About Us

The origins of the agency are rooted in support for preschool children with special needs in Durham Region. In the 1960s, no formal nursery programs existed for these children due to widespread belief that they couldn’t benefit from them. Slowly, small, segregated programs emerged, often in church basements and operated by associations like the Association for the Mentally Retarded or the Crippled Children’s Centre. By the 1970s, provincial funding allowed for the establishment of developmental centres. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, early steps toward integration began. However, fragmented and inconsistent service delivery led to the 1986 review by the Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS), which laid the groundwork for a centralized, coordinated agency.

This era marks the formal creation of the Resource Teacher Program – Durham Region in 1987 and the agency’s incorporation as a nonprofit organization. The agency aimed to integrate children with special needs into community settings and unify various fragmented services. Rapid growth occurred throughout the late ’80s and early ’90s, including increases in staff, caseloads, and responsibilities (e.g., direct support via Program Aides and coordination roles like Intake Coordinators). The agency name changed in 1989 to Resources for Exceptional Children – Durham Region. Strategic planning began in 1992, and by the mid-90s, the agency faced financial pressures and service prioritization, shifting from assessment to core services like consultation and the agency was able to secure funding for enhanced staffing that supported the inclusion of children in community child care settings.

The late 1990s and early 2000s were marked by expansion into broader age groups and more specialized services. Caseloads and demand increased dramatically, prompting internal efficiency upgrades and infrastructure investments (like the Family Information System database). The agency took on new programs like Case Coordination Services and the Durham Special Needs Allocation Program. In 2000, the agency was funded by the Health Department to provide Early Identification services for Health Babies/Healthy Children.  In 2003, Resources for Exceptional Children became the host agency for a Trillium-funded Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Committee education and awareness initiative. Complex care, supports for residential services, and mental health supports (e.g., T.A.M.I. – Talking About Mental Illness) were added. The agency became Resources for Exceptional Children and Youth – Durham Region (RFECY) in 2007 to better reflect its expanded mandate and client base.

During this period, RFECY solidified its role as a regional leader in inclusion services. It adapted to provincial changes like the rollout of Full Day Kindergarten and ministry restructuring. In 2011, RFECY partnered with community agencies to deliver the new ABA services for children with Autism in Durham Region and in 2013, the agency run child care center reduced services to increase staff availability to support resource navigation and parent/caregiver capacity building.  The child care closed in late 2015 making way for Early Learning Inclusion (ELI) model, supporting integrated licensed child care settings.   In 2017, RFECY is named as lead agency to implement Coordinated Service Planning (CSP) as part of Ontario’s Special Needs Strategy and as changes were announced to the provincial autism program, the agency also delivered the Family Support Worker component of this service. Strategic and organizational updates (e.g., new employment agreements, infrastructure changes) were implemented to meet evolving ministry and community expectations.

This recent chapter of agency history reflects a focus on modernization, strategic clarity, and adaptation to external challenges, especially the COVID-19 pandemic. Mission and values were updated in 2019. Despite disruptions, the agency quickly pivoted to virtual service delivery and enhanced its digital systems. New programs such as Urgent Response Services (URS), part of the Ontario Autism Program were implemented, and partnerships with Indigenous and community agencies were deepened. Staffing challenges and a changing funding landscape prompted internal restructuring. In 2023, RFECY marked a major transition with the transfer of the Enhanced Staffing Program to Durham Region.

As Resources for Exceptional Children and Youth prepares to enter it’s fourth decade of service, 2025 marks a defining moment in the organizations evolution ushering a period of renewal, reinvention and recommitment to its core mission.  This period marks a deliberate shift towards modernizing internal and external practices while staying rooted in the agency’s founding purpose.  A comprehensive refresh of internal policies and procedures was launched to better align with contemporary best practices and the realities of the communities we serve.  This process prioritizes service user voice and employee engagement, acknowledging that sustainable, meaningful change must be co-created with those who it most directly impacts.

This internal renewal is accompanied by an external branding refresh initiative designed to reflect the organization’s evolving identity and modernized approach.  At the heart of this is a refreshed agency logo and a streamlined emphasis on the name “Resources” – a clear,  powerful reference to the organization’s role as a trusted partner to the individuals, families, child care centers and community partners it serves.  This new brand identity aligns with a revised mission statement and updated agency values, which better express the agency’s holistic, collaborative and hope-driven work.  In Summer 2025, Resources launched a new agency website, offering improved accessibility, clearer information and easier navigation for all who access it.  This site reflects the agency’s commitment to openness, support and connection.  At the heart of this new era is a set of updated values, which emphasize deep partnership, meaningful inclusion, a commitment to being flexible and honest and looking forward with hope.