Issue 11, January 2009

Increasing Community Capacity in Ontario's Developmental Services System

Each year, the number of people who need developmental services grows. At the same time, the needs of people already being supported are constantly changing. To serve more people - and to meet the changing needs of people already being served - the ministry developed the Increasing Community Capacity (ICC) initiative.

ICC recognizes that there is a finite amount of funding available. It will help Ontario's developmental services system make the best use of available funding and supports.

ICC has two goals:

• To serve an extra 600 people by 2010; and
• To create flexible supports that fit the needs of people already being served.

How does ICC fit into transformation?

The goal of transformation is a community-based developmental services system that is modern, flexible, responsive and sustainable. We want to build a system that responds to people's needs today and changes to suit their needs tomorrow.

ICC is one step we're taking to transform our system into one that is responsive enough to welcome new people and flexible enough to tailor supports to each person's evolving needs.

How does ICC work?

The ministry is working with agencies to plan how each region can serve more people and customize existing supports. Regions have now approved community plans and will take the next 18 months to achieve their goals.

Right now, agencies are working together to find local solutions to increase residential and community participation supports. By coming together, agencies can collectively achieve the community's goals. For example, agencies can:

• Join together to make bulk purchases that save money, and
• Share their knowledge and experience to design new supports.

Many agencies are already seeing potential success with ICC. They have collaborated to design plans that are innovative and on target. They are leading the way to a system of supports that is flexible, responsive and truly transformed.

How will ICC affect me?

• 600 people with a developmental disability will be able to get service for the first time.
• People already being served will have the opportunity to customize supports to better fit their needs.

Agencies will work with individuals and families to customize supports to each person's needs. But no one will have to accept any change that is not in their best interests.

The goal of ICC is to serve more people with a developmental disability and to make supports for people in the system more flexible.

 

Contact us
Ministry of Community and Social Services
Developmental Services Branch
4th Floor, Hepburn Block
80 Grosvenor Street
Toronto ON 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: www.ontario.ca/community

 

You Asked Us - Increasing Community Capacity (ICC)

Question:

Will ICC affect the quality of care that my family member receives?

Answer:

No. ICC will not compromise the quality of care for people in Ontario's developmental services system.

Agencies will work with individuals and families to customize supports to each person's needs. But no one will have to accept any change that is not in their best interests.

ICC will help people in the system get flexible supports that fit their evolving needs. It will also welcome another 600 people into Ontario's developmental services system.

Question:

What will ICC mean for people who are currently waiting for service?

Answer:

Over the next 18 months, ICC will help us provide service to 600 people who are currently waiting for service.

Question:

What will ICC mean for Special Services at Home funding?

Answer:

ICC does not affect Special Services at Home supports.

Question:

Do agencies have the freedom to design local solutions?

Answer:

Yes. ICC is one example of how the ministry is working with the community to develop community-based solutions that respond to local needs.

ICC encourages agencies in each region to work together to plan how they will serve more people in the community and create flexible supports that suit the community's needs.

ICC will help the ministry achieve its goal of a modern, flexible, responsive and sustainable system of community-based supports.

Question:

The new ICC initiative is asking agencies to serve more people without additional funding. How much money has the government invested in Ontario's developmental services system?

Answer:

Since 2004, the government has invested an extra $400 million to transform developmental services. This includes:

• $85 million for residential supports, like group homes and supported independent living
• $79 million in base increases for agencies
• $108 million for wage increases
• $21 million for Special Services at Home
• $94 million to close Ontario's last three developmental services institutions
• $26 million for Passport
• $6 million for specialized services, like Community Networks of Specialized Care and videoconferencing.

In total, the government spends about $1.5 billion each year on developmental services.

ICC is one of the ways we are maximizing Ontario's system of supports. It will help people in the system get supports that better fit their needs, while allowing new people to get service.