York Support Services Network

What York Support Services Network does

York Support Services Network (YSSN) is a registered Canadian charitable not-for-profit founded in 1982 in Aurora, Ontario, that operates as an integrated hub for developmental services, mental health case management, and crisis response across Central East Ontario. The organization is the provincially designated Developmental Services Ontario Central East Region (DSO CER) access point, serving seven regions (York, Durham, Simcoe, Haliburton, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, Peterborough), and since 2023 has been a founding partner in Canada's national 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline. Service delivery rests on three pillars: Access Services (Streamlined Access, DSO CER, Developmental Services Access); Coordination Services (case management, peer/caregiver support, Passport Program, respite); and Crisis Services (24/7 310-COPE hotline, 12 Safe Spaces crisis beds, Mobile Crisis Response Teams partnered with police, Call Diversion Unit embedded at York Region Police).

Technology is operational rather than platform-native: a 24/7 multi-channel crisis response backbone (phone, text, online chat), an online referral portal, and a multilingual website supporting 50+ languages via the GTranslate plugin. The recent AONest partnership with Anishnabeg Outreach (September 2024) extends the product surface into self-guided Indigenous mental health support. No proprietary AI/ML capabilities, APIs, or SDKs are disclosed. All services are provided free of charge; the organization is funded primarily through provincial government ministries (MCCSS, Ontario Health via Multi-Sector Accountability Agreements), with supplementary revenue from Ontario Trillium Foundation grants, United Way Greater Toronto, and charitable donations including an active $1.5 million Safe Spaces campaign.

YSSN's go-to-market combines direct-to-consumer self-referral (multilingual website, crisis hotline, online chat) with community-led partnership models, most notably Streamlined Access, a coordinated intake with CMHA York and South Simcoe, LOFT Community Services, Addiction Services Central Ontario, Krasman Centre, and Southlake Regional Health Centre. The organization is CARF International accredited across Access, Coordination, and Crisis Services including Integrated Dual Diagnosis programs, and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors under Executive Director Kimberly Thorn (since 2020).

Name

York Support Services Network

Legal name

YOR-SUP-NET SUPPORT SERVICE NETWORK

Website

https://yssn.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

York Support Services Network (YSSN) is a Canadian non-profit founded in 1982 serving people with developmental disabilities and mental health needs across Central East Ontario. It operates as the designated Developmental Services Ontario Central East Region access point, runs the 310-COPE crisis line and 12 Safe Spaces, and is a founding partner of Canada's 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Child and Youth Services (624110), Child and Youth Services (62411), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

Keywords

• Developmental disability services
• Mental health support
• Crisis intervention services
• Community social services
• Caregiver respite services

Headquarters

HQ city

Aurora

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: YSSN receives funding from Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) and Ministry of Health for providing developmental services, mental health case management, and crisis response services.
2. Ontario Health Funding: Multi-Sector Accountability Agreement (MSAA) with Ontario Health for health system coordination services.
3. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Registered charity accepting donations through CanadaHelps, e-transfers, cheques, and securities. Currently fundraising $1.5 million for Safe Spaces campaign.
4. Trillium Foundation Grants: Funding from Ontario Trillium Foundation for specific programs and initiatives.
5. United Way Funding: Funding support from United Way Greater Toronto for community programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

York Support Services Network (YSSN) is a not-for-profit social services hub providing free developmental, mental health, and crisis response services to individuals across York Region, Simcoe County, Durham Region, and surrounding areas in Ontario. The organization operates three integrated service pillars: Access Services (entry point via Developmental Services Access, DSO Central East Region, and Streamlined Access), Coordination Services (case management, mental health and developmental services, peer/caregiver support), and Crisis Services (310-COPE 24/7 hotline, Safe Spaces, Mobile Crisis Response Teams, 9-8-8 partnership). All services are free to eligible residents.

Product overview

YSSN is a not-for-profit social services hub offering developmental, mental health, and crisis services across York Region, Simcoe County, Durham Region, and Central East Ontario. The organization operates as an integrated service network with three main pillars: Access Services (serving as the entry point through Developmental Services Access, DSO CER, and Streamlined Access), Coordination Services (providing ongoing case management, mental health services, developmental services, and peer/caregiver support), and Crisis Services (including the 310-COPE 24/7 crisis line, Safe Spaces temporary housing, Mobile Crisis Response Teams, and participation in the national 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline). Key programs include the Passport Program for adults with developmental disabilities, Foundational Family Services for families in the Ontario Autism Program, Respite for Families, and the UpHub resource center featuring the Up Your Life guide. YSSN has partnered with Anishnabeg Outreach to pilot AONest, a cloud-based mental health and life skills platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Streamlined Access Entry point service connecting individuals aged 16+ in York Region and South Simcoe to mental health and addiction services through a partnership network with CMHA, LOFT Community Services, Addiction Services Central Ontario, Krasman Centre, and Southlake Regional Health Centre.
• Developmental Services Ontario Central East Region (DSO CER) Official access point for Ministry-funded adult developmental services in York, Durham, Simcoe, Haliburton, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, and Peterborough regions.
• Developmental Services Access Access services for children and youth (0-19 years, or up to 21 if still in school) with complex social, emotional, developmental, or physical needs, including those diagnosed with autism.
• 310-COPE Crisis Line 24/7 community crisis response service providing phone, text, and online chat support for individuals in York Region, South Simcoe, and North York experiencing mental health crises.
• Safe Spaces Free, short-term crisis support in a home-like setting offering 24/7 professional support, private rooms, nutritious meals, and connections to community resources. Currently 12 Safe Spaces across York Region.
• Mobile Crisis Response Teams (MCRT) Crisis teams partnering with police officers to respond to 911 calls with mental health components, providing on-site assessment, support, and follow-up services across York Region, South Simcoe, and OPP jurisdiction.
• 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline National three-digit suicide crisis helpline providing 24/7 support across Canada in partnership with 40 local and national crisis lines.
• Developmental Services Services for children, youth, and adults with developmental disabilities including case management, children's case coordination, facilitation services, foundational family services, groups and workshops, and the Passport Program.
• Mental Health Services Mental health support services for individuals 16+ including case management, dual diagnosis support, flexible support services, groups, workshops, and individualized supports.
• Passport Program Ministry-funded program helping adults with developmental disabilities participate in communities and live independently through funding for community participation, life skills, and caregiver respite.
• Peer and Caregiver Services Peer support and family peer mentor services connecting caregivers with others who have similar lived experiences for emotional and practical support.
• Respite for Families Temporary relief services for caregivers of loved ones with developmental disabilities, including access to the Respite Now app connecting families with local respite workers.
• UpHub Online resource center featuring the Up Your Life guide with over 400 community resource listings, Up Tools for navigation, and access to mental health and life skills training.

Quantifiable outcome

• Served more than 200,000 people since 1982
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core and minor.

• Anishnabeg OutreachstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2024Partnership to pilot AONest, a self-guided online mental health resource incorporating Indigenous knowledge and approaches. First organization in York Region to partner with Anishnabeg Outreach on culturally appropriate mental health support.
• Canada's 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis HelplinecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Founding partner in national suicide crisis helpline network of 40 local and national crisis lines providing 24/7 support across Canada.
• Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) York and South SimcoecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership within Streamlined Access providing coordinated mental health and addiction services. CMHA provides occupational therapy, social work, peer support, nursing, and psychiatry services in collaboration with YSSN.
• LOFT Community ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership within Streamlined Access connecting individuals to housing supports and community services for those with mental health and addiction needs.
• Addiction Services Central OntariocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership within Streamlined Access providing addiction treatment and support services in York Region.
• Krasman CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership within Streamlined Access offering peer support and community-based mental health services.
• Southlake Regional Health CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership within Streamlined Access for coordinated healthcare referrals and mental health services.
• Children's Treatment Network (CTN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing coordinated support plans for children and youth (0-19) with complex social, emotional, developmental, or physical needs.
• Kinark Child and Family ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial services partner providing services to children and families in York Region.
• York Region PolicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst responder partnership providing Mobile Crisis Response Teams and Call Diversion Unit services for mental health-related police calls.
• South Simcoe PolicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst responder partnership providing specialized mental health crisis support in South Simcoe area.
• Nottawasaga OPPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst responder partnership providing mental health crisis support through Ontario Provincial Police in Nottawasaga region.
• York Region Paramedic ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst responder partnership for coordinated emergency response to mental health crises.
• Community Living Central YorkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner in Safe Spaces network providing support services for individuals in crisis.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• ConnexOntario: Province-wide information and referral service for mental health, addiction, and gambling; overlaps with YSSN's Streamlined Access and 310-COPE functions and serves the same Ontario population.

Direct peers

• Kinark Child and Family Services: Ontario-wide child and youth mental health provider partnering with YSSN on children's services; comparable in serving children with developmental and mental health needs through Ministry-funded programs.
• LOFT Community Services: Multi-service non-profit offering housing supports, mental health, and case management across the Greater Toronto Area; a Streamlined Access partner to YSSN and a direct comparable in service breadth and target population.
• Community Living Central York: Direct service provider for adults with developmental disabilities and a Safe Spaces community partner to YSSN; highly comparable client population and funding model in York Region.
• Krasman Centre: Peer-support and community-based mental health provider partnered with YSSN inside Streamlined Access; directly comparable in serving individuals with mental health and addiction needs in York Region.
• Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) York and South Simcoe: Local CMHA branch partnered with YSSN inside Streamlined Access; provides occupational therapy, social work, peer support, nursing, and psychiatry in the same geography and overlapping mental health populations.
• Children's Treatment Network (CTN): Coordinated service planning body for children and youth with complex needs in York and Simcoe; YSSN's formal partner and a structural comparable for developmental services coordination in the same region.
• Addiction Services Central Ontario: Provides addiction treatment and concurrent-disorder services in York Region; a Streamlined Access partner operating in the same client base and referral pipeline as YSSN.

Broad incumbents

• Mackenzie Health: Regional hospital partnered with YSSN to divert mental health presentations from emergency rooms; overlapping target population but operating acute care rather than community-based service delivery.
• Southlake Regional Health Centre: Hospital partner inside Streamlined Access that refers mental health patients to community services; comparable in mental health service delivery but operates acute-care rather than community-based model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/york_support
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@yoursupportservicesnetwork
• Facebookfacebook.com/yorksupport
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/york-support-services-network
• Instagraminstagram.com/yssnca

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about York Support Services Network