For Immediate Release

July 15, 2005

MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT BOOSTS SUPPORT FOR
ADULTS WITH A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY IN KINGSTON
$444,364 Increased Investment Will Shorten Wait Lists, Expand Services And Improve Client Care

KINGSTON – The McGuinty government is helping families support loved ones that have a developmental disability by expanding community-based services and substantially cutting waiting lists for more than 2,000 people waiting for support, MPP John Gerretsen announced today on behalf of Minister of Community and Social Services Sandra Pupatello.

“With this investment we are building stronger community services for Kingston residents experiencing a developmental disability, whether they live in the family home or on their own,” Gerretsen said. “This funding will directly impact our community and go a long way to help our local organizations provide the best possible support and services that these individuals need.”

The total funding summary including the increase is as follows:

Ongwanada Hospital                                            $20,516,006
Community Living Kingston                                 $6,398,856
Ministry of Health and Long Term Care               $1,354,518
Christian Horizons                                                $1,109,003
Extend-A-Family Kingston                                   $398,068
Limestone Family Support Group Inc.                 $156,643
K3C Community Counselling Services                 $130,860
Hotel Dieu Hospital                                              $4,681

The investment will help improve client care across the sector and will serve more than 2,000 individuals who are waiting for service through the Special Services at Home program – cutting the waiting list for the program by 85 per cent. The investment announced today brings the government’s annual support for developmental services to $1.25 billion and in Kingston that means $30,068,635 for community agencies.

The government is investing an additional $59 million annually to support:

- Families who are caring for family members with a developmental    disability at home

- Young adults with a developmental disability who are moving from school to a wide range of community participation activities or work

- People who are in a situation that requires immediate care, many of whom previously received services from the child welfare system or have ageing parents

- Community agencies so they can strengthen staffing and make their residences even safer for their clients.
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