About the Centre > Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Provincial Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health at CHEO and how is it different from other organizations in Ontario?

The Centre is a provincial resource for the entire child and youth mental health system. Working with other leaders in the field, we promote and support partnerships, research, education and training, and knowledge sharing within and across sectors including health, child welfare, youth justice, education/learning, social services and developmental services. Dedicated people in each of these sectors work very hard to meet the needs of children, youth and their parents and caregivers, and the Centre is here to support them. For example, the Centre strives to bridge the gap between community-based and hospital/academic-based mental health programs for children, youth and their parents and caregivers.

Does the Centre provide mental health services to children and youth?

The Centre does not provide mental health services to children, youth and their parents and caregivers. If you are a parent, caregiver or youth, our Child and Youth Mental Health Services Directory can help you locate appropriate services in your area or anywhere in Ontario. You can also check out our Centre Selected Resources section for some other resources.

I am a youth interested in mental health issues. What opportunities are there for me through this Centre?

We offer opportunities for youth in Ontario to become active in mental health promotion projects through our Dare to Dream program. Creativity is the key to this program. The Centre is looking for youth with innovative ideas on how to promote mental health awareness in their communities. $1000 is awarded for individual projects and $5000 for group projects to help make these ideas a reality.

For information on awards for university or community college students in related fields, visit our Grants and Awards section.

My organization would like to join the Child and Youth Mental Health Services Directory. How can I do this?

Each of our directories (Researchers and Mental Health Services) have a "Fill out a submission form here" link on the main page. This link will take you to the "Submit Your Profile" page, where you will create a username and password and fill in your profile information. The username and password you create will allow you to login and edit or update your profile as needed in the future.

Once your submission has been reviewed and approved, you will receive an email to let you know your profile is now active in the directory. It is your responsibility to keep it up to date. We will help by sending annual reminders.

What is knowledge exchange and why should I care about it?

Knowledge exchange is a big part of the Centre. It is all about “getting the right information to the right people at the right time in the most appropriate format in order to support good decision–making and action.” It is important because information and knowledge do not always move freely and easily on their own – there are barriers, misunderstandings, and gaps that together we must overcome. Check out Knowledge Exchange to learn about knowledge exchange and the knowledge exchange activities of child and youth mental health organizations in Ontario.

What do the Centre's consultation services cost?

If you're a non-profit working in children's mental health in Ontario, all services are free. We are happy to meet with you and/or your team to discuss how we can assist you in implementing and evaluating evidence-informed practices.

Where does a consultation take place?

Consultations can take place via phone, email, video conference or in person. Where an in-person meeting is required outside of Ottawa, the consultant will travel to your location.

Can the consulting services help me secure funding?

No. For information about the Centre's funding opportunities, please review our Grants and Awards section.