Services delivered: DS temporary supports

Component: Adults' DS Community Support Services

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

Service objectives

To provide temporary, time-limited support to adults with a developmental disability in urgent need where natural, social or community supports are not available.

Service description

People served

• Services and supports are provided to, or for the benefit of, 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
• When an individual contacting an application entity: Developmental Service Ontario (DSO) is in urgent need of service, the application entity (DSO) shall initiate the local process for resolving service issues for persons with developmental disabilities (such as urgent response) that may refer the individual to appropriate available, interim support
• Where an individual has not previously completed the confirmation of eligibility process for ministry-funded adult developmental services and supports, the application entity (DSO) shall follow-up with the individual to complete the eligibility confirmation process in accordance with the Act

Specific service provided

• Developmental service temporary supports are short term, time-limited supports and services provided to address risk factors where natural, social or community supports are not available to meet the individual support needs
• Supports are tailored to meet the individual circumstance to mitigate risk
• Supports are short term and temporary in nature, designed to support the individual, wherever possible, in their usual environment, to address risk factors due to unexpected circumstances

Services excluded

• Temporary use of ministry-funded vacant residential spaces
• Planned, ongoing services and supports to adults with a developmental disability (e.g. developmental service community participation services and supports or developmental service caregiver respite services and supports)

Delivery method

• One agency per MCCSS region will be responsible for brokering funds to support eligible individuals
• Agencies will typically be the service provider for developmental service temporary supports, although, in exceptional circumstances, services may be delivered by non-agency providers and/or brokered as direct funding
• There must be agreement between the individual being served and the brokering agency to proceed with a non-agency service provision mechanism
• Services may be provided in person, or by other means (e.g., phone, email, mail, and videoconference where possible or permissible)
• Staff providing services are typically required to have certification in the human services field or related training or experience
• Services provided are aligned with the ministry's safety and security guidelines and expectations

Temporary services will be

• Designed to address the needs of the individual and their family
• Respectful of the social, linguistic and cultural diversity of 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
• Based on the individual's assessed needs (where available), preferences and available individual, agency, community and contracted ministry resources
• Obtained through the Developmental Services Ontario office, which identifies individuals' support needs and priority access to service through a process that is objective, equitable and transparent

Program goals

Temporary supports are intended to mitigate long-term reliance on more costly services such as supportive living setting and sustain the individual/family's current support system.

Ministry expectations

• Service agencies will comply with all relevant legislation, regulations, policy directives, program guidelines, funding agreement(s), accountability and reporting requirements; service agencies must continue to report to the DSOs and the Ministry regarding the status and/or any changes in circumstances or service terminations relevant to all placements of adults with developmental disabilities served by the service agencies matched and linked by the regional DSO

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.