“Providing support services for people with developmental disabilities since 1952”

366 Dalhousie Street

Brantford, ON N3S 3W2

Tel: (519) 756-2662

www.clbrant.com Images Spring 2011

Telling Your Story Conference/

Good Food News/Annual General

Meeting……………………………......2

2010 Holiday Memories …………..3-4

2010 Christmas Dinner/Dance ……...5

Cooking Buddies/Disney Trip/

Julie Reconnects……………….……...6

Quality Measures Update ……….…...7

Quality Enhancement Committee

Strategic Plan Update ……………..8-9

R.D.S.P. Update ……………...….10-11

Ontario Early Years Centre:

Brant ………………………………...12

inside THIS ISSUE

S P R I N G E D I T I O N

Supporting people with Developmental Disabilities since 1952

Images R.E.A.C.H. Out Holds Information Session

with Mayor Chris Friel

R.E.A.C.H. Out, the Self Advocate

Committee of Community Living Brant,

works hard throughout the year

organizing a wide variety of

educational seminars for people

supported, as well as staff. On Friday

January 14, 2011, R.E.A.C.H. Out was

especially pleased to host a seminar

featuring Brantford Mayor Chris Friel as

our speaker. Mayor Friel talked about

his job as Mayor of Brantford and

brought along his Chain of Office to

show everyone. R.E.A.C.H. Out member, Kristie Beckham,

modelled the Chain of Office while Mayor Friel explained

the meaning of each segment and symbol. Mayor Friel

talked about the history of Brantford, including the invention

of the telephone, and asked participants trivia questions.

The first person to answer the trivia question correctly was

given a prize. Mayor Friel answered questions from

participants regarding a variety of topics concerning the

City of Brantford. He provided

everyone with a City of Brantford

pin. He was also kind enough to

pose for pictures with anyone who

wanted a photo. Special thanks go

to Kristie Beckham for arranging to

have Mayor Friel come and speak

at our educational seminar, and to

Mayor Friel, for being informative,

funny and fun!

David with Mayor Friel

Kristie with Mayor Friel

Way To Go Brandon!!

Telling your story conference

PG 2

Online: www.clbrant.com

On Thursday May 5, 2011, R.E.A.C.H. Out Self Advocates and Com-

munity Living Brant will be hosting a full day conference for self advo-

cates called “Telling Your Story”. The theme throughout the day will

be to educate and empower participants to tell their own personal

story through various mediums such as journaling, scrapbooking and

oral storytelling. The keynote speaker in the morning will be David

Pitonyak. David has worked closely with staff of Community Living

Brant over the past year and now self advocates will have the op-

portunity to listen to his stories about the importance of belonging

and leading fulfilling lives. A committee of staff, self advocates and

R.E.A.C.H.Out members are currently hard at work organizing a con-

ference that will surely be interesting, informative and fun for all

who attend. Look for complete information and registration forms to

be distributed by the end of February 2011.

Steven

R.E.A.C.H. Out member

Brandon has been volunteering for the Good Food Box for approximately 7

months.

His job is to help carry groceries out to peoples‟ cars, as well as pack their

groceries with them, and clean up after.

Brandon loves helping others and never misses a day.

The lady who runs the program, as well as the other volunteers, have gotten to

know Brandon and tell him all the time how much they appreciate him and

enjoy working alongside him.

The Good Food Box posted a Newsletter recently and featured Brandon as one

of their top volunteers.

Good food news

Annual general Meeting

Notice of Community Living Brant’s Annual General Meeting

Thursday June 23, 2011

7 p.m.

Best Western Brant Park Inn

19 Holiday Drive, Brantford

2010 holiday memories

Online: www.clbrant.com

PG 3

Everyone in Burford had a very busy Christmas! We held an Open House for all of our friends

and family and even Santa came to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!

Every year we participate in Burford‟s annual Christmas Parade, and this year topped them

all! We built a sleigh so we could ride behind Santa with all the presents.

We hope everyone had a great holiday season, and we can‟t wait to do it all again next

year!

Community Living Brant participates in the 2010 JCI Brantford Christmas parade!

Hampton team participated in Movember raising over $700 for prostate

cancer!

Images Spring 2011

PG 4

2010 holiday memories cont.

During the month of December 2010,

Community Living Brant's Community

Activities Program participated in the 2nd

Annual Food Sculpture Challenge. We felt

this was a great opportunity to help give

back to our community. We decided on

a snowman as our sculpture for this

challenge. This picture was published in

the “Your Community Connection” paper

on December 23, 2010. We thank

everyone for all your donations “as every

little bit counts."

Sherisse, Brenda, Russell, Karen and Brian hosted their Annual Christmas Open

house in December. Everyone invited family and friends for a visit and to reminisce

about the good times.

Online: www.clbrant.com

PG 5

2010 Christmas Dinner & dance

Karen

Sherisse and Kirk

Julie and Brenda

Sonja, Santa and Val

Karen and Kim

Katrina, Melissa and Danielle enjoying their dinner.

Cooking buddies

PG 6

In October 2010, Community Living Brant‟s Young Adults

in Transition Program established a community

partnership with the Church of The Nazarene and their

Youth Group. The partnership entailed an 8 week

cooking program, which was co-ordinated and

implemented by Denise Holland, Nazarene‟s Youth

Group Co-ordinator.

The focus of the group was to bring together both youth

groups, in hopes of building on and expanding kitchen

and cooking skills through peer teaching and mentoring. More importantly, the

youth have made some new social connections and are fostering new friendships.

Julie Reconnects

Disney trip

In August, I went to Disney World. It is a nice place to go. I

went to see Lightening McQueen and Mater. I saw them at

Hollywood Studios. I went on a ride at Pirates of the

Caribbean and it was fun to see it but there is one part that

scared me. We went in the Dark Cave down a waterfall

but you don‟t get wet. I went to Universal Studios to see

Harry Potter‟s train and went to see a show about how the

wand picks you. I went to the castle on a ride that you see

a dragon breathing fire at you and the spider throws a web

at you. The web was water. I went to see Mickey Mouse, Pluto, Minnie Mouse,

Donald Duck and Goofy at Epcot. We stayed at Port Orleans Riverside and rode on a paddleboat to go

to downtown Disney. We watched a parade in the evening and another in the afternoon. We saw

fireworks at the Magic Castle and at Epcot. I saw the Lion King show at Animal Kingdom. I saw the little

Mermaid Show and Beauty and the Beast Show at Hollywood Studios. I went on the Aladdin Magic

Carpet ride. I saw Woody and Jesse at Magic Kingdom. I saw the Monster Inc. laugh floor show. I had

lots of fun being there. I will go again. Submitted By: Rebecca Daniels

Images Spring 2011

David and Rebecca Rebecca

Julie has recently reconnected

with the SPCA and now enjoys

volunteering there weekly.

Julie most enjoys her role as a care

giver, spending time with the

animals, grooming and feeding

them.

Quality measures update

Ministry of Community and Social Services

Quality Assurance Measures

In December of 2010 Community Living Brant was provided information and tools

necessary to understand the Quality Assurance Measures under the Services and

Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act,

2008. This new Act is to change the way we deliver Services and Supports within the

province of Ontario. Agencies were trained the first week of December to be able to

deliver in-house training. The purpose of the training was to give Boards of Directors,

Staff and Volunteers the standardized training package developed for the province.

The expectation was that all staff within the province would be trained by January 1,

2011. We embarked on our training of staff in response to the new Quality Assurance

Measures and successfully completed the training by December 31, 2010!

The training package includes:

Overview and understanding of the Act and its Regulations,

Information on Abuse Training for staff and people receiving services

Behaviour Supports Training

Compliance Requirements.

At Community Living Brant the training was enhanced to include a policy review and

additional information around documentation for these new compliance

requirements.

The agency has been working extremely hard to review our current policies, including

the development of a number of new policies, to ensure we meet the requirements

under the Act. A work plan was created to ensure all areas were addressed and to

ensure we were on track!

Community Living Brant is in the process of developing some new training initiatives for

the people using our services to keep them informed of the changes. This includes

training on:

Abuse and Neglect

Understanding the Agency‟s mission and guiding principles, and Bill of Rights

Confidentiality and Sharing Information

Information packages are also being drafted for people we support and families to

update them on changes, as well as new “Welcome Packages” for new people

coming into service. Stay tuned, there will be lots of information coming forward this

New Year!

PG 7

Online: www.clbrant.com

Quality Enhancement Committee Strategic Plan Update

PG 8

Images Spring 2011

GOAL 1:

To support individuals who have a developmental disability to realize their aspirations for full

citizenship, inclusion, and participation. This goal includes:

Individualized Person-Directed Planning

Flexible Day Supports

Community Engagement

Facilitating Relationships

A. Through the Person-Directed Planning Innovations Fund Project, a pilot group is

implementing additional person-directed planning tools from David Pitonyak to building

relationships and support networks.

B. Currently staff teams are working on implementing the new Annual Support Plans and

Personal Outcomes Support Plans with people.

C. A working group of staff and self-advocates are coordinating a Telling People‟s Stories

Workshop for everyone in May 2011.

D. The Community Activities Program is developing base line data of current partnerships and

potential partnerships. As well, CAP has implemented a small pilot to run from February to

May 2011 offering extended hours of service to those identified as most in need. The pilot will

be evaluated and recommendations made as part of the CAP program review.

E. We will be conducting a pilot training on social capital in spring of 2011 for Community Living

Brant staff through the Person-Directed Planning Innovations Fund Project, evaluating and

making recommendations for broader agency training. We are using information from

training staff attended with Al Condelucci and Community Living Mississauga on building

social capital for people.

GOAL 2:

To continue the commitment to excellence by enhancing the capacity of Community Living

Brant to demonstrate quality.

A. Compiling information through completion of an updated CQL Basic Assurances and

Shared Values report to reflect progress over the past two years.

B. Analysis of Personal Outcomes interviews for 2010 will be completed in February 2011.

Quality Enhancement Committee Strategic Plan Update cont.

PG 9

GOAL 3:

To advance the sustainability of Community Living Brant through a committed and integrated

approach to leadership continuity, risk management, employee well being and financial

viability. This goal includes:

Succession Planning

Risk Management

Employee Well Being

Financial Viability

A. Community Living Brant has Board of Director approved Governance Policies on Board

Qualifications and Composition, and Board Recruitment and Selection.

B. A Board of Directors approved interim Executive Director Succession Plan has been

developed and implemented and will be reviewed annually. A permanent Succession Plan

for the Executive Director and key management positions is being developed this year. Our

involvement in the Provincial Pilot Project on Core Competencies has allowed us to begin

incorporating core competencies into our Succession Plans.

C. Community Living Brant‟s Risk Management Policy, Procedure and Plan are to be

developed and implemented this year.

D. Reviewing current policies, as well as developing and implementing policies and procedures

to ensure the following resources are safeguarded: buildings, vehicles, information, financial,

accessibility, and technology. Many of these changes are requirements of the new MCSS

Quality Assurance Measures.

E. The R.E.A.C.H Out Self-Advocates group has completed its Complaints/Concerns video. It

was presented to agency staff on November 30 and December 1 followed by educational

sessions for people receiving services which started in January.

F. In conjunction with the Wellness Committee, a survey is in draft that will go out to staff to

determine baseline data for staff wellness and retention.

G. Core competencies have been incorporated into the external hiring process. The agency

will begin using core competencies in internal interviews beginning this year. One lunch and

learn on the competencies and the interview process was done on January 20th.

H. The agency is developing a long-term financial projection. Future needs will be more clearly

identified through the 2011/12 budget process which will be completed in February 2011.

For more information regarding the Quality Enhancement Committee or the implementation of

the Strategic Plan, please contact Debbie Cavers, Director at 519-756-2662, ext 205

or debbiecavers@clbrant.com

Online: www.clbrant.com

R.D.S.P. Update

PG 10

IMPORTANT CHANGES TO Registered Disability Savings Plan

On March 4, 2010, the Government of Canada, through its Budget 2010, announced two

enhancements to the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP), grant and bond. The legislation

to enact these changes received Royal Assent on December 15, 2010. The „carry forward‟

and „roll over‟ provisions will provide Canadians with disabilities and their families with more

flexibility when saving for the future.

Please find below some questions and answers that we hope will assist you in understanding

the benefit from these new provisions.

What is the carry forward?

As people with disabilities and their families may not be able to contribute regularly to their

RDSPs, the carry forward allows beneficiaries to claim unused grant and bond entitlements for

a 10-year period (starting from 2008, the year RDSPs became available). In order to claim

unused grant and bond entitlements, the beneficiary must be eligible to receive the grant and

bond (at the time of the claim, the beneficiary must be aged 49 or under).

Grant and bond entitlements are based on the beneficiary's family income. The grant amount

also depends on how much is contributed to the RDSP. For unused grant entitlements, the

matching grant rate will be the same as what would have applied in the year the entitlement

was earned.

When does the carry forward come into effect?

The carry forward comes into effect on January 1, 2011.

As it will take time to develop the electronic system to process these transactions, the

functionality to administer the carry forward will not be available immediately. Therefore, 2011

carry forward entitlements are expected to be paid into RDSPs in early 2012.

Is there a special application form for the carry forward?

Whether an individual already has an RDSP, or opens an RDSP in January 2011 or thereafter, a

special application form will not be required for the carry forward. Grant and bond

entitlements will be calculated automatically.

What is the roll over?

The proceeds (or a portion thereof) from a deceased individual‟s Registered Retirement

Savings Plan (RRSP), Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF), and Registered Pension Plan

(RPP) can be rolled over, tax free, into the RDSP of a financially dependent child or grandchild

with a disability.

The amount of money rolled over into an RDSP will form part of the $200,000 lifetime

contribution limit. For example, if there is already $50,000 in private contributions in an RDSP,

the amount rolled over from an RRSP, RRIF and RPP cannot exceed $150,000.

A matching grant will not be paid on RRSP, RRIF and RPP contributions.

Images Spring 2011

PG 11

R.D.S.P. Update continued

For more information about RDSP’s go to the PLAN network website for RDSP’s at

www.rdsp.com

When does the roll over come into effect?

The roll over comes into effect July 2011. This measure will be effective for individuals who pass

away after 2007.

BACKGROUNDER

The RDSP is a long-term savings plan that helps people with disabilities, and their families, save

for the future. To be eligible, a person must be:

under the age of 60;

a Canadian resident with a social insurance number; and

eligible for the Disability Tax Credit (Disability Amount)

There is no annual contribution limit to the RDSP, but there is a lifetime contribution limit of

$200,000.

To help people save, the Government of Canada will pay a matching grant of up to $3,500 a

year, depending on the amount contributed and the beneficiary‟s family income. There is a

lifetime limit of $70,000 in grant payments.

The Government of Canada will also pay a bond of up to $1,000 a year into RDSPs of low- and

modest-income Canadians. There is a lifetime limit of $20,000 in bond payments.

No contribution is necessary to receive the bond.

Grants and bonds will be paid until the year the beneficiary turns 49.

For more information about the RDSP, grant and bond, please visit www.disabilitysavings.gc.ca

or call1 800 O-Canada (1 800-622-6232). TTY users may call 1-800-926-9105. A detailed

brochure – available in alternate formats such as large print, Braille, audio cassette, CD, DAISY,

and computer diskette – is also available by calling these numbers.

Should you wish to make an inquiry by e-mail, please send your message to

rdsp-reei@hrsdc-rhdsc.gc.ca.

Sincerely,

RDSP, Grant and Bond Outreach Team

Online: www.clbrant.com

Ontario Early Years Centre: BrantOntario Early Years Centre: Brant

PG 12

Wasn’t that a party? Ontario Early Years Centre: Brant moved to 30 Bell Lane.

We celebrated National Child Day and our Open House on November 20, 2010.

Over 100 families, educators and dignitaries participated by joining us for a

pancake breakfast, face painting, puppet show, storytime, crafts and activities.

Special thank you to: Tara and Heather at Face Frenzy for face painting at our

event, and Kate Ritchie, Home Hardware Stores Limited in Burford, for donating

the paint for our walls at our new location.

If you haven‟t seen our new location, we welcome you to drop-in to the centre

for a tour.

30 Bell Lane, P.O. Box 25040

Brantford, ON N3T 6K5

519-759-3833

oeycbrant@execulink.ca

www.eycbrant.ca/oeyc.html

Images Spring 2011