Purpose:

The purpose of the General Fund is:

i) To support an identified need by the individual and/or family in situations where they require respite services. i.e. to prevent permanent institutionalization, family breakdown, and/or crisis.

ii) To allow a rapid response to individuals who require emergency respite and/or transportation services.


Eligibility:

Those who meet the following criteria will be considered for subsidy:

Receives ODSP, Canada Pension Gains, Ontario Works, ACSD, and/or the total Gross Income for the family unit is less than $42 000.00 per annum.
No other agency and/or program can cover the cost for respite services, i.e. Special Services at Home, SET, Child Welfare, Pathways to Self Sufficiency, CMHA Programs, CCAC, Ministry of Health, Long Term Care, MCSS Respite.
A resident in Huron County and have exhausted all other resources before applying to this fund.
has not utilized subsidy from any other Huron Respite Network fund in the past 12 months.

NOTE: Situations that do not fall under the above criteria will be evaluated individually.


Process:

Any individual, agency, case manager, community advocate, or family member may apply in writing to the Huron Respite Network for assistance from this fund. If the request from the General Fund is for an amount less than $300.00, for each person, a decision for eligibility will be made by the Respite Coordinator; if the amount exceeds $300.00, the Respite Coordinator will apply to the Huron Respite Network Selection Committee who will then review, evaluate, and approve or deny the written request.

The written request must include:
-purpose of request for funding to determine its urgency.
-current situation - family situation, needs of the individual, current services etc.
-proof of income.
-an individualized plan including outcomes, time frame, projected costs, pertinent goals, ideas for long term support.

The Selection Committee will:

Discuss the application with the presenter to determine its validity; they will then establish/approve a plan of action.
Ensure dollars are available and prioritize requests as they are presented.


The Respite Coordinator will:

Inform the applicant of the status of their request.
Follow up on the use of funds and personal outcomes listed in the plan.
Ensure the individual and/or agency making the referral to the General Fund is responsible for case management of the funds provided by the Huron Respite Network.
The annual utilization of the fund and also the remaining funding, together with a report, will be made to Member Agencies and Programs.


Conflict of Interest:

Committee members will declare a conflict of interest in a situation whereby that Member or Agency that he or she represents has an interest in a proposed or existing application. After making such a declaration, that Member/Agency shall not vote on the application, nor be counted in the quorum of members.


Revised September 3, 2003