DISCUSSION:

The Planning Department generally supports the four recommendations that contained within the report. We do however have the following comments:

We support the recommendation that the Province should undertake to complete an inventory of licenced and unlicensed facilities. In doing so, the Province should work towards coordination between the various ministries that establish group homes and ensure some form of communication with municipalities to increase awareness of the different operators and agencies that may be trying to establish a group home in the community.

We support the creation of a Community Education Program provided that it is financed and operated by senior levels of government with support and participation by local governments. Any such program should be kept simple for ease of administration.

Emphasis should also be placed on ensuring that municipalities have a fair share of group home facilities. The inventory contained in the report shows that some municipalities have a lcver percentage of Licensed facilities, relative to its population proportion in the region. Unlicensed facilities should also be included in the table in order to present a more accurate impressicn of the regional share of all types of group home facilities.

With the continued trend towards de-institutionalization, the Province should ensure that there are adequate support structures in place locally within communities prior to the release of patients from institutions. Yhe increase of persons with special needs in the community places additional responsibilities on municipalities to provide appropriate social, recreational, and medical facilities and work opportunities. The Province should assist municipalities with the integration of special needs persons by funding work training programs and increase funding for social and recreational programs for persons with special needs.

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Carlos Felipy-™ Arch., M.C.1.P.

{ ee) r, Director of Planning

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