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Lack of funding – what are YOU doing?

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  • #17780
    Evi
    Participant

      My daughter turns 21 this June, and will be graduating from high school. I am a single parent, earning less than $50,000 per year, before taxes, mortgage payments, hydro, phone, utilities, cable, clothing, transportation and groceries reduce that to $0 before the end of the month.

      I need to find $24,000 per year, to have my daughter in a safe environment, where she can learn some life skills. The programs cost approximately $1200 per month, and transportation (she cannot take the TTC on her own) will eat up another $800. The program is on the opposite side of the city, and I must chose between driving her there and picking her up, or keeping my job.

      According to DSO’s website:

      “Developmental Services Ontario agencies can help adults with developmental disabilities find services and supports in their community”

      I have been to several information nights to find out about DSO, as my daughter has been registered with them for almost three years, and have been told that “most people never get funding.” What a marvelous make-work project DSO has turned out to be. It’s a joke.

      My daughter cannot stay alone at home, and I have to work in order to support us. Am I expected to sell our home in order to keep her occupied????? Quite frankly, even if she was able to stay home alone, what kind of life is that, sitting alone with your computer all day?

      Should you have any reasonable ideas on how I can find funding for my daughter before I am forced to sell my home, they would be much appreciated.

      #18131

      Are there any programs listed that maybe closer to your home? What area of the city do live?

      #18132
      Evi
      Participant

        Funded spots are only available through DSO, which has openly told me, and many other parents, on information nights that MOST people do not get funding.

        #18133

        The only suggestion I would have is to call our Access and Information line for more ideas

        #18134

        Also we have some great drop-in programs in Scarborough if thats close to you?

        #18136
        Evi
        Participant

          Scarborough is far for me. Are these free? 5 days a week?

          #18137

          They are free, but unfortunately do not run 5 days a week. Where in the city do you live?

          #18138
          Evi
          Participant

            Yonge-Eglinton area.

            #18139
            Jennypink
            Participant

              You daughter is eligible for the Welcome Policy through Parks and recreation. This enables her to get some programs for free.
              Not knowing your daughter its hard to suggest things.
              Have you applied for Ontario Disability Support Program? Have you registered with the DSO? Have you applied for Passport funding?
              Today the ministry has made the most exciting of announcements
              Eliminating Waitlists for Developmental Services
              Government Improving Access For 21,000 People With Developmental Disabilities
              April 11, 2014 9:35 a.m.

              Ontario plans to eliminate waitlists for direct funding for 21,000 people with developmental disabilities.
              As part of the government’s vision for the transformation of developmental services, the province would eliminate the current waitlist for the Special Services at Home program for children in two years and the Passport program for adults in four years.
              These programs provide direct funding for people with developmental disabilities, allowing them and their families to customize their services and supports to best meet their individual needs.
              In addition to eliminating waitlists for direct support, this investment would:
              • Provide support for urgent residential needs for approximately 1,400 people
              • Support young adults as they navigate key life transitions such as going to school or getting a job
              • Promote community living partnerships through expanded Host Family and Supported Independent Living programs
              • Provide more funding for agencies and front-line workers in the community services sector
              • Promote innovation and cost-efficiency so that costs savings can be re-invested into improving services
              Eliminating waitlists for people with developmental disabilities is part of the government’s economic plan that is creating jobs for today and tomorrow by focusing on Ontario’s greatest strengths – its people and strategic partnerships.

              QUOTES
              ” Our vision for developmental services in Ontario sees people with developmental disabilities participating as fully as possible in their communities. Direct funding is an important part of the support that people and families need to achieve the goal of inclusion.”
              – Ted McMeekin
              Minister of Community and Social Services
              ” Supporting all Ontarians to live independently and reach their full potential is a cornerstone of our commitment to promoting a fair and prosperous society. These proposed investments are crucial to making Ontario a better place to live.”
              – Charles Sousa
              Minister of Finance

              QUICK FACTS
              • The government is proposing an $810 million investment over the next three years, the largest ever funding increase to the developmental services system in Ontario.
              • There are an estimated 62,000 adults with developmental disabilities in Ontario; more than 15,000 are supported through the Passport direct funding program.
              • An estimated 28,000 children with developmental disabilities live in Ontario; the Special Services at Home program currently serves more than 12,500.
              • Ontario currently invests more than $1.7 billion in developmental services, a 63 per cent increase since 2003. The proposed additional funding would increase that to more than $2 billion by 2016-17.
              • Approximately 18,000 people with a developmental disability receive residential supports in the community.

              LEARN MORE
              • Proposed new investments in developmental services.

              #18140
              Evi
              Participant

                Thank you.
                She’s registered with DSO, receives ODSP, but ODSP is but a drop in the bucket of that $24,000 I need to keep her occupied 5 days a week, and she needs to be learning useful skills that she can apply towards a possible job one day.

                I have not seen any free or funded 5 day programs.
                I shall revisit Parks & Rec.

                Thanks again.

                #18141
                #18142
                Evi
                Participant

                  It appears that Parks & Rec do not offer any full day programs, and I am not able to drive her around in the middle of the day from place to place.
                  Thanks for the suggestion, but it’s not a practical solution for our family. :(

                  #18143
                  Jennypink
                  Participant

                    A n n o u n c i n g a
                    for persons with Developmental Disabilities
                    Striving for Success
                    * Pre-employment Classroom Training
                    (10-weeks)
                    * On-the-job training,placement and job trials
                    (4 weeks)
                    General Labour Program
                    Janitorial/Custodial Program
                    Retail/Customer Service Program
                    (May 20 – August 29, 2014)
                    (September 2-December, 2014)
                    (December 15, 2014 – March 27, 2014)
                    Program Location
                    Program Start Dates
                    Program Content
                    Phone 416-431-9000 (East) 416-245-5565 (West)
                    http://www.corbook.com
                    Hi Just got this in. It’s not that far from you

                    #18144
                    Evi
                    Participant

                      Thanks, I’ll have a look at that. ☺

                      #18164
                      Jenna Martinuzzi
                      Participant

                        http://www.lights.to great oppunity

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