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SOCIAL SERVICES: United Way’s 3-year, $30-million campaign welcomed in Stouflville Newmatkct's Susan Popper has two chil- dren. a son. a and daughter. 25. with autism and degrees dcveloprmnm delay. Saharan-Menu is a 67-yéar oldSmuflville and father to a w-year-old son with a mild intellectual disability. A Both parents are principal camgivets to They. MaWofodmmhm- mglywurriedgivenmeiragesmdmflamof mspitemdsocidsemcesinmkflegion (buversdyfimeymbuoyedbyduemnt anmmmnemofammd-bteakim three- yearJSO-mfilionUnfiedWayofM Regan WWWWBMfl- ing to focus on «ch umumy‘s trims: needs and pnwide thaw services closer to w-uv‘r-m“. u-v’ _. -...,-.. ., w... anmmtcement of a three- year. SBO-mfilion United Way of M Region fundniu‘rgcampagnlheagencyrsnttempt- ing to focus on each community's bins! needs and pmvide those mines closer to home. United Way’s strategy is an “intriguing plan" and welcome news for people in the community living mm'ement who have seen aging or ailing pans-ms heaving their special needs adult 3children at the doorsteps of set- via: because they can no longer care for them. Mr. Amenta said. With ag’ng baby boomers. the number of families desperately needing help with their intellectually disabled children is grtnving‘at analarmmgratahesaid.“lherearesenom gaps. '11th are terrible stories about parents too old or dying and their kids need 24-hour 3-day care. “I. I- ‘I hate to use tht term gabartdoncd in rrfercnce to local agencies, but many familr'cs are in dire straights.‘ Ms Popper; has firsthand and historic insight into the m surrounding commu- nity living. She is a volunteer co-chairperson “One of the most exasperatlng facing MsPoppet. MLAmentaandothercaredversls a void in comprehensive services once 3 did- lenged druid is 21. Up to that chronological milestone. the province funds respite services and elementary and secondary schools other special education and integation program “Once the children transition out of schoolm tlm's not much support.“ she Day programs exist. but they she llcr‘srm. categorized as high need, receives (‘rommunity and Social Services Ministry funding through the passport to buy supports and Participants are tsually only funded for 36 months ller dengue! is higher hurction and is Iooklrg for part-time work. Ms Popper estimated there are up to 4.000 York residents with some form of develop- - mental disability. Mr. Arnenta advocates for support and awareness While he's grateful his son drives and has a maintenance job at York’s Safetde- lage. others. he are in a crisis situation. Demand for services outstrips supply and peoplearefallingtluoughthecracks Caregivâ€" ersarestuessedandstretchedtothelimit. There's very little emotional. social or moral support for parents and helamented. HewouldllketohaveOn increase funding for respite services. There are about 12 pmvincially funded CofleenanoriscmrtiwdindorofGn bFaWUWigNmrketAmDistrict lies get respite services Community Living Newmarket Aurora District. founded in 1954. is a non-profit agency offering a range of residential. day and respite services for people with intel- lectual and plrysiurl challenges. The agenry also ofiers associate family and employment supports There are 243 adults and children Ms Puprg has firsthand and historic Wt mm the m surrounding commu- ty m She is a votumeer co-chairpermn mdaywpleadaat FamflySuppon Net- fig 3 3 E 3 g g who network. provide mutual Wu and Developmenml Services Ontario '53 pm- advocatefm'chfldmnwithdevelopmemal vhcialagemymalregisterspeoplewitha disahfiities. ~ WmWadetanedassemt Hfiyyeanmchfldrenmdadmwflh andscore system. makcssuppon fairand intellectud cm were institutional- equitable. According‘to lheit May 2013 York matesanNouafierwncened parents! Regionmtisficaznwresidentsamsuppon- andpoliticaIWiEpeoplc-amnobnginwmo People with disabilities live in the com- munityfiomeliveingxmxpimmmendday pmgramsandmlookcdafiubymplurin- Effort focusing on community’s biggest needs IY CHRIS mu! ctrdbrrfiyrqg. mm cial agenciea However. about 12.000 adults in Ontario live at home with their family as caregivers. Ms Pbpper said. Manyuof whom an: in 405 and 505 and still looked after by their sen'mr patents in their 705 and 60$ More than [5.000 Ontariaqu with dmlop mental delays are on a wait list for mmmunity participation funding that can get them out of the house with support. she said. adding the queue spills over into York Region: ' “The'pcople waiting mngevfmn‘l high need to high function." she said. “Nonetheless. have to help them." www.mwoummemmmm Wmemtem There am about 12 pnwinciafiy funded myths and‘ four private organizations in ed in gmup homes. apartmean or with assoâ€" date (Mertype) families Then- are 1:“ 1 people in regional day pm where they mi“: care. participate in activities and learn employment and literacy skills» Some 90 fami- CofleeublmukcncuflwdhrdoronmmunitvainchwmkflAmnDistfia. urider care in its residential and day pro- Executive director Colleen Zakoor. a sea- soned social service administrator. is candid about, the stgter of community living, ‘Oh yes.“ she answered in to whether there axe waiting lists “\M? know them aren't enough programs for people to access Is it all equitable? No: at all. “The Ministry of Community and Sen.in is grossty underfunding Comma. nity living supports by 25 per cent in vela- tion to Ministry funding for mental health andaddiuion.’ , = Thesystemneedstobeoneqwfiooting. shcsaidflhemampamnlsolutiombeyond dollars and cents where families can band together and support each 0013:. She has; wimessedtheconununalspirit ‘ lt’s amazing, Ms Zakoor said. But that‘s also a breaking point. Support and respite services feel fleeting hrfmflmsmwtdmonwgdnnfl. Planning becomes difficult. Families with a challenged child 18 and older should con- Last month the Ministry of Community and Social Services announced a “ZS-mil- lion investment. designed to help families and adults at high risk. reduce wait list pres- sures and better support those with complex sq]! Dg-vclopmcnml Services Ontario. she “Althougt this support is helping many. it is still shon of resolving the mists situation for thousands more. Ms Popper said. “I vol- unteer and stay at home. It's a job. believe me. and it's without pay.“ STA" HD1060“ KOCKKISOQIDT