McGuinty Government Moves To Modernize Developmental Services Legislation
TORONTO, May 15 /CNW/ -
NEWS
Ontario introduced legislation today that, if passed, would lay the groundwork for the province to modernize and improve service delivery for adults with a developmental disability.
Ontario's current Developmental Services Act is almost 35 years old. During that time, services for people with developmental disabilities have changed dramatically. People who previously would have lived in large, government-run institutions now live and participate in communities across Ontario.
The proposed new legislation recognizes that people with developmental disabilities can live independently with the right supports. It also recognizes that people with developmental disabilities want more choice and control over the supports they receive.
The new legislation would lay the foundation for better services and supports for people with developmental disabilities and their families, including:
<<
- Better service: people would only have to go to one place to apply for
services and support.
- More choice: people could receive funding directly for supports
tailored to their needs.
- Improved fairness: everyone would use the same application and
assessment package, and people who need service and support the most
would have priority.
>>
QUOTES
"The current Developmental Services Act is out of date. It's from a time when we supported people in institutions. A year from now, these facilities from a bygone era will be closed," said Minister of Community and Social Services Madeleine Meilleur. "This legislation will help us to build the foundation for the next generation of people with a developmental disability."
"I would like to congratulate the Ontario government for introducing legislation that will bring disability issues into the 21st century. This bill will foster strong partnerships between the Ontario government, families and agencies in order to better serve people with developmental disabilities and provide them with a brighter future," said Executive Director of Reena (http://www.reena.org/) Sandy Keshen.
QUICK FACTS
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- More than 40,000 adults with a developmental disability live in
Ontario.
- Since 2003, the Ontario government has committed an additional
half billion dollars for services for people with developmental
disabilities.
- The total annual budget for developmental services is $1.57 billion.
- In 1974, at the height of institutionalization, there were
approximately 8,000 people with a developmental disability living in
government-operated facilities. Today, there are fewer than 180 adults
living in the three remaining facilities which are set to close in
2009.
LEARN MORE
- Read the history
(http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/mcss/english/pillars/developmental/what/institution
al_community.htm of developmental services in Ontario. It goes back
more than 100 years.
- Learn more about the major changes
(http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/mcss/english/pillars/developmental/what/new_legisla
tion.htm) Ontario is making to improve services for people with a
developmental disability.
- Read real life community stories
(http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/mcss/english/ministry/stories/catering.htm)
about people with a developmental disability.
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BACKGROUNDER
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THE SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ACT, 2008
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If passed, the Services for Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, 2008 would replace the existing Developmental Services Act, which is almost 35 years old.
Current laws deal primarily with the operations of provincial facilities for adults with a developmental disabiity and do not adequately reflect:
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- the changes in society's knowledge about developmental disabilities,
and
- the range of services and supports that help people with developmental
disabilities to live as independently as possible.
>>
The proposed Services for Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, 2008 recognizes that people with developmental disabilities can live much more independently in their communities with the right supports. If passed, it would lay the foundation for Ontario to build a new, more modern system of developmental services over the coming years.
The legislation includes:
<<
- Updated language: for example, eliminating terms such as "facility"
and "institution," to reflect how services have evolved over the
years, as the last remaining Ontario facilities are set to close by
March 2009.
- Authority for the province to create application centres for
developmental services and authorize them to determine eligibility,
assess people's service needs and conduct other case management
functions. This would mean people would only need to go to one place
to apply for service, instead of to several individual agencies.
- Authority for the province to provide funding either through community
agencies or to application centres for direct funding. This could give
people more flexibility to purchase services tailored to their needs.
- Authority to collect information from individuals and application
centres to improve service planning throughout the province. Without
this authority, forecasting future service needs and changes would be
difficult.
- Accountability requirements for agencies and individuals/families who
receive direct funding. This includes provisions that allow the
province to take corrective action against agencies when there are
serious issues concerning, for example, health and safety or financial
administration.
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BACKGROUNDER
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STRENGTHENING SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH A
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY
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The developmental services sector in Ontario is in the midst of an important transformation that began in 2004. Since then, the McGuinty government has:
<<
- Launched a major review to make the province's developmental services
system fair, accessible and sustainable
- Begun preparing for the closure of the three remaining
provincially-run facilities for people with a developmental disability
by the end of March 2009, and
- Consulted widely with community service providers, people with a
developmental disability and their families on the future of
developmental services in Ontario.
>>
Over the last four years, Ontario has made significant progress in strengthening the foundation of the developmental services system. Ontario has increased funding for developmental services by more than 30 per cent to $1.57 billion annually. These investments have:
<<
- Created almost 1,300 spaces in the community for adults with a
developmental disability to live
- Set up four Community Networks of Specialized Care
(http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/mcss/english/news/backgrounders/050518.htm)
to provide linkages to specialized clinical supports for people who
have some of the most complex care needs
- Created opportunities for nearly 2,200 people leaving school to
participate in their communities through the Passport
(http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/mcss/english/pillars/developmental/programs/young_l
eave_school.htm) initiative
- Served 8,400 more families through the Special Services at Home
(http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/mcss/english/resources/directives/ssah_policychange
.htm) program; that is an increase of more than 40 per cent since 2004
- Increased operating funding for community agencies by 5.5 per cent
- Brought salaries for developmental services staff into line with other
jobs in the social services field.
>>
Next steps
Throughout the transformation process, people with a developmental disability and their families have said they want a system that is easier to navigate and offers them more choice and flexibility in the services they receive.
Ontario's proposed Services for Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, 2008 would provide the framework the province needs to respond to these needs and improve its system of developmental services over the long-term.
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For further information: Julia Sakas, Minister's Office, (416) 325-5219; Erika Botond, Communications Branch, (416) 325-5760
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