The purpose of the Special Needs Program is to provide funding for the staff, equipment, supplies, or services required to meet the special needs of handicapped children enrolled in licensed child care centres or licensed home child care programs.

A "handicapped child" means a child who has a physical or mental impairment that is likely to continue for a prolonged period of time. As a result of their handicap, they will be limited in activities pertaining to normal living as verified by objective psychological or medical findings. This includes a child with a developmental handicap.

Funding is provided to the following four programs:

Children's Integration Support Services
Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario / Child Development Services Preschool Program
Children's Treatment Centre Preschool Program
Thursday's Child Nursery School