Community Living North Perth (CLNP) says it's adapting its services to deal with "financial realties."
A media release from CLNP says with growing needs and costs continuing to rise, the organization is changing how supports are delivered to ensure it remains strong for many years.
These changes reflect the provincial government's Journey to Belonging direction, which "focuses on choice, independence, and inclusion, and the financial realities facing developmental service providers across Ontario," according to the media release.
"We are seeing increasing complexity in support needs, alongside rising costs for staffing, housing, and program delivery," said Jennifer Croft, Executive Director of CLNP. "While recent provincial investments in developmental services are welcomed and appreciated, they do not fully address decades of funding pressures or keep pace with today’s realities. We know changes are difficult, and we understand that some families may have concerns. Our responsibility is to ensure that essential supports remain in place for everyone while being clear about what is Ministry funded and what is not."
Part of the changes will see CLNP prioritize essential supports, including health, safety, and daily living needs for those they serve. However, certain services that used to be partly covered by CLNP, such as recreation, transportation, or supports beyond assessed needs, which historically have been optional for nominal fees, can no longer be subsidized by CLNP.
"This is not about introducing new fees. It is about being transparent about the real costs of providing quality supports and ensuring fairness across all individuals," Croft pointed out. "At the same time, we are expanding options so people can choose how they want to use their funding—whether that’s group supports, individual supports, or community-based opportunities."
Also, the changes also "reflect a broader shift toward supporting people to build skills, confidence, and independence, so they can participate more fully in their communities," according to CLNP.
This includes the ongoing push for more local housing support, as CLNP continues forward with its Bring Us Home campaign to develop inclusive, long-term housing solutions.
"Housing is one of the most urgent challenges facing the people we support," added Croft. "Our Bring Us Home initiative is about creating stable, inclusive housing options that foster belonging. Ensuring our services are sustainable strengthens our ability to continue this important work."
Community Living supports people with developmental disabilities and their families, helping them lead meaningful and fulfilling lives. Croft adds that that won't be changing despite the financial difficulties facing their organization and many others like CLNP across the province.
"We are listening to families and individuals, and we are committed to working through this together," Croft emphasized. "Our goal is to be transparent, fair, and focused on what matters most—supporting people to live meaningful lives in their community."
