FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ATTCH Niagara Receives Provincial Support Emergency Readiness and Capacity Building Fund to Strengthen Trauma Support in Ontario
St. Catharines, ON August 5, 2025 – ATTCH Niagara is proud to announce it is now a part of Ontario Corps, a provincial network of partners and volunteers that the Ministry of Emergency Preparedness and Response can mobilize to supplement local response efforts during an emergency. has been selected as a recipient of the Emergency Readiness and Capacity Building Fund, administered by the Ministry of Emergency Preparedness and Response. With over $260,000 in government of Ontario funding this support, ATTCH Niagara will expand its capacity to provide trauma-focused mental health care during emergencies, helping to build a stronger, more resilient Ontario.
As an Ontario Corps partner, ATTCH Niagara will train a new cohort of trauma-specialized therapists in crisis response, using its evidence-based Integrative Trauma and Attachment Treatment Model (ITATM)®. These therapists will be prepared to volunteer during emergencies, offering vital psychosocial support and trauma therapy to individuals and communities affected by crisis situations.
“We are deeply grateful for this opportunity to enhance emergency preparedness across Ontario,”said Lori Gill, Executive Director of ATTCH Niagara. “Our goal is to ensure that when emergencies occur, communities have immediate access to skilled trauma therapists who can provide safety, stabilization, and support. This work is some of the most rewarding our therapists have ever done, and we are honoured to contribute to a more prepared and compassionate province.”
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is protecting Ontario from all threats – from wildland fires to flooding, ice storms or whatever else may come our way,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response. “With Ontario Corps partners like ATTCH Niagara, we’re investing in made-in-Ontario solutions to support local emergency responders as soon as they’re needed.”
Building Capacity for Emergency Response
Through Ontario Corps, the Province has fully funded this initiative, covering training, mileage, accommodations, and meals for volunteers who are deployed during emergencies. ATTCH Niagara will be providing a series of 5-day training sessions for Emergency Management Ontario Sectors across the province —offered at no cost to eligible participants—that will equip participants with specialized skills to respond effectively in crisis situations, using the modified ITATM protocol.
Therapists and professionals who complete the training will be invited to register with Ontario Corps and may be called upon as volunteers to provide trauma-informed care in the aftermath of emergencies. This collaborative approach ensures that Ontario communities have access to timely, expert mental health support when it is needed most.
Join the Ontario Corps Emergency Response Team
ATTCH Niagara invites therapists who have completed ITATM training (Part 1 and 2, plus 6 consultations) within the past four years to apply for the emergency and crisis response training, available pre-recorded for continued learning. For more information or to register, please contact karenc@attch.org and copy lori@attch.org.
About ATTCH Niagara
ATTCH Niagara is a non-profit mental health clinic based in St. Catharines, specializing in trauma-focused therapy for individuals and families who may not otherwise have access to treatment. Our approach fosters safety, nervous system regulation, and healing for those impacted by complex trauma.
For more information, please visit www.attchniagara.com.
ATTCH NIAGARA
95 Niagara St.
St. Catharines, ON L2R 4L3
Phone: 905.684.9333
Email: reception@attch.org
Media Contact:
Lori Gill, MACP, RP
Executive Director, ATTCH Niagara
Email: lori@attch.org
