PASSPORT
An Information Guide for Families
The Ontario government created the Passport initiative to provide opportunities for individuals who have a developmental disability and who have left school to find more ways to participate in their communities. What is Passport? Passport is an initiative of the Ministry of Community and Social Services for young adults who have a developmental disability. Through Passport, participants can receive funding for activities that encourage their personal development and help them achieve their potential. Passport also helps to: Improve the quality of participation in the community by providing supports that focus on individual goals, work activities and community participation. Smooth the transition from school to life as an adult in the community Promote independence Foster social, emotional and community participation skills Promote continuing education and personal development. Who is eligible for Passport? Passport is intended for residents of Ontario, who have a confirmed developmental disability, and who: Have left school and would benefit from supports that will help them participate in recreational, vocational or educational opportunities in the community Have been waiting for service and are in need of community participation supports; and Are not eligible for Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) employment supports Eligibility for passport is limited to individuals who are not currently receiving Ministryfunded community participation supports. Participants in Passport can live independently or in supportive living; however, priority will be given to applicants who are living at home with their families.
Passport Information Guide - Prepared by: Contact Brant for Children’s and Developmental Services, June 29, 2006
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How to Apply: Contact Brant is responsible for administering the Passport program for residents of Brant. Individuals who are interested may call Contact Brant to determine if they are eligible for Passport. Contact Brant will send an application form to those who are eligible, and will set up an appointment to review the application. Individuals and their families are encouraged to submit a plan with their completed application form that outlines the type of community participation supports they require and the goals and objectives they expect to accomplish. Plans should build on transition plans developed by the individual’s school. Families can consult “Creating a Good Life in Community: A Guide on Person – Directed Planning” (designed by the Individualized Funding Coalition for Ontario) for assistance in creating a plan. This booklet is available online at the Individualized Funding Coalition for Ontario website www.individualizedfunding.ca or from Contact Brant (call 519-758-8228 and ask to have a copy mailed to you.) The Contact Brant Passport Worker will follow up with the individual and family, to review the application form. If requested, the Passport Worker can assist with the completion of the application form. As always, Contact Brant will be available to assist individuals and families in planning for other supports and services. Applicants must complete and sign the application form. Contact Brant will process your application and place you on a waiting list until the next round of funding at which time; all eligible applications will be reviewed and prioritized. Drop off or mail completed applications to: Contact Brant for Children’s and Developmental Services 164 Colborne St. W., Suite 1 Brantford, Ontario N3T 1L2 How Are Applications Processed? Contact Brant will review the application form and: Determine the individual’s eligibility Determine the individual’s level of support needs and the financial allocation that the individual is eligible for. Contact Brant will use a provincially developed guideline to make these determinations.
Passport funding is limited. We anticipate that the number of individuals eligible for Passport will exceed the available funding. A waiting list will be created for those for whom financial resources are not currently available. Contact Brant will follow Ministry of Community and Social Services guidelines for prioritizing applications. Prioritization will consider: Individuals’ ability to benefit from support
Passport Information Guide- Prepared by: Contact Brant for Children’s and Developmental Services, June 29, 2006
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Effect of supports in preventing crisis (for individual and/or family) Ability of the family to cope Community capacity Availability of unpaid supports Length of wait for community participation supports Individuals who are living at home with their families
Contact Brant will notify individuals and families of the result of their application including eligibility, the recommended level of support and the availability of Passport resources at that point in time. All Passport recipients need to re-apply every three years. (Individuals or families may request an earlier review if their circumstances change.) This will provide an opportunity to re-assess the plan and level of need. Information about Funding: Passport funding can be used to purchase key activities that focus on: Continuing education Personal skills development such as work activities, employment preparation and vocational activities, volunteering, daily living activities, leisure and social skills. Funding Options: People approved for Passport can either have money directly allocated to them to buy community participation supports and service (called Direct Funding) or use the funding to access services through a community agency (called Transfer Payment Agency) that already has a funding agreement with the Ministry. Families must have a signed agreement clearly stating what services will be received and the expectations for everyone involved when accessing either funding option. Here are some considerations about Direct Funding: o Families who choose this method will enter into a contract with Contact Brant to direct funding to the individual/family, or someone on the individual’s behalf, as identified on the Passport application form. o Families will submit invoices to Contact Brant to verify the use of direct funding in a manner that is consistent with the plan developed. o Families selecting Direct Funding will become the employer, including recruiting, hiring, supervising and paying staff. Families have the option of using up to 10% of their allocation to pay someone to take on this role (planning and/or brokerage supports). Considerations for Transfer Payment Agency Services
Passport Information Guide- Prepared by: Contact Brant for Children’s and Developmental Services, June 29, 2006
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o Where families choose this method, the funding for Passport will flow from the Ministry of Community and Social Services to the agency. (In Brant, the Transfer Payment Agencies are: Brantwood Centre, Community Living Brant, Family Counselling Centre of Brant and Six Nations Special Services for Special People.)
For more information
Call Contact Brant at 519-758-8228 to ask questions, get more information or receive assistance in completing an application. The complete provincial guidelines are available on the Ministry of Community and Social Services website. Visit:
http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/mcss/english/publications/planning_guidelines.htm
Passport Information Guide- Prepared by: Contact Brant for Children’s and Developmental Services, June 29, 2006
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