Professional Development (PD) Fund

How does the application process work?

PD Fund applications may be submitted through the NEW PD Fund Resource for Midwives mobile app, or sent by, mail, fax or scanned and sent by email to pdfund@aom.on.ca. Claims for activities completed between April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025 must be received by midnight EST on March 31, 2025. We encourage members to submit applications throughout the year, immediately after completion of the educational activity. We highly recommend to initiating the process by submitting the Professional Development Fund application even if any of the supporting documents are not yet available, and forward a copy of the supporting document(s) once received. At that time, we will finalize the application and process eligible reimbursement.

Midwife application form

Practice application form

The PD Fund application takes two to five weeks to process for reimbursement from the time the completed application package is received through the AOM App. Submission of applications by email, fax and mail may need longer time for processing. Incomplete applications cannot be processed and will result in reimbursement delays.

A notification letter with information regarding the decision will be posted through the AOM App. Members can verify the status of their applications submitted through the App at any given time. For applications submitted by email, fax, or mail, the notification letter will be sent by email.

Please note that rather than mailing out cheques, the reimbursement will be processed by direct deposit, if you have not provided your banking information please contact Souha Chaar, Finance Administrator, at pdfund@aom.on.ca.

Kindly note that issuing a cheque will be an option for reimbursement; however, it will result in longer processing time. If you have any questions regarding the direct deposit process please contact Souha Chaar at pdfund@aom.on.ca.

What is a complete application package?

A complete application must include:

• A completed and signed application form.
• Proof of payment (receipts) that shows the applicant’s name, activity name and fee paid.
• Proof of attendance/successful completion (e.g., transcript, certificate).
• SIN for those completing a PD Fund package for the first time.

For fees and expenses paid in foreign currency, members are encouraged to submit a copy of their credit card statement demonstrating the exact amount they were charged in Canadian dollars. For auditing purposes, the statement must be in the name of the member. Alternatively, if no credit card statement is provided then the currency exchange will be calculated based on the rate published by the Bank of Canada on the day of the receipt.

How do I know if the event I attended is an eligible expense under the PD fund?

• The PD activity (course/program/conference/workshop) must provide training and education that will support the development of midwives’ skills, knowledge, practice, and quality of care.
• Applicants must be voting members of the AOM at the time the activity is completed (regardless of whether they are active or inactive). Midwives who are not voting members of the AOM may claim for CPR, NRP, ESW or equivalent, as well as conferences hosted by the AOM, CAM or ICM, provided the activities took place in the three months immediately prior to becoming an AOM voting member.
• If you are no longer a member (resigned), you will be eligible for reimbursement for activities completed before resignation, and the completion date must be within the current grant year and while you were still a voting member. 
• Activities must be completed between April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025 and received by the deadline of midnight March 31, 2025. Applications submitted by email or mail must be postmarked on or before March 31, 2025.
• Members who travel ≥ 100 km one-way from their home may be reimbursed for combined travel and accommodation costs. (See below re: travel and accommodation expenses.)
• Professional development activities must be provided by a recognized education provider.
• Applicants must be providing services and/or residing in Ontario during the grant year that the activity is completed.
• Education offered outside of Ontario is eligible.

If you are still unsure if an educational activity is eligible for reimbursement you are welcome to contact the AOM to discuss eligibility prior to registering or completing the activity.

How do I know the event I attended was provided by a recognized education provider?

Professional development activities must be provided by a recognized educational provider that meet the following criteria:

a. A nationally, provincially or internationally recognized university or college; OR

b. A private career college that is registered with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities; OR

c. A LHIN or regional health authority, hospital or affiliate; OR

d. A professional association or regulatory body; OR

e. Has been given educational units/credits by a regulatory body or association;

f. For language lessons/courses: language teacher must be certified to teach according to provincial, national or international standards (e.g. Common European Framework for Languages) and learning must focus on language fluency for provision of health care

g. An expert in midwifery or in a field related to midwifery, as demonstrated by:

i. Published principal author of a book or peer reviewed article

ii. Academic appointment at a recognized / accredited educational institution

iii. Expert previously contracted by AOM to present at educational event; OR

h. A self-identified Indigenous midwife attending an educational activity related to Indigenous midwifery cultural learning and/or practice led by a recognized knowledge keeper, including but not limited to ceremonies, medicines, midwifery skills.

What kind of travel and accommodation expenses are covered?

Members who travel ≥ 100 km one way from their home may be reimbursed for combined travel and accommodation costs as follows:

1. The northern, rural and remote travel and accommodation supplement will be provided for each
event regardless of the number of events claimed.
2. The reimbursement per event will be the actual expense incurred or the maximum amount
allowable, whichever is less.
3. The travel reimbursement will be included in the annual maximum per midwife; however, the
supplement for rural and remote and far north travel will not be included in this calculation.
4. Midwives are expected to travel in the most cost-effective way, with consideration to safety
5. Mileage will be reimbursed according to the reimbursement schedule in the Expense
Reimbursement Policy.
6. Car rental expenses incurred as part of travel are eligible for reimbursement within the limits
available for travel expenses.
7. Only standard hotel rooms (single or double occupancy) will be accepted. If another type of
room is claimed, the member may provide a justification for the need. Each situation will be
decided on based on the facts by the AOM CEO or their designate.
8. If a member attended an event and did not pay event tuition/registration, including free AOM
events, travel reimbursement up to a maximum of $400 will be provided.
 

What type of expenses are NOT eligible for PD funding?

Social events, meals, textbooks, subscriptions, student fees, exam fees, membership fees, online courses that do not meet eligibility criteria and change of date fees are excluded.

What proof of completion does the AOM need?

• Copies of a passing grade report and/or a transcript from the educational facility or printout from a student based web service
• Course certificate or other proof of attendance for PD activity with name of midwife and course completion date

What if I was not provided with proof of successful completion for the professional development activity?

Where the educational provider is unable to provide confirmation, the member must sign the declaration indicating completion on the PD Fund application form certifying that you have successfully completed or fully attended the professional development activity.

Please note that only online modules which provide certificates of completion will be accepted.

What if the fee submitted is more than the amount available?

Members will be reimbursed up to the maximum allowed for the grant year and will be eligible for additional reimbursement at the end of the grant year should there be funds left over (round 2 funding).

Am I guaranteed PD reimbursement?

Funding is contingent upon meeting eligibility criteria, submitting a complete application package and is subject to availability of funds. Available PD funds in a given fiscal year are limited and subject to grant funding approval from the MOH. Due to the finite pool of funding available within a fiscal year, midwives are not guaranteed PD funding. PD Fund applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. If all funds available in a fiscal year have been disbursed, PD Fund applicants will be informed that funding is no longer available. Any applications received after all available PD funds have been disbursed will not be processed.

Why do I have to provide my Social Insurance Number?

Reimbursement totalling more than $499 in each tax year (not including travel and accommodation) is considered a taxable benefit according to federal legislation. Your SIN must be provided to comply with federal and provincial income tax laws. If you do not intend to claim more than $499 during the tax year, you do not have to provide your SIN. If you have applied for the PD Fund before, your SIN is stored securely at the AOM and does not need to be resubmitted. All information provided to the AOM is kept confidential and adheres to the AOM Privacy Policy. If you have questions about submitting your income tax please speak to your personal financial advisor.

Can my practice pay for my activities and complete an application for reimbursement?

A different application form is required for midwifery practice groups (MPG) that make payments for PD activities on behalf of a midwife. If a practice has made the payment, the MPG PD Fund application form is filled out and signed by a practice partner. Payments will be issued to the practice and not to the midwife. Amounts reimbursed will be tracked per midwife to the maximum allowable amount.

Do I have to pay the fee when registering for an AOM event or can I indicate that I want to use my funding?

Funding may be used to attend AOM educational events such as the Annual Conference or an ESW; however, you will still be required to pay for the event when you register and then submit an application form to receive reimbursement after the activity is completed. Proof of completion and payment does not need to be submitted for AOM events.

My AOM membership status is currently inactive. Am I eligible for the PD Fund?

Active or Inactive members are voting members of the AOM. A PD Fund applicant must be a voting member of the AOM at the time the activity is completed; or become a voting member of the AOM within three months of completing the professional development activity for which they are applying.

My CMO status is inactive.  Am I eligible for AOM PD Fund reimbursement?

Midwives can choose to maintain AOM voting membership at the Inactive level while Inactive with the CMO. Voting members are eligible for AOM PD fund reimbursement for eligible events.

My AOM status is Resigned.  Am I eligible for AOM PD Fund reimbursement?

If you are no longer a AOM member (resigned), you will be eligible for reimbursement ONLY for activities completed before resignation. The completion date must be within the current grant year and while you were a voting member.

Question about Eligibility?

Please contact the AOM [pdfund@aom.on.ca] to ask about PD Fund eligibility