Treatment Centres Expand

May 29, 2007 permalink

Today we present two contrasting items: Another proud announcement by Mary Anne Chambers, part of a $24.5 million expenditure on children's mental health across Ontario, this one targeted at the Niagara region. And a diary by the mother of a now twelve-year-old boy who is a "beneficiary" of the mental health services in the Niagara region. Read her chilling story before you celebrate the mental health expansion.

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McGuinty Government Providing More Assistance For Children And Youth With Special Needs In Niagara Peninsula

McGuinty Government Investments Are A Boost For Ontario's Most Vulnerable Young People

ST. CATHARINES, ON, May 28 /CNW/ - Minister of Children and Youth Services Mary Anne Chambers, Jim Bradley, MPP for St. Catharines and Kim Craitor, MPP for Niagara Falls, met today with children, youth and families with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges in the Niagara Peninsula to talk about new investments that are improving programs and services.

"Children's treatment centres are an important part of the continuum of services that provide young people with disabilities the best opportunities to succeed," said Chambers. "Our government is committed to providing children and youth with a range of complex special needs the support they need to not only reach their potential but realize their dreams just like other children and youth."

The Niagara Peninsula Children's Centre will receive an additional $291,600 in 2007-08. The funding will be used to provide services to 245 children and youth with special needs, including 45 currently on a waiting list. The centre also received $436,450 in funding as part of government investments last fall to better serve children, youth and families while strengthening local economies.

"This is terrific news for children and youth in Niagara with special needs," said Tim Wright, Executive Director of the Niagara Peninsula Children's Centre, site of today's announcement. "This additional funding will increase the centre's ability to provide rehabilitation treatments and other support services to children, youth and their families facing significant challenges."

The government is also providing $354,605 in new funding to six Niagara Peninsula agencies to enhance services to children and youth with mental health and behavioural challenges. The funding is part of an additional $24.5 million annual investment in child and youth mental health across the province and builds on previous investments in more than 260 child and youth mental health agencies and 17 hospital-based outpatient programs. One of the six agencies, Niagara Child and Youth Services, also received $135,500 in funding as part of government investments last fall.

"When we were elected, our government made it a priority to give children and youth with mental health challenges the support they need to reach their potential," said Bradley. "That is why we have increased funding for the child and youth mental health sector by nearly $80 million since 2004 and that is why we will continue to strengthen community programs and services."

This is the second increase in base annual funding to the child and youth mental health sector by the McGuinty government since 2004. Prior to the 2004 budget, the sector had not received a base increase for 12 consecutive years.

"We are working hard on many fronts to make a real difference for our province's most vulnerable young people," said Craitor. "Our government's investment will help our community organizations provide families with the programs and services that help children and youth succeed in school and in life."

Source: Press release from Minstry of Children and Youth Services
There is much more than copied here

Addendum: The story of the twelve-year-old boy has been removed.