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Midwestern

Local developmental services organization calls for immediate funding increase

Community Living North Perth is joining a rising number of other organizations in the developmental sector calling for immediate funding increases.

Jennifer Croft, the Executive Director Community Living North Perth, says the organizations across Ontario that support those that need developmental services have not received funding increases from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services for 30 years.

"So you can find efficiencies for only so long and now we've hit a crisis point where we and other organizations in the sector are starting to use fundraising dollars just for basic support while we figure out a better strategy on how to keep the lights on," Croft shared.

So, Croft says they are calling on the Ministry to immediately inject some cash into the sector for organizations like CLNP.

"So we're asking the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, which is the ministry that funds us, for an immediate injection of 5 percent funding just to get us through this year. Again, you can only dig into your fundraising dollars for so long before that becomes unsustainable and we're gonna end up having to cut supports to those folks who rely on those supports to remain in their community," Croft explained.

Croft says they would then like to have meaningful dialogue with the Ministry to find better funding solutions to help keep critical services intact. She adds they have made contact with Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae, who will visit with them later this month.

With funding at a crisis level, Croft says she's concerned for a number of people who rely on their services.

"I think the folks that are mostly going to be impacted are those who live in apartments on their own or in their own housing and they rely on supports from Community Living to help them with things like grocery shopping, budgeting, household maintenance, meal prep. Some of them actually work some jobs and they need some support to keep that employment stable and help them work with their employer," added Croft.

Additionally, Croft is concerned for those who rely on their services to stay involved in their communities and community events, as well as parents who receive help with kids that need developmental services in order to maintain their employment.

Community Living provides over 1,000 hours of support per week to help those who need it. Croft says if current service levels are lost, it will have immediate negative effects.

“The effects of these cuts will be devastating for many of the people with developmental disabilities that rely on Community Living to be part of their community,” Croft said. “Throughout the pandemic, we saw the negative impact on the mental health and wellness of the people that we support when they could not be part of their community, and could not participate in their work and recreational interests. Just as we are starting to see people being more included in their community, we are going to have to cut off the help that they need to be safe and supported in these activities. We also have families who are going to have to cut back their own work hours, in order to ensure their loved-ones have the care that they need.”

Community Living North Perth is asking the community to share their social media posts with the hashtag #5tosurvive and to tag MPP Rae.

“It is important that our politicians know that our community believes in sustainable support for people with developmental disabilities, who are one of us,” Croft concluded.

If you would like to help Community Living with a donation, visit their website at www.clnorthperth.ca.

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