United Way delegation
During the February 25 meeting of the Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board (DSB), the board heard a delegation from Michael Cullen and Melina Whissell of United Way Sudbury and Nipissing Districts.
Mr. Cullen, executive director, explained that the United Way in Sudbury was incorporated in 1982, admitting that this kind of outreach “should have been done a long time ago.”
He explained that the United Way has undertaken a three-year strategic plan which includes a quarter of a million dollars to become mobile, the first United Way in North America to do so.
“We offer services now through Manitoulin Family Resources on Manitoulin,” he explained, adding that they hope to increase awareness of 2-1-1, information to access community, social, and non-clinical health and related government services.
Ms. Whissell explained that 2-1-1 is offered in 150 languages, 24/7 and is an information and referral help line. “People can ask for programs and services based on their needs,” she explained, noting that there is also an online component.
She also noted that the operators, based out of Thunder Bay, are trained to take emergency calls if they should get them, and will then patch 9-1-1 operators through.
“It’s about sharing data,” she said.
DSB CAO Fern Dominelli explained that it’s important that a municipality ensures their data is up to date with 2-1-1 (landfill hours, curbside pickup days, etc.)
EMS rebranding
The board heard a report from Chief of EMS Michael MacIsaac on rebranding the look of the ambulances as well as changing the name of ‘EMS’ to ‘paramedics.’
Mr. MacIsaac explained that studies have shown that high visibility green and blue are more striking to the eye than is the traditional orange. He explained that that green, the same one seen on construction vests, doesn’t exist in nature and therefore draws the eye.
He said the department was also looking at a name change to ‘paramedic services.’ “There are more services that paramedics are performing and the trend is to revert to paramedics.” This would also mean revamping the crest.
It will take seven years to rebrand all the ambulances, which would be done as they are replaced in the fleet.
Transitional Community Support Worker
Donna Moroso, director of integrated social services, told the board of a pilot project between the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and the DSB to hire a transitional community support worker to support residents residing in DSB social housing properties in the Espanola and Manitoulin areas.
The projected outcomes of the pilot project are: less landlord/tenant complaints; increased retention of tenants, less turnover; reduced episodes of hoarding and bed bugs; increased landlord and tenant awareness of community supports available; increased referrals to support programs (life skills, education, child care); increased participation in employment/volunteering and/or related programs or activities.
The worker is expected to be hired this month and begin working with individuals from April 2016 until March 31, 2017.
Northeast Town Mayor Al MacNevin said this could help alternatively with a reduction in mental health calls to police.
Mr. Dominelli explained that currently, the way to deal with hoarders is to evict them. “This now allows us to be proactive.”
Projected surplus
As of December 31, 2015, the DSB has a projected surplus of $453,190.
PTSD and paramedics
Mr. MacIsaac reviewed with the board the impending provincial legislation to support paramedics with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
It was explained that under the proposed legislation, a first responder no longer has to prove an event. “If you have PTSD as a paramedic, it’s assumed it happened in the workplace” but that a diagnosis must be made by a licenced psychiatrist or psychologist.
“The DSB has been looking at this for some time,” the EMS chief stated. “The best approach is to build resiliency in oneself.” A program based on this fact will now be delivered during EMS annual April training.
One board member asked about volunteer first responders, such as firefighters.
“The intention is to cover everybody,” Mr. MacIsaac responded.
Mr. Dominelli explained that he spoke with Minister of Labour Kevin Flynn about the legislation and questioned how they deliver PTSD services to paramedics who serve in remote areas. “He said he recognized that and asked the Northern Ontario Service Deliverers Association to give him figures on the number of paramedics with PTSD.”
OGRA/ROMA report
Mr. Dominelli gave a brief report on the Ontario Good Roads Association/Rural Ontario Municipalities Association joint conference in Toronto. He told the board that he had a good session with Minister of Education Liz Sandals who announced that all Ontario Early Years Centres would be turned over to the care of the DSBs. They also spoke on the topic of surplus schools with Mr. Dominelli asking the ministry to include the DSB in any accommodation reviews. “If it makes sense and we can use the school, come to the DSB,” he said.
Mayor MacNevin shared his meeting with officials from the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care on the topic of the Manitoulin Centennial Manor and their concern that there is never enough funding and the municipalities are continually picking up the losses.
