Attendant Services

The Direct Funding Self Managed Attendant Services Program

This program is funded by the Ministry of Health and is administered by the Center for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT), with support from the Independent Living Resource Centres across the province.

The Disability Resource Centre in Kapuskasing administers the Direct Funding program to North Eastern Ontario. With the second largest number of people on this program coming from Northern Ontario, we are also proud to provide administrative services to the Self-Managers on Direct Funding assisting them with reporting requirements... we are one of three other Centres in Ontario who offer these services.

General Information

Adults with physical disabilities who want to take full responsibility for managing a budget and hiring and supervising their own attendants are invited to apply to the Direct Funding Program.

Students in Ontario who need attendant services to participate in post high school education or training programs can apply through the Project Information Centre (PIC) for attendant services. For more information, please contact Project Information Centre (PIC) at 416-599-2458 or email pic@cilt.ca.

Available province-wide, the Direct Funding Program enables you to receive monthly funds for attendants of your own choosing, to schedule as you please – whether your needs are at home, at work, or in the community. You self-manage your life, making your own choices with greater flexibility and control.

Different people have different needs. DF is intended as an option suited to people with physical disabilities who are willing and able to take on the extra management responsibilities the program demands.

Under the attendant services programs operating through Supportive Housing (SSLUs) and Attendant Outreach Services, an agency employs attendants and sends them to your apartment or house. However, through DF you are the employer, taking full responsibility for hiring and managing your own attendants. You become the self-manager, determining how and when your services are provided.

Clients must able to self-direct, which means they know their disability and needs, and can instruct their attendants as to how and when they need assistance. They must be able to help train their attendants accordingly.

In addition to the ability to self-direct, they must be able to self-manage. A self-manager is a person in control of his or her own situation and not easily manipulated. A self-manager is a person who knows what services he or she wants and needs, someone with plans – perhaps to move, work or study – or simply a clear desire to take responsibility for improving his or her own services. Self-managers are capable of interviewing, training, hiring and, if necessary, firing attendants, and handling the financial and reporting duties of an employer. They are willing to take risks in return for the choice, flexibility and control over their attendant services made possible under DF.

“Attendant services” refer to physical assistance provided by another person for routine activities of living, such as transferring, showering, dressing or undressing. You would do these for yourself if it were not for your physical disability. The consumer takes responsibility for directing the way in which this assistance is provided.

Direct Funding operates within guidelines set by the Ontario government. You can apply if:

• you are age 16 or over
• you are a resident of Ontario
• you require attendant services due to a permanent physical disability
• you are able to complete the written application on your own initiative and in your own words (you may receive physical assistance to complete the form; however, submissions may not be made by professionals, family members or others on your behalf)
• you are able to meet with a Selection Panel to discuss your needs and determine your eligibility for the program
• you are able to schedule attendants;
• you are able to hire (and fire, if necessary), train and supervise one or more attendant workers
• you are able to meet all the legal requirements associated with being an employer (these will be clearly explained during the application process)
• you are capable of managing and accounting for your funding, according to DF guidelines

For more information refer to CILT's website

Under this program, each participant:

• receives monthly funds to manage expenses
• hires people he or she selects based on individual requirements
• is in charge of his or her own staff
  
• schedules the attendants to meet daily living needs
  
• can live and travel anywhere within the province, taking the services along.

Program participants become self managers and have responsibilities such as undertaking the functions, responsibilities and possible risks of being an employer and reporting all expenditures on a quarterly basis. Self managers describe Direct Funding as an opportunity to regain freedom and control over their lives.

If you would like more information or to obtain a General Information Booklet which outlines the criteria for eligibility, please contact the Disability Resource Centre.

Contact Information

Address: 29 Byng Avenue, Suite 5

Kapuskasing, ON P5N 1W6

Tel: (705) 335-8778

Fax: (705) 335-5666

Email: drcil@vianet.ca