Ontario is supporting critical repairs and renovations at community agencies across the province to keep facilities well-maintained, safe and accessible, helping them to provide better care for children, youth and families.

Minister of Children and Youth Services Michael Coteau announced the province will invest $3.8 million in more than 140 facility upgrades and repair projects through this round of Partner Facility Renewal funding. He made the announcement while on site at the Thames Valley Children’s Centre in London, which provides specialized rehabilitation services to over 8,000 children and youth each year. The centre will receive $399,600 from the province to upgrade its building ventilation and cooling system to maintain safety and comfort for those receiving services.

Other facilities will use the funding to complete projects such as upgrading accessible bathrooms, replacing windows, repairing roofs, replacing furnaces, expanding program space and installing sprinklers and fire alarms.

Ontario is providing support for 70 children’s treatment centres, children’s aid societies and youth centres across the province through its Partner Facility Renewal program. The support will help facilitate the completion of 140 facility upgrade and repair projects.

“Investments in facility repairs and renovations are investments in the safety, security and wellbeing of the children and families that these community agencies serve,” said Michael Coteau, in a press release. “Ontario’s children’s treatment centres, children’s aid societies and youth centres provide vital support to our province’s most vulnerable. I’m thrilled to announce this funding, as it will help these organizations continue to provide the kind of care that will position children and youth for success.”

This investment comes after Ontario’s investment of $16 million through the Partner Facility Renewal program in August 2016. The investment helped facilitate over 550 upgrades at more than 140 community agencies across the province.