Toronto: As part of the Government of Ontario is investing up to $40 million to support organizations that provide residential services for children and youth, people with developmental disabilities and emergency shelters for women and families fleeing domestic violence.
The Covid-19 Residential Relief Fund will cover costs such as additional staffing, residential respite for caregivers; personal protective equipment and supplies; initiatives to support physical distancing and transportation to minimize client exposure, said a media release.
“Our government is doing everything it can to help Ontario’s most vulnerable get through this difficult and challenging time,” said Todd Smith, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services “I want to personally thank all the staff and managers who are working on the frontlines of the developmental services sector for keeping our most vulnerable citizens safe during this unprecedented time. You exemplify the true Ontario spirit each and every day.”
Ontario is also taking action to help ensure that staffing and resources are available to help care for and protect people with developmental disabilities and the frontline workers who support them. These temporary measures provide further flexibility for developmental service agencies to redirect their staffing and financial resources to essential tasks that keep individuals with developmental disabilities safe and out of hospital.
The Relief Fund will also help address increased residential costs that emergency shelters for women fleeing domestic violence and survivors of human trafficking are facing at this time.
“This is a trying time for everyone, as we continue to stay at home to stop the spread of Covid-19, but we know that home isn’t safe for everyone. That’s why it’s critical during this time that residential organizations for people fleeing violence have the security they need to continue supporting vulnerable women,” said Jill Dunlop, Associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues.
- Ontario recently announced $200 million in social services relief funding to help the province’s most vulnerable.
- Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.
- Ontario Enacts Declaration of Emergency to Protect the Public
Durham ups support for homeless
The Durham Region Social Services Department said it is actively co-ordinating the Covid-19 response for unsheltered residents, enhancing the shelter system in order to provide more support to these at-risk individuals.
Some steps that have already been taken include:
- Extended funding for our overnight warming centres to increase and maintain capacity of the shelter system.
- Working with shelter operators and Durham Region Health Department to ensure that staff, volunteers and guests are doing everything they can to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and support clients who have symptoms.
- Secured hotel partnerships to expand capacity of the shelter system to ensure distancing, isolation of at-risk clients, and isolation of clients pending test results.
- Securing a larger facility to support the shelter system’s COVID-19 response.
- Working with our community partners to coordinate resources to ensure unsheltered residents can access washroom facilities, food security, shelter and outreach support.
Local outreach support agencies, shelters and overnight warming centres remain open throughout Durham Region. Visit durham.ca/EmergencyShelters to learn more about the options available for those who require assistance. Information about emergency supports for unsheltered residents is updated daily online through The Gap Committee.
Individuals who wish to access these services are also advised that these support agencies are following the advice of the Region’s Health Department, to help prevent the spread of illness. This includes practising proper hand hygiene and social distancing; coughing or sneezing into one’s sleeve or a tissue; active screening by staff at entrances; and increasing cleaning and disinfecting measures, said a media release.
If residents or organizations are looking for ways to help, please visit durham.ca/CommunityResources to find contact information, said the Social Services Department. .
Residents should follow trusted sources of information to stay informed. For a full list of impacts to Regional programs and services, visit durham.ca/ServiceChanges. Get the most up-to-date information about Covid-19 in Durham Region at durham.ca/NovelCoronavirus.
“Our social services staff and community partners are working hard to ensure that Durham’s most vulnerable residents are not forgotten during this pandemic. We will continue working with the shelters and looking at other supports to do everything we can to ensure the health and safety of at-risk individuals. Again, I want to thank everyone who is stepping up to help one another—together we are Durham strong,” said John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer.