As a result of the advocacy of the OPP Association, the Police Association of Ontario, our members, and community partners at Dalton Associates, we are pleased to share some important updates to the Ontario Immediate Family Wellness Program that will ensure greater accessibility and support for families of Public Safety Personnel (PSP) who have experienced unimaginable loss.

What’s Changing?

Effective immediately

Expanded Service Duration

All eligible families will now receive up to 10 years of covered services (previously 2 years) following registration with the program.

Eligibility Criteria

Families of PSP who died in the line of duty or by suicide on or after January 1, 2000 (previously January 1, 2020, and January 1, 2023, respectively) are eligible.

Death in the line of duty means an incident occurring while the individual was acting in their capacity as a first responder or public safety personnel, whether on- or off-duty.

Please note: At this time, eligibility does not include deaths during commute or deaths due to occupational illness.

Eligible immediate family members include partners, parents, children, and siblings of:

  • Fire service personnel (including Office of the Fire Marshal, First Nations, composite, and municipal fire departments)
  • Police employed by the province, municipal police services boards, or First Nations in Ontario
  • Paramedics and Ambulance Communications Officers (ACOs)
  • Adult correctional services personnel

About the Program

The Ontario Immediate Family Wellness Program provides compassionate, confidential assistance for grieving families. Services include:

  • Comprehensive, client-tailored case management by calling:

1-866-643-9247 or emailing: info@onfamilywellness.ca

  • Grief-literate, trauma-informed, and culturally attuned care
  • Access to grief and bereavement counselling and other mental health supports
  • Integrated approaches focused on resilience and empowerment

These services are offered at no cost to help families navigate loss, grief, and bereavement.

Questions?

If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback to provide, please do not hesitate to reach out communications@oppa.ca.