Kenora Association for Community Living
Share- Care Residential Option Policy Analysis Paper
Note on Board Policy
Board Policy is marked in blue on the website at http://www.kacl.ca/ or bold dark print on paper.
History of
Residential Options
Share Care: A share care program is a residential situation where care is provided both by staff and family of origin. The Association has had at least one historical occurrence of such care.
This occasion involved a family whose daughter wished to move out of the family home but at the time there was neither staffing nor funding available to permit her to do so. Coincidently this individual had a sister who was employed with the Association. After some creative planning an arrangement was approved whereby the two sisters moved into an Association owned home, The sister employed by the Association took on responsibilities to “supervise” three consumers one of which was her sister, and the mother who co-incidentally was also employed by the Association undert6ook to provide any additional supports or respite as required. The situation worked out more or less successfully until a third consumer moved in with a 24-hour staffing pattern. Friction with other staff eventually led to the demise of the arrangement.
Share Care in the Abstract
As suggested by the Cheshire cat in
Type A P103
One, two or three individuals live in an apartment or home with one staff of 40 hours a week. On the weekend all three visit with their family of origin. All financial affairs are managed by families. Funding comes from government grants, ODSP and family.
Type B Extend-a-family
Individuals on most weekends visit a second family and on Monday return to their family of origin
Type C Extended support
Individual lives in his family home after mum and Dad have passed away. Numerous individuals have formed a committee to manage support. Local association provides certain number of hours of support each week which has varied over the three years the individual has lived on his own
KACL Policy
KACL will endeavour to remain as flexible and receptive to proposals as permitted within the strictures of government funding and Association priorities. Proposals will approved where on balance,
a) The individual is better off than alternative residential alternatives
b) The quality of life of a dependent citizen is likely to be improved by the proposal
c) Funding approved must be influenced by the association's need to economize on MCSS or MOH dollars.
d) Expectation that individual will live with a greater integrated social network.
e) Subject to availability of government funding.
Appendix A
The goal of KACL is to ensure that all persons with special
needs have the opportunity to live a meaningful and satisfying lifestyle and
interact as an equal in their community by providing continuing opportunities
for personal growth through education, training, support, advocacy and an
informed public.
Appendix B Residential Living Options
1. Total Institution: Defined by Goffman[1] as a place of residence and work where a large number of like-situated individuals, cut off from the wider society for an appreciable period of time, together lead an enclosed, formally administered round of life.
2. Paid Staff Group Home: Paid staff provides services on a rotational basis. Supervision of staff and residence is provided.
3. Share Care: A share care program is a residential situation where care is provided extensively both by staff and family of origin or others selected by them.
4. Small homes options, Supported Independent Living- One resident lives with another and both receive staff support
5. Supported Independent Living – Consumers live semi-independent in the community with staff support
6. Life-Sharing- Shared living with another non-handicapped individual. Agreement envisions a lifetime commitment of life sharing, a commitment to nurture growth and development and to build a natural and personal support network.
7. Family Home Programs- Analogous to foster homes clients reside with persons who receive fees and room and board. Support is provided rather than supervision. Monitoring is minimal except for Quality Assurance Committee Program assessment.
8. Family of Origin Homes (with or without staff supports) - Generally home of origin or siblings home. Supports and training are provided to increase independence, to face difficulties in family living and in developing autonomy within an existing family structure.
[1] Goffman, Erving (1961)
Asylums, Essays on the Social Situation of Mental Patients and Other Inmates,