UPDATE: We have more information on what will and won’t be covered under the new plan.
In my daily updates, we have this item on our list of things we do not know:
What services and supports families will be able to purchase. We are told this will be released sometime in April 2019, which is after the new program is live!
A parent wanted more information, so she contacted Susan Truppe, the Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs for Minister Lisa MacLeod. Here is the chain of emails, editing out any information that identifies the parent.
The short version is: OT and speech therapy will not be covered under the new plan.
From: [A Parent]
Date: Wed, Feb 6, 2019 at 4:30 PM
Subject: Re: Re:
To: Truppe, Susan (MCCSS) <Susan.Truppe@ontario.ca>Hi Susan!
I caught the announcement today. I have a couple of questions for you if possible just so I can answer as a few parents have called me for clarification.
First is in regard to the 5 diagnostic hubs. Where will the closest one be to Windsor?
Second is about the announcement of direct funding for parents. It states that Minister Coteau announced that parents may receive direct funding for private therapy or government-funded services. However, what services will that be for? Is it still only for ABA or IBI? Or will OT, SLP and PT also be covered by this funding?
And lastly, will any parents who have been on the waitlist for funding or had [REDACTED] tell them not to bother because they would age out first, be eligible to apply part of the direct funding to past private therapy paid out of pocket? [REDACTED]
Thank you in advance for the answers!
Have a great day~!
[A Parent]
She received this response later that day:
From: Truppe, Susan (MCCSS) <Susan.Truppe@ontario.ca>
Date: Wed, Feb 6, 2019 at 5:00 PM
Subject: FW: Re:
To: [A Parent]
Hi [A Parent]
Here’s the list of the hubs lead agencies:
Children’s Treatment Network Simcoe York (CTN)
Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS)
Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO)
Child and Community Resources (CCR)
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital (HBKR)
Yes — the announcement is for direct funding. Parents will have a choice of what they think is best for their child. (Speech Language and OT are not included but even respite is included). No there will be no payments for past spending. Only going forward. Does that answer your questions?
Let me know if you need anything else.
Thanks for your help
Susan
The parent sent this follow-up message. I think like this parent, a lot of us were hoping that OT and Speech would be in the expanded list of services.
From: [A Parent]
Date: Thu, Feb 7, 2019 at 1:48 PM
Subject: Re: FW: Re:
To: Truppe, Susan (MCCSS) <Susan.Truppe@ontario.ca>Thank you for your quick response.
I have been fielding angry and/or panicked parents all yesterday and again today. There is no question that the option of direct funding is the right step. However, limiting it to just ABA therapy and not expanding it to Speech and OT services is a big disappointment and leaves most of our families in the lurch. Unfortunately with the announcement it appears to be misleading saying the parents now have choice in services. Many parents will continue to not be able to access the right therapy for their child.
May I ask why the government would not allow this choice for parents? Many parents do not want a behavioural program for a neurological issue. As well, evidence points to the benefits of OT and Speech therapy, it does not make sense to not include this as a choice.
[REDACTED] There are studies coming out now that even if a parent chooses ABA for their Autistic child at a cost of $60,000/year if not continued for many, many years the child will regress. OT using this tool of Sensory Integration saves the government millions in the long run.
I know you mentioned the option of caregiver training, what training will be offered? In regards to the option of respite. Most of us have SSAH, ACSD, or Complex Care dollars to be used for pretty much solely respite. We can not use those funds for therapy either. Will the decision for the new funding impact the monies currently received from these ‘pots”?
Lastly, families are asking is in regards to the Hub, does this mean they will need to travel to Hamilton from here to be diagnosed?
[REDACTED]
Thank you in advance for your response.
The parent has yet to receive a response to this email.
