The Northern Network Newsletter

For Self Managers of the Direct Funding Program

New Editor

The Disability Resource Centre and members of the Ontario Network of Independent Living Centres have been delivering the Direct Funding Self – Managed Attendant Services program on behalf of the Ministry of Health, for the past decade. This year, it was deemed necessary to expand on the administrative office, and it was decided that Kapuskasing’s Disability Resource Centre would be awarded the expansion, based on our geographical location and the large number of people with disabilities our centre has placed on this program. This was wonderful news for the Centre AS we are now the Direct Funding Regional Administrative Office for Northern Ontario, we will be able to increase awareness of the uniqueness of Northern Ontario and some of the additional barriers that people with disabilities face in our part of the province.

In June, we hosted an open house and invited some of the Self-Managers living close to Kapuskasing, our Mayor J.C. Caron, our Provincial MP Gilles Bisson and Board and Staff of the Disability Resource Centre to help us celebrate this milestone.  Leisa DeBono from the Toronto Independent Centre was also able to join us for this day.

Safety First

We are all aware of how important it is to be prepared in case of an emergency. As Self – Managers it is important that you have these procedures figured out and that you go through these emergency procedures with your Attendant. I’ve recently came across this Emergency Procedure Kit which I thought had a lot of good and very important information in it. The kit is called Fire and Safety for people with Disabilities. The kit was purchased from the Canadian Paraplegic Association. Below is some of the information given in this kit;

There are 7 booklets (1-7)

1. Case Studies of People with Activity Limitation
2. Background Information about Fire Safety for People with Disabilities
3. Technical and Mobility Aids and Devices for People with Disabilities
4. Fire Safety Strategies for People with Disabilities
5. Sign Language for Emergencies
6. Statistics Fact Sheet

This Information can make a scary and life threatening situation a more calm and confident situation having an Emergency procedure fitted for your needs and knowing your Attendant knows what to do in that circumstance.

Fire Alarm and Carbon dioxide

Fire Alarms and Carbon Dioxide are also a major part of Fire and Safety. Make sure your fire alarms are working properly. Have your battery changed when needed. Make sure that your Carbon Dioxide is also functioning. For more information please contact your local Fire Department.

Be Safe, Be Prepared!

Time Sheet

*Keep in mind that it is mandatory and very important that your Time Sheets are signed by both the employee and employer. Time sheets should be kept for at least 7 years. If you need some examples of time sheets, be sure to give our office a call and we will provide you with samples that we have.

New Self-Managers agreements

The New Self – Managers Agreements are coming out. There are minor updates in the contract and they should be reviewed by the Self - Managers.

Please be sure to read your contract thoroughly.

Amy DeGrace

Who is Amy DeGrace? Amy is the Direct Funding Administrative Coordinator for our region. She receives your Quarterly reports and reviews them to make sure the information is correct. After ensuring she has all the information required to process a pay authorization. She forwards a report to Toronto. This determines the amount issued to the Self – Manager.

Amy is a very kind, easy going individual. However, Amy can also be firm….she gets her job done. Many of you may have had some contact with Amy with respect to your Quarterly reports or even about questions that you’ve had in regards to situations or problems that you might have faced. Do not hesitate to contact Amy, she is always willing to give a helping hand….it’s part of her human nature. She will listen and do her best to provide accurate information or helpful advice.

How to calculate a Public Holiday Pay

Farida works  five days a week and earns $100.00 a day. She worked her last regularly scheduled work day before the public holiday and her first regularly scheduled day after the holiday.

Farida’s total regular wages are calculated:

$100.00 per day *5 days = $500.00 per week

Farida earned $2,000.00 in the four work weeks before the public holiday.

Then her total wages are divided by 20:

$2000,00/20=$100.00

*Result: Farida is entitled to $100.00 public holiday pay

What are the statutory Holidays?

• New year’s Day (January 1st)
• Good Friday (March 25th)
• Victoria Day (Mai 23rd)
• Canada Day (July 1st)
• Labor Day ( September 5th)
• Thanksgiving Day ( October 10th)
• Christmas Day ( December 25th )
• Boxing Day ( December 26th)

WSIB

WSIB requires that all employers have their two posters and their book on display and available to employees.

The posters titles are: In Case of Injury What’s In It For You

The book: Occupational Health and Safety Act

If you do not have the above, contact your local WSIB to obtain copies of the poster and the act. Although all Self – Managers are required to have these posters on display in their homes. as a Self – Manager you may not want to have them hanging in your living room. Hanging the posters inside of a cupboard door, or a closet door, where the attendant is aware of them and can easily be viewed, would be acceptable.

What are “attendant services”?

“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. The consumer takes responsibility for directing the way in which this assistance is provided. Please note* Attendant services do not include services such as physiotherapy, rehabilitation, life-skills teaching, active nursing, socializing, etc. Some of these services are provided through Community care Access Centres (CCACs).

Preventing Injuries

By following all regulations provided to you by WSIB/Direct Funding program, injuries or mishaps can be prevented. Please read regulations carefully and follow through. This will make your house a safer place. Teaching your Attendants proper procedures is putting yourself in good hands.