There seems to be a misunderstanding with some of the DSO’s. The options for residential remain the same for everyone. They are:

Housing options include:

• group homes and group living supports;
• supported independent living/individual living supports;
• Supportive Homeshare; and,
• Individualized Funding.

Group Homes are run by agencies and receive MCSS funding as well as rent from the individuals who live in the home. At the current time the ministry is not funding new group homes. So the only way a space opens up is when someone leaves.

Supported Independent living/individuals living supports
This kind of living arrangement is for adults with a developmental disability who live in apartments in the community and only require minimal staff support from a transfer payment agency. It is for individuals who need some help with daily living activities such as meal preparation, managing money, shopping for groceries, housework or using the telephone.

This is about 4 to 5 hours of help per week, often not this amount of support. Again at the moment there are no new spaces being opened up. So again someone has to leave to get a spot.

Supportive Homeshare
The setting of a Familyhome placement is located in a family home, and care, support, and supervision are provided by a Familyhome provider.

This is a very small program. For example for Toronto there are 25 places. There are spots that come open, but often the problem comes with not being able to find a host family.

Individualized Funding
The name has changed often, but this is when an individual/family set up a home and the individual receives funding to help cover the costs of support staff, social activities, etc. In the past 10 to 15 years it has had calls for proposal twice.

This is the one if a family or group of families want to set up a home for their child. This is the one where the confusion seems to be in various areas of the province. People are being told it’s not available in their area. This is incorrect. At this point in time there is no money for this option, but there is no money for the other options either. So if you want this for your child/self or if you might want this in the future, then tell your DSO that you want your child to be on the list for Residential individualized funding.

All that being said you need to plan for this option, start making connections with other families and talk to the MCSS agency in your area. You need all of this to make it happen. When the calls for proposals come from the ministry you historically have 10 working days to get a plan, a budget and the connections written in the proposal. At this point you do not have the time to think about it, it has to be prepared or started.

You need to have an MCSS transfer payment agency to help you complete the application and they will do the administration of payments.

If your name is not recorded on the waitlist with the DSO, when funding come available you will not be contacted.

Bonnie Heath
Scarborough Residential Alternatives