained navigators connect people to community supports: from housing and food programs to mental health and financial services.

Tonight, landmarks across Canada will light up in red for United Glow, marking 211 Day and recognizing the role 211 plays in helping people access support.

📸Visiting a United Glow landmark? Snap a photo and share it on social media to help spread the word about 211.

👉A list of participating locations is available at 211.ca.

Be sure to tag 211 Ontario and use , , and .

If you need help, 📞dial 2-1-1 or 🌐visit 211ontario.ca.

02/10/2026

Strong community partnerships like this are what make care work on the ground. When organizations collaborate to connect people with food, social supports, and everyday essentials, communities are healthier and more resilient. To keep this work going and growing, Budget 2026 must include stable investment in Community Support Services so care can continue where people live.

02/05/2026

Ontario’s community support services help residents live independently in their homes for longer. It’s time to support our workers and close the wage gap.

02/04/2026

From award-winning care to smarter digital systems, OCSA members are making a meaningful difference in communities across Ontario.

Helping Hands was named a Canadian Choice Award Winner for Home Care Provider, celebrating the compassion, respect, and dedication their team brings into every home they serve.

Victorian Order of Nurses - VON Perth Huron and Oxford County teams have launched VON Connect, strengthening care delivery through better coordination, secure information sharing, and improved support for frontline teams.

These stories highlight how our members are driving impact through care, connection, and innovation.

02/03/2026

Stepping into leadership comes with new expectations, responsibilities, and opportunities.

LeaderShift’s Foundations for Emerging and Aspiring Leaders in Community Health is designed to support professionals as they build practical leadership skills, strengthen confidence, and grow in their roles within the sector.

This course offers a focused, supportive learning experience for those ready to develop their leadership practice.

Learn more and register:
https://loom.ly/mvhN1hI

01/28/2026

Strong budget recommendations like these reinforce what our sector has been saying clearly. Without stable funding for Community Support Services and Independent Living, along with wage equity for community health workers, service cuts will continue, putting even more pressure on hospitals. Budget 2026 must invest in care at home and in the community.

March of Dimes Canada (MODC) has submitted its 2026–27 pre-budget submission to the Government of Ontario, calling for increased investments that support independence, dignity, and inclusion for people with disabilities, seniors, and families.

Our recommendations focus on four key areas:

▪️Care at home and in the community, including sustained investments in community support services, supportive housing, and assisted living.

▪️Home and vehicle accessibility through a $15 million increase to the Home and Vehicle Modification Program (HVMP) so more Ontarians can remain in their homes and communities as they age.

▪️Inclusive employment by updating Employment Ontario incentives to recognize part-time and flexible work as meaningful outcomes for people with disabilities.

▪️Stroke recovery and community support through a $1.2 million investment in MODC’s After Stroke program to improve transitions from hospital to home.

With a rapidly aging population, long-term care waitlists exceeding 48,000 people, and growing pressure on hospitals, a home-first approach is a necessity.

MODC urges the Ontario government to act on these recommendations in Budget 2026–27 so people with disabilities and seniors can live with inclusion, dignity, and choice.

Read our full submission: https://www.marchofdimes.ca/en-ca/aboutus/govtrelations/ourwork/Pages/ON-prebudget-2026.aspx

01/26/2026

The National Institute on Ageing has released its 2025 Ageing in Canada Survey, and the findings are a powerful reminder of the realities facing older Canadians.

From social isolation to access to care, the data shows why strong home and community supports matter more than ever for helping people age well at home.

This research underscores the importance of investing in community-based solutions in Ontario’s 2026 budget.

Explore the full report here: https://loom.ly/cap9Uwc