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About Us

Empowered Kids Ontario-Enfants Avenir Ontario (EKO-EAO) represents Ontario’s publicly funded child development and rehabilitation sector – the centres that help kids with disabilities and developmental differences and their families live their best lives.

EKO member organizations provide leading clinical treatment and support programs to children, youth and families in every region of the province.

We promote investments, policies and programs based on the best research and thought leadership available, from sources all over the world. We look for smart, innovative approaches to care at home, in schools and in communities across Ontario.

Our members embrace a sense of belonging for every client. And we believe that families and kids must be at the centre of care decisions.

Established in 1978 (as the Association of Treatment Centres and later the Ontario Association of Children’s Rehabilitation Services), EKO is marking more than 40 years of dedication to a network of child development services that is easy to navigate, and all about kids and families.

EKO is governed by a Board of Directors made up of volunteers.

Our association brings together thought leaders, renowned clinical experts, speakers with lived experience, and child development and rehabilitation professionals to learn about the latest in policy, research and best practices. Our programs foster bold leadership and innovation, explore creative partnerships and programs, and build on the strong foundations that ensure Ontario continues to set the bar for all aspects of child development.

EKO celebrates outstanding partners, advocates and trailblazers with our Tribute Awards. We also support remarkable young people who have received services from our member organizations with the EKO Scholarship, helping them pursue their higher education and career goals.

EKO is a founding member of the Children’s Health Coalition, a collective of eight leading Ontario children’s health organizations: CHEO, Children’s Hospital – London Health Sciences Centre, Children’s Mental Health Ontario, Empowered Kids Ontario, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Kids Health Alliance, McMaster Children’s Hospital and SickKids. We represent expertise in pediatric health care and research; child development and rehabilitation; mental health services like targeted prevention, early intervention, short- and long-term counselling and therapy, addictions services, intensive services and acute care; physical, cognitive and communication disabilities; as well as emergency and complex care. 

OUR MEMBERS

TVCC logo
George Jeffrey Children’s Centre Logo
CHEO Logo
Niagara Children’s Centre Logo
KidsAbility Logo
Quinte Children’s Treatment Centre Logo
Cochrane Temiskaming Children's Treatment Centre Logo
Children’s Treatment Network Logo
Lumenus Community Services Logo
Hands The Family Help Network Logo
Lansdowne Children’s Centre Logo
Logo of 'ErinoakKids Centre for Treatment and Development '
Mackenzie Health Logo
John McGivney Children’s Centre Logo
Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority Logo
Five Counties Children’s Centre Logo
One Kids Place Logo
Surrey Place Logo
IWK's logo is a blue rounded rectangle with white figures that look like people dancing and
CTC Logo
Grandview Kids Logo
Hamilton Health Sciences Logo
Children
Logo of 'KidsInclusive | EnfantsInclus - KHSC'
THRIVE Logo
Pathways Health Centre for Children Logo
Logo of 'Woodview Mental Health and Autism Services'
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Logo
NEO Kids Logo
firefly
Logo of 'The SAAAC Autism Centre'
The logo turn the word
Resources for Exceptional Children and Youth Logo
Did You Hear?!

EKO Spring Symposium is Back in 2025!

Every two years EKO hosts this pinnacle event for the child development sector and the largest gathering of professionals and stakeholders from Ontario and across Canada.

learn more about the event!