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Home My WebLink AboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1983-08-17, Page 57:. Iq • Sociat Dear Editor, I am writing with regard to the decision by the, Minister of Community and Social Services to clime(oVer the next fur' years, :six small training and developmental facilities for the retarded in Ontario. `these are located in Cobourg, Whitby, Goderich, Aurora, St. Thomas and Brockville. Together they accommodate some 800 residents. As these facilities are closed, the residents will be placed either in one of several different types of community living situations or transferred to the remaining government facilities, As the former Chief Social Worker of D'Arcy Place Developmental Centre in Cobourg from 1972 to December 1981, I read about this decision with real sadness. There is one major criterion that ought to have taken precedence over all others. That is, what is best 0'e rker says keep f : cilitie E for the residents of these six facilities. It is my opinion that the long-term objective of the government ought to be that every single retarded person in all the facilities can live in a community setting and atmosphere, under the right conditions. Some of these conditions are: + desire of the individual to live in the community; + approval of parents - guardians in the case of children and adults unable to speak for themselves; + competent training, prior to placement in the community; + adequate resident -staff ratio depending on the functioning level and needs of the persons to be served; + trained, dedicated, Says board's argument is one-sided Dear Editor, I read with interest your report on the Board of Education submission to the recent OMB hearing. I read that the Board claimed that if a group of parents started a new school, then every ratepayer in Huron County would end up supporting this school. This claim was sup- ported by the argument that less pupils means less grant money, and since the Board cannot reduce costs its only option is to raise the mill rate. In that round -about sense, the Board argues that, in effect, every ratepayer would be suppor- ting such a new school. However, in a much more direct sense, it can be claim- ed that the supporters of in- dependent schools are sup- porting the public schools. We may send our children to independent schools, but our tax money goes to the public school. As a ratepayer, I pay my share of property taxes to the Board of Education, while I send my children to the Christian School in Clin- ton. In my view, therefore, it is the supporters of indepen- dent schools who support the public school system. For the Board to claim that all rate payers would end up supporting an independent school is quite a one-sided argument. The Board pro- bably knows that there is this other side to the story. Sincerely, Harry Vriend Crafter thanks committee for organized show Dear Editor, All too often, we take a successful event for granted, and don't look behind the scenes to credit those who "made things happen". On behalf of Jules, my hus- band, and I, and I'm sure I speak for all the crafters who participated in your Art and Craft show, a hearty vote of thanks is given to Lu Lecg. her husband, and her committee, for organizing a smooth flowing show on July 21 and 22. The atmosphere in Goderich was one of experienced direct care and support staff and , professional staff; T I suitable ac- commodation and tran- sportation; + availability of developmental training and work opportunities; + career possibilities that will promote stability in staff and low turn -over; + good supervision of all programmes and placements. These conditions and others are ' met almost completely by the facilities being closed, if they parallel the standard of service provided at Cobourgi I believe this to be the case. They are only beginning to be met by the community organizations providing service for the retarded with which I am familiar, good though some of these are. Community organizations prefer high -functioning, well-behaved residents. If they are not in this category, most are generally not ac- cepted. If they develop severe behaviour problems after placement, they are usually returned to the facility. This is un- derstandable when you consider the frequently hostile action that sometimes occurs., for example; in establishing a group home in a community. To have the community placement programme discredited by a too -rapid expansion, before the necessary support services are in place, would be a great dis-service to all the province's retarded children and adults, and to their families. The result of closing these facilities will be that the majority of residents in them, and the unknown persons who would have been residents in the future, will be placed in the larger remaining facilities. The inevitable result will be the over -crowding that existed in earlier years. There simply are not places in the community for the lower functioning, the disabled or those with severe behaviour problems. There is not enough room for local organizations to provide these places and provide mature, competent staffing at a level already provided by these six facilities. The provincial govern- ment has worked wonders in the past- ten years by im- proving conditions in all the facilities and by reducing the numbers of residents in them. The reduction in the number of residents was made possible by the government's supporting and encouraging the ex- tension of community ser- vices by local associations for the retarded and other pen voluntary agencies. It is tragic to see this action now being partially reversed. One suggested solution that will build on the progressive policies of recent years is to create a network of small resource centres, with specialized services, covering the entire province, each with a resident population of of thirty to fifty persons. Simultaneously, all the present facilities would continue to be reduced in numbers until they also had a population of thirty to fifity residents. Five or six such resource centres would form a unit covering the selected area adequately. Each unit would have an ad- ministrator, senior super- visory direct care and professional staff located in the resource centre at the geographic centre of the unit. Local organizations establishing community services would be en- couraged to use as con- sultants, or direct assistance, the staff and equipment of the central resources centre and other centres in the unit. Readily available, experienced, direct care and professional staff would assist in the establishment of community services, if requested. Their expertise would support the extension of community placement opportunities for persons at all levels of functioning and physical ability. wd GODERICHSIGNAL•STAR, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17,198334'AGE 5 o• For example, a group home operated in a ernall town by a local asseeeiation has three residents ready for an approved (foster) home placement. It could not af- ford a trained social worker. The necessary professional services such as the home study, the pre -placement, final placement and supervision could be provided by a social worker of the nearest resource centre. The opportunities of co-operation are limitless and could only benefit the persons both government and voluntary agencies are trying to assist. The above two paragraphs suggest a better way. There are no doubt better ways still. The closing of these six facilities will be a tragic and irreversible step. It is im- possible to understand why and how it was approved. Could there not have been adequate prior consultation? If there are sufficient concerned citizens, this policy can be changed or modified. This article can be sent to the local nespapers. Better still, a constant stream of letters can be sent to the news media, MPPs and the Minister of Com- munity and Social Services. The request can be that the present decision to close the six facilities be reviewed, and that in doing so, there are extensive province -wide consultations at all levels, before new plans are made. Douglas Green, Vancouver or LASSALINE FARM MARKEY & ORCHAR FOR YOUR 'ENJOYMENT.... FARM FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLES NOW IN SEASON.. PEACHES EARLY APPLES SWEET CORN We also have Honey and Pine River Cheese. Canning Peaches Available Soon! Phone for more information:---. 524-7772 LASSALIi'1E FARMO�ARKET ORCFIARO 5 IMOD LASSALINE FARM MARK r, t• \ 0 jai �'�li•St u'1 AND ORCHARDS HURON -PERTH CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOARD STUDENT REGISTRATION s KINDERGARTEN - GRADE 8 Parents of Catholic school age children who are new to the area may register their chlldren at one of the following school(s) on Friday, September 2nd, 1963 - 9 AM -3 PM. hospitality, created in great part, by the city council who provided the opening party, and by the people who live in the area, who were most sup- portive of the crafters at the show. The tourists are, of course, "the icing on the cake", for the vendors and the downtown merchants of your beautiful "little city". Having just completed our second show, with Lu at the helm, we look forward to sharing many more with her, and with Goderich in the future. Bea Spiegel, Hespeler-Cambridge. EliPolaroid Camera Specials St. Mary's School St. Joseph's School Mr. Jim McDade, Mr. David Sharpe, Principal Principal 70 Bennett Street E. R.R. No. 3 Goderich, Ontario Goderich, Ontario '17A 1A4 N7A 3X9 524-9901 529-7646 Kindergarten children need to be 5 years of age on or before December 31st, 1063. Please bring proof of age (Birth Certificate and Baptismal Certificate). In accordance with new legislation, proof of immunization is also required before children may attend school. School will begin on Tuesday, September 6th, 1983, and the first day of attendance for kindergarten pupils will be Wednesday, September 7th, 1983. Ronald M. Murray, Chairman of the Board The Oneida MadetoOrder Open Stock Sale Save 33/3% on all open stock pieces in 26 of Oneida's finest silverplate and stainless tableware pattems. Place your order with us between August 1 and August 31, then Oneida will produce your tableware and deliver it to this store in October. 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