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SERVING PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS |
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Issue 4
August 2007 1
Government of Ontario
More residential options for community living
A goal of Ontario’s developmental
services transformation is to provide adults with a developmental disability
with more residential options so they can live more independently within their
communities.
During last year’s public consultation, we heard examples of creative living
arrangements that are working well and we listened to suggestions about
innovative residential models and
partnerships that could be explored.
“The Ministry should encourage partnerships between the ministry, community
agencies and parents to develop innovative choices for the individuals that need
residential support within the community. It is not a one size fits all — people
should be able to live in a home that is “theirs”, where they are safe and well
cared for, where there is a variety of stimulating programming, where
recreational and leisure activities are regular and available … etc., etc.
A parent’s comment during the 2006 public consultation
Your first home isn’t your only home. You need to look at different systems and
approaches,
for example, a model where the person with a developmental disability is
progressively
more independent because you provide independent living options with supports.
A parent’s comment during the 2006 public consultation
Issue 4
August 2007 1
Government of Ontario
___________________________________________________________________________
Spotlight on transformation
A Developmental Services Bulletin from the Ministry of Community and Social
Services
We know from the consultation feedback
that individuals, families, service providers and other stakeholders are eager
to move
forward quickly to create more residential options.
In order to make this cornerstone of our
transformation a success, we need to put
in place a solid foundation — the building
blocks of which are a common application
tool, application centres, and a funding framework. That’s what we are working
on now.
Before we introduce other transformation
initiatives, we are hoping to tap into the experience of interested individuals
(and
families) who are receiving ministry
funded residential support or who are prioritized to receive ministry-funded
residential support in 2007/08 to develop innovative residential proposals. Your experience and understanding of your communities is vital to creating
the next generation of residential options
Support for innovative residential models
Eligible individuals or their
families, together with a service provider, can develop a proposal for an innovative
residential model for their community. The proposal must be submitted to their
local regional office of the ministry for consideration for funding.
The proposal should:
-• describe the residential model
-• describe the roles of the parties
-• describe how it meets the proposal requirements and evaluation criteria.
What does innovative residential model mean?
The term refers to a type of accommodation that has been developed to provide
individually-tailored supports to help adults with a developmental disability
meet their
goal of living more independently (or inter-dependently) in the community. Here
are
some examples of innovative residential models:
• a home co-ownership situation;
• a rent-to-own arrangement (i.e. where a private investor buys the home or
makes
the down payment and the individual pays rent towards the mortgage with the
intention of eventually becoming the owner);
• a co-operative home; or
• a garden suite.
Evaluating the proposals
The ministry has established criteria to
evaluate the proposals. This is to make
sure that decisions relating to funding are
consistent across the province. Proposals
that meet the criteria and fit within a
local community’s planning requirements,
regional capacity and regional targets, will
be considered for funding.
Here are the criteria that will be used to
review the proposals:
• Intent of the proposal (there is a
partnership between the individual, the
family and a service provider;
the proposal reflects a person-directed approach and was developed
collaboratively);
• Fit with community need/community
plan (the proposal is consistent with
the needs of the community and aligns
with the priorities of the community;
and the individual currently receives
ministry-funded residential support or
has been prioritized to receive ministry-funded residential support between
April 1, 2007 and March 31, 2008);
• Governance and accountability
(describes the roles and responsibilities
of those involved in the proposal;
reporting requirements; and compliance
with applicable legislation);
• Service provider considerations
(factors that the service provider must
consider when supporting the proposed
innovative residential model. For
example, if the proposal is for an
individual who is moving from an
existing ministry-funded residential
space to an innovative model, the lead
agency must agree to keep the vacancy
open for a period of time to make sure
the new living arrangement is suitable
and sustainable. The service provider
must also agree to continue to provide
the support services for the individual,
or help to identify a suitable lead agency);
• Funding (how the funding requested will
reasonably meet the individual’s support
requirements and fit with ministry
region’s residential funding capacity); and
• Sustainability (how the support will be
managed over time).
For more information on the evaluation
criteria and proposal timelines, please
contact your ministry regional office. If
you don’t know where that is, please visit
the ministry website at http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca. Decisions will be made by
January 1, 2008.
Contact us
Ministry of Community and Social Services
Developmental Services Branch
4th Floor, Hepburn Block
80 Grosvenor Street
Toronto, Ontario M7A 1E9
Tel: (416) 327-4954
Fax: (416) 325-5554
Toll-free tel: 1 866 340-8881
Toll-free fax: 1 866 340-9112
E-mail: DStransformation.mcss@css.gov.on.ca
This bulletin is also available online at: http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca
Issue 4
August 2007 1
Government of Ontario
___________________________________________________________________________
Spotlight on transformation
A Developmental Services Bulletin from the Ministry of Community and Social
Services
In this issue, we are introducing a new feature to answer questions that we’ve
received
about developmental services and supports, and the transformation of
developmental
services.
You Asked Us
Question:
When can students apply for the Passport program?
Answer:
Individuals can apply for Passport prior to leaving school, however, funding
will not be
offered until individuals have completed school. Updated information is required
prior
to processing applications. The Application and Administration Procedures for
2007/08
are posted on the Ministry of Community and Social Services website. It provides
more
information on how applications are processed.
Question:
What is a “Familyhome Provider”?
Answer:
The Familyhome program is a residential support program funded by the Ministry
of Community and Social Services. The program provides a family home setting for
individuals who may require supervision, prefer living with a family, and who
may need
the additional support that a family environment can provide.
A Familyhome provider is an adult and/or family who provides accommodation,
care,
support and supervision for a child or adult with a developmental disability.
The provider
is affiliated with an agency that offers and coordinates the Familyhome program.
If you are interested in finding out more about this program, you can find a
copy of the
Familyhome Guidelines under the “Publications” section of the ministry’s website
at: http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca.
In addition, you may also wish to visit the Familyhome Program Provincial Coordinators’ Association website at http://www.familyhomeprovincialprograms.ca.
Issue 4
August 2007 1
Government of Ontario
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