BackOntario Ombudsman André Marin announced an investigation into the province’s services for adults with developmental disabilities who are in crisis situations, after several desperate families complained their loved ones risked being sent to homeless shelters or jail because there was nowhere to care for them.
Complaints to the Ombudsman’s office about the Ministry of Community and Social Services’ response to such situations have steadily increased in the past two years, Mr. Marin noted – from 35 in 2010, to 45 in 2011, to 64 so far in 2012.
In many cases, parents of children with severe special needs complained that services for them essentially vanished when they turned 18. Many complained of a lack of planning and funding, lengthy delays and poor co-ordination of care through agencies contracted by the Ministry. Some families complained of being refused support services because of their loved ones’ high needs and challenging behaviours.
Source: Office of the Ombudsman of Ontario
The complete press release is available here.
