Investment Will Shorten Wait Lists, Expand Services And Improve Client Care

WINDSOR – The McGuinty government is helping families support loved ones that have a developmental disability by expanding community-based services, improving care and substantially cutting waiting lists for more than 2,000 people waiting for support, Minister of Community and Social Services Sandra Pupatello announced today.

“We are taking action to make sure individuals who need our help the most get the supports and services they require,” Pupatello said. “This investment will really help families to support their loved ones with daily living activities and help our community agencies to provide even better care for their clients.”

The government is investing an additional $59 million annually to support:

• Families who are caring for family members with a developmental disability at home
• Young adults with a developmental disability who are moving from school to a wide range of community participation activities or work
• People who are in a situation that requires immediate care, many of whom previously received services from the child welfare system or have aging parents
• Community agencies so they can strengthen staffing and make their residences even safer for their clients.

“I welcome today’s announcement,” said Nancy Wallace-Gero, executive director of Community Living Essex. “These funds will help to address some of the most urgent concerns of families, and I believe this is yet another signal that this government is recognizing the important role of strong community agencies and dedicated workers in this sector.”

The investment will help improve client care across the sector and will serve more than 2,000 individuals who are waiting for service through the Special Services at Home program – cutting the waiting list for the program by 85 per cent. The investment announced today brings the government’s annual support for developmental services to $1.25 billion.

“We are building better, stronger community services for all developmental services clients, whether they live in the family home or in their own home,” Pupatello said. “It’s all part of our plan to build stronger, more inclusive communities across Ontario.”