NADD ONTARIO ACTIVITIES
Current NADD Ontario newsletter: Fall 2009 NewsletterTwice annually. We want to hear from other provinces on new policy initiatives, unique programs or partnerships. To submit, contact Susan Morris at 416-583-4353 ext. 1136 or susan_morris@camh.net.
Archived Newsletters
2009: Spring /2008: Spring / Fall
2007: Spring / Fall
2006: Spring / Winter
2005: Spring / Fall
2004: Spring / Fall
2003: Spring / Fall
2002: Spring / Fall
2001: Spring / Fall
ADVOCACY ACTIVITIES
"Dual Diagnosis: System design for individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health needs" - Select Committee on Mental Health and Addictions, October 2009August 14, 2009 cover letter to the Director of Community and Developmental Services, Ministry of Community and Social Services re: The Lieutenant Governor in Council Draft Regulation for the Services and Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, 2008.
One page pdf.
The joint submission to the initial draft regulation for Bill 77 from the Ontario Chapter of the National Association for the Dually Diagnosed and the Dual Diagnosis Implementation Committee of Toronto. Nine page pdf.
2008 August 11 submission on behalf of the National Association for the Dually Diagnosed, Ontario Chapter (NADD Ontario) and the Dual Diagnosis Implementation Committee of Toronto (DDICT) Re: Bill 77 An Act to provide services to persons with developmental disabilities, to repeal the Developmental Services Act and to amend certain statutes.
Training, Recruitment and Retention in the field of Developmental Disabilities and Dual Diagnosis (2007) This paper was written by NADD Ontario to bring a population health and cross sector perspective to the dialogue that is occurring in Ontario today. It provides a literature review of what other jurisdictions have done to address similar issues. The paper has been distributed to the Provincial Network on Developmental Disabilities, the leads of the Community Networks of Specialized Care for Individuals with a Dual Diagnosis and/or Challenging Behaviours, and the Academic Health Science Centres Task Force on Education in Developmental Disabilities. Our goal is to initiate partnerships with provincial groups who are working on addressing this issue. Please provide us with your comments and feedback on the attached form.
NATIONAL COALITION ON DUAL DIAGNOSIS
In November 2008, four organizations: NADD Ontario, CARE-ID/ACREDI, Dual Diagnosis program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and the Developmental Disabilities Section of the Canadian Psychiatric Association launched the National Coalition on Dual Diagnosis. The objective of the National Coalition on Dual Diagnosis is to increase the understanding of the needs of individuals with a developmental disability and mental health needs with the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) and for all Canadians.An initial activity of the four founding organizations within the National Coalition was to develop an The Advocacy Toolkit: These materials were developed so that advocates for people with dual diagnosis have the "tools" to help them make their case as effectively as possible. They are based on simple straightforward, plain language that the dual diagnosis field can use uniformly to make our case to decision-makers. They are easy to understand, put a human face on dual diagnosis, and outline clearly defined solutions. They are for anyone's use locally, regionally, provincially or federally. The toolkit is available at: www.care-id.com, the Canadian Association for Research and Education in Intellectual Disabilities web site. Click on the Dual Diagnosis page in the left hand column and you can access the Position Statement, Fact sheet, FAQ, Stories, Glossary, Media Release, Backgrounder, and Plain Language pamphlet information - all for you to use in your local efforts.
December 2008 National Coalition on Dual Diagnosis Update
March 2009 National Coalition Update: Our March 2009 consensus Coalition response has been sent to the MHCC. Click here for the 17 page pdf.
Work has continued in bringing the message of the National Coalition to the Mental Health Commission of Canada. Of particular note at this time is that we have more than 400 names on our Coalition e-mail list. To help facilitate communication to such a large group we are now utilizing Constant Contacts as our e-mail application. This is being managed by Christine Iacobucci. If you want to forward the information to your own networks, please scroll down to the bottom where it says "Forward email." Using this tool your recipient will be able to access the links that are embedded in the message. Otherwise, doing it through your own e-mail the recipient will lose that access.
MORE ABOUT CARE-ID:CARE-ID
Canadian Association for Research and Education in Intellectual Disabilities / Association canadienne pour la recherche et l'enseignement en deficience intellectuelle (CARE-ID/ACREDI): :http://care-id.com.
The objectives of CARE-ID as a Canadian Association are to:
- 1. promote increased research and training in intellectual disabilities;
2. promote knowledge-based best practices that respond to the needs and experiences of persons with intellectual disabilities;
3. facilitate linkages and knowledge transfer among researchers, educators, policy-makers, care givers, families, and other members of the community who interact with or serve the interests of persons with intellectual disabilities; and
4. inform policy influencers to support and increase research and education in intellectual disabilities.
MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSION
Commentary - Public Health: "Mental health in Canada: out of the shadows forever" doi:10.1503/cmaj.071897.Kirby, Michael. (May 6, 2008). Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ), 178(10):1320-1323.
Michael Kirby, PhD - Dr. Kirby is Chair of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
Correspondence to: Dr. Michael Kirby, Mental Health Commission of Canada, Suite 1800, 10301 Southport Lane SW, Calgary AB T2W 1S7; fax 613-798-2989; mkirby@mentalhealthcommission.ca
"Canada is the only G8 country that does not have a national mental health strategy. This startling fact was one of the findings of the investigation of mental health in Canada by the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology. Equally shocking is the fact that the Senate committee's report Out of the Shadows at Last is the first national report on mental health, compared with more than 300 reports on the physical health system."
1. Feedback sought by the Commission
There are going to be an increasing number of opportunities for the dual diagnosis voice to be heard by the Commission through their on-line e-consultations. Please take a few minutes to make sure your input is registered. Here are two current opportunities:
-Setting the Goals to Guide a Mental Health Strategy for Canada - the online consultation link for the draft mental health strategy framework http://mentalhealthcommission.dialoguecircles.com / http://mentalhealthcommission.dialoguecircles.com As you know, our key message here is that:
The framework should define the population(s) that are the subject of its transformative goals. We ask that people with dual diagnosis and other kinds of complex problems be included in that definition and their needs be taken into account throughout the document.
-MHCC Service System Advisory Committee is seeking feedback on their draft recommendations to improve the mental health system for ethnoracial, immigrant and racialized groups in Canada. http://www.camh.net/Public_policy/Public_policy_papers/consultation_mhcc_feb09.html
2. Continuation of the dialogue with the Commission
The chairs of all the Commission sub-committees have received the summary information of our recommendations and advocacy toolkit. As a result, the Dr. Simon Davidson, Chair of the Child and Youth Committee contacted me to discuss how dual diagnosis could be represented within the various initiatives of that committee. Laurie Dart, Executive Director of the Griffin Centre in Toronto has offered to be the primary Coalition contact for that committee. With her assistance we have recommended a young person to participate on the Youth Reference Group. We are also represented on the National Advisory Committee for the Evergreen Framework. This framework document will be specific to child and youth mental health and complement the MHCC's Mental Health Strategy for Canada. Its purpose is to inform and guide the development and application of policies and plans created by provincial or territorial governments, and service organizations. Their work is only just beginning, but if you have questions, please contact Laurie at ldart@griffin-centre.org
3. Family Unit Self-Stigma
The Child and Youth Committee is also seeking proposals to address self-stigma for a child or youth experiencing a mental disorder or mental illness, as well as self-stigma for the family unit, and to identify needs and effective strategies for understanding and tackling the impact of self stigma. A family unit is defined as anyone involved in the life of the child or youth with a mental disorder or mental illness, such as biological parents, foster parents, adoptive parents, grandparents, siblings, or other family members. This is a project that the Coalition should monitor carefully for opportunities to have input as families are such a key and lifelong part of the support system for the person with a dual diagnosis. The project proposal call can be found at http://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/English/Pages/ResearchContractOpportunities.aspx
4. Homelessness Projects
As noted in the last update, these demonstration projects are scheduled for implementation beginning April 1, 2009. The purpose of the projects, located in Moncton, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver, is to evaluate different models of care in terms of service and system interventions that best achieve housing stability and improved health and well-being. Each locale is developing a structure (e.g. advisory groups) for how this multi-site research demonstration project will proceed - based on the particular populations of interest. The Coalition needs local leaders in each city to connect with the Site Coordinators and find out how they can bring the dual diagnosis perspective to the project. In Toronto, Mary Jane Cripps, Executive Director of Reconnect Mental Health Services has offered to be the primary Coalition contact for that site. If you have any questions regarding Toronto, she can be reached at mjcripps@reconnect.on.ca
If you want to volunteer to be the lead person in the other cities, please let me know and I will facilitate links between the various sites.
- Regards to all,
Susan Morris
Clinical Director
Dual Diagnosis Program
416-535-8501 Ext. 1136
www.camh.net/dualdiagnosis
www.camh.net/Path%5FHome
MCSS TRANSFORMATION NEWS
Spotlight on Transformation - A Developmental Services Bulletin from the Ministry of Community and Social ServicesBILL 77
Submission by NADD Ontario to The Draft Minister's Regulation on Quality Assurance Measures February 16, 2010, 23 page pdf.
Ontario introduces new developmental services legislation - Bill 77
The Services for Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, 2008 will, if passed, lay the foundation for a new system of developmental services.
"About the Services and Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, 2008" is the Ministry of Community and Social Services' new plain language guide to recently passed developmental services legislation. The booklet is intended to explain the details of the recently passed legislation in plain language in a way that is accessible to all Ontarians. A focus group of self-advocates assisted in making sure that individuals with a developmental disability would find the booklet understandable.
English version / French version
Learn more:
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From institutional life to community living: How Ontario's services for people with a developmental disability have changed
Ontario's services and supports for people with a developmental disability and their families
What the new legislation will do
NEW INFORMATION ADDED TO RESOURCE LINKS
A Guide to Transition Planning for Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities 135 page pdfImproving Health Outcomes for Children and Youth with Developmental Disabilities: A literature review in the health status of children and youth with developmental disabilities within a population health framework was created by First Leadership Limited's Rae Roebuck, Marion Paquet, & Judy Coultes-Macleod on behalf of Surrey Place Centre, Great Lakes Society, Developmental Services of Leeds and Grenville and Ottawa Children's Treatment Centre. It is an important 60-page document, especially for pediatricians and other children's physicians. If you are interested in receiving a hard copy version, e-mail Vaso Charitsis, Communications Officer at Surrey Place, at Vaso.Charitsis@SurreyPlace.on.ca with your mailing information.
Please note: this version of the document will be updated in early September with a version that will include an Executive Summary and a Summary of discussions from the May 2008 Symposium. If you would like to receive a notice of this update, contact Vaso.
UPCOMING CONFERENCES
April 7, 8, 9, 2010: 20th Annual OADD conference: “The Power of Partnerships: Energize, Strategize, Realized” - Holiday Inn Toronto-Yorkale, Ontario.This conference is an opportunity to share experiences, lessons learned and strategies for adapting. Whether you are a front-line worker seeing your role change or an administrator working through new organizational strategies we value your perspective. Click here for brochure.
April 9, 2010: The OADD Research Special Interest Group (RSIG) - Holiday Inn Toronto-Yorkdale, Ontario
The Ontario Association on Developmental Disabilities' Research Special Interest Group (RSIG) is holding its annual research conference on Friday, April 9th, 2010 at the Holiday Inn Toronto-Yorkdale. This conference will feature research on developmental/intellectual disabilities (DD/ID) across the lifespan. The keynote speaker is Dr. Wendy Roberts. The poster presentation sessions will showcase a variety of research on DD/ID, including dual diagnosis, autism spectrum disorders, quality of life, education, service use, and psychotherapy.
The objectives of the Research Day are to:
- • Update research advances in the field and exchange information regarding ongoing research activities in DD/ID in Ontario
• Provide opportunity for networking and collaboration for researchers, professionals and students with an interest in DD/ID from across the province
• Discuss ways to stimulate interest and support for research at the level of institutions, governments, and research funding bodies
To Register: Go online to this link for the on-line registration form: http://oadd.org/index.php?page=620. Submit an on-line registration form and payment (Cheque, VISA, or MasterCard).
OR
Fill out the registration form on the 2nd page of the conference brochure and return the form with a cheque or money order to: OADD, 2 Surrey Place, Toronto, ON, M5S 2C2.
Please make cheques payable to OADD or OADD Research Special Interest Group.
Register by March 20, 2010 to reserve a spot.
For more information, contact OADD at: conference@oadd.org or 416-657-2267. In addition, visit http://www.oadd.org. Melody Ashworth, is the RSIG Conference Chair, email: rsigsubmission@oadd.org
April 14-16, 2010 - NADD 2010 International Congress & Exhibit Show: "Innovations and Interventions (MH/IDD)" - The Hyatt Regency Toronto Hotel, in Toronto, Ontario. Click here for flyer
April 21-22, 2010 -The 3Rs Community University Research Alliance (CURA): Human Rights and Persons with Intellectual Disabilities Conference
To be held at the Sheraton Fallsview in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Intended audience: educators, health professionals, justice officials, policy analysts, researchers, advocates, and self-advocates in a common purpose: to expand the awareness of rights education, and implementation for persons with intellectual disabilities.
NADD Ontario has provided support to the 3rs conference to sponsor attendance by families or self advocates. To access the funding, “ contact the organizers by email at: conference@3rshumanrights.com or phone 905-735-0081, ext.244.
You can also find this event posted on the Community Networks of Specialized Care website under the "Event Calendar."
ARTICLES
"Are mental health services improving for people with dual diagnosis?" by Kim Goggins. CrossCurrents Journal, Autumn 2008. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health."Death by Indifference"- March 2007. A 36 page pdf available on the Mencap, UK website.
Dr. Dorothy Griffiths of Welland - Dr. Griffiths is a recognized leader in services for those with intellectual disabilities and mental health concerns. She is a researcher, professor and mentor who has initiated ground breaking therapeutic programs.
Human rights advocate, Professor Dorothy Griffiths, was named to Order of Ontario on Dec. 20th, 2006. Professor Griffiths, a recognized leader in services for persons with intellectual disabilities and mental health concerns, was one of 29 people invested into the Order of Ontario by Lt.-Gov. James K. Bartleman at an investiture ceremony on Dec. 20th at Queen's Park. "It is humbling to receive an award for doing work for which I have great passion. Persons who have an intellectual disability and a mental health challenge represent a neglected group of individuals," said Griffiths, Department of Child and Youth Studies. "I am only one of many individuals and organizations who have been creating awareness for the need for expanded research and changed practice within the social service and mental health fields to better support individuals with this dual challenge."
The Order of Ontario recognizes the highest level of individual excellence and achievement in any field.
DO YOU WANT TO JOIN NADD?
Call or write NADD at 132 Fair St, Kingston, New York 12401-4802.Telephone 845-331-4336, Fax 845-331-4569.
E-mail: info@thenadd.org.
Web site: http://www.thenadd.org/pages/membership/join.shtml
Inquire about family, student, individual and organizational memberships. Cost is paid in US dollars with 20% returned to support Ontario Chapter activities.
Free posting on "Employment" page for positions relevant to dual diagnosis.