Searching for Career Counselling

Provides education, employment assistance support and occupational training to enhance employment opportunities for community members in both Native and Non-native labour markets

Training can be provided in the following areas for eligible clients:

• Accommodations for the Disabled
• Community Development
• EAS Workshops/Counselling
• Employment Supports/Start Ups
• Mobility Assistance
• Self-Employment Assistance
• Skills Development (Purchase of Training)
• Wage Investments/Subsidies
• Youth Initiatives

Other training and employment opportunities may exist depending on funding, such as youth summer career and mentored work placements

Grey County Social Services delivers the Ontario Works financial assistance program. Ontario Works is an income tested assistance program that provides temporary financial assistance for basic needs and shelter. Ontario Works recipients are also eligible for assistance with adult emergency dental, prescription medication, medical travel and discretionary health benefits.

Discretionary Health Benefits for ODSP recipients are also managed by Grey County Social Services. These benefits may include dentures, adult eyeglasses, health care supplies, prosthetic devices, assistance with funerals and burials.

Assistance may also be available to individuals providing temporary care to a child through the Temporary Care Assistance program. For more information about Temporary Care Assistance please contact 519-376-7112 ext. 1320

Additional Numbers:
Interactive Voice Response (IVR) 1-800-808-2268 - automated information and payment details, payment history, file status, information and announcements about Ontario Works. Service not available to TTY users.

Welfare Fraud Hotline 1-800-394-7867 - to report allegations of fraudulent collection of Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program assistance.

Satellite offices for existing clients

• Durham: 575 Saddler St E, N0G 1R0 (Rockwood Terrace)
• Hanover: 286 10th St, N4N 1P2
• Markdale: 55 Victoria Ave, N0C 1H0 (South East Grey Community Health Centre)
• Meaford: 80 Victoria St, Unit 3, N0H 2S0

Provides a comprehensive suite of employment programs and services that include:

• career counselling
• employment readiness training
• wage subsidies
• apprenticeship support
• mobility assistance
• self-employment
• youth initiatives and services for clients with disabilities.

Programs and services are delivered through community-based service sites across the province.

Offers free support to entrepreneurs through the early stages of business development and provides advice as the business grows

Resources include:

• private one-on-one consultations (in person or over the phone)
• information about financing options
• help developing a business plan
• information about permits, licences and government supports
• business and professional development seminars and networking events
• information and access to youth entrepreneurship programs
• access to resource materials and computer workstations

Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) is designed to meet the unique needs of people with disabilities who are in financial need, or who want and are able to work and need support.

Offers two types of support:

• Income support - financial assistance provided each month to help with the costs of basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter, also includes benefits, such as drug coverage, vision care, benefits for dental care such as cleanings and extractions, for clients and their eligible family members
• Employment supports - Services and supports to help clients with disabilities find and keep a job, and advance their careers

Offers the following supports:

• Children's Developmental Support Services, (CDSS) - Provides support for infants, toddlers, and children up to the age of 12 who have a developmental support need or is at risk for and who attend a licensed childcare programs. CDSS consists of the Simcoe County Resource Consultation Services, Ontario Autism Programs, and the Quality Inclusive Support Services. Offices are located across the Simcoe County, including Collingwood, Alliston, Bradford, Barrie, Orillia, and Midland. Service is Free of Charge and is funded by the County of Simcoe.
• Supported Living Home (SLH) - Supports over 90 adults in 20 supported living home settings including Penetanguishene, Midland, Port McNicoll, Waubaushene, and Victoria Harbour. In addition offers supports in the Family Home Program to people in the Supported Independent Living Program. The type of support an individual requires depends upon their specific needs.
• Supported Independent Living (SIL) - services are offered to people who are living independently in the community . SIL Support Staff are available to offer support in budgeting, shopping, meal preparation, medical appointments and community participation, based on the identified needs of the person supported. The hours of staff support fluctuate based on the needs of the individual.
• Supported Employment Programs (SEP) - assists individuals 18 years of age and over explore/obtain and/or maintain employment opportunities. Employment Specialist staff work directly with the individual and the potential employer to ensure mutual satisfaction. Connects potential employers with suitable employees.
• Community Participation Supports (CPS) - provides individuals with a broad range of social and recreational opportunities in and around their local community. Weekly social, recreation events are shared with all individuals participating in the CPS program. Individuals are given a schedule of options to choose from (virtual and in-person) to meet their individual preference. CPS services focuses on including and supporting everyone to experience social and recreational activities in order to enhance skills, build new friendships and stay active.
• Transitional Aged Youth (TAY) Program - provides support to young people with support needs between the ages of 16 to 21 in their school to adult life transition. The TAY co-ordinator acts as a support/resource to the teen, family, school and community agencies. The young adult's interests are explored, skills and abilities are assessed and plans are made through the Person Directed Planning model to assist in meeting goals for the future. Supports and resources are put into place based on individual preferences and interests.

CLH DSS is the host agency for the Community Networks of Specialized Care - Central East (CNSC - CE). The CNSC - CE provides coordination and linkages to supports for adults with a developmental disability and high support and complex care needs (HSCCN) in Simcoe, York, Durham, Haliburton, Kawartha and Pine Ridge.

Offers free, confidential tutoring to adults who want to improve their reading, writing, math, computer, employability and life skills.

Offers a variety of courses and workshops for people of all ages.
Programs are flexible and geared to improving personal and employment related skills.

Courses and Workshops include:

• Introduction to Computers
• Professor Teaches Microsoft Office Tutorial Suite
• Smartphone
• Tablet coaching

Courses may be available outside office hours, call for information.

Ontario Works offers:

• money to help individual and eligible family members with living expenses, including food (special dietary needs accommodated), and rent
• health benefits for individuals and eligible family members
• employment supports to find employment (workshops for resume writing, job counselling, job-specific training and basic education)

Amount of money received by eligible recipients of Ontario Works will depend on the individuals specific situation. In most cases, participation in employment-related activities is required in order to receive financial help. Individuals could receive up to $733 a month for basic needs and shelter if single.

Individuals may receive more than this amount for:

• benefits (additional money for transportation to medical appointments)
• other immediate family members (if individual has a spouse or child)

Employment Specialists:

• Career Connections: employment readiness program
• Soft Skills Training, resume/cover letter development, interview preparation, job development

Education Services:

• basic literacy and numeracy, computer literacy
• grade 12 upgrading, support accessing other educational facilities
• assistance applying to post-secondary programs and exploring potential funding opportunities

Recreation Therapy:

• 1-1 and small group programming, support with identifying leisure interests/pursuits, community integration

Offers services virtually and in person to your with little to no wait times.

Services include:

• Mental Health Services
• Substance Use Services
• Peer Support Services
• Primary Care - Physical Health Services
• Education Services
• Employment Services
• 2SLGBTQ+ Services
• Support for youth with special needs
• Housing Supports
• Variety of workshops and cultural teachings

Provides an Adult Learning Centre

Offers various programs and services including the following:

• Adult Credit Program
• English as a Second Language (ESL)
• Literacy and Basic Skills
• Night School
• Summer School
• Heritage Language Program
• Skills assessments
• Job vacancy postings
• Career testing
• Basic educational upgrading
• Employment counselling
• Labour market information
• Access to computer, fax and photocopy machines for job searching purposes

• Empowers individuals seeking employment and education through information, counselling, training and support to maximize success
• Offers free billingual services for individuals seeking work or education
• Assists with career planning, résumés, interviews and job search techniques
• Offers resources including computer use and internet access
• Facilitates workshops
• Features literacy and computer classes

Offers the following programs:

• Ontario Employment Services
• Educational and Workplace Training

Provides counselling and support services to enhance employment opportunities for community members

• Works under the training and employment policies of the Gezhtoojig Employment and Training Unit based in Sudbury
• Maintains a community job board with current employment postings
• Works on proposals and applications for job creation projects and summer student employment jobs
• Develops appropriate job descriptions and coordinates hiring participants

Offers the following services:

• Advocacy with employment issues
• Coordination of training programs for community
• Employment counselling and assessment
• Employment resources
• Hiring and staffing logistics
• Job development
• Referrals

Also houses the following:

• Adult Learning Program
• Ontario Works Employment Program
• Ontario Lottery Gaming Program

Also serves as the Contact North site for Wasauksing

Provides guidance and support to youth through one-on-one and group mentoring in their quest for post-secondary education and career choices

Services include but are not limited to:

• Assistance with academic registration
• Assistance completing Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) applications
• Campus tours
• Discussions about post-secondary education and possible future career choices
• Education during weekly group meetings on career readiness and post-secondary skills and information
• Referrals to community employment agencies

Temporarily closed due to COVID - call Toll Free 1-800-518-0000 or email info@chs.ca for more information on virtual services

Provides employment consultants that provide personalized employment counselling and can assist with:

• Job search challenges related to hearing loss
• Career planning
• Resume and cover letter services
• Leads and referrals to potential job opportunities
• Preparing for interviews
• Arranging an interpreter or live translation of speech to text (CART) for interviews

Offers additional on the job support by working with the individual and the employer to:

• Find assistive technology and communication devices
• Identify and implement appropriate workplace accommodations for a barrier-free work environment
• Provide communication workshops for co-workers

Also provides employment services for employers and students

• Functions as a community-based, non-profit employment agency providing employment counselling, job development, job placements, assistance returning to school or accessing re-training, apprenticeship and certification training
• Provides resume, job search, career planning and interview assistance, job listings and labour market information
• Offers free access to computers, photocopier and fax machine

Offers the following programs and services:

• Apprenticeships
• Better Jobs Ontario
• Employment Ontario Employment Services
• Employment Ontario Youth Job Connection and Youth Job Connection-Summer
• Ontario Disability Support Program Employment Supports
• Canada-Ontario Job Grant
• Youth Employment Pathways
• Youth Justice Programs

Provides opportunities to individuals with disabilities, who are currently registered with the Ontario Disability Support Program, to obtain assistance to find employment

Provides various services including the following:

• Aptitude and Skill Testing
• Job Search Training
• Job Shadowing
• Job Coaching

Operates as a program under the Education and Training Branch

Provides a range of culturally appropriate programs and services for Métis people to enhance employability and related skills including:

• Apprenticeship support (financial and training assistance)
• Career counselling
• Employment readiness support and training
• Financial support/wage subsidies and opportunity through a number of programs which may vary by office locations
• Mobility assistance
• Self-employment coaching assistance such as business plan and accounting information and access to computers, photocopiers and other equipment
• Services for clients with disabilities

Provides counselling and support services to enhance employment opportunities for community members

• Works under the training and employment policies of the Gezhtoojig Employment and Training Unit based in Sudbury
• Maintains a community job board with current employment postings
• Works on proposals and applications for job creation projects and summer student employment jobs
• Develops appropriate job descriptions and coordinates hiring participants

Offers the following services:

• Advocacy with employment issues
• Coordination of training programs for community
• Employment counselling and assessment
• Employment resources
• Hiring and staffing logistics
• Job development
• Referrals

Provides employment consultants that provide personalized employment counselling and can assist with:

• Job search challenges related to hearing loss
• Career planning
• Resume and cover letter services
• Leads and referrals to potential job opportunities
• Preparing for interviews
• Arranging an interpreter or live translation of speech to text (CART) for interviews

Offers additional on the job support by working with the individual and the employer to:

• Find assistive technology and communication devices
• Identify and implement appropriate workplace accommodations for a barrier-free work environment
• Provide communication workshops for co-workers

Also provides employment services for employers and students

Operates as a program under the Education and Training Branch

Provides a range of culturally appropriate programs and services for Métis people to enhance employability and related skills including:

• Apprenticeship support (financial and training assistance)
• Career counselling
• Employment readiness support and training
• Financial support/wage subsidies and opportunity through a number of programs which may vary by office locations; programs are listed on website
• Mobility assistance
• Self-employment coaching assistance such as business plan and accounting information and access to computers, photocopiers and other equipment
• Services for clients with disabilities

Operates as a program under the Education and Training Branch

Provides a range of culturally appropriate programs and services for Métis people to enhance employability and related skills including:

• Apprenticeship support (financial and training assistance)
• Career counselling
• Employment readiness support and training
• Financial support/wage subsidies and opportunity through a number of programs which may vary by office locations; programs are listed on website
• Mobility assistance
• Self-employment coaching assistance such as business plan and accounting information and access to computers, photocopiers and other equipment
• Services for clients with disabilities