Admissions & Referrals
The road to recovery starts here
Welcome to Wayside’s Admissions & Referrals Page
Prospective Clients
If you are interested in attending Wayside House, your referral must be submitted by a local community service agency. A list of service agencies near you can be found on Connex Ontario.
Referral Agents
This page contains a step-by-step guide for supporting clients with a referral to Wayside House.
Questions about the referral process?
Admissions Criteria
We make every effort to accommodate all incoming referrals; however, certain admission criteria are crucial to our program vision and provincial mandate. All potential clients must be:
- Male-identifying, over the age of 18 and living with a substance use disorder
- Committed to abstinence as their ultimate treatment goal
- Willing to foster an environment that is respectful, recovery-oriented and free from discrimination and abuse
- In a physical and mental condition that permits full participation in a structured, intensive treatment program. This determination is made by reviewing medical documentation and interviewing both the potential client and their relevant community supports.
- Living in Ontario at the time of referral and in possession of a valid OHIP number
The Referral Process
Our referral process is designed to determine if our services and philosophy align with the specific needs and goals of each applicant. Here is a step-by-step guide to the referral process:
Connect with a referring agent
- We require all referrals to be made through a community agency.
- Eligible agencies vary by location: for example, in Hamilton, applicants can apply through Alcohol, Drug and Gambling Services. Other eligible agencies can be located through ConnexOntario.
Referring agent submits referral package
- A complete referral contains:
- Standardized Referral Services Form
- Medical Evaluation Form
- All relevant consents for the release of client information
- These documents should be faxed to (905) 528-7057 or emailed to admissions@waysidehouse.ca.
Wayside House reviews documents
- Once the above documents are received, we will review them for completeness and contact the referring agent for clarification as needed
- As part of the review process, we may request additional documentation including:
- A list of current prescriptions taken by the client
- Legal documentation detailing prohibitions, summons and/or conditions
- Relevant psychiatric and treatment history documentation
Assessment interview is scheduled
- After approving all documents, Wayside House will contact the applicant directly to schedule an assessment interview with one of our Addiction Case Managers
- This interview covers a number of topics including treatment history, history of substance use, readiness for treatment and treatment goals
Timelines and Expectations
Wait times depend on referral volume and current occupancy. Feel free to contact us directly for more up-to-date waitlist information.
Support During Referral
Our intake team is always available to guide clients and referring agents through the admissions process. In addition, specific support is available to accepted applicants through our Peer Support team.
Confidentiality & Consent
We do not accept referrals without the applicant’s explicit written consent. Like all Wayside House programs, our waitlist is private and we will never provide client information to anyone without their consent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions?
Visit our FAQ Page
Connect with a Dedicated Staff Member
Explore our Educational Resources
Certifications & Funding
Wayside House of Hamilton is funded by the Ministry of Health and the generous support of our community partners. We are a proud member of Addictions & Mental Health Ontario, an integrated system of 150 service providers across the province. We have been accredited by the Canadian Centre for Accreditation since 2016, a designation that signifies our commitment to compassionate, quality service.
