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 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.

Every year 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.