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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1972-11-30, Page 16Remember sixpence buys four big oranges (R613 4B)) 1Vliike up your own way to remember your code. Then send it to your friends. POSTR. CAME POSTAL Sug. Retail $3.50 4A 1004 1W$,Ree0111, ThurstjaY, NOYernber 00, 1970 Social services survey reviewing ways to put its findings into action in some instances it referred to family, in others to youth, In some to financial and budget counselling. The abuse of drugs and alcohol were also referred to in particular as counselling opportunities. The second priority seemed to be the head of senior citizens, Health, recreation, housing and the general needs of elderly people were stated frequently, Strong priority was given, in general, to drugs and alcohol and to health needs of families with specific reference to Home Care and Psychiatric services. Improved recreation facilities also received strong support. A large number of respon- dents gave high priority to the needs of children, with par- ticular reference to Day Care and Nursery facilities. When asked if they could suggest ways in which these needs cpuld be implemented the majority seemed to recommend increasing the professional staff of existing agencies to im- plement the improvements. There was a fairly strong em- phasis, however, on requesti financial support front volunte groups such as service clubs. Regarding counselling need recommendations included i proving school cpunsellin establishing a Family Servi Bureau or similar agency utilizing Children's Aid Socie facilities, expecting more leader- ship from clergy and churches and enlarging Mental Health services, Many respondents felt that the Social Services Co- ordinating Committee could be useful in developing more ser- vices. Some respondents felt that the government should provide increased services. In releasing the report Mr. Heath, the present S,S,C,C. chairmen and Huron County Children's Aid Director, noted that some of the findings were "Very surprising," while others were to be expected, He termed the report a needed piece of work and in- dicated that the S.S,C.C. would now be reviewing ways to 'put more of its findings into action. The report of the Social Ser- vices Co-ordinating Committee on their 1972 survey of health and social services in Huron County, conducted in the spring of this year, was made public late last week by S.S.C,C. chair- man Bruce Heath, The survey was undertaken under the auspices of the com- mittee with funding provided by the Local Initiatives Program of the Federal Government. Under the chairmanship of Basil Hall the group decided to undertake a survey and delegated respon- sibility for the project to the sub committee of William Carter, Huron County Board of Education, Basil Hall, Goderich Psychiatric Hospital, Marvin Streich, Ministry of Community and Social Services and Gar- wood Russell, St. George's Anglican Church in Goderich. The survey staff members were, Isobel MacDonald, direc- tor, Christine Rompf, secretary with interviewers Susan Bell, Kathleen MacDonald and Ar- thur Maybury. In addition to the report a directory of Social Services in Huron grew from the survey and copies have been widely distributed. In the preface to the report the committee notes, "While it is apparent that this report is limited in scope, it is our hope that it expressed the mind of those who are working with people in various professional, voluntary or elected capacities." They also note that with the release of the report they hope to stimulate more com- munication and co-operation among the existing social service agencies and the people of Huron County, and co- ordination of present helping services in the County. The survey did not take a random sampling of the population but was largely con- fined to people who, in a professional, yoluntary or elec- ted capacity, were involved with community or social service matters. Respondents, with a few ex- ceptions were selected for in- terview. Those not selected were volunteers and the interviews were carried out by appoint- ment. The final result represents the responses of 963 people in the county. Each was asked, a series of questions relating to the broad area of social services and the needs of Huron residents. Replies were then coded and grouped into sixteen major sec- tions. The respondents were also categorized by occupation and by eight geographical areas. "The 963 answers were as varied as the individuals inter- viewed," the report explains. "Most of the needs were directly related to the profession of the person interviewed, and in- cluded needs such as emotional, social, personal, spiritual, finan- cial, medical, legal, educational, intellectual, recreational, etc." The respondents were classified into nine occupation groups as follows. Business and Industry — 303, Clergy — 81, Elected representatives and ap- pointed personnel — 37, Legal — 28, Medical — 77, Recipients Independent Shipper to United Co-operative of Ontario Livestock Dept Toronto Ship Your Livestock with Roy Scotthmer Monday Is Shipping Day From Varna Stockyard CALL DAYFItLO 56.5.2434 By 7:30 a.m. Monday For Prompt Service Ng Charges en Pickup tf - 33, Social Worker — 43, Students — 44 and Teachers. 170. The nine groupings total 916 of the 963 respondents. The sub group total represents 47 respondents who represented service club and community groups. Question nember one dealt with the S.S,C,C, itself and asked if the respondent was aware of its eeistance. Only 33 percent said they were. When asked what they felt the committee had accom- plished to date those who under- stood its objectives considered it an excellent start toward com- munications and co-operation of the social service agencies of Huron. Asked if there was a need in the County for any type of ad- ditional counselling service 81 per cent replied in the affir- mative for family counselling, 76 per cent for marital coun- selling and 81 per cent for budget counselling. More than one respondent in the business world suggested that retired bankers and businessmen might be very good at budget counselling and that they might be willing to do this as a personal service. Recognizing that there may be a need for counselling however 34 per cent felt few would ac- cept any, 15 per cent said that half would, 22 per cent suggested most would and 29 per cent said they didn't know. Respondents were also asked if most of the existing agencies and institutions such as chur- ches, service clubs and industry should be asked to help fund counselling services. Sixty four per cent said yes, 34 per cent said no and two per cent were unsure. In general respondents stressed the need for Day Care for the children of working mothers. Some stressed the need for child development programs, others emphasized only the baby sitting need. The comments made it clear that to many there is no need for Day Care, and in fact, there is considerable emphasis on women staying home with children. "One can probably conclude," the report notes, "that there is still a strong op- position to working mothers generally throughout the County. This was no less noticeable in towns." Asked if the Government should finance Day Care centres 54 per cent said yes 42 per cent said no and four per cent said pytially. Some said the working mothers should pay part or all of the Day care costs. It is also interesting to note that 75 per cent felt children who would have attended Day Care centres would have a head start when they started to school; 24 per cent said no and two per cent did not know. "Do you see a need for a drop in centre in your community?" the survey asked. Fifty five per cent said yes, 43 per cent no and two per cent were undecided. An overwhelming majority of the respondents suggested that if youth programs such as a Drop In were established they should be initiated and supervised by adults. While many suggest that young people can initiate, they generally add that adult help is needed in supervision. A few respondents suggest that young people can both initiate and supervise. A wide variety of agencies, clubs and professional persons were suggested as suitable spon- sors or supervisors. In general there was a lack of support for a program entirely in the control of young people, the survey showed, Sixty one percent said coun- selling should be part of a Drop In centre's program. Twenty eight per cent were against that and 11 per cent were unsure. The survey also asked if the community was visited by enough travelling youth to warrant a youth hostel. Seventy five per cent said no, 18 per cent yes and seven per cent did not know. Another 77 per cent supported a suggestion that students required counselling outside the school, 20 per cent said no and three per cent did not know. In discussing single parents only 45 per cent said there was a need for some sort of program for one parent families, Fifty one per cent said no and four per cent did not know. The needs of senior citizens were broken down into two areas, social and material, and respondents asked what needs were not being met. In the material area 12 per cent said money, 13 per cent housing, 10 per cent transportation, two per- cent for both home care and meals on wheels, and one per cent for proper nutrition, health nursing and help with house work. On the social side 17 per cent said visits, 15 per cent said senior citizens homes, 10 per cent recreation programs, four and one half per cent said com- munity involvement, two per cent said to feel needed, enter- tainment and trips, while one per cent said counselling, con- tact with youth and one half per cent suggested telephone calls. Some general suggestions regarding senior citizens were interesting. , One noted that public school children could be encouraged to adopt a senior citizen as a kind of grandparent, and do small favors for him or her. This, it was suggested, would have a reciprocal value to the child's growth and understanding. A Drop In type centre for senior citizens. Through the Elderly Persons Centres Act, financial assistance' could be procured, Respondents were asked if Huronview was meeting the needs of senior Citizens who live there, Seventy five per cent said it was, only two per cent said no but 28% did not feel they knew enough about it to answer. Most respondents noted that Huronview should "carry on as they're going," the report said. It also noted that many felt it was the finest such home "I've ever run across." When asked if there are new areas in which the Huron County Health Unit could be ef- fectively working 14• per cent suggested health counselling, 12 per cent drug abuse, 11 per cent suggested geriatric program- ming, 10 per cent said dental care, 10 per cent more school nurses, seven per cent home visits, six percent stricter sanitary inspections, five per cent each for pollution control and V.D. clinics, three per cent for family planning, co- operation and public relations and the remaining 11 per cent pointed to miscellaneous mat- ters. There was also an indication of strong support for sup- plements to the Health Unit. Eighty per cent supported Vic- torian Order of Nurses, 82 per cent visiting homemakers and 85 per cent home care. Asked if enough was being done to resolve the drug problem only 21 per cent said yes while 79 per cent said no. Replies regarding what could be further done to resolve the drug problem generally stressed educational efforts and strict law enforcement. Some respon- dents tended to blame society or moral standards for the problem. Some felt it was not the serious problem the news media made it out to be. A few suggested changes in the law to reduce penalties for using drugs while some suggested getting to the source of the problem, though they did not state what they felt the source to be. Explanations for drug taking tended to centre on the break- down of nerental lack of initiative among youth and the , lack of eonnnenity recreation facilities, In the area of low rental housing 46 per cent felt there was a need for government sub- sidieed low rental in the com- munity, 47 per cent said no and seven per cent did not know, Opinion almost split on the need for more recreational ser- vices in the community. Forty eight per cent said yes while 46 per cent said no, leaving 6% un- decided. Among those who expressed a need for more recreational facilities the commonest opinion was that school and church buildings should be used to their fullest capacity, Other com- ments stressed the need for bet- ter physical fitness programs and less emphasis on spectator and or commercial sports, Regarding crime prevention and services to the offender 71 per cent were generally satisfied with the law enforcement in their community. Twenty one per cent were not and eight per cent said they didn't know. Though most respondents in- dicated their satisfaction with law enforcement most comments stressed stiffer penalties for of- fenders, coupled with a need for more training for police officers, Some favored having the O,P,P. rather than a local police force. Many stressed the need for support of police by the courts and fairness in the enfor- cement of law. Some especially emphasized the need for closer support between police and young people. Sixty per cent favored the present system of probation, 20 per cent did not and 20 per cent did not know. Fifty eight percent supported the parole system, 20 per cent said no and 22 per cent did not know. Only 21 per cent of those in- terviewed felt the public was sufficiently well informed of available services to locate help when it is needed. Seventy nine per cent said no. Eighty eight per cent said • public relations work should be done to make people more aware of the ser- vices. The replies to these two questions indicated a serious need to inform the public regar- ding the services that are available through both County and Provincial jurisdiction, the report said. "Respondents suggest various ways, the news media, special news letters, speakers at church and service clubs etc. This task could probably be related to the work of co-ordinating volunteers which appears also to be a recognized need," the report also said. A large positive response to a question suggesting a directory of all services (95 per cent in favor) resulted in the committee preparing the directory men- tioned earlier, In conclusion the respondents were asked which social service needs should have priority. Each respondent listed more than one, but the need stated most frequently was counselling. NOXZEMA HAND LOTION"' Redeem your coupoh at our Stor Your holiday mail will be joining a lot of other mail very soon. This is the busiest season for the people who move the mail. So to be assured that your mail reaches its destination before the holidays, mail before the dates below. Dec. 13 — Out-of-town Dec. 17 — In town BRECK CREME RINSE 15 oz. 1.49 se6\ 6 ken,. TAME CONDITIONER $ 11..09 \` ‘" h\ 8 minds evAl, Make your holiday mil letter perfect. 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