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* Region sýet to hold strong for more mental health funding The Canadian Champion, Fniday, Seplemnber 7, 2001--S in plenty of time before the event. Date/mne column is for non-pro fit organizations only. By RICHARD VIVIAN The Champion Provincial refusais to increase funding for ihe North Halton Mental Health Clinic have regional counicillors set 10 play bardball. "ll's reaIly a shame tbat the Province bas n01 seen the merits of what we're proposing. We are reai- ly in over-burden tryîng 10 look after people that are in exîreme need of care. Tbis isn't a minor issue," said Regional Chair Joyce Savoline, wbo's attempting to, scbedule a meeting with Minister of Health and Long Term Care Tony Clemeni tu air council's con- cems. "We're like a dog with a bone on Ibis one. (We're not lening go.)" 'Me minisnry-approved budget of $523,8 14 for the coming yeae will force the clinie Io mun a $60,000 deficit in order 10 provide basic services. Services include commu- nity-based psychiatric assesament, trealment and follow-up for adulîs and seniors in nortb Halion, includ- ing Milton. According 10 a Regional staff report, the approved budget is $54,538 less than 1992-93 levels. Tbough the clinic is 100 per cent Provincially-funded, services are provided througb Halton Region. "The ministry bas taken noie of tbe financial pressures your agcncy is cxperiencing iii maintaining existiog services aind supports. Additional funding is not available at ibis lime:' reads a citter 10 Halion's Medical Officer of Healtb Dr. Bob Nosal from Peter Muons. minisîry of healtb mental bealtb consultant, central west region. Dr. Nosal told counoillors ai Tuesday's bealth and social servic- es committee meeting that he was surprised by Ibis letter because pre- vious verbal discussions with min- istry officiaIs had led him 10 believe additional funding would be made available. "I'm nol saying promises tbat action was going 10 occur (were made), but really leading me 10 believe they would deal with it," he said. 1I agree you want 10, hold their (Province) feet 10 the fire. On the other hand, for the last tbree years, with intense pressure they have not moved." As of mid-August, 57 patients were on the waiting list for servie- es -waiiing hetween l1t and 12 weeks. S ince the Prov ince i s tbe one say - ing no more funding cao be tound. Oakville Councîttor Keitb Bird recommended giving the Province the responsibility of deciding wbaî services to cul from wbere. That could give them a better under- standing of the issue, be said. "What do we do, lay people off? Reduce servi(es'? Sbould we send people wbo need services 10 Toronto, Queen's. Park'?" ques- tioned Mr. Bird. "They'll bave 10 tell us who gels services and who doesn'î, where we draw the line. We've only got s0 much mnoney 10 play with." A clearer picture of the state of mental healtb services will be painted next month wben a report comes forward ouîlining the need for services, said Adelina Urbanski, commissioner of social and community services. "You're going to have an oppor- tunity 10, see what the lack of fond- ing for these types of programs does for service delivery across the board. Il's 001 just a public health concem," she said. ,,New vehicle for St. John's The Oakville Mîlton St. John's ment in the next few months. Ambulance Bnigade is the first to receive a The brigade had requested the donation vehicle donation from Halton Region. earlier Ibis summer, but the donation was Councillors agreed Tuesday at the health postponed while Regional staff sought 10 and social services committee meeting to determine if the Burlington or Halion HuIs gîve the community group a 1995 Dodge brigades needed it more. Their investiga- ambulance thal's scbieduled for replace- tion determined neither communîîy did. EARLY YEARS CHALLENGE FUND NOW AVAILABLE The Harris government's Early Years Challenge Fund is nwaccepting applications for funding for community, Francophone and Aboriginal projects that expand and enhance early years programs for parents and young children. This is an exciting opportunity for our community ro be' creative and design innovative programs and activities that wiîi serve the needs of local children and families. Through the Early Years Challenge Fund, the Harris government will match contributions from the community, including those from local businesses and charitable and voluntary organizations, to help ail of our parents give their children the best start in life. For information on application and program guidelines, please contact your local Early Years Community Co-ordinator at (905) 825-6060, ext. 7487. Or visit the Ministry Responsible for Children's web site at www.childsec.gov.on.ca or call the Early Years Challenge Fund Branch, Ministry of Community and Social Ser-vices by telephone at (416) 326-2800 (collect cails accepted) . Un US NOLél S cnv* 0AS lu- ON 55 sîEIR pO 0tt îvto 0sw oe TOTAL-SHOPPING B onIes No L Deiero iSPe i For Pesn-Wt iAB-IIS"- Thursday, Sept. 1 .~ at thie Mississauga Convention Centre 75 Derry Road West (ai Highway #10O) ,ç 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Cail The jobsMARKET hotine at: 1-800-668-1179 ext.3297 TTY: 905-457-3929 www.jobsmarket .org - _àý