Community Living Ontario

Did You Know?

• When people who have an intellectual disability have sought traditional supports, they often face service systems that categorize, group or label them.  It is easy for one’s individual goals, strengths and needs to get lost in such a system.
• Too often, people who have an intellectual disability experience life as a series of plans and decisions made without their input.
• Individualization is a principle which recognizes that every person has unique capabilities, interests and needs and that the individual should be at the center of all plans that affect them.  
• Costs for individualized funding programs have typically been comparable to traditional supports, while quality of life outcomes are much higher.
• ‘Individualized Planning’ and ‘Individualized Funding’ are examples of the principle of individualization put into practice

Individualized Planning

• Focuses on the desires and strengths of the person
• Creates a lifestyle plan based on the components of a more desirable future
• Develops means to access and use community-based resources
• Produces outcome-based performance measures to monitor progress

Individualized Funding

• Funding for services is individualized (tied to the person)
• Individual either manages the funds together with the people he or she trusts, or
• Someone to manage the funds could also be engaged
• Portability (funds move with the individual throughout the province) is an important function of an individualized funding system.

Our Position

As expressed in our vision, individualization is crucial to ensuring that a person has the support necessary to enjoy the benefits and fulfill the responsibilities of citizenship.

Like any other citizen, a person who has an intellectual disability should be able to enroll the natural supports that are available to them through their friends, family, community and employment.

Individualization should be the starting point and the measure of success for all planning, development and delivery of services and supports that augment a person’s natural supports.

Focusing on or categorizing a person’s deficits runs contrary to the principle of individualization.  A person’s unique capabilities, interests and needs must be the basis for the allocation of funding for supports.

People find advantages in supports that are provided outside of service agencies.  Community Living Ontario supports this.  Independent, individualized planning that occurs outside of a community support organization is an appropriate option for ensuring that people are able to effectively plan their lives.  Funding resources need to be available to people whether planning takes place with the assistance of an organization or through an independent planning process.

What is being done in Ontario?

The Ministry of Community and Social Services’ transformation agenda has stated a commitment to the values of individualization and citizenship.  Crucial investments are needed to make individualized funding and independent planning a reality.

Some degree of individualized funding is already happening in Ontario.  Most of this happens through the Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS) and some people receive direct funding for supports through the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.

The MCSS Special Services at Home program has allowed individuals who have a disability and live at home to purchase supports which go beyond the natural supports that are provided by the community.  This program has been accountable and has provided individuals and families with direct funding, allowing them to purchase services independent of agencies.  Over the time that SSAH has existed, numbers of families funded have increased.  The Ministry has periodically increased funding to eliminate waiting lists.

People who have benefited from Special Services at Home have said that its advantages include:

• Simplicity—in attaining and administering funds;
• Portability—of funding when moving between communities;
• Flexibility—funding is available to adults;
• Accountability—in that the appeals process goes beyond local decision makers

The Ministry of Community and Social Services’ Passport program is an attempt to implement individualized funding over a broad base.  Passport funding is currently delivered through service agencies.  This has been frustrating to many who would like to see the Ministry’s transformation initiative adopt a model including an option of direct individualized funding.  There remain far too many people who need Passport funding and are going without. There have been many concerns with Passport as a pilot project.  Addressing these concerns should be a top priority for the transformation initiative to restore progressive movement on the principles of individualization.  Some concerns about Passport include:

• Funds must run through a transfer payment agency—if funds must run through a transfer payment agency then Passports is not a demonstration of direct individualized funding.
• A concern that funds are designed as community support, but are relied upon as essential daily supports—support needs in one’s daily life at home and in the community are different than support that is intended to assist a person in engaging his or her community.  The former needs will probably require more consistent support than the latter.
• Applications process—there has been a concern about insensitivities to the intimate nature of the planning and applications process.  Building and sustaining a relationship with the person who will facilitate the process is important.  This person should also be well trained in the complexities of interviewing and deep listening.  
• There have been gross inadequacies in funding committed to the program.  This has meant that most applicants receive no funding

Innovative Policy Options

Moving toward Citizenship: A Study of Individualized Funding in Ontario, Individualized Funding Coalition of Ontario
This research paper by the Individualized Funding Coalition of Ontario looks at the expenditures and experiences of individualized funding arrangements in the province between 2001 and 2005.  Among other findings, it shows that individualized funding costs are comparable to the cost of conventional services. Moving Towards Citizenship.pdf

Rationale for Independent Planning and Facilitation in Ontario, Individualized Funding Coalition of Ontario
“Implementing direct funding without infrastructures, one of the most important being independent planning and facilitation support, is akin to creating a car without a motor.” This report outlines the concept of independent planning and facilitation and its importance to individualized funding. Rationale for Independent Planning and Facilitation.pdf

In Western Australia, the Disability Services Commission has developed some innovative service and support options for people who have a disability and their families.  The commission is a direct service provider while also funding supports and services delivered by external sources. Their vision for the betterment of the lives of people who have a disability is imagined as a set of concentric circles with people who have a disability at the center.

Research Links

The Individualized Funding Coalition of Ontario has been a driving force behind individualization in Ontario and the rest of Canada.  Their site is host to a number of research documents, advocacy tools and information on individualization.

The Special Services at Home Coalition has published materials relevant to improving SSAH and individualized funding in Ontario.

Background

For previous policy papers and for a full list of resolutions passed by the membership of Community Living Ontario on supports and services, please visit our Archives.

Contact your MPP/MP

Click here for information to assist you in contacting your local MP or MPP.

Help us make individualization a reality for people in Ontario who have an intellectual disability!

If you have ideas or resources to share with us please contact our policy analyst, thnatuk [at] communitylivingontario [dot] ca (Tyler Hnatuk) at 416-447-4348, Ext. 249.