Specialized Information and Referral

Programs that maintain information about community resources that are appropriate for a specific target group or human services sector (for example, youth programs or addiction services) and which link individuals who are in need of specialized services with appropriate resources and/or which provide information about community agencies and organizations that offer specialized services.

 

Services
Healthy Babies, Healthy Children Home Visiting Program

Public health nurses and family home visitors provide prevention, early intervention, and prenatal support to at-risk families.  Focus is on healthy child development and parenting skills.  Services include:

Health Connections Information Line

A telephone line answered by Public Health Nurses to provide information and assistance for expectant parents and families with children up to 6 years of age, on various health topics including:

Hamilton Wentworth District School Board Welcome Centre Services

Supports students and their families with their transition to attending school in Hamilton. Provides English as a Second Language (ESL) assessment services to mature students, newcomers, and children.

Interval House of Hamilton Crisis and Support Line

Provides anonymous and confidential crisis support, counseling, safety planning, information, and referrals for women that have experienced abuse or violence. 

Birthright Hamilton Pregnancy Support Services

Offers free, confidential emergency service for women distressed by pregnancy. Services include information about pregnancy, childbirth, adoption, prenatal care, community programs, parenting skills, and child care.

Support Services for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse Phone Line

A 24-hour, multilingual, toll-free service for immediate crisis and referral that supports male survivors of sexual abuse, both recent and historical.

Ontario Victim Support Line Phone Line

Phone line for the Ontario Victim Support Line.

Ontario Victim Support Line

A province-wide, multilingual, toll-free information phone line providing a range of services to victims of crime and their families, offering information and referrals to support services including counselling, financial assistance, and more.

Assaulted Women's Helpline Phone Line

Phone line providing crisis support to women in need.

YMCA Hamilton Newcomer Youth Centres

Provides a full range of educational, sport, and recreational activities for newcomers to Canada. These activities provide newcomer youth with a fun, supportive environment.

Services include:

Sexual Health Ontario Live Chat and Info Line

A free, anonymous live chat and phone line to speak with a counsellor or sexual health expert about sexual health, STIs (sexually transmitted infections), or reproductive health. There is also a searchable list of local clinics that can help with sexual health issues.

Sexual Health Ontario Website

A website that offers information related to sexual health, reproductive health, and STIs. It offers a searchable database for local sexual health clinics in Ontario and a live chat and phone line.

Sponsored by Public Health Ontario. 

Law Society Referral Service

This online service will refer an Ontario resident to a lawyer or paralegal who can help with their legal need. This service cannot identify legal representatives who work on a contingency basis or accept pro bono work, and is not for those who are in crisis, such as those in custody.

Support Services for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse

A 24-hour, multilingual, toll-free service for immediate crisis and referral that supports male survivors of sexual abuse, both recent and historical. Services include: 

Assaulted Women's Helpline

Provincial telephone and online (chat) crisis counselling, emotional support, information and referrals to emergency shelters, legal information and community services, as well as culturally appropriate resources for abused women.

YMCA Hamilton Youth in Transition Worker Program

Program providing support for youth who have been involved with Family and Children Services. Helps youth to transition to a more independent lifestyle by developing and implementing a personal plan, and providing help navigating adult service systems and connecting with community supports and re

Private and International Adoption

Information and referral on private, international, and other adoptions

John Howard Society Youth Navigation Program

A community based program for youth requiring support. It helps young people (12-24 years of age) navigate the service systems to connect them to resources in their community.

Cancer Information Service

Canada-wide bilingual information service provides information about cancer, community resources, and other cancer-related topics to patients, families, general public, and health professionals. Information is available through the phone or online through the Community Services Locator.

Asthma Canada Programs and Services

Asthma Canada offers programs and services for those with Asthma and their caregivers. They perform advocacy, education and research in to this disease.

There is information on the connections between asthma and allergies as well as with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. 

ALS Society of Canada Head Office

The head office of ALS Society of Canada, located in Toronto.

Wesley Housing Services - Hamilton

A housing program supporting individuals experiencing episodic or chronic homelessness in acquiring and maintaining safe, affordable, and stable housing in Hamilton. Offers intensive case management, referrals, supports, and help obtaining government assistance.

Breaking Free From Violence Family Support Worker

Supports Indigenous women in a culturally rooted, holistic way to navigate through complex systems encountered when experiencing violence and involvement in child welfare matters.

St. Matthew's House Seniors First Response Team

Offers immediate support to older adults needing a rapid crisis response due to mental health, poverty, addictions, disabilities, and other vulnerabilities. The team includes emergency food delivery and follow up supports to alleviate a future crisis.

Provincial Youth Outreach Worker

The Provincial Youth Outreach Worker program (YOW) helps marginalized and at-risk youth and families better navigate and connect with services in their communities to improve youth outcomes.

Subscribe to Specialized Information and Referral