$315,000 Investment in Critical Upgrades and Repairs to Community Agency Facilities
August 15, 2023Funding will ensure vital children and social services are delivered in safe and accessible spaces in Nipissing
NIPISSING – Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing announced that the Ontario government is investing $315,000 through the Partner Facility Renewal Program for upgrades and repairs to five children’s and social services facilities in Nipissing.
“Ontario’s children’s and social services organizations are at the heart of our communities and our government is proud to invest in Nipissing to ensure people can continue to access the high-quality programs and services our agencies provide,” said MPP Vic Fedeli. “By funding these repairs, we are helping staff focus on supporting people in need of services in a safe and accessible space.”
This funding is part of the government’s $21 million investment this year to ensure that 158 children’s and social services agencies across the province continue to connect people to support at safe and accessible facilities. Examples of local community agencies receiving funding this year are:
- $100,700 for the Canadian Mental Health Association North Bay and District
- $83,500 for Community Living Mattawa
“Providing services in a barrier-free environment is at the core of Canadian Mental Health Association – North Bay & District values,” stated CHMA North Bay & District CEO, Mary Davis. “Today’s announcement by MPP Fedeli will help create a healthy and inclusive environment to provide supports and services to many individuals with mental health challenges in our community.”
“Community Living Mattawa is pleased to receive this funding from Ontario’s Partner Facility Renewal Funding. The funding will provide us the opportunity to upgrade two of our buildings in the areas of safety and increased space for the people we support and our employees. As well we will be spending these funds in Mattawa, supporting local businesses. Overall, the improved infrastructure will allow us to continue to provide excellent service, which will lead to greater independence, inclusion, and participation in our community for the people with whom we support.” David Spencer, Executive Director, Community Living Mattawa.
Funding is provided to agencies, such as shelters for women and children, homes that provide daily support for individuals with developmental disabilities, facilities for survivors of human trafficking, and facilities for children and youth with special needs.
This year, 627 projects across the province are being funded so that community agencies can complete repairs and upgrades on projects such as improving accessibility, and facility renovations to better support programming.
- Community agencies deliver vital programs related to anti-human trafficking, autism, child welfare, children’s mental health, development services, child development, Indigenous health and wellness, interpreter and intervenor services, violence against women, and youth justice services
- There were more than 72,000 adults eligible for developmental services in Ontario and approximately 19,000 received supportive living services in communities across the province in 2022-23.
- In 2021-22, more than 63,000 children and youth received community-based rehabilitation services such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and speech and language pathology.
- As well, more than more than 75,000 students received school-based rehabilitation services in publicly funded schools from children’s treatment centres.
- Over the past five years, Ontario’s emergency women’s shelters served an average of 14,300 women and dependents each year.