2024–2025 Services delivered: DS host family settings

Component: DSSL - Adults' Community Accommodation

Legislation: Services and Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, 2008 (SIPDDA)

Service objectives

• To provide accommodation, care and supervision to adults with a developmental disability in host family settings
• To support the development of a personal Individual Support Plan (ISP) based on the principles of self-determination, social inclusion, citizenship and choice and to provide services that are reflective of this plan

Service description

People served

• Services and supports are for persons who reside in Ontario, are at least 18 years of age and have a developmental disability as defined by the Services and Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, 2008
• Individuals served are placed by a Transfer Payment Recipient in a family residence to reside and receive care, support and supervision from the host family, in exchange for remuneration provided to the host family by the Transfer Payment Recipient
• Individuals served are not members of the host family as defined in the policy directives/operational guidelines for the host family program

Individual support plan (ISP)

Each individual will have an Individual Support Plan (ISP) that is based on the assessed strengths, needs and preferences of the individual. The plan will identify the specific services/supports received by the individual, the expected outcomes and should be based on the principles of self-determination, social inclusion, citizenship, choice and other requirements outlined in Section 5 of Regulation 299/10.

Specific service provided

• Contracting with host families to provide accommodation and supports for activities of daily living and caregiver respite where applicable
• Host family training and case management
• Screening and recruitment of families
• Inspection and compliance with requirements for host living
• Home visits, including unannounced visits
• Supports to develop, review and implement an Individual Support Plan (ISP)
• Supports for maintaining personal relationships and family connections, as desired by the individual
• Promoting the health and safety of the individuals residing with host family

Delivery method

• Services are provided in person
• Recruiting of host families can be done by phone, local advertisements, conducting interviews and home visits
• Transfer payment recipient staff is typically required to have certification in the human services field including developmental services or related training or experience
• Services provided are aligned with the ministry's safety and security guidelines and expectations as per quality assurance measures

Services will be

• Designed to address the needs of the individual and their family (where applicable)
• Respectful of the social, linguistic and cultural diversity of individuals, families and communities
• Staffed by individuals with the appropriate training and range of skills necessary to respond effectively to the needs of individuals and their families (where applicable)
• Based on the individual's assessed strengths, needs, preferences and available individual, agency, community and contracted ministry resources
• Obtained through the application for adult developmental services and supports process, which identifies individuals' support needs and priority access to service through a process that is objective, equitable and transparent

Program goals

To provide community based supportive living accommodation services and supports to adults with a developmental disability that promotes social inclusion, individual choice, independence and rights.

Ministry expectations

• Service agencies will inform the appropriate Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) office of resources and/or vacancy declaration as it becomes available
• Service agencies will comply with all relevant legislation, regulations, policy directives, program guidelines, funding agreement(s), accountability and reporting requirements
• The service agency is responsible for utilizing the information technology specified by the Ministry for the collection and maintenance of information, maintaining the security, integrity, consistency and validity of the information collected and maintained and ensuring that data is accurate and kept up-to-date

Reporting requirements

The following service data will be reported on an Interim and Final stage. Please refer to your final agreement for report back due dates and targets.