• Key Messages for LHIN Workshops, Nov. 10, 2004  
• A covering letter providing an overview of the two accompanying documents
• A summary of proceedings from the September 14, 2004 session
• A document outlining work done since the September 14, 2004 session (all of which has been based on the work done at the session)

• LHIN Workshop Summaries by Regions
• Local Health Integration Networks Bulletin 
• Local Health Integration Networks: Response to Government Consultation Questions Released October 6th, Oct. 15, 2004.
• Mental Health and Addiction Sector Responds to the Ontario's Transformation Agenda, Oct. 8, 2004.

May 8, 2003





Honourable Tony Clement

Minister of Health and Long-Term Care

Hepburn Block

80 Grosvenor St., 10th Floor

Toronto, Ontario

M7A 2C4





Dear Minister Clement:



I am writing on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Ontario Federation of Community Mental Health and Addiction Programs to request that the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care make public the final reports of the various Mental Health Implementation Task Forces and inform the public of its intended response to the recommendations made by these Task Forces.

May 6, 2003





Honorable Tony Clement

Minister of Health and Long-Term Care

Hepburn Block

80 Grosvenor St., 10th Floor

Toronto, Ontario

M7A 2C4





Dear Minister Clement:





I am writing on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Ontario Federation of Community Mental Health and Addictions Programs about the planned MIS/CDS implementation. A number of our member agencies have been asked to participate in the pilot year of this exercise.



The Federation is pleased to see the Ministry taking steps to create a more standardized accountability and data systems. The Federation whole-heartedly supports the development of accountability mechanisms, the measurements of outcomes and the need to demonstrate the effectiveness of community based mental health and addiction services.

July 11, 2003

The Honourable Allan Rock

Minister of Industry

11th Floor East Tower, CD Howe Building

235 Queen Street

Ottawa, ON K1A 0H5

Dear Minister:

Re: The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act

The Ontario Federation of Community Mental Health and Addiction Programs represents 217 providers across the province who work with the some of the most vulnerable populations within the province. Members’ services include residential addiction treatment, case management, supportive housing, counselling and the many other types of support needed to help people maintain their independence within their community.

On behalf of the Ontario Federation of Community Mental Health and Addiction Programs attached are recommendations and rationale regarding the Request for Proposals to provide the review of Community Treatment Orders as required by the Act.



That the contract is awarded to an organization at “arm’s length” from the Ministry or any provider associated with CTO’s (e.g. A university without a CTO program or a consulting group that has not and is not working with an agency that provides CTO support).



Rationale: To be credible with all stakeholders it is critical that this review must not only be free from any real or perceived conflicts of interest but it must be done in the most impartial manner possible with sound research practices.



That the review seeks understanding of who is on a CTO, specifically: age, gender, ethno-racial characteristics, socioeconomic status, housing, marital status, geographic location, education, diagnoses.



Rationale: Such demographics provide for a better way of comparing CTO’s with other options for the client group and may point out strengths and weaknesses.



That the review seeks understanding of why someone is on a CTO.



Rationale: Much information needs to be gathered and analyzed to determine why someone was put on a CTO and why others were not. Data regarding previous treatments, including number and duration of voluntary and involuntary hospitalizations, previous police apprehensions, previous case management/ACT contacts, previous homelessness, episodes of both aggression and victimization would need to be analyzed.



That the review seeks to understand why some physicians are using CTO’s and some are not.



Rationale: It is critical to understand if and why some demographic groups are over represented. It would be important to get a sense from physicians about whether they have clients they believe would benefit from a CTO, but who may not meet criteria. Also of interest is the reasons CTOS are considered, but then not issued (i.e. consent withheld, lack of services, client doesn't meet criteria, other treatment deemed more suitable, etc.)



That the review seeks an understanding of the impact of a CTO.



Rationale: Impact on the individual, their family and community was a major objective of the legislation. The review must therefore include: qualitative research (e.g. the perspectives of patients, families, room mates/house mates, landlords, community treatment teams, psychiatrists signing CTO’s, CTO related staff (CTO coordinators and case managers)), and quantitative research (e.g. duration of CTO itself and its renewals, number and duration of voluntary and involuntary hospitalizations, police apprehensions, case management/ACT contacts, homelessness, episodes of both aggression and victimization, number of contacts with crisis services



That the review seeks an understanding of whether, all else being equal, some sub-populations are placed on CTO’s more frequently than others.



Rationale: It is essential to determine whether CTO’s are being disproportionately used in dealing with some populations. It has been suggested that some minority groups are over represented amongst those placed on CTO’s.



That the review include a comparative study on a similar client group to see whether intensive community supports achieve similar results without resorting to CTO’s.



Rationale: Social and monetary cost-effectiveness should also be reviewed.

Bill 8 - Commitment to the Future of Medicare Act 2003

Submission to the Standing Committee on Justice and Social Policy

The Federation of Community Mental Health and Addiction Programs and St. Jude Community Homes

May 2004

The Ontario Federation of Community Mental Health and Addiction Programs and St. Jude Community Homes welcome the opportunity to make a submission in support of Bill 8, the Medicare Commitment Act.

Methadone Maintenance Treatment
Concerns in Ontario

History:



Over the last decade, methadone maintenance as a treatment option for opiate addiction has increased significantly in Ontario. A continuum of treatment programs began to evolve, offering different services to different client groups. Some programs were abstinence based, while others operated from various points on the harm reduction continuum. Initially two types of programs existed: those operated by community agencies usually overseen by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MoHLTC) and those operated by physicians in private practice governed by the College of Physician and Surgeons. In the last five years, a large number of clinics operated by a physicians group have opened up across Ontario. These clinics are very large, often with client bases of 200 to 300 people

Establishing the Basket of Services for a National Home Care Program for Mental Health and Addiction Clients  A Perspective from the Ontario Federation of Community Mental Health and Addiction Programs   The Ontario Federation of Community Mental Health and Addiction Programs (OFCMHAP) would like to extend its thanks for the opportunity to participate in the building of a national basket of home care services for the mental health clients.    To understand the complex needs of the mentally ill it is necessary to determine what core services are required to support people and to ensure timely access to the full range of mental health and addiction services based on level of need.