Pembroke — Community Living Upper Ottawa Valley (CLUOV) is urging individuals and families who hire support workers to attend an important information session on the impacts of the newly passed Bill 148, the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act.
The session is being given by Pooran Law, and has been co-ordinated by the March of Dimes and Development Services Ontario. The session will discuss how this recently-passed legislation impacts private and agency users of support workers for people with intellectual disabilities. The implications could impact many local people.
There are several sessions across the province and the session in Pembroke is on Tuesday, January 30, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Miramich Lodge.
“We know qualified support workers are important to individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families,” says Chris Grayson, Executive Director of Community Living Upper Ottawa Valley. “This is new legislation that is currently in effect and people need to know the implications. When hiring support workers, the client or family member is now being considered as an employer.”
Grayson says that the hiring of all support workers, whether through out-of-pocket or Passport Supports (financial assistance provided through the Ontario government) is impacted. For their part, Grayson’s CLUOV office has supported Community Living Ontario’s request for the province to consider the unique needs of hiring and flexibility for support workers who assist individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Individuals looking to attend need to confirm their attendance with Yvonne at the March of Dimes office. Their toll-free phone number is 1-877-695-7999 ext.6513.
