The College’s provision of therapy and counselling funding began on January 1, 2020 to support students alleging sexual abuse or an act of child pornography against an Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT), which includes teachers, administrators and supervisory officers.

Abuse refers to incidents that occurred when the OCT was responsible for, or supervised, the student.

Approximately $17,000 – $18,000 can be claimed. The amount is equivalent to what the Ontario Health Insurance Plan would pay for 200 half-hour sessions of individual out-patient psychotherapy with a psychiatrist.

Therapy and counselling funding assists students and their parents, guardians and siblings. A student, a family member, or both can apply.

A person is eligible for funding if it is alleged in a complaint or report against a member received by the College that a student was the subject of sexual abuse or a prohibited act involving child pornography.

A student, in addition to their parent, guardian and sibling, can apply for therapy and counselling funding based on allegations of sexual abuse or an act of child pornography against a member who supervised, or was responsible for, the student.

Claimants can apply online at oct.ca and will be guided through a series of questions.

For information, please email us at fundingsupport@oct.ca or phone us at 416.961.8800, Ext. 379 or toll-free in Ontario at 1.888.534.2222, Ext. 379.

The College will review applications for therapy and counselling funding and will contact claimants once a decision has been made. Individuals who are approved for funding will receive a set of guidelines that will identify eligible expenses, appropriate providers and the process for submitting eligible expenses for reimbursement.

The Registrar of the Ontario College of Teachers is responsible for the administration of therapy and counselling funding.

Claimants will be notified by email upon receipt of their application and following a review of their submitted documents and decision. Claimants can also request other ways of being contacted.

Yes. Therapy and/or counselling can pre-date the approval of an application. However, receipts and documentation will be required.

Yes. Please call 416.961.8800, Ext. 379 or toll-free in Ontario at 1.888.534.2222, Ext. 379 to arrange assistance.

The Ontario College of Teachers Act defines “sexual abuse” of a student by a member as,

1. sexual intercourse or other forms of physical sexual relations between the member and the student,
2. touching, of a sexual nature, of the student by the member, or
3. behaviour or remarks of a sexual nature by the member towards the student.

Child pornography is a recording of a child being sexually abused or exploited. Under Canada’s Criminal Code, it is an offence to make, print, publish, import, distribute, transmit, sell or possess child pornography.

The College respects the sensitivity of these matters, and follows high standards to keep applications and information as secure and confidential as possible

The Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT) will not be told about a claimant’s funding application. The application for therapy and counselling funding is kept as confidential as possible. However, if the claimant has made an allegation against the OCT in the form of a complaint, then the OCT will be informed of the complaint and given 60 days to respond.

Complaints are a separate process from the College’s funding program.

For information, please email us at fundingsupport@oct.ca or phone us at 416.961.8800, Ext. 379 or toll-free in Ontario at 1.888.534.2222, Ext. 379.