Lakeshore Advance, 2013-11-06, Page 8Wednesday, November 6, 2013 • Lakeshore Advance 7
LHIN approves $1 .9 -million wlthdrawal management funding
QMI Agency
SARNIA - Lambton County is one step
closer to seeing a withdrawal management
service in the community after a recent
decision by the Erie St. Clair LHIN.
Bluewater Health presented its business
case to the LHIN in late October, and the
board unanimously approved the $1.9 -mil-
lion in funding for the hospital's operation
of such a program.
The announcement was made Oct. 29.
"Today's announcement is a great exam-
ple of everyone pulling together to do the
right thing on behalf of the community,
said Gary Switzer, CEO of ESC 1.IIIN.
Charitable funding partners
needed for outdoor rink
Lynda Hillman-Rapley
At this week's regular Lambton Shores
meeting, a committee of the Community
Improvements Coalition (CIC) will ask this
munidpality to be named as a charitable part-
ner for the CIC Community Centre and Out-
door Rink Feasibility Project This is required
to secure a grant(s) from the Grand Bend
Community Foundation and other funding
pattnets.
In a letter from Paul Wilson, chair of this
committee says the purpose the purpose of
the Community bnprovements Coalition is to
identify potential projects, activities and
events that would improve the economy, envi-
ronment, health and viability of the Greater
Grand Bend Community.
"By 2026, the number of Canadian seniors
is expected to double. For communities simi-
lar to Grand Bend, multi-purpose, multigen-
erational community centre facilities often
support recreational activities and seniors
programs, festivals, events, cultural tourism
and other multi -use purposes," says Wilson in
his committee's request.
"Many members of the Baby Boomer
demographic are now entering retirement
and are placing a greater demand on pro-
grams and activities aimed at an older popu-
lation. Research suggests that this generation
is shifting away from traditional seniors' activ-
ities and towards more active recreation, seek-
ing quality of wellness and active living
opportunities."
The new senior will typically be wealthier
and more physically active and look for swim-
ming, yoga, Pilates, fitness walking and even
more rigorous activities like floor hockey, vol-
leyball, and pickle ball As new seniors' readi
a point they can no longer partidpate in phys-
ical activities they will seek out other forms of
leisure within the community"
Wilson explains that it is also reported by
leading economic development authorities
that Cultural, Culinary and Creative initiatives
are the 3 C's of a successful tourism based
economy. "Having scalable and flexible facili-
ties in place to support these areas is a pre-
requisite form of infrastructure that is
the foundation for a prosperous economy"
Having said that, Wilson states, "One must
alsonize that the community needs to
provides e p and programs geared for youth
as a means to attract, retain and develop
young entrepreneurs that will become
the backbone of our future. A Community
Centre can be a place that provides the
action, entertainment and programs that keep
youth local once they complete school"
Background Information
During a Community lmprovernents Coa-
lition meeting held in the spring of 2013 it
was acknowledged that while Grand Bend is
the second largest community in Lambton
County, it lacked a suitable Community Cen-
tre to support residents and tourism, and that
an outdoor ice rink facility could be a unique
attraction. In addition, it was identified that
some existing community programs were
constrained from expansion and scheduling
due to a shortage of adequate local facilities.
As a result, the CIC participants made it a pri-
ority to investigate the feasibility of a Commu-
nity Center and outdoor ice facility. A com-
mittee was formed to explore this priority
and report back to the CIC Steering Commit-
tee with a plan. Ultimately, the committee is
undertaldng a feasibility study and making a
formal Request to the Municipality of Lamb -
ton Shores to move forward with Phase 1 of
the DiscStudy. The committee requires
a charitable funding partner This will enable
the committee to apply for grants to under-
take the developmental phases of this
initiative.
"We respectfully request that the Murilci-
pality of Lambton Shores consider and accept
this critical role. Once accepted and is place,
the Committee will make a formal grant
request to the Grand Bend Community Foun-
dation for $10,000 to fund the Phase One of
this study. The committee will be sourcing
additional funding from other availa-
ble sources to continue the development
process should it be deemed feasible and in
the best interest of the community and as resi-
dents. Upon consideration of the above
request, council may elect to establish a Com-
mittee of CouncU for the purposes of under-
taking a Grand Bend Conununity Centre and
Outdoor Ice Rink feasibility study and bring-
ing a detailed recommendation back to coun-
cil, says Wilson in his request that will come
to council this week.
'The Committee has been in c onununlca-
tion with local service groups. We etre pleased
to share that several have indicted early signs
of support and even begun to budget and
assemble funds in the event the feasibility
study shows solid evidence that the commu-
nity can benefit from such a facility"
"A local need was identified and, thanks
to the collaborative efforts of our providers
and the community, a service has been
created to fill the gap."
The funding comes as a $786,000 com-
mitment for the immediate start of phase
one - a community and day withdrawal
management program, anticipated to sup-
port the treatment of 420 people. It's
expected to be running in the spring.
The program will include
• A day program offering walk-in psycho-
educational groups for engagement
about treatment, understanding of harm
reduction and techniques for stabiliza-
tion and navigational support
• Community based withdrawal manage-
ment offering care and support to people
in their own homes or safe environments
who are in moderate to mild withdrawal
and have difficulty accessing residential
services
• Wrap-around services that include pre-
vention, promotion and harm reduction,
including navigational support, coun-
seling, outreach, education, and harm
reduction strategies
The ESC 1111N board also approved
annual operating funding of up to $1.14 -
million for phase two - a full-service,
16 -bed residential treatment facility,
which, once opened, would integrate the
community and day programs. The resi-
dential program is still a couple years out
from opening.
The County of Lambton has also com-
mitted $250,000 toward one-time capital
costs for the project.
Part of the case presented to the LHIN
was a needs assessment for the area. In an
extensive research effort, Bluewater I lealth
found that in this area, 20 per cent of resi-
dents 12 and up were classified as heavy
drinkers in 2011 and 2012; there is a rising
trend of dangerous drug use, including
injection and cutting fentanyl patches; the
rate of Hepatitis C here is almost twice the
provincial average; and the use of acute
inpatient beds and mental health inpa-
tient beds for patients with substance -re-
lated diagnosis has increased in the past
three years.
"What was clear from the analysis was
the Sarnia/Latnhton has an undeniable
need for local withdrawal management
services;' said Rluewater 1lealth in a press
release.
Nome.Prtth ( •lholk INstriti Anol Roan(
Welcome to Kindergarten!
The Huron -Perth Catholic District School Board is ext remcIy proud of a quality learning
opportunity for our youngest learners entering our Catholic schools. Our Junior and Senior
Kindergarten classrooms offer a place where your child can grow and learn in a positive Christ -
centred environment
Faith and Learning....Celebrate the Journey!!
For Senior Kindergarten
Students must be 5 years of age on or before December 31, 2014.
For Junior Kindergarten
Students must be 4 years of age on or before December 31, 2014.
Kindergarten Registration for 2014-2015 will take place
for each school, on the following dates:
All Huron G • .1 r • • : - . . , t - : r : ptember 2014
St. Mary's, Goderich (519-524-9901) - November 1, 2013
Our Lady of Mount Carmel (519-237-3337) - November 4, 2013
Precious Blood, Exeter Program (519-235-1691) - November 5, 2013
Sacred Heart, Wingham (519-357-1090) - November 6, 2013
St. Patrick's, Dublin Program (519-345-2033) - November 7, 2013
St. James, Seaforth (519-527-0321) - November 13, 2013
St. Boniface, Zurich (519-236-4335) - November 14, 2013
St. Joseph's, Clinton (519-482-7035) - November 22, 2013
Vince MacDonald
Director of Education
Call your local school for details of registration.
For further Information visit our web',it e ,rt.
www.huronperthcatholic.ca
519-345-2440 / 1-800-265-8508
Jim McDade
Chair of board