Hello LCDS employees and families and Happy Victoria Day Weekend!
We hope you have enjoyed the blast of summer weather we have experienced this week. It has been a busy week and we do have a number of updates and some general information to share with you today. Our apologies in advance for the amount of information.
MCCSS Update
This week, MCCSS Minister Todd Smith announced the government’s plan to reform developmental services – ‘Journey to Belonging: Choice and Inclusion’. We have provided the MCCSS link to the plain language version here – https://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/documents/en/mcss/developmental/DS_Reform_Plain_Language-en.pdf along with their link to a brief video provided here – https://www.ontario.ca/page/journey-belonging-choice-and-inclusion?_ga=2.135270770.219443293.1621426895-1450449102.1571257619. The plan lays out the ministry’s long-term vision for developmental services in Ontario, where people with developmental disabilities are supported so they can participate in their communities. These will be exciting times for the DS sector and specifically our agency as we will be looking to align our vision and mission with the vision of the sector! We will share any new or updated information as the MCCSS heads into their design and implementation stages as it becomes available.
COVID-19 UPDATES
Reopening Ontario
Yesterday, the Provincial government announced that the colour-coded provincial framework will not be revived as Ontario begins to lift restrictions. The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, has released its Roadmap to Reopen, a three-step plan to safely and cautiously reopen the province and gradually lift public health measures based on the provincewide vaccination rate and improvements in key public health and health care indicators. In response to recent improvements to these indicators, Ontario will allow more outdoor recreational amenities to reopen, with restrictions in place, effective May 22, 2021 at 12:01 a.m. A link to the news release can found here – https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1000161/ontario-releases-three-step-roadmap-to-safely-reopen-the-province .
We are currently waiting on guidance from MCCSS to see if there are any changes to requirements for the Developmental Services sector. We will provide updates as they are made available.
Vaccine Update – Second Vaccine Dose
Thank you to everyone that has consented and received their first vaccine. Lambton Public Health has advised that they will reach out to you by email to book your second vaccine via the email address that was used to book your original appointment. If you or someone you support or care for attended the LCDS vaccine clinic at CSD, that second vaccination will be booked for the clinic on August 9 once again at CSD.
Children 12 years of age and older in Lambton County are now able to book their first vaccine appointment via Lambton Public Health booking site. Please click here to register – https://lambtonpublichealth.vertoengage.com/engage/generic-open-clinic?key=fe90d635-5179-4986-b5c9-896929191d20. As always, please consult with your regulated health professional with any questions around vaccinations.
Ministry of Labour, Training, Skills & Development (MLTSD) Initiative – Group Homes and Community Care Initiative
We were informed this week on an initiative which the Ministry of Labour Training and Skills Development is launching in the sector. Over the next few months, their inspectors will be focusing some of their attention on workplaces in community care and congregate care settings in order to ensure that employers are taking necessary precautions to prevent COVID-19 transmissions. The inspectors will be connecting with agencies operating group homes to check for compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and regulations. We will keep you posted on any new details.
Infectious Disease Emergency Leave (IDEL)
We continue to wait on guidance on how to administer the Infectious Disease Emergency Leave (IDEL) that was enacted by the provincial government retroactive to April 19, 2021. As soon as we have any information, we will share this with you.
AGENCY UPDATES
Family Information Night
The next virtual Family Information Night will be held on Thursday, June 3 from 7-8:30pm on Microsoft Teams. We will forward reminders prior to the meeting. Anyone interested can join the meeting on a computer or mobile app by Click here to join the meeting
LCDS Annual General Meeting (AGM)
The AGM will once again be held virtually this year via BlueJeans on Monday, June 28, 2021 at 7 PM. Please see the attached invite and below for more details. Please RSVP your attendance to Melissa Willard – [email protected]
What: LCDS Annual General Meeting
When: Monday, June 28, 2021 at 7 PM
Where: BlueJeans – Link https://cnsc.bluejeans.com/640894676
RSVP: Melissa Willard – [email protected]
We will be looking to add a new Director to the LCDS Board as Director Helen Ollerenshaw will have completed her third three-year term for a total of nines years served. Thank you Helen for your years of service and support! If interested, please click the link – About Us – LCDS (lcdspetrolia.ca) or reach out to Nick Salaris – [email protected] for more details.
LCDS Membership/Renewals and Giving Back
Become a Member
Each spring, we ask our membership to renew their relationship with us and invite new members to join our organization. There are many reasons that people choose to become members of LCDS, each valid and important in their own rite. For LCDS, there is only one reason that we want members to join our organization, and that is to be partners in striving toward our vision of Inclusive Communities – Innovative Leaders.
As an LCDS stakeholder, we invite you to purchase a membership and join our organization to help us work to meet our mission of empowering people with developmental disabilities. As a member, you will be able to vote at the LCDS Annual General Meeting on June 28, 2021. Only members in good standing are able to serve on LCDS Board of Directors and to vote on items at the AGM. As per agency bylaws, current LCDS employees are not able to serve at voting members but can assist in recruitment of members by sharing amongst their network. Current members that would like to renew their membership must do so prior to the AGM. Please see attached for renewal/application information or click the link – Get Involved – LCDS (lcdspetrolia.ca)
Giving Back Campaign
We are blessed and fortunate to receive the generous support of our employees, families and stakeholders now more than ever. As a donor, you receive updates regarding the organization by email which includes the Focus newsletter and allow us to work towards our mission of empowering people with developmental disabilities. Please see the atttached letter and donor card and/or click the link for more details on how to give back to LCDS – https://lcdspetrolia.ca/get-involved. Should you wish to make a donation, you will receive a tax receipt for the full amount of your donation. Thank you for your consideration in supporting the organization. Please feel free to share among your networks as you see fit.
#ITookABreak21 – Community Living Toronto Celebrating Community Living Month
Every year, as part of Community Living Month, thousands of people are encouraged across the province to “take a break” from their day and post a selfie in support of inclusive communities. This year, everyone will be taking a break to thank the frontline heroes who have continued to support people with a developmental disability throughout the pandemic. Please join thousand of peoples across the province and Community Living Toronto for #ITookABreak21 on Monday, May 31st! Visit their website for more information on how to participate.
We are all hoping for better days soon. Thank you to all those working this Victoria Day weekend to keep everyone safe! Be well.
Sincerely,
EMT
Lambton County Developmental Services
