The Adult Protective Service Worker works directly with adults who have a developmental disability who are living on their own in the community to assist them in strengthening their capacity to manage and aquire the skills necessary for daily living, and help them enhance their support network awareness of generic community based resources and government-funded services and supports.
The Adult Protective Service Worker program establishes a voluntary working relationship based upon mutual accountability between the adult who has a developmental disability and the Adult Protective Service Worker. Adults who have a developmental disability are active participants in all steps of the working relationship.
The Adult Protective Service Worker facilitates an individual’s involvement primarily with generic community supports wherever possible, but also with the government-funded service system (e.g. the Ontario Disability Support Program, Passport program, legal Aid, Ontario works etc). The Adult Protective Service Worker supports the person to develop a network of supports that will foster greater personal independence and social inclusion. With the consent and direction of the capable adult who has a developmental disability, the worker will provide assistance with planning and accessing these supports based upon individual needs and goals..
Policy Guidelines for Adult protective Service Worker program 2012 - English
Policy Guidelines for Adult protective Service Worker program 2012 - French
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The Adult Protective Service Worker conducts regular face-to-face meetings with adults who have a developmental disability to provide:
- Advocacy on their behalf to help them access and maintain generic community supports, apply for government-funded services, and supports and to help them live safely and securely in the community
- Help to the individual identifying their strengths and needsand providing information and referrals at the direction of the adult who has a developmental disability
- Coordination and case management of community resources, service plans, mediation, and liaison with other service providers
- Support with problem-solving, life skills counselling (such as personal budgeting, use of transportation), general education and awareness-building on abuse prevention, help resolving landlord/tenant issues, guidance and group facilitation