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May 16th, 2005
Provincial Budget means Crisis Continues in the Community for Persons who have an Intellectual Disability, their Families, and Services!
David Barber, President of Simcoe Community Services, was disappointed to see that the Ministry of Community and Social Services received minimal acknowledgement in the recent Provincial Budget.
“We were excited to hear in the fall of 2004, that the Ministry of Community and Social Services was working on (a) Transforming Services in the Developmental Sector as well as (b) pledging to close the remaining institutions by March 31st, 2009. These are long-awaited initiatives, but do not, however, address current needs and gaps in service in communities presently.
In addition to wait lists, staff members supporting individuals who have an intellectual disability are underpaid. Community colleges offering the Developmental Services Program are seeing a decline in their enrolment because of the lack of compensation in this field. This makes it increasingly difficult for agencies to attract new, qualified workers. The present budget has not permitted community agencies to even keep up with the cost of living for their front-line staff, never mind give well-deserved increases. While staff members are keen to ensure quality outcomes for people, they feel demoralized that their compensation barely pays the bills and does not acknowledge the important work that they do.
“We were pleased to see a 3% increase in the Ontario Disability Support Plan last year – the first in eleven years. This was merely a stopgap measure however, and needs to continue to increase to ensure that individuals with intellectual disabilities can function above the poverty line.”
David Barber is Past President of Community Living Ontario. For more information contact: Reet Skelton, Volunteer & Public Awareness Coordinator – (705) 726-9082 ext 238.