21 workers at KidsAbility laid off, following recent program pause
Posted Mar 19, 2026 03:13:02 PM.
Last Updated Mar 20, 2026 05:18:32 AM.
Staff providing care to children with complex disabilities and needs in Waterloo Region were laid off earlier this month, the organization confirms.
According to a spokesperson for KidsAbility, they provided layoff notices to several employees across the organization on March 10.
“These decisions were not made lightly and are a result our efforts to responsibly align our operations with available resources and service needs,” the statement reads.
The workers will stay in their roles until May 10. The spokesperson said the organization values the contributions the employees made, and it recognizes the difficulty of the decision on their families.
“KidsAbility remains committed to supporting the community and we will continue to adapt our programs and services to meet needs in a responsible and sustainable way,” the spokesperson said.
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) Local 258, which represents the impacted union workers, said in a release that workers at the organization are “sounding the alarm” over the layoffs.
“Therapists at KidsAbility provide critical care and support to children with disabilities and complex care needs through a range of specialized services including speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, social work, hearing services, blind and low vision supports, and autism services,” the union said.
According to the statement, programs where staff were laid off include Early Years School Years, School-Based Rehabilitation Services, Behaviour Support Services, Entry to School and Specialized Services.
This comes after 37 autism service positions were not renewed at the end of 2025, the union said.
KidsAbility also decided in October 2025 to pause its Applied Behaviour Analysis therapy program.
