NOVA SCOTIA ASSOCIATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING

www.nsacl.ca

22-24 Dundas Street, Suite 100 Dartmouth, N.S. B2Y 4L2 Phone# 902 469-1174 Fax# 902 461-0196 wwwwww

RESPONSE TO THE PROPOSED NORTHERN REGION OUTREACH TEAM As announced by the Department of Community Services March 5th, 2013 The Nova Scotia Association for Community Living (NSACL) Living in the Community Committee, wants to express its concerns around the recent announcement of the establishment of a Northern Region Outreach Team based out of Riverview Home Corporationa discredited institution that holds a troubling history and memories for so many vulnerable people and their families. We believe that institutionally based outreach teams are not well situated to provide community-based solutions. Community-based solutions promote community inclusion, accessing generic services and building a supportive community around individuals with intellectual disabilities. We understand that existing outreach teams based at institutions such as Quest Society for Adult Support and Rehabilitation (formerly Cobequid RRC) require the individual to be admitted in order to be supported by the team. If the Nova Scotia government is committed to community living and moving away from institutions, then this approach does not make sense. Individuals and families live real lives in their home communities and

NOVA SCOTIA ASSOCIATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING

www.nsacl.ca

22-24 Dundas Street, Suite 100 Dartmouth, N.S. B2Y 4L2 Phone# 902 469-1174 Fax# 902 461-0196 wwwwww

we have little confidence that services provided in an institutional setting would be effective or provide long term solutions. In fact, the 5 year Strategic Plan entitled, Positive Behaviour Framework for Supporting Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or Intellectual Disability and Challenging Behaviours prepared by Colin G. Pottie PhD and Susan Bryson PhD January 2013, states that the, Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) team must be able to offer services in a persons place of residence and partner with key caregivers in the persons life...and involve close collaboration between caregivers, agencies and government departments that serve these individuals. (p. 5) Doctors Pottie and Bryson say that the treatment, management and prevention of challenging behaviour are areas of immense clinical need in Nova Scotia (p. 2) and that in NS there is a lack of clinical capacity to effectively support adolescents and adults displaying challenging behaviours and no coordinated plan to ensure that scarce resources are used efficiently. (p. 3) Therefore, as a committee of stakeholders, family members and self advocates we are outraged at this announcement from the Department of Community Services. Only three years ago Riverview Home Cooperation was subject to abuse and neglect allegations, a governance model in disrepair, a lack of leadership and unqualified

NOVA SCOTIA ASSOCIATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING

www.nsacl.ca

22-24 Dundas Street, Suite 100 Dartmouth, N.S. B2Y 4L2 Phone# 902 469-1174 Fax# 902 461-0196 wwwwww

staff with little or no training, expertise or skill set. Riverview was described as having disgraceful conditions by the Canadian Press (as reported by Michael Tutton). Yet, after thoughtful consideration the Department of Community Services honours Riverview with a contract to develop an Outreach Team that will be implemented by the same institution that abused and neglected individuals with disabilities who are vulnerable and isolated. We are left to wonder: How was this decision made? Who decided that Riverview has the credibility and expertise to control the Northern Outreach Team? Who will make up this outreach teamwhat skills and experience do they have? The announcement of the proposed Northern Region Outreach Team is disheartening when we understand there are existing models of best practice for community-based mobile outreach teams to learn and draw from. We would support the development of mobile, multidiscipline, community-based outreach teams that would serve different regions of Nova Scotia. Best practices suggest that outreach teams that are staffed by skilled professionals in their areas of expertise can have a positive impact on communities

NOVA SCOTIA ASSOCIATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING

www.nsacl.ca

22-24 Dundas Street, Suite 100 Dartmouth, N.S. B2Y 4L2 Phone# 902 469-1174 Fax# 902 461-0196 wwwwww

especially those in rural areas. They could work in collaboration with regional hospitals, care centres and community-based mental health centres. Dr. Pottie and Dr. Bryson state, that, PBS is a set of empiricallysupported strategies used to increase quality of life and decrease challenging behaviour by teaching new skills and making changes in a persons environment (pg.4), then goes on to say, that, the PBS team is optimally delivered by a specialty team. (p. 5) A specialty mobile team would enable people to continue to live in their home communities and familiar neighbourhoods, stay in touch with family and friends and strengthen those communities at the local level by creating capacity such as jobs and networking with volunteer groups, medical services and community-based agencies. We implore the government to reconsider this decision, if indeed, we are moving towards inclusive communities for individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities. Respectfully, Barb Horner Chair, Living in the Community CommitteeNova Scotia Association for Community Living

NOVA SCOTIA ASSOCIATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING

www.nsacl.ca

22-24 Dundas Street, Suite 100 Dartmouth, N.S. B2Y 4L2 Phone# 902 469-1174 Fax# 902 461-0196 wwwwww

Cc: Hon. Denise Peterson-Rafuse, Minister, Department of Community Services Mr. Rod Wood, Deputy Minister, Department of Community Services Ms. Lorna McPherson, Director, Services for Persons with Disabilities