UFEO United Families of Eastern Ontario (UFEO) is a coalition of family networks and individuals committed to improving the lives of children and adults with developmental disabilities living in Eastern Ontario. Click here to join UFEO.
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Dear Members:
UFEO held its second AGM on June 3rd. The evening started with highlights from our first year. These included:
- Increase of our membership to 175 members, including 23 family-focused groups (a list of groups is available on our website under “About Us”).
- Representation at Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS) Systems Planning Table and Dual Diagnosis Advisory Committee.
- Organization of an MCSS Eastern Region consultation meeting on the new Application Process for adults.
- Submissions to MCSS on the new Application Process.
- Letter and meeting with Minister Madeleine Meilleur.
- Pre-budget submission about needs for funds for SSAH, Passports, etc.
- Developing a Communications Strategy and inviting members to join our Communications Working Group.
- Starting to collect family stories to share with Ministries on how funding shortfall is affecting families.
- Sharing of community information via website and postings.
Our first guest speaker François Seignoret spoke about the Communication Remediation for Community Living initiative. CRCL is a new parent-led initiative that aims to create a flexible communication remediation program for verbal and non-verbal adults.
The main presentation was given by nursing student Liz Kazew and Terry Broda (Solution-S) on the Healthcare Handbook: a tool developed for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families and support staff to give to doctors.
For more information on both these presentations, follow the link from this message to our website.
The presentations were followed by the elections for three Steering Committee positions. The Steering Committee welcomes returning member Bonnie Dinning (OCAPDD) and new members Susanne Streigler (Autism Ontario Ottawa Chapter) and Robert Shalka (individual member).
This year’s Steering Committee is made up of the following family representatives:
Jocelyne Brault – individual member (Co-Chair)
Robert Shalka – individual member (Co-Chair)
Susanne Streigler – Autism Ontario Ottawa Chapter (Secretary)
Marge McCabe – Families Matter Co-operative (Treasurer)
John Barker – Advisory Member Service Coordination
Terry Boyd – Ontario Rett Syndrome Association
Molly Bruce – Family Alliance
Bonnie Dinning – Ottawa-Carleton Association for Persons with Developmental Disabilities
John Barker thanked outgoing Steering Committee members, Heather Fawcett and Eva Rangno, for their hard work during the previous year.
The Steering Committee coordinates the work of UFEO to achieve the priorities set by its membership. We welcome volunteers to help us raise awareness of the needs of those with developmental disabilities in Eastern Ontario. Fill out our volunteer form at www.ufeo.ca or email us at info@ufeo.ca. With your help we can accomplish even more.
 Health_Care_Handbook.pdf (1.8 MiB, 54 hits)
CRCL_Advocacy_flyer_2010_April.pdf (73.6 KiB, 64 hits)
CRCL_Frequently_Asked_Questions.pdf (94.5 KiB, 59 hits)
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Dear Network Member,
On behalf of the Eastern Region Community Network of Specialized Care, we are pleased to send you our complete training calendar where you will find information on upcoming training events and educational opportunities offered by the Eastern Region CNSC. We ask that you refer to this calendar for correct dates and times and not the ‘What’s coming up?’ section of the fall 2010 newsletter as some changes have occurred following the newsletter printing. As always, more details and the most up-to-date information can be found on our website at www.community-networks.ca
One of the primary mandates of the Community Networks of Specialized Care is to train and build capacity in the community to ensure access to quality supports and services for individuals with a developmental disability and mental health issues and/or challenging behaviour. Through this calendar, our goal is to ensure agencies and staff are aware of the training opportunities available to them and that this information is provided in a convenient format.
We encourage you to post and/or share this calendar with others in your organization. You may also forward it directly to another person who you think may be interested by clicking on the link attached to this message. If you have suggestions or feed-back relating to training and education or this newsletter, we would be a happy to hear from you.
Sincerely,
Network Coordinators
The Ring of Safety
David Hingsberger is presenting one half day session for parents.
People with intellectual disabilities are the most victimized group in society. This workshop will look at causes, prevention strategies and various skills we need to teach people with disabilities in order to reduce their vulnerability.
In this session, David will leave lots of time for discussing and questions.
Time and Date: 12 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 25, 2010.
Location: Operating Engineers Training Institute
12580 County Road 2
Morrisburg. ON
Cost: $20 per person per session, lunch provided. If this presents a financial hardship please advise. Register today At Community Living Dundas County by calling Marlene Lewis at 613-543-3737 Ext. 221 or email: mlewis@ cldc.ca (by Sept. 1)
Cheques should be made payable to:
Community Living Dundas County
55 Allison Ave.
P.O. Bo x 678, Morrisburg, On
K0C 1X0
Refreshments and Lunch Provided. Please identify any food allergy and/or vegetarian requests
Ottawa Parents of Children with Apraxia (OPAC) and the city of Ottawa are working together to assess the recreational needs of children and families who are dealing with apraxia and other diagnosed speech disorders.
The information gained in this survey will serve to inform the development of a new recreational program for children with apraxia and other speech disorders during the summer 2011 in Barrhaven at the Walter Baker Centre as part of a pilot project with the City of Ottawa. Note you don’t have to live in Barrhaven to use this program. This is where the available facility is located.
The goal is to develop a recreational program for children with apraxia and other significant speech disorders. It will be staffed experts in the field including speech language pathologists, occupational therapists and recreational staff and include a higher ratio of adults to children then exists in a typical recreation program.
I wanted to pass on the online survey link and ask that you send it out to your contacts. I am working with the city of Ottawa on the development of a summer camp for next year that meets the needs of children with speech disorders. As a first step, we are trying to assess the need via responses to this survey.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/OPCAsummer2011-initative
Contact Robin McMillan at ottawa.apraxia@gmail.com for more information.
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Let’s put our support behind this much needed initiative! Please encourage your organization to write a letter of support by the June 25 deadline. Or, send your own individual story as to why these services are desperately needed. Send your (short) submission to: francois.groulxja@sympatico.ca
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CHEO has always handled well special needs children along with the general population but, after 18, there is no specialized medical care for, and very little medical expertise about adults with developmental disabilities.
This is a shocking fact. In 1998 $4,000 was granted from the Ontario Down Syndrome Association (DSAO) to support the development of a medical clinic for adults with Down syndrome. Dr. Lise Poirier-Groulx was the original doctor running the clinic. Now it is Dr. Suzanna Rydzik. It has been a great success and the demand is tremendous. Those people with other developmental challenges have been even less fortunate until now. Now, a clinic specialising in medical issues of ALL adults with developmental disabilities is about to become a reality.
Most of our adult “children” are living longer and facing new and unforeseen health and social challenges. It is anticipated that these challenges will multiply tremendously over the next 10 years with parents no longer there to help. There is much to explore and research, and most importantly, there are many in need of on-going medical help.
Drs. Poirier-Groulx and Dr. Rydzik have been working toward establishing a clinic especially and specifically for all adults with developmental disabilities. In May 2010, together with Dr. Rene Leiva, they made a presentation to the Bruyere Centre Board of Directors. The presentation was so well received that the Board agreed to undertake a Business Plan to a value of $50-60,000. This plan, once completed, would be implemented, but it will require community input and commitment.
Family organizations and associations such as Families Matter Co-operative and other local and regional groups are being asked to provide letters of support for this critical activity.
Essential to the support of this project is input from the families of people with developmental disabilities. Concrete examples of how the health care system does not meet the needs of people with developmental disabilities will serve to reinforce the need for such a clinic.
On June 28, Drs. Leina, Pourier-Groulx and Rydzik are meeting with the Minister of Community and Social Services to present the business plan and obtain support for the establishment of a clinic.
Your input is needed now for this to go forward with strength and conviction. The team is asking for you to share any personal incidents or situations where such a clinic would have served your families needs, and where, because it did not exist, it was detrimental.
If you have a personal situation which would further advance the cause for a clinic for people with developmental disabilities, please take the time to send a 2-3 paragraph note on the general situation. Examples can be anonymous, however, to add your name give further credibility. All information shared will be kept confidential.
It is important that all submissions be kept short, and sent no later than Friday, 25 June to meet the deadline. Please send your note in confidence to: francois.groulxja@sympatico.ca
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You are invited to support CRCL, a new Ottawa-based parent-led advocacy initiative that aims to create in a new flexible communication remediation program for community living.
Vision Statement:
Verbal and non-verbal adults will maximize their communication skills to enhance their personal independence, choice and social inclusion.
Mission Statement:
To create an effective communication remediation program for verbal and non-verbal adults (18+ yrs) that have moderate to severe communication deficits (verbal and written).
Target Client Group:
Verbal or non-verbal adults diagnosed with (but not limited) to DD, ASD or FAS – who require communication remediation for everyday living, including language, early literacy and numeracy, or the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems.
Program Model:
- Designed to serve the practical communication remediation needs of a wide range of learners while balancing effectiveness, availability and affordability
- A largely person-centered approach modified to reduce costs
- Part-time, community-based, with flexible three hour sessions that complement the learner’s personal schedule (e.g. work, school or day programs) providing a choice of morning or afternoon sessions and an optional number of weekly sessions (whether 2, 3,4 or 5 sessions per week per learner) to suit different budgets and circumstances
- 1:3 staff to client ratio and 45 minutes per session of intensive 1-on-1 instruction
- Instructors trained in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) methods would use an effective combination of proven tools and techniques
The Program would:
- Address a major gap in service – there is no similar program in Ottawa
- Allow participants to continue their regular activities (e.g. work, school, day programs)
- Be of particular benefit to those transitioning from high school
- Support the mandate of other service providers involved with a CRCL learner by helping him/her to improve his/her communication skills with service provider staff
- Be a fee for service program
- Be consistent, in whole or in part, with the supports funded by MCSS such that clients could tap into available self-directed funding – including Passport and SSAH
- Aim to make the program as affordable as possible by seeking funding from the government (MTCU, MCSS, MOHLTC) or community foundations
- Be delivered by or in partnership with an existing service provider (if possible)
To express your interest or to obtain additional information, or if you wish to contribute in the development of this initiative, please contact us at icommunicate@rogers.com, giving your name, email address or phone number.
June 2, 2010
Program Info CRCL_Advocacy_flyer_2010_April.pdf (73.6 KiB, 64 hits)
FAQ CRCL_Frequently_Asked_Questions.pdf (94.5 KiB, 59 hits)
Assisted Living: Private Rooms Available in Adult Support Home
(For Adults 18+ with Developmental/Intellectual Disability and/or Mental Illness)
Victoria House
Smiths Falls, ON
- Private room on 2nd floor with attached bathroom (females only) – avail. April 1st
- Private room on first floor – avail. May 1st
Up to 12 residents share two full bathrooms and two 1/2 baths (certain rooms only). Three meals a day, use of washer/dryer, cable TV, and phone all included.
Supportive staff on hand 24 hours a day for assistance when required. We have experience with adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, DID, depression, and other forms of mental illness. Help with medications and daily appointments is available. Room and board rates (through provincial domiciliary hostel program) are subsidized by Lanark County. Individuals on ODSP, OAS and CPP are eligible for a Personal Needs Allowance of $128/month. Home is located across from beautiful Victoria Park and the Rideau Canal, and is within walking distance to all amenities.
Victoria House is an ideal placement for adults (18+) who can’t quite make it on their own, but desire some independence and just need a little help with their everyday activities. For more information or to schedule a viewing, please call Alison Heath at 613-284-5980, weekdays 9am – 3pm.
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Subject: Evergreen Framework for Child and Youth Mental Health: Online Public Consultation
Evergreen is a blueprint that outlines strategies and actions to improve mental health care, promote mental health and maximize the potential of every infant, child and youth living in Canada. It is a project of the Child and Youth Advisory Council of the Mental Health Commission of Canada.
The Evergreen project is being developed by a dedicated team of individuals from across Canada and around the world with expertise (professional and lived experience) in infant, child and youth mental health. We need your help, as public input is vital to make sure that Evergreen is meaningful and representative of the needs of Canadians.
DID YOU KNOW…
* 1 in 5 Canadian youth experience some kind of mental health disorder
* Most major mental health disorders begin before the age of 25
* Canada doesn’t have a national plan for child and youth mental health …but with your help this can change
HELP US CREATE EVERGREEN
Take part in our national online consultation and share your ideas about:
* VALUES that are important to you in regarding to child and youth mental health
* What we can do to PROMOTE mental health, IMPROVE mental health care, and PREVENT mental health problems and mental diorders
* TELL your friends, family and networks about this opportunity to help shape the future of child and youth mental health in Canada
Join Us in Making A Difference
ENGAGE
For Evergreen to be truly innovative and successful we need YOUR input. Share your ideas with us online through the invitation below
https://surveys.dal.ca/opinio/s?s=7808
CONNECT
Join our group on Facebook and invite your friends! Our page is called “Help Canada Create a Youth Mental Health Strategy http://www.facebook.com/youthmentalhealth?v=wall
TAKE OUR SURVEY
Click here to take the survey <http://iwkfoundation.cmail2.com/t/y/i/oelju/l/d>
Evergreen is a project of the Child and Youth Committee of the Mental Health Commission of Canada. Funding for this project is provided by the Mental Health Commission of Canada with additional support from the IWK Health Centre, Sun Life Financial Chair in Adolescent Mental Health, T. R. Meighen Family Foundation, and Kathryn A. Weldon Foundation.
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Submission by Families Matter Cooperative
Comments on the Minister’s Draft Regulation on Quality Assurance Measures
 Families Matter Cooperative Response to Quality Assurance Measures (166.0 KiB, 105 hits)
Autism Ontario Adult Working Group Response to the Ministry of Community and Social Services Regulation on Quality Assurance Measures: Services and Supports to Support the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, 2008.
Autism Ontario Quality Assurance Measures Submission Feb 2010 (246.4 KiB, 112 hits)
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