The service agreement between the Ministry of Children Community and Social Services (MCCSS) and Pathstone Mental Health includes an expectation that programs will charge a fee for service to supplement MCCSS funding.

The following is a list of the fees that are charged within the SPTN program:

A. Administration Fee

The administration fee is to be paid as per the Order/agreement or will be equally shared if the paperwork is silent with respect to this issue. If both parties are sharing the cost, then each party would be responsible for half of the administration cost based on his or her individual income. For example, based on the fee schedule below, if both parties were on ODSP, the cost for each would be $15.75. However, if one party had an income of $20,000 or less, that party would pay half of $56.50, which would be $28.25; whereas if the other party had an income of over $20,000, that party would pay half of $75, which would be $37.50.

Annual Income Administrative Fee

ODSP/Ontario Works - $31.50 fee
$20,000 or less - $56.50 fee
Over $20,000- $75 fee

B. Service Fees

Fees will be charged for all parenting time, exchanges or a combination of parenting time and exchanges. Services are available to all families regardless of their income level and ability to pay. Service fees may be reduced or waived completely, due to financial hardship. Parties will be required to show proof of income at intake appointments. If a family member’s income changes while receiving services, they may request a fee reassessment. Proof of all income will be required. Arrangements for fee payments will be discussed at intake. If it has been determined that a family member is able to pay, but does not remit payment, this will result in a service suspension until a payment plan is arranged between the party and the Service Manager.

Fee Structure – SPTN In-Person Parenting Time

Annual Income Per appt

$19,999 and under - $5
$20,000-$29,999 - $8.75
$30,000-$39,999 - $12.50
$40,000-$49,999 - $13.75
$50,000-$59,999 - $15
$60,000-$69,999 - $16.25
$70,000+ - $18.75

Note that through court order or via a written agreement, one family member may be responsible for paying the above fees. However, if the agreement or the court order directs both parties to pay, then each party will be responsible for paying half the amount in the chart above. As an example: if a party has three appts per month and the average income of each party is between $50,000 and $59,999 the cost for each is ($15 x 3) for $45, which would be $22.50 for each party. However, for three appts if one party had an income of $20,000 to $29,999, that party would pay half of $26.25 ($8.75 x 3), which would be $13.10 (value rounded to the nearest 5 cents); whereas if the other party earned $40,000 to $49,999, then that person would pay half of $41.25 ($13.75 x 3), which would be $20.60 (value rounded to the nearest 5 cents).

Note: When parenting time needs to be conducted virtually during a time of pandemic, the above fee structure does not apply and all virtual appointments will incur a flat-rate fee of $2.50 per session.

Fee Structure – SPTN Exchanges and Virtual Services*

Annual Income Per Exchange

$19,999 and under - $2.50
$20,000-$29,999 - $7.00
$30,000-$39,999 - $10
$40,000-$49,999 - $12.50
$50,000-$59,999 - $13.75
$60,000-$69,999 - $15
$70,000+ - $17.50

*Not in a time of pandemic

Note that through court order or via a written agreement, one family member may be responsible for paying the above fees. However, if the agreement or the court order directs both parties to pay then each party will be responsible for paying half the amount in the chart above. As an example: if a party has three exchanges per month and the average income of each party is between $50,000 and $59,999, the full cost would be $41.25 ($13.75 x 3) or $20.60 per person (value rounded to the nearest 5 cents). However, for three appts, if one party had an income of $20,000 to $29,999, that party would pay half of $21.00 ($7.00 x 3), which would be $10.50; whereas if the other party earned $40,000 to $49,999, then that person would pay half of $37.50 ($12.50 x 3), which would be $18.75.

C. Fees for Observation Notes/Letters

Notes can be requested by either party or by their lawyer and the requesting party is responsible for the fees. This fee can be paid through a payment plan if required. Notes/letters will be released after full payment has been received. The other party will receive the notes at no cost. If the Office of the Children’s Lawyer (OCL) is the requesting party, the OCL protocol will be followed with respect to process and fees (see Best Practice Manual-appendix L).

Observation Notes/Letter Fee

Observation Notes $50 plus 30 cents per page
Letter Request $50

D. Non-Compliance Fees

Parties that provide less than 24 hours’ notice of a service cancellation will be charged the canceled fee. Parties who “no-show” (failure to arrive and failure to notify the program of intended absence) will be charged the no-show fee. Regardless of who is responsible for service fees, the party who is responsible for a late cancellation/no- show will be charged the fee. This fee can be paid through a payment plan if required.

Non-Compliant Action Fee

Cancellation $30
No-Show $30
Repeated Tardiness $30

E. Court Attendance Fees

Should the Service Manager be served with a summons to appear to court, a schedule of fees will be provided to the requesting party. Refer to the Court Attendance Fees document for full details (see Clinical Templates-Agency Wide).