We are now accepting applications for the 2025 Innovation Initiatives grant cycle. We invite agencies to submit proposals aimed at overcoming barriers in implementing or evaluating culturally responsive mental health and addictions programs for children, youth, and families impacted by systemic inequities.

Grants of up to $75,000 are available for projects that showcase innovation and promise significant impact.

Application Deadline: November 15, 2024.

Access the application guide

Start your application

Theme: Implementing or evaluating culturally adapted mental health and addictions programs for children, youth and families facing systemic inequities.

Research shows that culturally responsive programs are more effective for children and youth affected by systemic inequities. Last year’s focus on these programs highlighted the ongoing need to expand these services across the province. Due to the success of the recent initiative, we’re renewing our call for projects in this critical area, reinforcing our commitment to equity, diversity, inclusivity, and anti-racism.

In the previous funding cycle, we supported organizations addressing mental health stigma among Muslim immigrants and refugees, creating programs grounded in Indigenous knowledge, and adapting existing care models like SNAP® to better serve Black children and youth. These adaptations, which integrate cultural values, community feedback, and traditional practices, aim to make services more effective and accessible.

Read the 2023 project summaries.

What are culturally responsive programs and why are they important?

Culturally responsive programs are evidence-based interventions developed or adapted to fit a client’s culture, language, and values. Despite the strong need for these services and the abundance of supporting evidence, only 57% of agencies currently provide culturally responsive services. This gap highlights the need for more widespread implementation of culturally adapted or culturally grounded interventions in our sector.

These programs address assumptions about mental health and integrate clients’ experiences of racism, discrimination, or microaggressions into the assessment and treatment approach. For example, interventions for Indigenous youth incorporate cultural practices, beliefs, and values by involving rituals and community members such as Elders.

Implementing culturally responsive programs is a tangible way to enhance equity and access to mental health and addictions services for Ontario’s diverse communities. 

Eligibility

Innovation Initiatives project proposals must:  

  • Be submitted by a lead or core service agency funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health to provide child and youth mental health and addictions services. Non-core service agencies are encouraged to partner with a lead agency within their service area.
  • Describe an evidence-based intervention or practice adapted to the unique needs of children, youth, or families affected by systemic inequities.
  • Demonstrate partnerships within the broader community or service area, with local community partners involved in implementing or evaluating the program.
  • Include a plan to engage young people, family members and community partners meaningfully.
  • Demonstrate potential for scaling up the program to the broader child and youth mental health and addictions system in Ontario.  
Please note, projects focused solely on staff training are not eligible for funding. However, staff training can be included as part of the project if it directly supports the intervention approach.
Selection process and criteria

A review committee comprised of Knowledge Institute staff, youth advisors, family advisors and external reviewers will evaluate all applications based on the following criteria: 

  • Aligned with current call on culturally responsive programs. 
  • Demonstrates need for action. 
  • Has clear, reasonable goals and strong evidence base for the approach. 
  • Demonstrates innovation and originality in the proposed work. 
  • Has a feasible workplan and budget. 
  • Demonstrates plans for collaborating with key partners within the sector. 
  • Demonstrates plans for meaningful and appropriate engagement of youth and/or family members. 
  • Includes reasonable preliminary plans for process and outcome evaluation. 
  • Includes appropriate plans to mobilize knowledge generated through this work. 
  • Demonstrates potential for a transformative, positive impact on improving equitable mental health and addictions services.

 Start your application today and be part of the solution!

Related Resources

Here are some related resources to deepen your understanding of culturally responsive programs and the needs of children, youth and families facing systemic inequities in the CYMHA sector.

Advancing racial equity together

A guide to culturally adapting mental health and addictions programs

An overview of culturally adapted programs

Centering culture to meet the needs of racialized children and young people

We journey together: How Ontario’s child and youth mental health agencies are addressing racial equity