SPOTLIGHT on Transformation Issue 61 August 2017 Ontario Pledges Support to Improve Access to Developmental Services
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SPOTLIGHT on transformation Issue 61 August 2017 Ontario Pledges Support to Improve Access to Developmental Services inister Jaczek • Expanding the Adult Protective Services Mvisited Contact Worker program, which matches adults who Hamilton on June 21st have a developmental disability and live on their with Ted McMeekin, own, with a worker who helps them with their MPP for Ancaster everyday living needs, accessing community Dundas-Flamborough- resources and setting and achieving goals; Westdale, to announce • Increasing access to clinical professionals increased support and specialized services at home and in the for developmental community for people with an exceptional dual services in Ontario. Minister Jaczek diagnosis or complex behavioural and medical announces The $12.5 million needs; $12.5-million investment aims to help • Helping more people gain work experience dollars in support improve the service by partnering with the Ontario Disability of developmental services. experience for adults Employment Network (ODEN) to better with developmental coordinate services and increase capacity disabilities and their families by helping them across developmental service agencies, ODSP better understand what options are available to Employment Supports (ES) service providers, better connect them with services available in school boards and employers; and their local community. New measures include: • Expanding family support networks, which • Hiring more Developmental Services Ontario are groups made up of family members and staff to serve as Service Navigators, who will / or caregivers of adults with developmental help people with developmental disabilities find disabilities. These networks connect families services and supports in their community; Continued on page 2 SPOTLIGHT on transformation Issue 61 August 2017 to one another and increase their sense of belonging within their communities. They This targeted investment are also known to help connect families with will help make important appropriate services and resources to support connections between people adults with developmental disabilities to with developmental disabilities achieve their goals. and the services they need The ministry will continue to work with people in their communities. Our with developmental disabilities, their families, goal is to help transform the caregivers, agencies and community partners as developmental services sector part of our ongoing commitment to transform the and make a meaningful impact developmental services system into one that is in the lives of the individuals more responsive and person-centred. and families we serve.” — Dr. Helena Jaczek, Minister of Community and Social Services (From left to right) Miriam Gracey, Board Vice- Chair, Matt Fletcher, Board Chair, Contact Hamilton, Lea Pollard, Executive Director Contact Hamilton, Minister Dr. Helena Jaczek, Minister of Community and Social Services, and Ted McMeekin, MPP Ancaster-Dundas Flamborough-Westdale at the announcement on June 21, 2017. 2 SPOTLIGHT on transformation Issue 61 August 2017 Premier Wynne, Minister Jaczek Attend Opening of Reena’s Richmond Hill Behavioural Home remier Kathleen Wynne and Dr. Helena PJaczek, Minister of Community and Social Services, attended the grand opening of Reena’s new Richmond Hill Behavioural Home on June 23rd. The new home will provide 4,000 square feet of modern, accessible living space over two storeys, for six residents and staff. It features a custom designed floor plan, built-in-furniture and inset lighting, to promote safety. (From left to right) Minister Helena Jaczek and Premier Kathleen Wynne tour the new Reena facility in Richmond Hill. The Ministry of Community and Social Services continues to work to increase residential supports to help people with developmental disabilities live as inclusively as possible in their communities. Funding is being provided to support the individual needs of those who will live at this new Reena home. Congratulations to Reena and their staff on (From left to right) Harold Seidel, Chair, the opening of this new home. This home will Batay Reena Board, Bryan Keshen, certainly be a new chapter for the individuals who President and CEO, Reena, Dr. Helena will live there, and their families. Jaczek, Minister of Community and Social Services, Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario, Daniel Duschinski, Board Associate, Reena. 3 SPOTLIGHT on transformation Issue 61 August 2017 Participation House Markham’s FashionAble Gala Event Sees Outpouring of Support from Community, Sponsors inister Jaczek attended the Participation in need, in addition to the work they undertake MHouse Markham’s FashionAble Gala in offering programing in areas such as literacy, fundraiser in June which was, once again, very computers and job skills training. successful, seeing an outpouring of support from What made the Gala even more special was that the community and the event’s many sponsors. it coincided with Participation House Markham’s The unique gala event included live and silent 45th year of operation. Since 1972, the organization auctions, and featured a fashion show from has been a leader in enhancing the quality of life Canadian designers and vendors. Proceeds from of individuals with disabilities through a variety of the auctions in combination with tickets sales services designed to reflect individualized approaches for the event raised nearly $40,000 towards the to community involvement. purchase of accessibility equipment that, once in For more information on Participation Markham service, will help Participation House Markham House, visit their website. better meet the needs of the people they serve. Participation House Markham provides a warm, We are so grateful to the stable home for more than one hundred people Markham and surrounding community members for supporting the Participation House, Markham FashionAble 2017 event. As a result of this generosity, we have raised close to $40,000 which will enable us to purchase a number of Shower (From left to right) Phil Garment, Past Trolleys. Having Minister Jaczek Chairman of the Board Participation House attend and speak on behalf of the Markham, Dr. Helena Jaczek Minister Development Services sector was of Community and Social Services, and Frances Di Carlo, Executive Director, an honour and a privilege.” Participation House Markham, at the - Frances DiCarlo, Executive Director, FashionAble Gala last month. Participation House Markham 4 SPOTLIGHT on transformation Issue 61 August 2017 New Guidelines for Supporting Adults with Developmental Disabilities and Long-Term Care Homes he Ministry of Community and Social • Emphasize the importance of planning, choice T Services (MCSS) has partnered with Ministry and consent as well as an integrated and of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC) coordinated approach to care within and to develop guidelines that aim to improve between the DS and LTC home sectors; knowledge, planning and service coordination • Reinforce that LTC homes are residents’ for adults with a developmental disability who are homes and their rights must be respected; considering applying to, moving into or are living • Clarify that eligible adults with developmental in a long-term care (LTC) home. disabilities who choose to live in a LTC home The Guidelines for Supporting Adults with a may receive MCSS-funded developmental Developmental Disability When Applying to, services and supports, as applicable; and Moving Into and Residing in a Long-Term Care • Outline the discharge process from a LTC Home will: home • Provide information to inform decision making The guidelines further our goal of transformation and outline roles and responsibilities of the in developmental services and the ministry’s individual and service providers; commitment to a person-centred approach in • Provide information about the application the delivery of services and supports, including a processes for the developmental services and variety of housing options. LTC home sectors; The new Guidelines will be released to the public this summer... Stay tuned for more information. 5 SPOTLIGHT on transformation Issue 61 August 2017 Recommendations Coming Out of the Ombudsman’s Annual Report he annual Ombudsman report was released strengthening the navigation, coordination and Tat the end of June with recommendations accessibility of these services. To do so, Ontario for improvements to governance and resolving is investing $677 million over the next four years issues related to service provision. to help individuals live as independently as Ontario’s Ombudsman, Mr. Paul Dubé, possible within their communities across Ontario. evaluated the Ministry of Community and Social This includes the $12.5 million investment to help Services and made recommendations on how improve the service experience for adults with our processes can be run more effectively. developmental disabilities and their families. In fact the Ombudsman cited the ministry’s However, we recognize it is not just about a progress in this area, stating that “Although financial investment. We are entrusted with families continue to come to the Ombudsman… providing service to people with developmental the province has taken a more active role disabilities and we know more work needs to be in working with community agencies and done to improve the quality of care provided. providing supports.” We will continue to proactively make changes The government is committed to the to better suit the people we serve, to ensure