MCSS News Release

Posted 04/29/08

For Immediate Release, from the Ministry of Community & Social Services, September 11, 2001

HARRIS GOVERNMENT BOOSTS SUPPORT TO PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

TORONTO­ Community and Social Services Minister John Baird announced today that agencies serving people with developmental disabilities throughout Ontario will be eligible for increased funding immediately. The funding is part of a multi-year budget commitment to improve the lives of those with developmental disabilities, and attract and maintain high quality staff.

"We want the money getting out to the people who need it most as quickly as possible," said Baird. "A significant portion of this year's funding is going directly to agencies to help them enhance services and attract more quality caregivers."

More than 260 agencies across Ontario will receive $31.7 million to address the challenge of high staff turnover and burnout. The funding will help agencies improve salaries and benefits, and offer more training and staff development.

"This funding recognizes the hard work and dedication of those on the front lines every day working with people with developmental disabilities," said David Barber, president of the Ontario Association for Community Living (OACL). "We are pleased that this government is working to ensure that agencies across Ontario can continue providing quality supports and services."

A total of $12.8 million will be used to expand community services such as Special Services at Home, day programming, and out-of-home respite care. An additional $7.3 million will support new places to live created for people with developmental disabilities.

"We are pleased that the government is listening and responding to the concerns of the developmental services sector," said Sue Dolan, president of Ontario Agencies Supporting Individuals with Special Needs (OASIS). "The new funding will assist in ensuring the continued quality of care for people with developmental disabilities and attracting recent college graduates to the sector."

Baird also announced that $5 million has been allocated for 64 new living spaces for people with developmental disabilities in 11 communities across Ontario. This funding will help address the growing need for living spaces for older children whose aging parents can no longer care for them, individuals with changing and multiple special needs, and young adults leaving the child welfare system.

"Aging parents should not have to worry about the future care of their adult children," said Baird. "Over the next five years, many new living spaces for people with developmental disabilities will be created in communities across Ontario to address this critical need."

In the May budget, the Harris government announced its multi-year plan consisting of $55 million this year - growing to $197 million annually ­ to revitalize the developmental services sector. An additional $67 million over five years to create more places to live for people with developmental disabilities was also announced.

"Providing support to the most vulnerable people in our society continues to be a priority for our government," said Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance. "This plan assures individuals, their families, and others working with them that our commitment is long term."

The new funding will bring spending by the Harris government for people with developmental disabilities and their families to over $1 billion this year.

Contacts:
Dan Miles Dianne Lone
Minister's Office Ministry of Community and Social Services
(416) 325-5215 (416) 325-5156

For more information visit http://www.gov.on.ca/CSS

Response from Sue Dolan, OASIS President

September 11, 2001

Dear Minister Baird:

Your press release of this morning was received with interest. OASIS has forwarded a copy to our eighty member agencies.

There has been a concern raised regarding the use of the word 'eligible' in the first paragraph as in "agencies serving people with developmental disabilities throughout Ontario will be eligible for increased funding immediately."

It would be very much appreciated if you could kindly clarify the process for eligibility. Is this something that at this point is left as the responsibility of Regional Offices to speak to Executive Directors or is there a process to apply for the funding?

As this is a question being asked by many agencies, I am planning to share this letter as well as your response with our OASIS members.

Thank you again.

Sincerely,

ONTARIO AGENCIES SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Sue Dolan
President OASIS