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Times-Advocate, 1978-07-13, Page 9Times-Advo?ate, July 13, 197$ = i ii ,,,l,,,,l,l,l,l,H,,,,H,l,,,',,|ll,,,l,,,wuiiiiiiHiiiiimitniiiHiiiiiniiiiiHiiiiiiHii|iiniiinniini|iiiiII|||||||||||(l|||Hll((|n||1||1|I|n)J)1(|||(J|((|||(|I|1|H^ By JACK RIDDELL MPP Huron-Middlesex The debates on the Estimates of the various Ministries tend to be overshadowed by day to day events in the Legislature. Shortly before the end of the session, the Estimates of the Ministry of Community and Social Services were under discussion, which involved a review of the past spending record of a Ministry which expects to spend this year about 9% of the total govern ment budget. Since 1974, the Liberal Caucus has been urging the Government to rationalize ‘quality and care’ and public funding of the .Province’s social services, and we are particularly concerned about changes in ad ministration policy, es pecially as they relate to attempts to reorganize this Ministry into units which consolidate services to the children and adults of On tario. We are pleased to note that some positive steps are finally being taken to reassess and revamp areas of this Ministry’s respon sibilities. However, information which is now available has raised some grave questions about the Ministry’s com mitment to the prevention of child abuse in Ontario. As our Social Services Critic. Paul Blundy (MPP - Sar nia), pointed out during the Estimates debate, originally the Ministerial briefing material contained no specific figures for the child abuse program, but we were able to from a Officer, $182,900 was spent of the learn subsequently, Ministry Financial that last year only $376,000 designated for this purpose. The Child Abuse Office continues to be seriously under-staffed, yet it has not been exempted from the Ministry’s hiring freeze. Child abuse in Ontario has become a question of in creasing public concern, yet we cannot realistically ex pect the Ministry’s program to be any more effective this year than last, given the lack of emphasis which is apparent in this non utilization of available funds, and the inadequate number of personnel allocated to the prevention program. In 1965, provincial legisla tion imposed on Children’s Aid Societies the respon sibility of preventing suffer ing before it could turn into tragedy. Since that date, these societies have been in creasingly conscious of this special and important responsibility. Yet heavy case-loads have not been matched by provincial grants. For a number of societies, this has meant that some front-line case-workers must take up to 50 cases at one time. As a result, only emergency situations receive attention. Files must be closed on other cases which have passed out of the crisis stage, although the circumstances are still potentially explosive. There has been con siderable publicity about the Ministry’s move towards “de - institutionalization”, yet this has virtually no hope of getting off the ground as long as the Government con tinues to under-fund home GOOD LUCK — These eight lads were recently flown to Gore Bay on Manitoulin Island by their fathers and friends and enjoyed a successful fishing weekend, topping their seniors in the task of landing some pike. Shown with some of their catches are Jim Lewis, Jeff Prance, Paul Scott (who landed the largest at 13 pounds) Doug Scott, Steve Martin, Larry Lewis, Jeff Rowe and Jeff Caldwell. Pilots of the area planes making the trip to the lodge operated by former area residents, Doug and Marilyn Dick, were Don Lewis, Wayne Prance, Don Mantey, Bob Caldwell and Andy Dougall. Other adults on the trip included Leonard Greb, Elmer Rowe, Bob Martin, Jake Marks, John Willert and Wilmer Desjardine. Kippen By MRS. RENA CALDWELL Mr. & Mrs. Fred Ashard and Mr. Richard Ashard, Romford, Essex, England, who have been visiting Mr. & Mrs. Al Hoggarth and family during the past month have returned home. Mrs. Norman Dickert is visiting her sister, Mrs. Ruth Dickert in Harriston. Mr. & Mrs. Harold Jones visited with Mr. & Mrs. Ellison Whiting, Parkhill. Mr. & Mrs. Ray Consitt have returned from a trip to Winnipeg. Mr. Ed McKay attended the wedding of his sister, Etta, to Mr. Edward Sutherland on July 3 in Grand Bend. Mrs. Elgin Thompson is in Stratford General Hospital undergoing knee surgery. options narrowed in the last couple of years by the freeze on nursing home bed availability, by the selectivi ty of admissions to private nursing homes, by a subse quent overloading of chronic care facilities and the relatively high cost of senior citizens’ residences. The fact that fewer healthy seniors are entering institutional care is, on the surface, “encouraging”. But where is the support to help them function in the com munity? Reviewing the Ministry’s performance last year, we can see that the budget was under-spent for Homemakers and Nurses Services — by 24%; for Family Crisis Intervention support services for the elderly, the disabled, the mentally retarded, troubled children and adults The concept of “de institutionalization” is ex cellent. conjuring up notions of individualism, in dependence and new lifestyles which are preferable because they are more “normal”: thus socie ty as a whole can more easi ly recognize and respond to the needs of those who re quire assistance. De institutionalization is also appealing because it is less expensive to the taxpayer to offer treatment and support services in the community. However, the manner in which the Government has promoted the idea of de institutionalization to the —by 81%; for the Volunteer public has been simplistic and naive. Ultimately, the Government’s policy could be harmful — if not actually cruel — to the very people we are trying to assist. Only one-half of the equa tion has been filled — for cing people to leave expen sive institutions — but alter native programs to help them function once they are back in the community have not been developed. For example, the elderly have had their institutional ditures in the social services field. However, the need for wise use of our financial resources does not justify budgetary practices which permit additional expen ditures for administrative purposes which far exceed those for program delivery. Comparing the Ministry’s interim figures for this year’s Estimates, we find that administration has been allocated an increase of 26%. while the Social and Developmental fields and Children’s Services will receive increased budgets of 5%, 10% and 12%. resoec- Complete Gardening Services • Rototilling « Flower beds /A I • Lawn care and regular ffar' - grass maintenance • Landscaping D. BAKKER Gardening Services 235-0192 FRIDAY and / 1 Pre Inventory CLEARANCE 30% OFF ALL STOCK (excluding jeans) the Loft 436 Main Street, Exeter Program for Seniors ~~ by almost 33%. Combined operating and capital grants for Elderly Persons Centres will actual ly receive $30,000 less this year than was estimated in 1977/78. Transportation for the physically handicapped, a vital community support service, has had its budget increased by a paltry $100, compared with last year. We all acknowledge the need to control and rationalize vast expen APPOINTMENTS VICTORIA and GREY TRUST i FABRIC MASTER | 4 CLEANING SYSTEMS P.O. BOX 877 TELEPHONE EXETER, ONT. NOM ISO (519)235-1451 WILL BE CLOSED JULY 1-10 Carpet Cleaning SPECIAL July and August Only Living Room & Hall Living Dining & Hall............................ (Domestic only stairs extra-work to be qualified) CALL NOW! for your appointment 235-1451 MRS. JOYCE BLACK DENNIS SMITH 39°o 4900 W.H. Somerville, President Chief Executive Officer of toria and Grey Trust Company is pleased to announce the ap pointment of Mrs. Joyce Black as Branch Manager of the Exeter of fice. and Vic- W.H. Chief toria and Grey Trust Company is pleased to announce the ap pointment of Dennis Smith as Branch Manager of the Edmon ton branch, (new branch ad dress.) Dennis was formerly Branch AAanager of the Exeter, Ontario office. Somerville, President Executive Officer of and Vic- (Rental Carpet Cleaners - We Deliver & Pickup) SATURDAY, JULY 21 & 22 Exeter's Ma in way stores have joined together to bring you hundreds of dollar stretching specials. Much of the merchandise has been moved out on the sidewalk for your shopping venience. Get super values whole family....see you there. for "id con- the z v i & W: <s I* Ssj. I W >5 4 £ WATCH NEXT WEEK'S TIMES-ADVOCATE FOR A SPECIAL SAVINGS EDITION HUNDREDS Shop cMainwx 1 FRIENOLY\POWNTOWN and HUNDREDS 'V A * ! J?Zo OF ITEMS AT SPECIAL 4W A LOW PRICES