This year, the Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health (PCMCH) celebrates the 10-year anniversary of the Complex Care for Kids Ontario (CCKO) program.
A provincial program led by PCMCH and funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health, CCKO seeks to improve care continuity, collaboration and service delivery in keeping with the needs and requirements of children and youth with medical complexity and their families. The program aims to provide integrated and coordinated care across health and social support services, improving access and enabling care closer to home.
A more collaborative approach to care
Over the past ten years, CCKO has significantly expanded access to comprehensive care and enabled more services to be delivered closer to home. Regional complex care clinics are now embedded in four children’s hospitals and 17 community-based clinics across Ontario, with an additional clinic now open in Sudbury and another being developed in Thunder Bay — improving outcomes and quality of life for families.
To further strengthen and support high-quality care coordination, CCKO has developed a wide range of resources to promote best practices in care, helping to ensure that services are consistent, high-quality and centred on the needs of children and their families. These resources include practice guidelines that strengthen the relationships and protocols between Ontario Health atHome care coordinators and CCKO nurse practitioners; a toolkit that provides guidance to care providers and youth on transitioning to the adult care system; among many others.
Sustained growth
CCKO has experienced substantial expansion and success over the years. Originally launched by PCMCH in 2015 as a demonstration project, it has since evolved into a permanent government-funded program. The number of children and youth supported by CCKO has more than doubled, reflecting the increasing demand for its services. In 2017–2018, the program served just under 600 patients; by 2024–2025, that number exceeded 1,300. This steady growth highlights the ongoing need for coordinated, comprehensive care for children with medical complexity.
As the demand for CCKO expands across Ontario, PCMCH continues to partner closely with the Ministry of Health to monitor and address demand. The sustainable growth of services and equitable access to comprehensive, coordinated care will continue to ensure good outcomes for medically complex children and their families across Ontario.
Thank you to our partners
As we reflect on a decade of progress through the CCKO program, PCMCH extends its deepest gratitude to the many partners and stakeholders who have played a vital role in its success. This includes the family advisors serving on the CCKO Leadership Table, who you can read about here.
“The achievements of this program would not have been possible without the collaboration, dedication, and shared vision of a wide range of individuals and organizations,” said Lisa Osqui, Senior Program Manager for CCKO. “From the leadership and clinical teams at Ontario’s children’s hospitals and community-based clinics, to our health system partners, social service providers, and, most importantly, the families and caregivers of children and youth with medical complexity — each of you has contributed to building a more integrated, accessible and compassionate system of care.”
As we look to the future, PCMCH remains committed to strengthening this collaborative network and advancing equitable, child- and family-centred care for all. For information on CCKO and CCKO resources, please visit the PCMCH website.