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Wednesday, December 13, 1989 TERRACE BAY/SCHREIBER NEWS | Page 3 Govt acts first, then asks for comments By Dave Chmara = In an act now, think later move, the provincial government is holding hearings concerning services provided by the Ministry of Community and Social Services. There are two purposes of the hearings - to have talks regarding a discussion paper about services provided by. the Ministry of Community and Social Services, and to discuss the Integrated Services for Northern Children program. Although comments made during the Dec. 6 meeting in Terrace Bay could refer to both purposes, most of the 18 people in attendance were concerned with the Integrated. Services for Northern Children program. The government will be form- ing a team of about 12 profes- sionals in the psychiatry, psy- chometry, speech pathology and occupational therapist fields and will be basing the team in Thunder Bay. The meeting was to discuss how communities in Northwestern Ontario feel about this move and to hear possible improvements to the way the pro- gram is set-up. It was the consensus of the group that the team of profession- als should not be based in Thunder Bay. Most felt a rural setting would be more appropri- ate as the team will be strictly providing its services for those in rural communities and not for urban residents. Sreeni Keshava, program supervispr, was on hand repre- senting¥ the Ministry of Community and Social Services to listen to various proposals put forward by those in attendance. Representatives from North of Superior Programs, Terrace Bay/Schreiber Futures Committee, the educational field, Disability. Action Group, Chamber of Commerce, North of Superior Business Development Centre, Terrace Bay Council, Child Development, and parents of children with special needs were on hand to comment on the proposed program. It was suggested that, along with the team being located in a rural community, the team could possibly be split into three and located in three separate commu- nities. Many felt this would elimi- ~ "e"* In some key places, Ducks Unlimited Canada and other conservationists have been coming first. For more than 50 years we've been building, improving and managing the wetlands and uplands where ducks can hatch and grow...areas that are essential to hundreds of other living things, including people. We've been in the forefront because we know what really must come first... A Healthy Environment Ducks Unlimited Canada Join the leader in restoring waterfow! habitat. Call 1-800-665-DUCK ae" nate much of the travel that would otherwise be needed to service the area between Upsala and Manitouwadge. Keshava said submissions have been received from six com- munities so far requesting the team of professionals be located in their communities, and he expected more proposals along this line to be received from other communities. The Ministry provides funding and services in the area for North of Superior Mental Health pro- gram, Child Development work- ers, children's aid, senior's snow removal programs, meals on wheels, emergency income sup- plements, rehabilitation services (i.e. for recovering alcoholics), and probation service for young offenders. In some cases, the ministry itself provides the services, and in others it transfers funds to the organizations that in turn provide the services. ' The Integrated Services for Northern Children is a project involving the Ministry of Community and Social Services, SYecaestee the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. All four ministries will provide funding with the Ministry of Community and Social Services implementing the pro- gram. During the meeting the majori- ty felt there is a definite shortage of staff to provide services, and a few felt coordination of services was lacking. One idea which was men- tioned that most agreed with was that the Ministry should put together a directory of what scr- vices and resources are available in the area, where to go and who to contact to receive these ser- vices. Another suggestion was for schooling in the needed fields to be at least partially paid for or subsidized with the requirement that the student must work in a rural community. It was also felt that the ministry should try to hire people who live in the north instead of hiring people from Southern Ontario. Many agreed southerners are not aware of what / \ SANTA'S HOURS: . 6:00 pm. to 9:00 pm. Each Wednesday, Thursday & Friday through to December 22, 6:00 pm. to 9:00 pm. 2 Monday & Tuesday: December 18 & 19, Each Saturday to December 23, 10:00 am. to NOON' - 2:00 pm. to 6:00 pm. 7:00 pm..to 9:00 pm. Our People of the marathon centre mall * The Met Department Store . * Mark's Work Wearhouse * Trans Canada Shoe * Francines Ladies' Wear * Dave's Den *. Thunder Bay Travel * Bank of Nova Scotia * Figliomeni's Valu-Mart *Superior Submarine (opening soon) rear age' 'to meet, greet & serve the R PPORE: of the region. a life is like in Northern Ontario and only practise here for short periods of time. They felt if people from the north are trained and hired, they will have a commitment to the communities. they would be serv- ing. It was learned at the meeting that the funds for the Integrated Services for Northern Children have been available for over one year but the Ministry has had some difficulty in hiring people willing to locate in Northwestern Ontario. Many felt better incentives will be needed to attract the pro- fessionals. Some believe they won't be willing to either locate here, or go to school for the required training if they'll make $30,000 a year when the same people can go to work at a mine or mill and make almost twice as much. The team of professionals will be located at the Lakehead Regional Family Resource Centre and Keshava said the program should begin in three to four months time. : He said the way the program is operatcd may or may not change as a result of the hearings now taking place. Major Appliance Repairs Servicing done in your own home to ranges, washers, dryers, dishwashers, fridges, electric hot water tanks and electric heating units. Parts on hand for most makes and models. BILL CAMPBELL ELECTRIC 824-2743 or 824-2574 Servicing Jackfish, Terrace Bay, Schreiber, Rossport and Pays Plat services. \\ i ¥e Santa Shopping Bags (while they last), on rea: were: store/service. SS: Vo FREE- dy Canes 4 "if from Santa's Elve::. F nt E E Children's Activity Books from Santa...(complete the letter to Santa Section of the Activity Book & deposit it in Santa's mailbox located by his chair. He'll personally: sly!) ® erenni-' mall 'Wnts YOu Lhe ® ON' - Ww sa Family z affair' Bring the children to visit with Santa while you explore the ' . stores, shops, and : vom any ¥ aa marathon & ' Come joir:in the Festivities Se aariie ecaaL Peninsula Rk d & Hemlo Drive iin the ey of! arathon JOpen 9:30 am. to 10:00:35m. Monday thrgugh Saturday sa Another * Interested in becoming i 'f TONECRAFT a Marathon «entre Mall tenant? We're ajiclosed &. | |S_! CORPORATION a Leasir::: & franchise } Climate Controlled: centre mall Development _ informatio: (416) 895-7353