| Jul 21, 2005


Feature article, July 21, 2005

Feature article July 21, 2005

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New funding for Community Services in Frontenac County

by Jeff Green

The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care is increasing the annual funding for the adult day service that has recently been established by Central Frontenac Community Services (CFCS), based in Sydenham, and will be funding a new respite care program to be delivered by Northern Frontenac Community Service (NFCS), based in Sharbot Lake.

A $45,000 increase in funding for the adult day service in Sydenham will allow CFCS to double the amount of service that is currently being offered. Currently, the agency offers a half-day program twice a week. Space constraints mean that the program serves 16 individuals, providing programming for frail elderly individuals and respite for their caregivers. The new funding will allow for a full day program to be established as well, providing for increased service to those already in the program and allowing for more people to be served.

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We are delighted with the announcement, said CFCS Executive Director Beth Freeland. This investment will help us to achieve our vision of more programs with a wider reach across the continuum of care.

Central Frontenac Community Services will also be receiving $2,763 each year, a 1.5% increase in their budget, in administrative funding.

Northern Frontenac Community Services will receive $20,000 to establish a respite care program for people who care for high needs family members. This fits in with a government initiative aimed at decreasing the pressure on hospitals and long term care facilities.

NFCS will also receive $3,908 each year, a 1.95% increase in their budget, in administrative funding. As well, a one-time grant of $84,887 will be paid to the agency for capital projects.

Very often the best kind of health care is the care that is delivered in the community, said MPP Leona Dombrowsky in announcing the funding. This investment will ease pressure on our hospitals, allowing them to better provide the acute care services they are so good at providing, while ensuring that whenever possible Ontarians receive care where it will do them the most good closer to home.

The funding announcement came as a bit of surprise to Scott Black, the Director of Adult Services for NFCS, as it did for Beth Freeland of CFCS, and both of them had to make some phone calls and check some web information to find out exactly what the money that had been announced publicly was earmarked for. They were both pleased, however, seeing this is an indication of support for the kinds of integrated services the two agencies offer to the people of Frontenac County.

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