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7 Frid ay, A u g u st 12, 2011 O A K V ILLE B E A V E R w w w .in sid eH A LTO N .co m tation, meaningful instruction and respite care. Ms. Meilleurs figures pertaining to the SSAH annual funding of $103 million for 25,000 families ($4,100 average) and Passports annual funding of $45 million for 3,700 adults ($12,000 average), although accurate, failed to mention that since 2009, 4,000 adults were approved for Passport fund- ing but were placed on a waiting list and 9,000 approved families were placed on the SSAH waiting list because of her Ministrys funding freezes. The figures regarding the SSAH waiting list alone are alarming: 3,940 families in 2009, 7,160 families in 2010 and over 9,000 families in 2011. Although the 2011 increase in funding for the two programs is appreciated by the lim- ited number of families (approximately 25% this year) who will benefit, it does not take into account the annual number of individu- als with developmental disabilities who are aging out of the public school system or are annually being diagnosed with developmen- tal disabilities. The true magnitude of the governments limited funding to the families is demon- strated in the disturbing trend of increased funding for urgent care, which was not mentioned by the minister. The April 2010 issue 17 of Spotlight on Transformation indi- cated $36 million was being allotted to urgent care and the 2011 Ontario govern- mental budget indicates an additional $73.8 million for this sector. To qualify as a person with urgent support needs, the individual with a developmental disability is often one in which the family can no longer financially or physically support; therefore, the group home environment and its associated start-up costs, already shown to be upwards of $100,000, would be the only solution. There is no question these individuals require immediate service through crisis management; however, the government appears to be unaware, or willing to admit, that by refusing to address the earlier lack of funding for those remaining in the care of their parents that these individuals are pos- sible future crisis clients when their parents are no longer able to cope, or are unable to financially provide the required stimulations to keep the developmentally disabled active in the community. The old adage of an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure is appropriate in this instance. Finally, although the minister concluded her letter by thanking Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn for his tireless efforts on behalf of his constituents regarding developmental ser- vices, all his well-intentioned efforts are being wasted if funding is withheld from the families on wait lists created by her ministry. Nick Norvack, Oakville Thousands on waiting list Continued from page 6 HERITAGE Lifestyle Home Furnishings SINCE 1977 4205 Fairview Street, Burlington 905-634-5298 www.heritagefurniture.ca DONT MISS OUT ON THIS OPPORTUNITY! A strong Canadian dollar has made our buying power incredible! $3999 $7999100% Solid Maple King Bedroom 2 Only. Now Top Grain Leather Sectional $19992 Sets Only $599 Unique Accent Pieces $999Dining Room Set $4499reg. Instock from Instock 2 Sets Only INCREDIBLE SAVINGS UP TO 50% LIMITED QUANTITIES