2026-2027 Services delivered: DS supported independent living

Component: DSSL - Adults' Community Accommodation

Legislation: Services and Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, 2008 (SIPDDA)

The following type of supportive living service and supports as defined in section 4 of the Services and Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, 2008 (SIPDDA) is now being referred to as Supported independent living settings (from Supported independent living residences).

All changes are restricted to a change in name only. No changes have been made to section 4 of SIPDDA (which sets out ministry-funded services and definitions). Any obligations under contracts, SIPDDA, the regulation on Quality Assurance Measures (QAM, O. Reg. 299/10, made under SIPDDA), applicable regulations, and policy directives remain the same.

Service objectives

• To provide personal support to adults with a developmental disability in supported independent living settings
• To support the development of a personal Individual Support Plan (ISP) based on the principles self-determination, social inclusion, citizenship and choice and to provide services that are reflective of this plan

Service description

People served

• Services and supports are for persons who reside in Ontario, are at least 18 years of age and have a developmental disability as defined by the Services and Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, 2008
• Individuals served reside in a setting in which one or more persons with developmental disabilities reside alone or with others but independently of family members or of a caregiver and receive less than 24/7 services and supports from the Transfer Payment Recipient

Individual support plan (ISP)

Each individual will have an Individual Support Plan (ISP) that is based on the assessed needs and preferences of the individual. The plan will identify the specific services/supports received by the individual, the expected outcomes and should be based on the principles of self- determination, social inclusion, citizenship, choice and other requirements outlined in Section 5 of Regulation 299/10.

Program/service features

A setting in which one or more persons with developmental disabilities reside alone or with others but independently of family members or of a caregiver and receive less than 24/7 services and supports from the Transfer Payment Recipient.

Specific service provided

Supports for activities of daily living such as assisting a person with personal hygiene, dressing, grooming, meal preparation, administration of medication, and includes training related to money management, banking, using public transportation and other life skills.

Services are provided to individuals who are living in one of the following scenarios

• Housing that is not operated by a developmental services agency (e.g. room and board, private rental, rent-geared-to-income housing)
• An individual's own home or in a family or caregiver housing but independently from family members or caregiver; or
• Where an agency leases or owns the homes and then sub-leases to individuals they support

Services excluded

DS Supported Group Living Settings, Specialized Accommodation and Intensive Support Settings.

Delivery method

• Services are provided in person or over the phone/via alternative technological means
• Staff providing services are typically required to have certification in the human services field including developmental services or related training or experience
• Services provided are aligned with the ministry's safety and security guidelines and expectations as per quality assurance measures

Services will be

• Designed to address the needs of the individual
• Respectful of the social, linguistic and cultural diversity of families and communities
• Staffed by individuals with the appropriate training and range of skills necessary to respond effectively to the needs of individuals and their families
• Based on the individual's assessed needs, preferences and available individual, agency, community and contracted ministry resources
• Obtained through the application for adult developmental services and supports process, which identifies individuals' support needs and priority access to service through a process that is objective, equitable and transparent

Program goals

To provide community based supportive living accommodation services and supports to adults with a developmental disability that promotes social inclusion, individual choice, independence and rights.

Ministry expectations

• Transfer Payment Recipient will inform the appropriate Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) office of resources and/or vacancy declaration as it becomes available; and maintain up to date agency information including but not limited to: agency amalgamations/closures/name changes; service location changes or additions and services delivered at specific locations
• Transfer Payment Recipient will comply with all relevant legislation, regulations, policy directives, program guidelines, funding agreement(s), accountability and reporting requirements
• The Transfer Payment Recipient is responsible for utilizing the information technology specified by the Ministry for the collection and maintenance of information, maintaining the security, integrity, consistency and validity of the information collected and maintained and ensuring that data is accurate and kept up-to-date
• Transfer Payment Recipients will participate in community planning processes such as, but not limited to, Developmental Services Service System Planning (in alignment with the Provincial Terms of Reference for DS Service System Planning) and related committees

Reporting requirements

The following service data will be reported on an Interim and Final stage. Please refer to your final agreement for report back due dates and targets.