Calendar Year 2008

December 2008
PROVINCIAL SYMPOSIUM MARCH 9, 10 AND 11 2009
Check out the website for symposium updates. The preliminary symposium flyer and Invitations for Proposals are being distributed. The invitation appears as page 2 of this update. The flyer is available as a separate pdf document.

VIDEO-CONFERENCING SITE VISIT SET FOR DECEMBER 8
OPADD’S approval as a member with the Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN) for videoconferencing is proceeding with a site visit scheduled for December 8 2008. The visit will allow for confirmation of equipment installation details. Installation is currently expected by mid December. Training in the new system will follow. We expect to
announce plans for videoconferencing of provincial meetings early in January.

SHRTN – OPADD – AGING AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SHOWCASE PROJECT
The Showcase Project is expected to unfold over the coming weeks:
Part 1 – Mid January – identify cross sector projects, engage participants and have them present and lead discussion via Adobe Acrobat Connect.
Part 2 – February – Onsite partnership building and coaching / short-term mentoring (complemented with online processes such as twitter, blogs, forums) supported with a knowledge translation tool that provides a process to build knowledge among existing players and those new to partnering.
Part 3 – February/March – Follow-up Knowledge Exchange session with coaching.
Part 4 – March 9, 10, 11 – OPADD Symposium.

OPADD EVALUATION
A proposal to fund the OPADD evaluation has been developed and will be submitted to the three Ministries in the near future. Additional resources will support a well-designed and implemented analysis of the OPADD project. Consultations have been held with SHRTN to determine the efficacy of adapting our design to the evaluation model
used by SHRTN

REGIONAL WORKSHOPS
Ottawa/Champlain – no date set.
South Central – spring 2009

OPADD MEETING SCHEDULE
Regional Co-Chair Teleconferences – 11 AM – 12 NOON

  • Thursday January 15 2009.
  • Thursday March 5 2009.

OPADD Provincial Table – 11:45 AM Reena Training Room Lower Level:

  • Friday January 30 2009 – Blueprint Report will be presented.

November 2008
PROVINCIAL SYMPOSIUM
HOLD THESE DATES! The OPADD Symposium will be held Tuesday March 10 and Wednesday March 11 2009 at the Sheraton Parkway Hotel. Invitations for Proposals are being distributed. Please see the invitation, page 2 of this month’s update.

OPADD IN PHASE 2 OF VIDEO-CONFERENCING APPROVAL
OPADD has received approval from the Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN) for a videoconferencing site. This will open the door to regular participation by those who are a distance from Toronto. OPADD members will be able to join meetings by accessing a videoconferencing site in their local community. We are now entering phase 2 of the
application process, which includes a site visit to determine how the system can be installed. The videoconference site will be at Reena, which hosts the provincial table meetings. The system will also allow OPADD to engage in a range of planning and training activities via video broadcasting.

SHRTN – OPADD – AGING AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SHOWCASE PROJECT
OPADD is participating in the SHRTN Aging and Developmental Disabilities Showcase Project with other Communities of Practice. We will be supporting development of a showcase of cross sector projects, many of which are documented on the OPADD website. Players involved in each of the projects will be contacted to see if they would
develop a presentation about their initiative. These presentations will form a showcase to be shared at the OPADD Symposium.

OPADD EVALUATION
An Evaluation Task Group will be assembled as interested people volunteer to participate. If you are interested please let Ron know at ronc@opadd.on.ca

TRANSITION PLANNING BLUEPRINT
Analysis has been completed. The Task Group has had an opportunity to review and comment on the findings. A draft report is being prepared for later in November. Final report will be ready in December. Watch for highlights in the OPADD Letter to be published this fall.

REGIONAL WORKSHOPS
Ottawa/Champlain – no date set.
South Central – spring 2009

LOCAL WORKSHOPS
Southwest – (Wellington County) – Rescheduled to Wednesday December 3 2008. For information and to register contact Angel Cardinal Milton at acardinalmilton@christian-horizons.org
Central East – (Simcoe County) – Tuesday November 18 2008.

OPADD MEETING SCHEDULE
Friday November 21 2008 – presentation by Lindsay Ogilvie on SHRTN library services and dialogue with representatives of Community Networks of Specialized Care on sustainability strategies.
Friday January 30 2009 – Blueprint Report will be presented.

October 2008
PROVINCIAL SYMPOSIUM
The OPADD Symposium Task Group recently held its first meeting to plan the symposium, review the budget and select a venue. The symposium will be held at the Sheraton Parkway Hotel Tuesday March 10 and Wednesday March 11 2009. An exciting program is being developed. Hold those dates and plan to attend. If you know of a local or regional initiative that should be showcased at the symposium send an e-mail to ronc@opadd.on.ca.

OPADD RECEIVES APPROVAL FOR VIDEOCONFERENCING SITE
OPADD has received approval from the Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN) for a videoconferencing site. This will open the door to regular participation by those who are a distance from Toronto. OPADD members will be able to join meetings by accessing a videoconferencing site in their local community. We are now entering phase 2 of the
application process, which includes a site visit to determine how the system can be installed. The videoconference site will be at Reena, which hosts the provincial table meetings. The system will also allow OPADD to engage in a range of planning and training activities via video broadcasting.

SHRTN – OPADD – AGING AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE
The OPADD work plan for our activity as a SHRTN Community of Practice (CoP) was presented to the September meeting of the OPADD provincial table. Several people have signed up to join our Community of Practice Working Group: Carlene Wisdom, Jennifer Pimeck, Sandra Bricker, Donna Gordon and Shehenaz Manji. If you would like to be part of the group please send your name to Ron at ronc@opadd.on.ca

OPADD EVALUATION
An evaluation of our work over the past 5 years will be commencing in the near future. We are currently studying the evaluation framework used by SHRTN. It is designed to assess the efficacy of networks and may lend itself well to determining our effectiveness as a partnership. An Evaluation Task Group will be assembled as interested people
volunteer to participate. If you are interested please let Ron know at ronc@opadd.on.ca

TRANSITION PLANNING BLUEPRINT
Workload has precluded a faster completion of the data analysis. Analysis is proceeding and findings will be shared with the Blueprint Task Group in the near future. Watch for highlights in the OPADD Letter to be published this fall.

REGIONAL WORKSHOPS
Central East – Saturday November 8 2008.
Northeast – October 29 2008 – supporting older adults with a developmental disability among in LTC.
Toronto – Thursday October 30 2008 – Partnerships & Issues – Respect, Power And The Powerless.
Ottawa/Champlain – no date set.
South Central – no date set.

LOCAL WORKSHOPS
Southwest (Wellington County) – Being rescheduled from Tuesday October 7 to a date in November.

OPADD MEETING SCHEDULE
Friday November 21 2008.
Friday January 30 2009.

September 2008
OPADD MEETING WITH MINISTRIES
OPADD CO-Chairs Margaret Ringland and Sandy Keshsen met with representatives of MCSS, MOHLTC and Seniors Secretariat in July to explore support for the provincial symposium; discussion also focused on sustainability of a cross-ministry process to address cross-sector issues. The importance of consistent communication pertaining to the support of older adults with developmental disabilities across MCSS regional offices, LHINS and CCACs was also discussed. Dialogue on these items will continue.

SHRTN – OPADD – AGING AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE
The OPADD draft work plan for our activity as a SHRTN Community of Practice (CoP) will be presented to the Collaborative for review and forwarded to the September meeting of the OPADD provincial table. The workplan will focus on: the achievement of OPADD Project goals; sustainability of the OPADD dialogue; and mainstreaming of
cross sector planning, coordination and service delivery.

TRANSITION PLANNING BLUEPRINT
A total of 30 developmental service providers and 6 long term care providers responded to the transition planning questionnaire. Several attempts were made to gather more date from LTC. However, other data-gathering exercises and pressures within that sector seemed to preclude greater participation. The development of the
Transition Planning Blueprint will be incorporated into the OPADD SHRTN work plan. There will be more opportunity for input from both sectors as work proceeds.

Preliminary findings indicate a fair degree of congruence between best practices for transition planning and actual practices of service providers. The data show that generally transition planning includes: thorough documentation; a focus on Quality of Life; attention to health care planning; training and development for staff; individual and
systemic advocacy; and reliance on cross sector partnership activity. However, there is less consistency among service providers in terms of availability of resources for transition planning. Many respondents point to the lack of resources as a barrier to fully effective transition planning.

PROVINCIAL SYMPOSIUM
The OPADD Symposium is being planned for March 2009.

REGIONAL WORKSHOPS
Central East – Saturday November 8 2008
Northeast – October 29 2008 – supporting older adults with a developmental disability among in LTC.
Toronto – Thursday October 30 2008 – Partnerships & Issues – Respect, Power And The Powerless.
Ottawa/Champlain – no date set.
South Central – no date set.

LOCAL WORKSHOPS
Southwest (Wellington County) – Tuesday October 7 2008

OPADD MEETING SCHEDULE
Friday September 26 2008 – presentations by our SHRTN Community of Practice (CoP) librarian, Lindsay Ogilvie and knowledge broker, Liz Lusk.
Friday November 21 2008.
Friday January 30 2009. 

August 2008
OPADD MEETING WITH MINISTRIES
OPADD CO-Chairs Margaret Ringland and Sandy Keshsen met with representatives of MCSS, MOHLTC and Seniors Secretariat in July to explore support for the provincial symposium; sustainability of a cross-ministry process to identify and address cross-sector issues and policy barriers, and how to support consistent communication across MCSS regional offices, LHINS and CCACs related to the DD population and services. Dialogue on these items will continue.

U-FIRST! UPDATES
OPADD facilitators who have taken the orientation training to deliver U-First! education sessions can order supplies from the U-First! division of the Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) through Borka Babic, borka.babic@ocsa,on.ca. An order form is available on the U-First! website at http://www.u-first.ca/pdfs/UFirst_Order_Form.pdf

Me and U-First! – a free 8 module caregivers course about Alzheimer Disease for PSWs and family is available online. Find more information at http://www.capacitybuilders.ca/new_website/workshops/workshop_online_me_and_ufirst.htm

SHRTN – OPADD – AGING AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE
The OPADD work plan for our activity as a SHRTN Community of Practice (CoP) is being developed over the summer. The draft work plan will be presented to the Collaborative for review and forwarded to the September meeting of the
OPADD provincial table.

TRANSITION PLANNING BLUEPRINT
The data received is being tabulated and will be released to the Blueprint Task Group in August. We did not receive additional replies from LTC agencies despite several requests to specific contacts. The project requires additional LTC input. If you are a LTC agency or know of one that could complete the questionnaire, please let Ron know at
ronc@opadd.on.ca The development of the Transition Planning Blueprint will be incorporated into the OPADD SHRTN work plan.

PROVINCIAL SYMPOSIUM
The OPADD Symposium is being planned for March 2009. Information for a preliminary budget is being assembled. The Symposium Task Group will be called together in September.

REGIONAL WORKSHOPS
Planning is well underway. Watch for confirmation of autumn dates and locations for regional workshops in the Northeast, Toronto and Southwest (Wellington County). South Central has not yet confirmed a timetable for delivering their follow-up workshop.

OPADD MEETING SCHEDULE
Friday September 26 2008 – presentation by our SHRTN Community of Practice (CoP) librarian, Lindsay Ogilvie and knowledge broker, Liz Lusk.
Friday November 21 2008.
Friday January 30 2009. 

July 2008
CORRECTION: The Summer Edition of the OPADD Letter indicated that the Wellington County Workshop is being planned for October 2009. The correct date is October 2008. Sorry to Wellington County for the error!

SHRTN – OPADD – AGING AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE
A meeting of Community of Practice Leads with SHRTN Knowledge Brokers and Librarians is being scheduled for July. This meeting will serve to clarify respective roles and develop work plans for the year ahead. The focus in developing a work plan within the SHRTN framework will be to ensure it dovetails with/supports:

  1. The achievement of OPADD Project goals.
  2. Sustainability of the OPADD dialogue.
  3. Mainstreaming of cross sector planning, coordination and service delivery.

The SHRTN work plan will be presented at the September meeting of the OPADD provincial table. Co-leads for our community of practice, from among OPADD players and representing each of the two sectors, are being sought.

TRANSITION PLANNING BLUEPRINT
Additional questionnaires have been distributed to selected LTC agencies to ensure reasonable balance in our data. We are still waiting on returns and require additional LTC input. If you are a LTC agency or know of one that could complete the questionnaire, please let me know at ronc@opadd.on.ca

SUSTAINABILITY PLANNING
OPADD received a summary report on sustainability planning at the June meeting. Two central aspects of a sustainability plan:

  1. Sustaining the dialogue.
  2. Moving planning, coordination and service delivery issues from the OPADD tables to the system itself. Key players we will need to engage in this transition will be CCACs; MCSS Coordinated Access Programs and LHINs.

PROVINCIAL SYMPOSIUM
A task group for the symposium is being assembled.

REGIONAL WORKSOHPS
Northest: Follow-up workshops being planned for October 29, 2008.
Toronto (TPADD): Follow-up workshop planned for October 30, 2008.
Southwest: Wellington County Committee planning workshop for October 2008 (possible dates: 7th, 14th, and 21st).
South Central: Follow-up workshop in the planning stages. Date not yet firmed up.

OPADD MEETING SCHEDULE
Friday September 26, 2008 – presentation by our SHRTN Community of Practice (CoP) librarian, Lindsay Ogilvie and knowledge broker, Liz Lusk.
Friday Novmeber 21, 2008.
Friday, January 30, 2009.

June 2008
SHRTN – OPADD APPROVED TO BECOME A COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE
OPADD’s proposal to become a Community of Practice under the Seniors Health Research Transfer Network (SHRTN) has been approved. Ron is attending a two day SHRTN annual assembly and Annual Planning Day on June 5 and 6. More information on our role within the SHRTN framework will be provided in the spring/summer newsletter out later this month. Our participation in SHRTN will require input and involvement of OPADD members. If you have an interest in becoming involved in some manner please let me know at ronc@opadd.on.ca

OPADD AT THIRD AGE CONFERENCE IN NEW YORK
OPADD was invited to present at the Third Age Conference held in Utica, New York, in late May. It was a great opportunity to share what we have accomplished and learn about aging and developmental disabilities in New York State. Workshop participants were surprised at the flexibility we enjoy and innovation we are able to pursue. On the other hand, New York State has formalized programming for older adults with developmental disabilities. More news on this in the spring/summer newsletter out later this month.

TRANSITION PLANNING BLUEPRINT
We have received more than 30 responses but require more input from LTC agencies to ensure reasonable balance in our data. Requests have gone out to a few LTC agencies requesting a reply. If you are a LTC agency or know of one that could complete the questionnaire, please let me know at ronc@opadd.on.ca

SUSTAINABILITY PLANNING
The Collaborative Committee will be continuing discussion on sustainability planning at their meeting of June 20 2008. A Plan to provide direction for the work ahead, after Ontario Trillium Foundation funding is exhausted, will be available in the coming weeks.

PROVINCIAL SYMPOSIUM
This task group has not yet met. Task Group members so far include: Murielle Scott and Danielle Hamilton. Regional committees and the Collaborative will be asked to name representation. It is hoped the task group can be pulled together later in June for an initial meeting.

OPADD MEETING SCHEDULE
Our schedule of meetings for the next year:

OPADD MEETING SCHEDULE

 

 

11:45 AM

June 2008

Friday 20th

September 2008

Friday 26th

November 2008

Friday 21st

January 2009

Friday 30th

May 2008
OPADD SYMPOSIUM
A task group is being formed to help with planning the OPADD Symposium to take place sometime late in the fiscal year. A March 2009 date is likely. If you have any thoughts or ideas about the symposium please drop us an E-mail or call.

WELLINGTON COUNTY WORKSHOP
The committee dealing with aging and developmental disabilities in Wellington County is planning a workshop for later this year. Committee members may be approaching those of you in other regions who have experience with workshops, for ideas of speakers, etc.

TRANSITION PLANNING BLUEPRINT
The Transition Planning Blueprint Task Group has met three times via teleconference. A questionnaire has been distributed to collect information on transition planning practice of service providers: both actual and desirable practices. If you know of or work for a service provider, which practices transition planning to older adulthood, let us know. We are seeking a selective sample of LTC and DS agencies to reply to the questionnaire. The deadline for return of the questionnaire has been extended to May 24 2008.

SHRTN – PROPOSAL TO BECOME A COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE
OPADD submitted a proposal in April to become a Community of Practice with SHRTN. A decision on our application has not yet been received.

GUIDE TO PROPERTY AND PERSONAL CARE
We are continuing to distribute the Guide in hard copy to various stakeholders. Interest has been high and we have received several bulk orders for additional copies. Additional copies are available for $5.00 to cover the cost of printing and distribution. The Guide is also available on the OPADD web site.

DISTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION TO OPADD STAKEHOLDERS

THE OPADD LETTER
Next edition will be out June 2008. Send articles, photos, announcements by May 15 2008 to msalvatore@reena.org

SUSTAINABILITY PLANNING
The Collaborative Committee continues discussion on sustainability planning. A Plan to provide direction for the work ahead, after Ontario Trillium Foundation funding is exhausted, will be available in the coming weeks.

April 2008
NEXT OPADD MEETING
11:45 AM Friday April 11 2008 at Reena. Presentations will be provided by:

  • Angel Cardinal-Milton, Wellington County Committee on Aging and Developmental Disabilities.
  • David Harvey, Ontario Alzheimer Society.

OPADD POWER POINTS
Three new PowerPoint presentations have been uploaded to the OPADD website. They are:

  1. Inclusion Comes of Age.
  2. Practicing Partnership.
  3. Best Practices in Transition Planning – has been updated and re-posted to the web site.

SHRTN – PROPOSAL TO BECOME A COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE
OPADD has submitted a proposal to become a Community of Practice with SHRTN. Decisions on successful applications are expected before the end of April.

GUIDE TO PROPERTY AND PERSONAL CARE
The Guide is now being distributed. Additional copies are available for $5.00 to cover the cost of printing and distribution. The Guide is also available on the OPADD web site.

DISTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION TO OPADD STAKEHOLDERS

  • Our new address for e-mailing information to you is ronc@opadd.on.ca and marias@opadd.on.ca
  • Continue to send e-mail to us at the old address rcoristine@reena.org and marias@reena.org

THE OPADD LETTER
Next edition will be out June 2008. Send articles, photos, announcements by May 15 2008 to msalvatore@reena.org

TRANSITION PLANNING BLUEPRINT
The Transition Planning Blueprint Task Group has met twice. A questionnaire is being prepared to collect information on actual transition planning practice of service providers and desirable practices. If you know of or work for a service provider, which practices transition planning to older adulthood, let us know. We are seeking a selective sample of agencies to reply to the questionnaire.

SUSTAINABILITY PLANNING
The Collaborative Committee will be continuing discussion on sustainability planning. A Plan to provide direction for the work ahead, after Ontario Trillium Foundation funding is exhausted, will be available in the coming weeks.

OPADD PRESENTATION
Thanks to Cindy Stephens, Cummer Lodge/Toronto Region and Louise Kerr, Community Living Toronto/Toronto Region for presenting to DSW students at Georgian College.

March 2008
NEXT OPADD MEETING
11:45 AM Friday April 11 2008 at Reena.

GUIDE TO PROPERTY AND PERSONAL CARE
The Guide has been received from the printer and is now being distributed. Copies are going out by Canada Post to all those who attend the provincial OPADD table, regional committees and other stakeholders. Additional copies are available for $5.00 to cover the cost of printing and distribution.

DISTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION TO OPADD STAKEHOLDERS
We have been experiencing problems with distribution of OPADD material via E-mail. We are resolving this problem through an arrangement with LFC Hosting who will provide distribution via their server. This will change the address of E-mail received from OPADD Project staff. It will also allow us to distribute information much more easily and more frequently. Watch for more news later this month.

THE OPADD LETTER
Thanks to all those who submitted material for the spring edition to be distributed later this month. Our next edition will be out in June 2008. Please send your articles, photos and announcements by May 15 2008 to msalvatore@reena.org

TRANSITION PLANNING BLUEPRINT
The Transition Planning Blueprint Task Group will be reviewing the OPADD transition planning model and seeking input from regional committee members. The plan is to revise the model based on all that we have learned to date and distribute it widely as a reference for caregivers in both sectors. The revised model will include information on staffing requirements during transition planning processes. The elements of the current model can be found within the Transition Report, Transition Guide and the Transition Planning PowerPoint (all are available on the OPADD website). The current review will allow us to make the model more explicit by assembling the most salient points into a guide.

PROVINCIAL SYMPOSIUM
OPADD is committed to hosting a provincial symposium during the next 12 months. We are looking for people interested in planning the event. The symposium will provide a venue for a dialogue on an OPADD Discussion Paper that will summarize what we have accomplished to date and suggest some initiatives for the future.

OPADD DISCUSSION PAPER
The paper will be developed over the coming months and will be subject to extensive consultation and dialogue. More news in the weeks ahead.

SUSTAINABILITY PLANNING
The Collaborative Committee will be continuing discussion on sustainability planning over the coming weeks. A Plan to provide direction to our strategy for the continuing work ahead is expected in the coming weeks.

February 2008
NEXT OPADD MEETING
11:45 AM Friday April 11 2008 at Reena. Stay tuned for information on the presenter for the meeting.

NEW PROJECT ADMIN ASSISTANT
Maria Salvatore has joined the project as the Administrative Assistant. Maria brings many skills to the job and will be happy to help you. Maria is available at 905-889-2690 x2046 or msalvatore@reena.org

NIAGARA WORKSHOP
Niagara is planning a third workshop. This one will involve front line staff from LTC and DS. The workshop will be engaging participants in establishing a cross sector process. For more information contact Marcia Cramp, Resource Coordinator, 905-684-3407 ext.230 or 1-800-933-3617.

GUIDE TO PERSONAL CARE & PROPERTY
The Guide is now at the printer and will be available late February. An excerpt from the Guide follows: “If a person is not mentally capable of making a particular decision, then a substitute decision-maker should be in place to make decisions on the person’s behalf. All adults are encouraged to appoint a substitute decision-maker in the event that they become mentally incapable of making important decisions about medical
care, property or personal care through a serious illness or accident. The appointment of a substitute decision-maker is a safeguard available to every person.

The province of Ontario has legislation that governs the appointment and responsibilities of a substitute decision-maker in the event that an individual is unable to make decisions for him/herself. If the person does not appoint a substitute decision-maker the legislation allows the government to make an appointment on the
person’s behalf.”

THE OPADD LETTER – Newsletter
Submissions about your cross sector activity, program or planning process are welcome. Please send by February 15 2008 to msalvatore@reena.org

ONTARIO ALZHEIMER SOCIETY
The Society is joining the provincial table and will attend the April meeting.

WELLINGTON COMMITTEE ON AGING AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
The Wellington Committee has appointed a representative, Angel Cardinal-Milton of Christian Horizons, to attend OPADD provincial meetings. Welcome Angel.

LOCAL PROJECTS
Still Looking for brief descriptions of local projects that can be shared on the OPADD website. Please send to rcoristine@reena.org

January 2008
HAPPY NEW YEAR – 2008 THE YEAR OF SUSTAINABILITY PLANNING
The project is now entering its final 15 months. A lot has been accomplished with the efforts of OPADD members across Ontario. It is time to think about how to sustain the partnership following the exhaustion of Ontario Trillium Foundation Funding. A preliminary report on sustainability will be included with the OPADD Agenda for the meeting of January 11 2008. The report presents an overview of the Collaborative Committee’s discussion on sustainability and summarizes input of the six regional committees who participated in the sustainability survey. A few regional comments from the report:

“…it’s really promoting understanding between the two sectors…which is very necessary and it’s even greater awareness, not just around disability but…awareness of one another.”

“It gives recognition to this as an area of need that aging is a very real issue; certainly with people with developmental disabilities it becomes more complex.”

“OPADD is a single point of contact with the Ontario government and provides the opportunity to speak with one voice and provides a channel for the government to communicate with all of us.”

“Now we have LHINS and that is causing a huge transformation in the planning process. How does OPADD link with the 14 LHINs? The LHINs are paying attention to social determinants of health and as a result there is new opportunity for MCSS and OPADD to be considered in health planning processes.”

“Certainly when I go to OPADD it’s diversified my thinking and then to bring it back to you guys what some of the other regions are doing. It’s awe inspiring.”

NEXT OPADD MEETING
11:45 AM Friday January 11 2008. Robin Hurst of the Seniors Health Research Network (SHRTN) will be attending to bring us up to date on the activities and direction of the network. For more info on SHRTN do a search using “SHRTN” in your web browser.

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION
The Niagara Region, situated within the OPADD South Central Region will be hosting a cross sector February 2008 to bring DS and LTC players together in partnership. The SC Regional Committee is gearing up for its follow‐up workshop later in 2008.

NORTHEAST ENGAGING MORE PLAYERS
Executive Directors in North Bay and District will be attending a presentation about OPADD on January 14. The Northeast Committee is planning for its follow‐up workshop later in 2008.

GUIDE TO PERSONAL CARE & PROPERTY
The Guide has been finalized and will be going for printing in January. It will be available by February 2008.