Times Advocate, 1996-11-13, Page 9('0 A4A4 1 r j\ T jrTY Times -Advocate, November 13, 1996 Page 91
Parents discuss Individualized funding
By, John J. Gray
Executive Director
Community Living -South
Huron
DASHWOOD - A meeting with parents whose
children have a developmental disability took place
at ARC Industries on November 2. The main topic
for discussion was individualized funding. Albin
Anetter and his wife from Pickering were the guest
speakers on the topic. They have been receiving indi-
vidualized funding for their son Danny for the past
three years.
Danny was placed in an institution when he was six
years old. Approximately 10 years ago, he moved
from the institution to a group home. After six years
in the group home, the Anetters decided things were
not working out as they had hoped and decided to
take their son home. They knew they would not be
able to provide ongoing support for their son at home
unless they had support. To this end, they started ne-
gotiations with their local Community Living Associ-
ation�for funding and the Ministry of Community and
Social services office. Their struggles to achieve indi-
vidualized funding took two years. They did have
one advantage and that was their son had funding fol-
low him when he moved from the institution to the
group home. They felt that those funds should now
follow him as he was now living at home. They have
had the funding for approximately three years and
feel this form of funding is very successful for them.
The funding they receive comes from the Ministry
of Community and Social Services to a transfer pay-
ment agency. That agency then transfers the funds to
the family. The Anetters are very clear the funds they
receive are their son's and are used solely for his sup-
port. They have set up a separate account in which all
transactions relating to their son and the funding
flows through. In their case, they act as the employer,
hire their own staff, and direct the activities their son
is involved in during the time he spends with the
staff. The staff are accountable directly to the Anet-
ters and their son.
As they direct the care for their son, they now feel
that everything he is involved with is a learning ex-
perience. He is not involved in any of the services
offered by the local association but participates in
activities in the community as anyone else would.
For a parent to consider and to opt for this ap-
proach to support their son or daughter, Anetter stat-
ed the parents have to be totally committed. In his
opinion, it is a big responsibility but the rewards are
well worth,it. The Anetters also felt that boards of
directors for local associations need to understand
this approach to supporting people from the parents
perspective. This is something new for associations
to deal with.
"The associations need to go all out to support par-
ents but parents must take responsibility."
Although the Anetters efforts to achieve individu-
alized funding did not come without it's frustrations,
they feel it has been well worth it from the growth
they see in their son. They now feel Danny has a
sense of belonging and what home is all about. They
feel he has security and they can see his confidence
growing. He knows people and people know him in
his community. His skills are increasing which is
helping him to participate in activities that before he
was unable to do.
For the Anetters and Danny, this approach has
been successful. The concept of individualized fund-
ing is being discussed more and more in this prov-
ince as an alternative to the traditional way supports
have been delivered to people with developmental
disabilities. At the present time there are a number
of theories on how to implement individualized
funding.
Attempting to
form new
organization
CLINTON - A group of parents
of physically and/or mentally chal-
lenged individuals in the Goderich/
Clinton area is attempting to orga-
nize.
The aim of the group, among oth-
er things, is to determine what will
happen to their sons and daughters
when the parents are no longer able
to care for them.
It is also the intention of the
group to keep abreast of what the
Provincial government has planned
for disabled people in the future
and to ,loiii forces with.. similar
. Ou"i - a 7; , `',1", " 7.X1 ;j(iZG'Sy
groups int 1troh 6ltnty', and else {,; -,r
where, in an attempt to make
known to the elected officials the
parents' concerns of what the fu-
ture holds for their developmentally
challenged children. With this in
mind, the group intends to speak
with their Members of Parliament
and other ministry officials from
time to time.
The formation of this Parents'
Group in no way is intended to un-
dermine or appear to be unappre-
ciative of the wonderful work pres-
ently being done in our county by
the three Community Living Asso-
ciations. The programs that have
been initiated by the Community
Living Associations, as well as the
local schools, business pebple and
all members of the community, are
very much appreciated by all par-
ents of handicapped children and
adults. The care and concern pro-
vided by the cargiving is above and
beyond the call -of -duty.
With the closing of Regional
Centres throughout Ontario, one of
the main concerns of parents of de-
velopmentally challenged sons and
daughters, however, is that there
are not enough group homes or
funds available to care for their
children.
This is especially critical for par-
ents who now have their children
living at home. Most people, in this
enlightened age, will surely agree
that every developmentally chal-
lenged person should have the op-
portunity to developmentally chal-
lenged person should have the
opportunity to live in his or her
own residence if he or she is capa-
ble of doing so.
On the other hand, every parent
of a developmentally challenged
child should, at some point in life,
be able to rest assured -thea. if that
parents should die, his or het child
would be taken care of ,yvith kind-
ness and dignity asAtR;,important
membq of society. Pestisps, only
the parents of a de entaily
challenged child can app late, in
its entirety, the worry the future
holds for the parent and his or her
child.
All parents of physically and/or
mentally challenged children, of all
ages, please telephone 236-4208 or
233-9297, or write to 128 Widder
Street, Goderich, Ontario N7A
3V3. Any suggestions you may
have would be greatly appreciated.
At the very least, the emotional
support of parents getting a chance
to discuss their concerns with each
other will be beneficial in itself.
Bazaar successful at Exeter Villa
EXETER - The Holly Festival Ba-
zaar held November 2 at the Exeter
Villa was a great success. The par-
ticipation of residents families was
particularly appreciated. Thanks also
to the volunteers. Over $ 1000 raised
will be used for resident activities.
The Huron Country Players enter-
tained last month with a musical
"Walk Down Memory Lane". Their
presentation was enthusiastically re-
ceived by all in attendance. Thanks
to Big V for sponsoring this event.
Also, thanks to Big V for donating
the nail care products used regularly
for the resident nail program.
Charterways was the benefactor
once again as their bus driven by
Harvey Smith toured residents and
several volunteers through the coun-
tryside to Goderich to view the fall
colors.
As usual each month a great lot of
musicians entertained. Thanks to
Eugene Hartman, Doug Lewis, the
Christian Reformed Church, Murray
Christie and Mary Dow, Marlene
Mathers and Eric Kints, Satchel's
Orchestra, Marjorie Johns, and Ma-
rie Flynn. We are lucky to have so
many talented people in our commu-
nity.
Halloween was a fun day when
many spooky characters replaced the
regular staff.
The Classic Toppers were visitors
to the Villa as were Anne Mousseau
and Helen McLean doing their
clown presentation. Thanks to these
"people for bringing laughter and
sunshine to the Villa.
The residents and their families
will be enjoying their annual Christ-
mas dinner at the Exeter Villa on
Sunday, December 1.
Capsule Comments
with Ernie Miatello
Women in Japan consume less dairy prod-
ucts and have lower bone density than
women in North America. They also have
a lower rate of hip fractures. The reason
is a genetic difference in the length of the
neck of the thigh bone where it connects
to the hip. The shorter length results in
fewer fractures.
A Tennessee doctor did an analysis of 23 research studies that
looked at the effects of sugar on children. The results? Sugar
doesn't make kids hyperactive. These studies were all "triple -
blind... neither the kids, parents or researchers knew who was
getting the sugar. Many parents, however, see things different•
y.
The people of France use more tanqullizers and antidepress-
ants than those of any other nation in the world.
During the past few years, many drugs have been reclassified
from prescription to non-prescription status. The decision to do
so has been carefully made, however, there is some concern
that they may be used indiscriminately and could mask more se-
rious disease. The pain -reliever Ibuprofen and the heartburn
remedy, Famotidine, come to mind.
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Wire
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