Letter: Immediate, Collaborative Action is Needed to Reinstate Adult Protective Services
Jennifer Miller of REACH Centre Grey Bruce questions what happens now to 160 local adults in need of support, and urges community partners to come together and find a solution.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dear Editor,
As a charity that works to support youth and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), the REACH Centre Grey Bruce is deeply concerned about the absence of Adult Protective Services (APS) in our community.
The APS program is based on the over-arching principle that adults who have an intellectual or developmental disability are people first, and focuses on social inclusion, independence, dignity, and self-reliance for people with a developmental disability.
This gap created by terminating this service not only places an undue strain on our emergency responders and victim services but also leaves some of the most vulnerable members of our society without proper care and advocacy when they need it most.
The lack of APS services puts disabled adults at serious risk, and it is time for our community and government leaders to take immediate action to reinstate these critical protections.
Without APS, the responsibility of safeguarding vulnerable adults often falls onto emergency responders who, while dedicated, are ill-equipped to handle the unique needs of individuals with I/DD. Police officers, paramedics, and hospital staff, are trained to respond to immediate crises, but they lack the specialized skills and knowledge necessary to recognize and address the complex needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
This not only leads to inappropriate responses and impractical solutions but often results in further distress or harm to the individuals they are meant to protect.
Furthermore, the absence of APS services leaves adults with I/DD without a dedicated advocate to ensure their rights and well-being are upheld. These individuals are at greater risk of neglect, abuse, exploitation, and isolation, and without APS, they may have no one to turn to when they need assistance.
The lack of advocacy can have a devastating effect, as these adults are often unable to speak up for themselves and may face barriers in accessing the services and protections they are entitled to under the law. (Services and Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, 2008 [SIPDDA], which authorizes the Ministry of Community and Social Services to fund services and supports for adults with developmental disabilities, including Adult Protective Service Workers).
As a local self-funded charity supporting over 50 families with a service rate of over 100 per week, we have had instances where we had a duty to report under Bill 30, Adult Protection Act, 2003.
What is the process to do this locally now?
The absence of APS also creates a ripple effect across the entire system. Families and caregivers, already stretched thin, face increased stress and difficulty when they are left without the resources and support that APS provides. This can lead to burnout, strain on the family unit, and an overall decline in the quality of care available to the individuals in need.
If it all boils down to funding (or lack thereof), it seems obvious that the dismantling of this program would also put a strain on the system locally. There is a business case to be made on the cost/impact of overextending emergency responders and victim services, coupled with the increase in unnecessary detentions, hospitalizations and potential criminalization and the expenses associated therewith.
Setting aside the trauma and long-term harm to very vulnerable people, we would be naive to think it will not adversely affect our community.
It is my understanding that Bruce Grey Children and Family services tried to look for a partner to transition the program for continuity of care. Keystone only provides services children; CAMH is not able to take it on; Developmental Services Ontario was not interested in absorbing the program despite it making the most sense due to their preexisting specialized training for the population; Community Living has also declined because they wouldn’t get sufficient funding for them to step up.
So instead of getting impacted stakeholders together to try to find a path forward, the program was just terminated effective April 1, 2025. As of March 31, 2025, there were over 170 active cases in Grey and Bruce receiving critical supports by only two staff —and they are now left without recourse.
Immediate action is necessary to reinstate Adult Protective Services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The reinstatement of APS is not just a matter of social justice; it is an urgent necessity for the safety, dignity, and well-being of some of our most vulnerable citizens.
If the measure of any society is in how it treats its most vulnerable members, what does that say about Grey and Bruce Counties?
Sincerely,
Jennifer Miller
Executive Director, REACH Centre Grey Bruce
Related:
Letters to the Editor do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of The Owen Sound Current and its editor or publisher.
Good luck Jennifer, don't give up!
I wonder if Participation Lodge can acquire funding for these services?