What We Do

We Build Connection & Community

●     Create opportunities for members to connect, network, and build meaningful relationships.

●     Foster safe spaces for sharing experiences, challenges, and solutions.

●     Support operators and “support the supporters” through mentorship, peer connection, and responsive communication.

●     Strengthen professionalism and represent the sector with integrity and unity.

We Strengthen Collaboration & Capacity

●     Facilitate collaboration on ideas, solutions, and best practices.

●     Share knowledge and sector insights through roundtables, town halls, webinars, and an annual conference.

●     Build capacity through training, education, and leadership development.

●     Partner with organizations such as OACYC, Humber Polytechnic, SONOR, and others to advance professionalization and research.

●     Promote excellence and set standards of care across the province.

We Advocate & Represent the Sector

●     Provide a unified voice to the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) and other stakeholders.

●     Liaise with government partners, hold MCCSS accountable, and ensure member perspectives are heard.

●     Advocate for operators, caregivers, and the individuals they serve.

●     Break down systemic barriers and champion equity, clarity, and consistency across the sector.

●     Ensure the sector has a seat at the table in policy and system-level conversations.

We Provide Strategic Leadership & System Navigation

●     Offer clarity, direction, and cohesion in a complex and evolving care landscape.

●     Support strategic planning and realistic goal-setting for the sector and for members.

●     Navigate systems, bring organizations together, and coordinate collective action.

●     Seek opportunities for funding, cost savings, and free supports to strengthen member sustainability.

●     Promote shared responsibility and collective impact across Ontario.

We Promote Excellence in Care

●     Uphold high standards of care and bring best practices to the forefront.

●     Support healing-centered, relational, and strength-based approaches to care.

●     Advocate for vulnerable individuals and ensure care is delivered with dignity and compassion.

●     Build capacity for quality improvement and sector-wide consistency.

What We Don’t Do

The Ontario Care Collective supports, connects, and advocates for operators across the province — but there are clear boundaries to our role. We are not a regulatory body, a funding agency, or a direct service provider. To ensure transparency and clarity, here is what falls outside our mandate:

We Are Not Regulators

●     We do not license, police, investigate, or close agencies.

●     We do not tell operators what to do or exercise regulatory authority.

●     We do not advocate for operators who lose their license for just cause.

●     We do not create, change, or enforce legislation or government regulations.

We Do Not Provide Direct Care or Operational Management    

• We do not provide direct care to vulnerable individuals.
• We do not fund OPRs or provide financial support to children or agencies.
• We do not manage CASs or offer in‑person supervision to operators.
• We do not provide support services to parents.

We Do Not Offer Professional, Legal, or Policy Services

• We do not provide legal advice or recommendations.
• We do not write policies, conduct investigations, or offer operational consulting.
• We do not supply updated internal policies or agency-specific documents.

We Do Not Engage in Recruitment or Staffing Decisions

• We do not actively recruit new members.
• We do not participate in succession planning or placement for executive or open positions.

We Do Not Compromise Ethics, Equity, or Professionalism

• We do not discriminate or disrespect members, clients, or value systems.
• We do not support actions that are not in the best interest of clients.
• We do not accept all applicants automatically — membership requires standards and reference checks.
• We do not present ourselves or the sector unprofessionally.

We Stay Within Our Mandate

• We do not act on behalf of MCCSS or replace government oversight.
• We do not fully vet or approve agencies for any regulatory purpose.
• We do not overstep into roles better suited to government, legal, or clinical professionals.