​This week I’ll go right to the statistics. As of yesterday, Christian Horizons has nine (9) employees who are currently positive for COVID-19 in five (5) communities across Ontario. We have no active cases in Saskatchewan.

Christian Horizons Statistics

(Running totals since March 19, 2020)

Provincial and National Statistics

(Beyond Christian Horizons)

Development Services Reform in Ontario

We are pleased to share that the Ministry of Children Community and Social Services (MCCSS) has continued discussions around reforming the Developmental Services (DS) system in Ontario amid COVID-19. Christian Horizons continues to actively engage with leaders in the DS sector and government advocating for reform and will be present at the Engagement Sessions hosted by the government. MCCSS is proposing seven key principles to inform a vision for DS and guide our work and any changes that are put in place over time:

  1. People receive support based on their needs – a better connection between needs assessment and funding so that support is more equitable across the province – people with similar assessed needs receive similar support.
  2. Supports build on the strengths of families and communities – supports complement services available in the community and build on a person’s natural support network.
  3. Supports are person-directed and flexible – people have more control over directing and managing their funding and supports.
  4. Proactive and responsive supports across the course of a person’s life – greater focus on early intervention and prevention, better integration with other systems and supports across various life stages.
  5. Services are driven by quality, outcomes, and continuous improvement – greater emphasis on performance, quality of supports and responsiveness to feedback from people using the services.
  6. The system is sustainable – the system can remain sustainable through funded services that reflect best practices and evidence for their effectiveness, a greater focus on preventative supports, and cross-sector partnerships.
  7. Services and supports promote health and safety – increased focus on the health and well-being of people with developmental disabilities.

The Government of Ontario has a webpage dedicated to engagement on DS Reform. The page includes a survey asking for ideas, comments, and feedback on how to improve supports for people with developmental disabilities across Ontario. Given the significance of this consultation, we encourage everyone to participate in this survey.

Please click this link Making DS Better in Ontario to learn more and share your valuable perspective. Submissions will be accepted until Friday, December 4, 2020. For additional context about this development, please read the Discussion Guide for further information.

Christian Horizons Global

Our teams in Central America are dealing with another hurricane. Hurricane Iota has swept across Nicaragua and there is flooding in the communities where we support children. In Ethiopia, violence persists in the northern part of the country. Thankfully, our teams and partners in the communities where we work are safe and stable. Your continued prayers for our teams, partners, people receiving support, and the countries are appreciated, especially during these challenging circumstances.

We’re halfway through November. As we look ahead to Christmas, the numbers of cases remain concerning. I pray that the curve begins to flatten. No matter what the coming weeks look like, please continue to stay diligent by practicing physical distancing, wearing a mask, washing your hands, and getting your flu shot! These are our best defense against this virus now and in the days ahead as the world waits for a vaccine.

As always, our resources page is updated regularly and available at https://covid19.chconnect.org/. I remain available at dmilley@christian-horizons.org.

Stay safe,

Dwayne Milley

Vice President of Operations​