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39| The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,M ay 3,2018 theifp.ca ted to launch its first official Woodview hub for mental health and autism services for children and youth, but adult programs will not be offered as of yet. In 2017, the Ontario govern- ment rolled out new changes to the province's autism program, investing $533 million over five years toward services for chil- dren and youth. But many fami- lies with children nearing 18 years old, or older, say they feel stuck and left without many op- tions. And for these Halton Hills caregivers, their options lie out- side of town. Colleen Bliss says the closest programs that are currently available to adults, such as a vari- ety of Community Living pro- grams in Milton, cost quite a bit of money and are not close enough to home. Adults eligible for funding through the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) or De- velopmental Services Ontario (DSO), are able to put that money toward adult autism programs and services, but those who are found ineligible do not have those options, Bliss added. She says her son is not eligible for either. "There are requirements you need to meet to get any kind of DSO," she said. "My son doesn't qualify for any of those services so after 18, he's off the grid." One of Robin Treffry's sons is turning 18 next month and she has a different set of worries. She says she has been working with her son, who is considered high-functioning, teaching him life skills she hopes will help him in the future. "We are doing our darndest to make him self-sufficient so that hopefully one day he can live on his own and take care of himself," Treffry said. "But he still will need support, he will need some- one that, if we're not here, he can talk to, you know, even if it's something happening at work. He needs someone to talk to about that." Treffry says it has not been uncommon in the past for au- thorities to get impatient with her son, not giving him sufficient time to answer questions or time to problem solve when neces- sary. "Employers will need to know that and give them time to formu- late an answer and get it out how- ever they need to get it out," she added. Treffry says also, because her boys are considered high-func- tioning, they don't necessarily fit into most of the programs offered for those with autism. "Even though our kids are still autistic, they are so differ- ent, and they are entitled to their own feelings," Bev Keane Teakle added. She says the need for more programming in Halton Hills is partly why the Autism Ontario North Halton chapter, of which each of these mothers is a part of, was formed in town. COMMUNITY l Continued from page 31 Parents struggle with finding support Gary Carr Regional Chair Meetings at Halton Region, 1151 Bronte Rd., Oakville, L6M 3L1 Visit halton.ca/meetings for full schedule. 05 03 18 May 23 9:30 a.m. Regional Council Compost Giveaway Halton residents are invited to attend this year's Spring Compost Giveaway as a thank-you for helping divert approximately 27,000 tonnes of yard waste last year. During the event, Halton residents can take up to the equivalent of seven garbage bags of compost per household, free of charge. HWMS 5400 Regional Rd 25 REG IO N A L RD 25 TREM A IN E RD BRITANNIA RD Lower Base Line 401 QEW 407 Date Location Monday,May7 to Saturday,May12 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday,May13 8 a.m. to noon HaltonWasteManagement Site 5400 Regional Road 25,Milton Remember to bring: • Your ownbags or containers (maximum seven garbage bags or equivalent per household) and a shovel in order to bag your own compost; and • Anon-perishable food itemor cash donation to be distributed to Halton-area food banks - your donationsmake a difference! Formore information, visit halton.ca/compost or call 311. Spring cleaning?We can help! Bring your hazardous waste, such as batteries, paint, oil, compact fluorescent light bulbs, pesticides and cleaners to the Household HazardousWaste Depot at the HaltonWaste Management Site, free of charge. Remember: Residential materials only. Maximum 20 litres per visit. For more information and a complete list of acceptable materials, visit halton.ca/hhw. Pick up usable paint and stain at the Paint & Stain Reuse Depot, free of charge. The Paint & Stain Reuse Depot will open for the season on Monday, April 30 and is conveniently located beside the Household Hazardous Waste Depot at the Halton Waste Management Site. Halton Region cannot guarantee availability of colours or stains. Looking to repaint a room in your house? Thanking doctors for all they do As we celebrate the 15th annual Halton Physician AppreciationWeek, I want to thank the 960 physicians in Halton who have chosen our community as home to their practice. Every day, doctors go above and beyond to keep our families safe and Halton Region is honoured to partner with them as we work together to keep our community safe and healthy. If you are looking for a family doctor in Halton, we can help. For a list of new doctors in Halton who are accepting patients, visit halton.ca/newdoctor or call 311. familyhouseofworship@start.ca Services EVERY Sunday 16 Adamson Street, South Norval, Halton Hills Services starting at 10am To advertise your church services or any other church event here please contact Kelli Kosonic 905-234-1018 or email kkosonic@theifp.ca Barry Timleck May 8, 2018 Georgetown Legion (Upstairs) 127 Mill Street 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm Best Wishes Only Please 80th Birthday Surprise Open House