Calendar Year 2009

December 2009
OPADD is alive and enabling some very important work on the linkages between Long Term Care and Developmental Disability service workers as evidenced in the recent meeting of Cochairs with the Collaborative which continues as the linkage for Regions.

Health & Long Term Care, Community and Social Services Ministries along with the Senior’s Secretariat maintains their interest in OPADD through 3 or 4 meetings per year to identify any arising issues facing the work in the Regions.

The Regions reported on their meetings and activities, which included:

  • Aging in place initiatives. It is recommended that all agencies have a policy on this.
  • Training in the “Gentle Persuasion Approach” with workshops to follow.
  • Simcoe held a very successful Market place of services – a model perhaps.
  • Workshops were held in various regions on Dementia
  • U-First Training has been revised and will be offered in early 2010

Some issues were identified such as: flagging persons with Developmental Disabilities in hospitals, and on the street.

OPADD as a Community of Practice (CoP) within the Senior’s Health Research Health Transfer Network, presented a three session learning process called Showcase. This employs a three step learning process through teleconferencing, the computer and finally a one hour discussion. Other workshop being planned for early 2010 include one on Integrated Day Programs.

June 2009
The Collaborative met for what was to be the final meeting of the Project’s partnership of Provincial Agencies and authority for OPADD. In response to Regional Co-chair appeals to maintain a provincial connection for the Regions, the representatives of both sectors at this meeting recognized that the significant gains made through this project must be secured.

Therefore, The (New) Collaborative group agreed to continue its’ role of supporting the Regions as the Co-chairs of each maintain and grow their linkages of Long Term Care Workers with those Developmental Disability Service Workers. The Collaborative will continue the joint chair role with Margaret Ringland of Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes and Services for Seniors, and Sandy Keshen of REENA. The Ontario Long Term Care Association – Nancy Cooper, and OASIS- Denis McClelland, as well as Sandy Stemp of REENA complete the group.

The group will be meeting by telephone conferencing during the summer months. Keep tuned to the Website for further information and news from the Regions.

May 2009
DIRECTION
Our direction remains the same and is guided by our Vision:

  • That older adults with a developmental disability have the same rights to support and services as all older Ontarians.
  • We will move the work into the mainstream system.

SUSTAINABILITY
We have identified and put in place four key strategies to sustain the work:

  • Regional committees.
  • Regional Committee Co-Chair meetings.
  • Participation as a Community of Practice within SHRTN.
  • Maintaining knowledge dissemination through the OPADD website.

1. Regional Committees
Regional committees will provide leadership for moving forward on:

  •  Cross sector dialogue.
  • Cross sector planning.
  • Testing of new models through innovative cross sector local projects.

2. Regional Committee Co-Chair Meetings

  •  Regional Committee co-chair meetings will be held on a regular basis using teleconferencing and videoconferencing technology.
  • Co-chair meetings will be used for information exchange, cross regional collaboration and identification/problem-solving on issues with a provincial scope.
  • Regional co-chairs will invite representatives of provincial associations to join them as needed to dialogue and assist with issues of provincial scope.

3. Participation as a Community of Practice within SHRTN

  • We will develop our CoP Steering Committee to engage more fully in dialogue and knowledge dissemination of best practice.
  • Our engagement will build knowledge relationships among service providers, policy-makers, researchers and academics.
  • Sandy Stemp and Jennifer Pimeck will co-chair the CoP Steering Committee and its members will bring their skills and knowledge to the work.
  • Our CoP will collaborate with other SHRTN CoPs on projects of mutual interest.

4. Maintaining Knowledge Dissemination Through the OPADD Website

  • The OPADD Website will be maintained by Denis McClelland of OASIS who has been a member of the OPADD Project Collaborative Committee.
  • The website will remain a means for regions to post information on their activities, projects, reports and reference materials.

April 2009
BROADENING THE DIALOGUE
OPADD APPROVED AS A COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE WITHIN SHRTN
OPADD has received approval of its proposal to remain a Community of Practice within SHRTN for 2009/10. Sandy Stemp and Jennifer Pimeck are co-leads for the Community of Practice. Continued participation with SHRTN opens doors to a broader more inclusive dialogue and additional resources to realize the Vision.

ACKNOWLEDGING LOCAL CHAMPIONS – SETTING FUTURE DIRECTION
SUCCESSFUL PROVINCIAL SYMPOSIUM
The Honourable Madeleine Meilleur, Minister of Community and Social Services, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs addressed the symposium. In her remarks, the Minister acknowledged the work of OPADD in building systemic capacity to support adults with developmental disabilities as they age.

A series of dialogue sessions during the symposium allowed delegates to identify where we are, explore where we need to go and how to get there. The proceedings of these dialogue sessions will be made available to symposium delegates and stakeholders in the next few weeks.

Results of the symposium evaluation will be made available in the near future.

MAINSTREAMING
REGIONAL COMMITTEES ARE KEY
The key role of regional committees in moving the work forward was highlighted at the symposium. Delegates were encouraged to join their respective regional committee. Regional committees provide the traction for addressing inequities in accessing seniors services and programs for older adults with developmental disabilities.

CONTINUING THE DIALOGUE
VIDEOCONFERENCING
Arrangements are being made to hold the next OPADD meeting in a location that supports videoconferencing. This will allow members from distant locations to join via their local videoconferencing site. Regional Co-chairs are encouraged to attend this meeting via videoconferencing or in person to engage in the discussion about the role of the regions in moving the work forward.

OPADD MEETING SCHEDULE
Collaborative Committee: 10 AM Friday April 17 2009
OPADD Provincial Table 11:45 AM Friday April 17 2009 in the Training Room at Reena
Regional Co-Chair Teleconference: 11 am Tuesday April 28 2009 – Deanna Finch-Smith will Chair

March 2009

PROVINCIAL SYMPOSIUM MARCH 9, 10 AND 11 2009
The Honourable Madeleine Meilleur, Minister of Community and Social Services, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs will be addressing the symposium at 8:45 AM Wednesday March 11 2009.

The symposium is not just another conference. It is an important event to examine where we are and where we need to go in building system capacity so older adults with a developmental disability have the same rights to support and services as all older Ontarians.

If you have not yet registered – do so today! The Sheraton Parkway Hotel has agreed to keep the low symposium room rate on after the deadline of Feb 21 so you can still book your accommodation at low rates.

Experts, local innovators, champions and leaders will be sharing their experience with building system capacity to realize the OPADD Vision.

OPADD Dialogue – there will be three dialogue sessions during the symposium during which delegates will have opportunity to identify where we are and where we need to go. The proceedings of these dialogue sessions will be published and made available to symposium delegates as well as all stakeholders. Pass this information along to your colleagues and networks!

OPADD PROPOSAL TO REMAIN A COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE WITHIN SHRTN
OPADD has received a positive reply to the Letter of Intent to be considered a Community of Practice within SHRTN for 2009/10. Sandy Stemp, the OPADD lead for pursuing continuing participation has prepared and submitted a full proposal to SHRTN. Continued participation with SHRTN opens doors to a broader dialogue and additional resources to move forward on realizing the Vision.

SHRTN – OPADD – AGING AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SHOWCASE PROJECT
Check out the Showcase Project and register for online learning sessions. One hour at your computer, no travel costs and you can sip coffee while learning. For info and registration go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=53Nzgn1N5PaP%2fKwzEvduSw%3d%3d

OPADD PROJECT WINDS DOWN
OPADD project funding will be exhausted at the end of April 2009. OPADD will continue its work and is in a much stronger position to do so today with the infrastructure which the project helped to put in place. OPADD’s eight regional committees remain a key element in focusing the dialogue and engaging players across Ontario. Support
your regional committee.

OPADD MEETING SCHEDULE
Regional Co-Chair Teleconference: 11 AM – 12 NOON Thursday March 5
Collaborative Committee: 10:30 AM Wednesday March 18 2009
10 AM Friday April 17 2009
OPADD Provincial Table 11:45 AM Friday April 17 2009 in the Training Room at Reena

February 2009
PROVINCIAL SYMPOSIUM MARCH 9, 10 AND 11 2009
“Inclusion Comes of Age”. Pass the information along to your networks, colleagues and employees. Program brochure and registration form is available at www.opadd.on.ca and is now being mailed out electronically and in hard copy. Full symposium registration $300.00. Book your hotel by February 21 to get special symposium rate.

A few highlights:
“Building Capacity as Inclusion Comes of Age”
Keynote Speaker: Lilian Thorpe, BSc, MSc, MD, PhD, FRCPC – 9:15 A.M. Tuesday March 10

“Best Practices in Aging and Developmental Disabilities”
Principal Speaker: Tamar Heller, PhD – 11:30 A.M. Tuesday March 10

“The Power of the Vision”
Motivational Speaker: Terry Kelly – (Following dinner) 8:00 P.M. Tuesday March 10

“Quality of Life:
What it is and how it can support people with developmental disabilities as they age”
Principal Speaker: Roy Brown, PhD, FIASSID, Emeritus Professor University of Calgary, Canada & Flinders University, Australia – 9:00 A.M Wednesday March 11

BLUEPRINT REPORT READY
The Blueprint report was presented at OPADD Jan 30 09. The findings from the research will inform the further development of best practices in transition planning. The transition planning model will be described in a Guide for managers and planners and in a PowerPoint that can be used for information and training.

VIDEO-CONFERENCING CANCELLED
Due to the economic turmoil, with its impact on the not for profit sector, the videoconferencing project has been cancelled. Equipment costs would be $15,000 with a two year warranty. Membership fees would be $5250.00 per year.

OPADD PROPOSAL TO REMAIN A COP WITH SHRTN
OPADD has submitted a Letter of Intent to be considered as a Community of Practice with SHRTN for 2009/10. If OPADD is invited to submit a proposal and is approved, Sandy Stemp and Jennifer Pimeck will be co-leads for the CoP work group.

SHRTN – OPADD – AGING AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SHOWCASE PROJECT
The Showcase Project is being provided on line this month. Watch for announcements and sign up.

OPADD MEETING SCHEDULE
Next OPADD Provincial Table Meeting 11:45 AM Friday April 17 2009
Next Regional Co-Chair Teleconference – March 5 11 AM – 12 NOON

January 2009
PROVINCIAL SYMPOSIUM MARCH 9, 10 AND 11 2009
The program is coming together and the full symposium brochure will be published in mid January. Got ideas for presentations contact Ron at ronc@opadd.on.ca

BLUEPRINT REPORT READY
The Blueprint report is ready and will be reviewed by the Blueprint Task Group prior to submission to OPADD. A brief Guide for managers and planners on implementing the transition planning blueprint is currently under development.

VIDEO-CONFERENCING on HOLD
Due to the economic turmoil, with its impact on the not for profit sector, the videoconferencing project has been put on hold until we can see our way clear to how it will be financed. Equipment costs are $15,000 with a two year warranty. Membership fees are $5250.00 per year.

OPADD PROPOSAL TO REMAIN A COP WITH SHRTN
OPADD will be developing a proposal; to remain a cop within SHRTN for another year. Sandy Stemp will be one of the two co-leads for the CoP work group. A co-lead from LTC is being sought.

SHRTN – OPADD – AGING AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SHOWCASE PROJECT
The Showcase Project is developing and we have identified a number of cross sector projects for inclusion. Up to six projects will be featured in the Showcase. Limited time and resources preclude more projects from participating. However, both Showcase and other cross sector projects will be accommodated at the OPADD Symposium 2009. Stay tuned for news on Showcase presentations.

Part 1 – Mid January – Showcase project presentations and discussions via Adobe Acrobat Connect.
Part 2 – February – Onsite partnership building and coaching / short-term mentoring using 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 submitted to the three Ministries. Additional resources will support a well-designed and implemented analysis of the OPADD project. The formal evaluation, if funded will require data-gathering through May followed by analysis and a final report by the end of June 09.

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