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P.O. Box 76

1025 Elizabeth Street

Sharbot Lake, ON

K0H 2P0

Phone: 613-279-3731

Fax: 613-279-3732

estelle_clnf@frontenac.net

MISSION STATEMENT

Community Living—North Frontenac is dedicated to providing equal

opportunity to individuals with intellectual disabilities and their

families in the Central/North Frontenac area, to achieve

independence and social acceptance ...

ONE PERSON AT A TIME

Spring 2013

CONNECTIONS

ATTENTION: Parents of Young Adults!

What will your son or daughter do when they leave the school system?

Recently, families of young adults with autism and other developmental

disabilities have been in the news. It is very apparent that there is a big gap in

services for this age group once they leave high school. Our young adults want to

be engaged in meaningful activities just as they were in school, but insufficient

funding to social services has meant that programs like Passport can't provide

enough; similarly, Community Living provides some supports (thankfully!), but

again, is under-funded.

If you would like to meet soon and brainstorm some options for meaningful

activities, please contact the following by June 14th, 2013.

Nancy Miller: 613-279-3003

Lillian Barker-Godfrey: 613-279-3731

Talking The Talk And Walking The Walk

During the past year, Community Living– North Frontenac has been

challenged by demands for housing options for people supported. Given two

individuals share a big house, they were approached and asked if they would be

willing to have someone move in and share the expenses. The individuals involved

were reminded it would be their decision to make and CL-NF would respect their

decision. Every request was denied, their decision was accepted and their wishes

respected.

This is one example showing Community Living—North Frontenac talks the

talk and walks the walk. I am proud to be part of an agency that respects people’s

wishes even though it creates a challenging situation. Way to go CL-NF.

Vince Savoie

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Words from the Executive Director

Spring is finally here and we can all start enjoying the warm weather. A lot

has happened since our last newsletter in December. With the resignation of Barb

Matson our Children’s Service required a new Child & Youth Worker. While the

interest for this open competition was high, the short listed candidates all showed

they had qualities that would have made them successful for the position. With the

use of the Core Competencies, Glenda Peters was the successful candidate as our

new Child & Youth Worker. Glenda has proven her abilities and competencies over

a 5 year period as a Direct Support Professional at Community Living-North

Frontenac. These skills will allow Glenda to be successful in CL-NF’s Children’s

Service. Ryan Wood has also been hired as our Activity Support Worker, Ryan is

working hard getting to know everyone at CL-NF, you can read more about Ryan

further in this newsletter. Way to go Ryan and Glenda.

CL-NF has been in renovation mode over the last few months, we have built

one new office and inserted safety windows in all office doors. Our basement has

been renovated in order to have a full kitchen, this was a much needed addition as

this will allow people to work on life skills.

Northern Frontenac Community Services (NFCS) and CL-NF are

collaborating on a few activities this year. Throughout the summer there will be

free monthly movies showing, please look at websites for both NFCS and CL-NF

for time and location, please do not forget to vote for your favorite movie. The

annual Touch a Truck and Lil Ray’s Reptiles continues to be a great success. This

year the event will be on September 21 at the Catholic Church Hall and school

parking lot. We hope to see you there!

As many people are aware, May is community living month. All across the

province of Ontario, community living associations will be celebrating and

proclaiming that May is community living month in an effort to create awareness

of community living organizations in their community. Looking forward to next

year, CL-NF hopes to be flying a flag for the month of May to enhance awareness

of Community Living organization. If you would like to be a part of a committee

that plans activities for May please contact Dean at 613-279-2120. CL-NF has also

started an annual Trash Bash for everyone who lives in and around Sharbot Lake.

This event will usually occur around Earth Day and is a great way for all people in

the community to show their community spirit. Call CL-NF if you require more

details for next year.

Community Living Ontario is speaking on behalf of people who have an

intellectual disability, their families and Community Living associations across

Ontario, they welcome the investigation into Ontario’s services

for adults with developmental disabilities in crisis. We have now

been granted an opportunity to meet with the Ombudsman re-

garding this investigation. We encourage anyone who has infor-

mation relevant to the investigation to contact the Ombudsman

at 1-800-263-1830 or file an online complaint form. Go to Ontario

Ombudsman's website and press on “make a complaint” tab and

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Community Living—North Frontenac Remembers

It is with great respect that we remember these members of our Community

Living family.

Madeline Clark 29 April 2013 Margaret Purtell 21 April 2013

Frank Fanning 09 Dec. 2012 Gloria Forcier 31 Dec. 2012

A Suggestion box and a Monthly Employee Recognition box are now in the

reception area of Community Living—North Frontenac for all to use.

A special thanks to all who contributed in making this newsletter another

successful publication. Please remember anyone can contribute to the newsletter

and if you have an article you wish to have in the newsletter

please contact Estelle at estelle_clnf@frontenac.net. If you

wish to receive our newsletter via email you may do so by

contacting Estelle.

Our next Newsletter will be out November/December 2013.

Family Home Share and/or Respite Homes

In The Central/North Frontenac Area

Community Living—North Frontenac (CLNF) is re-establishing a Family

Home Share Program. Family Home Share is a flexible service that matches

individuals who have an intellectual disability with people who can provide a

caring, stable family environment on a full-time basis or for respite.

The supports offered are tailored to each individual and take into considera-

tion the qualities and needs of everyone involved. These arrangements often see

people becoming extensions of each other’s families; sharing special moments,

milestones and personal accomplishments.

The goal is to provide an individual the opportunity for belonging, learn

social and living skills under the direct auspices of CL-NF mission statement and

guiding principles. For some individual this home environment will be an end in

itself and for some it will be a stepping stone to a more independent lifestyle.

As potential provider coming in with diverse backgrounds and a variety of

experiences will be considered an asset. Providers will receive remuneration.

Please call and ask for a Family Home Share Application at 613-279-3731.

Marcel Quenneville

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Pamper Day

A group of ladies attended a pamper day in Kingston. The day was set up to

empower women to be themselves, to be glad/happy to be who they

are and to stand up to women’s abuse. The ladies enjoyed make up

applications, manicures or hair cuts/dos. Each chose what interests

them. Afterward we dined out and enjoyed each other’s company.

JoAnne Delyea

May is Community Living Month

5th Annual BBQ Celebration

Tuesday May 28th we enjoyed a

beautiful day with good food, good friends

and good times. Special thanks to Jessica,

Shawn and Bruce for providing us with their

musical talent.

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fill out the form. You can also send any concerns to CL-NF and we will send your

concerns to the Ontario Ombudsman.

Have a great summer and remember to visit our website at

communitylivingnorthfrontenac.com

Dean Walsh

Executive Director

Community Living—North Frontenac

What are Core Competencies?

In our Executive Directors report he refers to Core

Competencies. What are they you ask?

Competencies are a way to identify what really

makes a difference in performance on the job. They are

characteristics that drive performance. When people can

identify more clearly what is expected in terms of

behaviour on the job, then they can do their job better. Similarly, manager and su-

pervisors can be more objective and provide the

appropriate coaching to support employees in their personal growth.

There are two types of competencies –technical and behavioural

Technical Competencies – What a person needs to know and be able to do

(knowledge and skills) to perform the job.

Behavioural Competencies – The behaviours a person demonstrates in applying

their knowledge and skill on the job.

In other words, technical competencies are WHAT a person needs to know or

know how to do; and behavioural competencies are HOW an individual approaches

his or her work.

This is very important to all of us. We all want to do well in our jobs and be

appreciated by the people we work with and the people we support. This is the way

that we can all continue to be focused on service and reliability in an efficient

manner.

Deb Ryckman

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Children’s Services

Children’s Services has some new faces and has been to some new places.

We had a great time over the March Break with activities in the area. We had a

blast playing laser tag in Kingston, went bowling, and spent a

night at the Ambassador Hotel. Many games were played, a little

sleep was lost and fun was had by all! Favorite quotes from the

March Beak: “Good try!”, “This was the best day ever!” Creative

young minds were at work here at the office creating some lovely

artwork and getting to know new friends and reacquainting with

old ones. The train left the station in Kingston with a couple of

people from our neck of the woods bound for Brockville. It was a

great day to ride the rails.

We have said “Goodbye” to the snow and are now busy planning for summer

and looking forward to the future.

Glenda Peters

Treasure Trunk Tidbits

Some of the staff of the Treasure Trunk went on a refresher course at

Northern Connections to update and learn some new skills. They all did well and

enjoyed the course.

The team was given a challenge to come up with an ad to

go in the local newspaper and one would be chosen.

Congratulation’s Crystal you were the winner. Everyone watch

the paper for the winning ad.

Everyone came back with something new they learned

and were glad they had a refresher on different parts of their

job.

I was very impressed with all the positive comments that the team came

back with about the course and the instructor Jim Tysick. We will look at doing

another course next year.

I am very proud of the whole team at the Treasure Trunk. Keep up the good

work everyone!

Janet Barr

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SAFE and SECURE Parent Book Study

From March through May of this year Nancy Miller and

Lillian Barker – Godfrey once again co-facilitated a parent group

based on a book SAFE and SECURE: Six Steps to Creating a Good

Life for People with Disabilities. The group also viewed video clips

from a CD produced by Planned Lifetime Advocacy Networks

(PLAN). Together the group discussed and began to address the

worries parents who have sons/daughters with disabilities face. To

help them focus they pondered a picture of what their family

member’s life would look like in the future without them. They come to understand

that the greatest foundation to a good life is loving, caring relationships with

family and friends. They discussed and explored a variety of ideas for creating a

home as a safe haven that reflects the personality of the person who lives there.

They learned the legalities of having their son/daughter turning 18 and were

introduced to the concept of supported decision making. They discussed how to

plan for and protect the financial well-being of their family member both now and

in the future (Wills, Trusts, & RDSPs). Finally the group of parents looked at all of

these steps together recognising that each one on its own advances the opportunity

for greater safety, however, the steps are interrelated and, taken together, they

offer a complete system of checks and balances for a

good life.

Lillian Barker-Godrey

People’s First

The People’s First movement started in 1974. A group of individuals with

disabilities and their supporters gathered together so people living in institutions

could have a voice about decisions concerning their lives. This movement

empowered people with disabilities to speak for themselves and to have a say in

decision making about their lives.

David Yerxa along with Sharon Sproule and Barb McKay have been trying

to get a People’s First group going in Sharbot Lake, we want you to join the

movement. Come out and learn about rights as a Canadian citizen. Become a

self-advocate, self-determined and self-empowered. (Watch for the next meeting)

JoAnne Delyea

Sandra Nancy

Sandra White visited the

parents to discuss

Registered Disabilities

Savings Plans (RDSP).

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Community Activity Worker—Ryan Wood

Hi my name is Ryan Wood and I am pleased to be the new

Community Activity Worker at Community Living - North Frontenac.

In the past I have worked for the Limestone District School Board as

an Educational Assistant in the School to Community program, and

for the Kingston Military Family Resource Centre as a Youth Centre

Program Facilitator. I live in Kingston with my wife Megan and my

two boys Nathan (5) and Callum (17 months) who keep my wife and I

extremely busy. In my spare time I enjoy coaching in the Knights of

Columbus Basketball League which I have for the past 15 years. I also like to

coach my son Nathan’s T-Ball Team, Go Purple Grapes!!! I have enjoyed my brief

time here at CL-NF meeting the wonderful people we support, and the team

members I work beside. If you have ideas for a trip or an activity feel free to

contact me at CL-NF or by email: ryanwoodclnf@live.com. Thanks to everyone I

have met so far for making me feel so welcome.

Life Planning

The new Social Inclusion Act that was passed in 2008

specifically mentions life planning. With this new legislation the

government is trying to improve services and supports for adults

who have developmental disabilities and their families. They

want to be fair and flexible so that everyone is treated equally

and so that people's needs are addressed.

The Social Inclusion Act wants all people supported by

government developmental services funding to use planning as a way to identify

their life dreams and goals. Ideally, life plan documents can be used as a tool to

find and use services and supports to make their plan happen.

As Community Living—North Frontenac’s Planning Facilitator I have

helped many people supported by our agency think about their lives and record

what they want and what steps are needed to work towards it.

So far not all people we support participate in life planning so I

wanted to extend an invitation to call me and ask me to help

you get started. Eventually I will be contacting anyone who

does not have current plans to discuss ways that I can help.

However, I am fairly busy so if you want to get started sooner

rather than later call me as I have many different planning

approaches, tools and ideas that we can discuss.

Lillian Barker - Godfrey

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Employee Profile—Lillian Barker-Godfrey

As I finished grade 12, I got a summer job for the

North Frontenac Association for the Mentally Handicapped

(N.F.A.M.H.) working at the Sharbot Lake Residence (group

home). I got the job and started work the last week of June

1983. Although I didn’t know it then that was the beginning

of a long meaningful career with people who live with

developmental disabilities. Due to transportation problems

to and from work I lived in a tent in Sharbot Lake most of

that summer spending many weeks camping at the group

home. During that job I worked alongside and got to know

another summer student, Jim Godfrey. As the summer

ended I obtained a Part Time Residential Counsellor position at the group home.

In the next few years I worked part time at the group home on weekends

and holidays as well as studied Behavioural Science Technology full time at St.

Lawrence College in Kingston. In the summer of 1984 I got a summer job with

N.F.A.M.H.’s Summer Recreation Program. In the summer of 1985 I got a summer

job at ARC Industries in the Life Skills Program, writing and implementing many

developmental programs to teach skills such as personal hygiene, cooking,

cleaning, time management, and money skills.

While attending college I participated in four field placements. The first one

was at Ongwanada, Penrose Division in Kingston. My second field placement was

at Thistletown Regional Centre for Children & Adolescents in Toronto. My third

placement was at the Ministry of Community and Social Services, Vocational

Rehabilitation Program in Kingston. In Dec 1985, as I was finishing my 5th

semester of college I was hired as a full time Residential Counsellor at the Sharbot

Lake Residence. I started the job January 1, 1986 and for my last semester of

college I went to school during the day then drove to Sharbot Lake and worked

evenings. My last field placement was at N.F.A.M.H. working as a Residential

Counsellor.

The following year (1987) I got the position of Senior Residential Counsellor

and within a year I was promoted to the position of Residential Supervisor. For the

next few years I was part of a very innovative, forward thinking management team

that led the redevelopment of the organization. In addition to the name change,

the association adopted a new holistic planning process that listened to the desires

and dreams of the people and families being supported. That listening led to a re-

alization that the two programs, Sharbot Lake Residence and ARC Industries,

were limited both in the scope of services provided and in the number of people/

families they could support. With the co-operation and aid of many employees

these two programs were redeveloped into an amalgamated support service that

delivers services both in people’s homes and in the community based on each

individual’s support needs and goals. In the midst of all this change, for a short

time in 1993, another supervisor and I jointly filled the role of the vacant

Executive Director’s position.

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On a more personal note, in 1987 I got married to that summer student, Jim

Godfrey; the one I got to know at the group home in 1983. We subsequently built a

home at St. George’s Lake and had two children in 1991 (Erin) and 1994 (Ethan).

In 1995 Jim died in a car accident. In 1997, after a couple of years trying to

balance work and personal life I willingly moved from a Supervisors position into

the newly formed position of Planning Facilitator.

For just over 16 years now I have been Community Living‘s “planner”.

Individuals and families have entrusted me with their stories; intimate details for

their lives. I have documented their life histories, current situations, support needs

and most importantly their dreams for the future. Many action plans have been

developed and worked on by individuals and their support networks with the

general aim of providing people with a broader base of life experiences,

opportunities to grow and personally develop, and ultimately acquire the quality of

life desired.

At the end of June it will be thirty years since I started working for

N.F.A.M.H./CL-NF. In the last ten to fifteen years the following things are worth

noting as impacting my career. For approximately fifteen years I have represented

CL-NF on the Limestone District School Board’s Transitional Planning Advisory

Committee. This body focuses on planning for life beyond school in the community.

Eight years ago I was trained as a Reliable Interviewer by Accreditation Ontario to

use an interview format to determine what is most important in the life of each

person and measure whether or not it is present. More recently I have shared the

responsibility of CL-NF’s Rights initiative with my co-worker Paul Kyte. In the

last five to ten years I have become familiar with Planned Lifetime Advocacy

Network (PLAN) and the Ontario Partnership for Aging with Developmental

Disabilities (OPADD). PLAN’s concepts assist aging parents who have son and

daughters with a disability to plan and work towards a good life for them when

they are no longer able to care for them. OPADD looks at the special considera-

tions and best practices for people with developmental disabilities as they age.

In closing I feel I have done well to survive the many changes (e.g. provin-

cial, regional and local) within the field of developmental disability. I am proud of

the contributions I have made to this organization. I feel privileged to have had the

opportunity to get to know so many people and that I have

been able to play a small part in their lives. Lastly, I am

thankful that the experiences I have had so far, I feel, have

equipped me well with the skills, knowledge and personal

philosophy I need to continue to contribute significantly to

the lives of others.