INDIVIDUALIZED QUALITY OF LIFE PROJECT (IQOL) A demonstration project based on principles of person directed planning and individualized funding Family Service Association of Toronto

PROJECT OVERVIEW  Duration:  Funder:  Hosting Agency:  Evaluator: 3 years (Sept’97-Sep’00) Ministry of Community and Social Services Toronto Region Family Service Association of Toronto The Roeher Institute

Participants

 Children and adults with intellectual disabilities

Project Participants

 45 Families with children from 0-6  52 Young adults (age 18 and up) who have left school and are in transition to work, continued education or other community activities  54 Adults who are living at home with parents over age 65

Accountability

Ministry of Community and Social Services of Ontario Toronto Region Community Advisory Committee Family Service Association of Toronto Project Participants

IQOL Project Values

 Individual focus  Self determination  Dignity, respect, and personal choice  Community inclusion and participation

Components of the Project

 Infrastructure Supports for Individuals and Families  Budget Support and Monitoring  Mechanism for Funding

Infrastructure Supports for Individuals and Families  Provide information  Facilitate person directed planning  Support plan implementation  Build circles of support  Facilitate community inclusion

Flexibility of the Process

 Flexible process that allows different timeframes for different individuals and families  Role of facilitator as catalyst, “focusser”, someone who can help clarify and who is accountable to the person/family

Mechanism for Funding

 Funding approval based on clear guidelines  Flexibility for reviews and changes in budgets to meet emerging needs  Clearly established appeal process

Funding Process

Person with family/friends (with support of facilitator) Person directed plan Budget Funding Approval (FSA)

Funding Approval

Balancing Person’s needs with Equitable use of limited money

Budget Supports and Monitoring  Payroll and administrative supports  Ongoing financial reporting to recipient

Financial reporting

Family Service Association of Toronto

Effectiveness

 More control over supports  Portability of dollars  Process builds capacity to choose/hire own supports  Process that enhances creativity  Capacity to respond to gaps/emergencies  Maximizing non-paid supports

Evaluation

 Findings point out to successful outcomes in four inter-related aspects of self determination:  A vision for the future  Choice and control in decision making  Recognition and value in personal relationships  Personal development

Evaluation Findings

 Several factors underlie the outcomes.

All appear as necessary conditions for successful outcomes:  Individualization of funding  Independent planning support  Support circles development  Capacity to make decisions about support arrangements  Facilitating use of generic resources