Eligibility for the adult developmental services and supports, including the APSW program, is the first determination to be made. Confirmation of eligibility is a legislated function of DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES ONTARIO, called entities in the legislation.Under the authority of the Services and Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities ACT, 2008.- SIPDDA, all individuals wishing to apply for services and supports for the first time must contact their local Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) organisation to have eligibility confirmed and to complete the Application Package for adult developmental services.
The DSO will refer eligible individuals to local APSW agencies, following the prioritization process and within available resources.
The primary focus of the Adult Protective Service Worker program is to work with adults who have a developmental disability who live on their own in the community.
APSWs support people living in a range of community residential settings, some of which may be subsidized or operated by various levels of government, some may be at market-value rent, and others may be owned by individuals themselves.
Ongoing support for individuals living in Ministry-funded developmental services residential settings is not the intent of the APSW program. However there are two exceptional circumstances where the APSW may assist individuals in other types of living situations:
The Adult Protective Service Worker may assist an adult who is living in MCSS or Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC) - funded residential settings.
The APSW may be asked to assist an eligible adult who has a developmental disability whose primary residence is in a Ministry funded developmental services residential setting (eg. supported independant living, host family (Family Home program), supported group living or intensive support residence) or MOHLTC - funded long term care setting if:
- The involvement of the Adult Protective Service Worker is requested specifically to help the adult with their plan to move towards independence and take up residence on their own in the community and/or
- The involvement of the Adult Protective Service Worker is specifically an advocacy role of speaking on behalf of the individual in their relationship with the service provider of the person’s accommodation, and the primary focus is on the safety and security of the adult with a developmental disability within their accommodation.
The Adult Protective Service Worker program is intended for adults aged 18 years or older who have a developmental disability.
The relationship between the Adult Protective Service Worker and the person who has a developmental disability is voluntary which means that the person is not compelled to accept the services of the Adult Protective Service Worker program. The Adult Protective Service Worker is expected to provide services, within their mandate, to people who have a developmental disability who seek their help. The Adult Protective Service Worker does not have guardianship or legislated custodial authority for the individuals they support.
The Adult Protective Service Worker may also offer services and supports to eligible adults with a developmental disability who are parents, including providing information about the type of services and supports that are available to their children. The focus of ongoing assistance from the Adult Protective Service Worker is on the needs of the parent(s) who have a developmental disability, which may include services that specialise in teaching parenting skills.
For more intensive help with CASE MANAGEMENT specifically related to the children’s needs, the Adult Protective Service Worker would support the adult to make inquiries about case management or other services for children, including child protection services or those that specialize in teaching parenting skills.