Service Coordination through DSRC

CHILDREN’S SERVICE COORDINATION
Children’s Service Coordination is available to families of children who have a developmental disability and live within Waterloo Region. It assists parents by strengthening their ability to manage the challenges of caring for their child with a developmental disability. It can also enhance their formal and informal networks of community resources. Participation is voluntary.

Role of a Children’s Service Coordinator

Information and referrals, based on a family’s needs, strengths, and goals
Assistance to parents in coordinating community resources, service plans, mediation, and liaising with other service providers
Support to families using collaborative approaches, and following appropriate lines/channels of communication
Support for problem-solving and group facilitation

How to Refer to Children’s Service Coordination

Referrals are accepted from parents and families through DSRC intake. Referral forms can be obtained by contacting DSRC at 519-741-1121, or downloading the form on the website.

On confirmation of your referral and eligibility, an intake worker will arrange an appointment with you to discuss your goals and needs in more detail.

SibShops

Brothers and sisters of children with developmental disabilities need a place to come together and share experiences and feelings that only they can understand. SibShops are that place. SibShops provide an opportunity for fun activities and sharing for siblings between 8 and 12 years of age. They are organized by the agency’s children’s service coordinators. These events are advertised in the agency’s newsletters and program guides.

YOUTH SERVICE COORDINATION

Youth Service Coordination assists young adults with a developmental disability to plan for adulthood. It assists individuals to access needed supports and programs, solve problems, and participate in the community as fully as possible through a comprehensive service coordination approach. Participation in the program is voluntary.

This program is available to young adults who have a developmental disability and live in the Region of Waterloo. All participants in the program access it through an intake worker.

Youth Service Coordination involves a supportive and facilitative process. It tries to provide:

Assistance to young adults for identifying personal goals, strengths, and needs;
Assistance in developing a plan that will promote greater involvement in the community in later years of high school and beyond; and,
Assistance to the individual, his/her family, and the community in developing and strengthening resource networks for people with developmental disabilities.

ADULT SERVICE COORDINATION

Adult Service Coordination assists adults with a developmental disability to access needed supports and programs, solve problems, and participate in the community as fully as possible through a comprehensive service coordination approach. Participation in the program is voluntary.

Who is Eligible for Adult Service Coordination?

This program is available to people 18 years of age and older who have a developmental disability and live in the Region of Waterloo. All participants in the program access it through the agency’s intake team.

How Does it Work?

Adult Service Coordination involves a supportive and facilitative process. It tries to provide:

Assistance to the individual in strengthening his/her personal competence (e.g., enhancing their knowledge and skills);
Assistance to the individual, his/her family, and the community in developing and strengthening resource networks for people with developmental disabilities;
Assessment of needs and strengths and providing information and referrals
Coordination of community resources, developing service plans, mediation, and liasing with other service providers;
Systems navigation; and,
Counselling (i.e., problem-solving, support, guidance, groups)

GENERAL LIMITATIONS ON THE ROLE OF A SERVICE COORDINATOR

Participation in Service Coordination is entirely voluntary. An individual or family cannot be compelled to accept services or advice. While a service coordinator always tries to help people make healthy and safe decisions, ultimately the final decision belongs to the individual/family. The program does not have a mandate to provide direct residential, day program, monitoring, or other "hands-on" support.

Situations which require direct observation of an individual after medical treatment or care, assistance with medical treatment, enforcement of treatment guidelines or orders, or other more intrusive or intensive measures fall beyond the scope of its mandate. A service coordinator does not serve in a trustee or guardianship capacity for the individuals they serve and does not make financial or legal decisions on their behalf.

Provincial Respite Services Network 2018 Update