You can apply for funding to help pay for counselling or therapy after filing a complaint with the CRTO. When we confirm that you plan to move forward with the complaint, the Patient Relations Committee will review your application.

Funding is available to:

• All patients/clients where is it alleged, in a complaint or report, that they were sexually abused by a Respiratory Therapist, or
• Individuals, other than patients/clients, where it is alleged, in a complaint or report to the CRTO that they were the subject of sexual misconduct by a Respiratory Therapist.

If you filed the complaint on behalf of someone else, they would be eligible for funding as soon as the complaint has been confirmed or an investigation has started.

You do not have to apply for funding right away. If you choose to apply later, you are still eligible.

It is possible to apply for funding up to five years after a complaint or report alleges the applicant was sexually abused by a Respiratory Therapist while he/she was a client/patient of the Respiratory Therapist. If the applicant started receiving therapy or counselling after the alleged sexual abuse occurred, but before a complaint or report was made to the CRTO, it will be valid for five years after the person first began receiving therapy for which funding was provided. Fees for therapy/counselling are paid directly to the therapist/counsellor.

In addition to counselling or therapy, the CRTO recognizes that there may be additional financial consequences for an individual and their immediate family. For example, attending therapy or counselling may require absence from work or home, and may take place in a location that requires travel or even accommodation. Therefore, the Patient Relations Committee will consider requests for reimbursement of any reasonable expenses related to the patient/client’s therapy or counselling so long as a direct, obvious link can be made. The following list provides examples of the types of expenses commonly incurred:

• Travel expenses, including bus, cab/taxi, ride-sharing programs (such as Uber or Lyft), etc.;
  
• Child care expenses, including babysitting, daycare, etc.;
  
• Accommodation, including hotel, accommodation-sharing services (such as AirBnB) etc.;
  
• Prescription medication prescribed by therapist/counsellor as part of treatment program not covered by other insurance (including OHIP). The CRTO will not reimburse or non-prescription medication.; or,
• Incidental costs incurred directly as a result of therapy/counselling.

All non-therapeutic expenses must be prepaid by the patient/client, and original receipts submitted to the CRTO for reimbursement to be considered. The Patient Relations Program is intended to lessen the financial impact associated with obtaining therapy or counselling however, it may not offset all costs.

Reimbursement of non-therapeutic expenses is at the discretion of the PRC and is not guaranteed.

The amount cannot be greater than $17,370ⁱ over a five-year period. Funds are paid directly to the therapist or counsellor. The money can only be used for treatment required because of the sexual abuse.

The CRTO will allot $25,000 funding per individual, to pay for therapy/counselling and specified supportive measures related to the individual’s
allegation of sexual misconduct against a Member. Reimbursement for non-therapeutic expenses are only payable to individuals who are receiving funding for therapy/counselling. Only the balance of funds remaining from $25,000 less 200 half-hour sessions of individual out-patient psychotherapy is able to be used for non-therapeutic expenses (i.e., approximately $7,500).

The CRTO will not provide funding for fees charged on late or missed appointments with a therapist or counsellor.

ⁱ Based on the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Physician Services-Schedule of Benefits

In order to receive funding for therapy/counselling and supportive measures:

• An individual must submit a recorded complaint alleging sexual abuse by a CRTO Member, or
• The CRTO must receive a report in which it is alleged that the individual was sexually abused by a Member; and
  
• An individual must submit a completed application for funding for therapy/counselling and supportive measures.
  

The Patient Relations Committee will endeavour to review the application for funding within three business days from the date of receipt of the completed form.

If OHIP or a private insurance plan provides coverage for some of the costs, the CRTO will only pay the amount not covered elsewhere. Fees for therapy/counselling are paid directly to the therapist/counsellor. All non-therapeutic expenses must be prepaid by the patient/client and original receipts submitted to the CRTO for reimbursement to be considered.

You are free to choose any therapist or counsellor as long as they are not a relative and have not been found guilty of sexual abuse themselves.

You do not have to see a psychiatrist. There are many different forms of therapy and counselling that may help, and you can decide what works best for you. The funds can be used for more than one therapist or counsellor.

Please contact the CRTO if you need help or advice about finding a provider.

1. Complete the application form 1 and email or mail it to:

   Patient Relations Committee
   College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario
   180 Dundas Street West, Suite 2103
   Toronto, Ontario M5G 1Z8

   professionalconduct@crto.on.ca

2. Forward the Therapist Information Form 2 to your therapist or counsellor to complete and submit to the CRTO.

Please keep your application confidential.

• Understanding & Preventing Abuse
• Funding for Supportive Measures (Patient/Client)
  
  • Application for Funding for Supportive Measures – Form 1
  • Application for Funding for Supportive Measures – Form 2
• Funding for Supportive Measures (Non-Patient/Client)
  • Application for Funding for Supportive Measures – Form 1
  • Application for Funding for Supportive Measures – Form 2
• Abuse Awareness & Prevention Professional Practice Guideline
• Bill 87, Protecting Patients Act, 2017