History Of Community Care Haliburton County

During 1979, the Haliburton Social Planning Council was endeavoring to plan services for the needs of Haliburton County. About this time, Doris McCann moved into this area from Scarborough, where she worked in the Public Health and Community Care Services. She came forward and offered her expertise to help form a Community Care Organization to help seniors in Haliburton County.

There was much consultation with many groups and her enthusiasm soon spread. She was able to organize a number of volunteers to form the Community Care Haliburton County Services.

The Ministry of Community and Social Services was made aware of these efforts and an initial grant was received from them, which made it possible to open the first office in the Dysart et al Municipal Building, Haliburton Village, in April 1980. This office was manned by two part-time people, Marie Wallace, Co-ordinator, and Willie Cox was secretary, each working three days a week.

Community Care Haliburton County Services was incorporated under the Companies Act of the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations in September 1980. The original logo, as it appeared on our letterhead, brochures, etc. was created by a student at the Haliburton Highland Secondary School as a contest winner. The present logo has been created by combining the efforts of four winning entries of a contest held in 1989. Following the strategical planning by the Board of Directors, an updating of the logo was completed in 1992 for the inscription to now read "People Helping People".

Doris McCann was first Chairperson (President) of the Board of Directors, which was made up of representatives of all areas of the County.

One of the first projects was a Needs Assessment (funded by a New Horizons grant), which resulted in many services being successfully instituted and which are still increasing in number and extent. The services include: Meals on Wheels, Wheels to Meals, Friendly Visiting, Fone-a-Friend, Home Help, Transportation, Drop-In Centre, Trips, Alzheimers Support, Emergency Response System and Hearing Testing/Infra Red System. A second Needs Assessment was conducted in 1986 to determine if further services would be required, and if present services are effective and utilized to the fullest extent. A third Needs Assessment was completed in the summer of 1992.

An agency Review was done by Jamieson Research and Consulting. The study began in October 1990 and was presented to our Board and Ministry representatives in mid January 1991. Thirty-eight recommendations were implemented through the Ad Hoc Review Committee by board members, staff and volunteers. These recommended improvements to the operation of our Organization and evaluation of our services were completed in May 1992. Monitoring of all aspects of H.C.H.S.S. continues under the watchful eye of the Board of Directors.

As the sphere of services grew, larger quarters became necessary. With the co-operation of the Haliburton County Council and Municipality of Dysart et al, Dysart Township, we moved into the Drag River Municipal Building in May 1982, where a Drop-In Centre was possible, and funded by the New Horizons grant. Anna Nichol was hired as part-time Drop-In Centre Co-ordinator in 1984. In February 1992 we moved into the Haliburton Community Living Housing Corporation, Echo Hills Building. In August 1999 we moved into our present location in the Halco Plaza.

Following the most productive term as Chairperson, Doris McCann has been succeeded by the persons listed below. There is a continuing elected Board of Directors and Executive, all of whom are volunteers. This group, along with many very able Committees, have developed a Constitution, By-Laws, and Policies under which the Service is operated. The By-Laws were updates in 1991, 1993, 1997, 1998 and 2001. The policies are under constant review.

When Marie Wallace retired in 1984, Donna MacDonald was appointed Co-ordinator, and she is presently in that position under the title Executive Director. The need grew to further staff. Sherry Mulholland was hired in November 1985 as our Financial Administrator. The present Support Services Co-ordinator is Reg Raby who was hired January 3rd, 1995. Ida Schultz is our Meals on Wheels Co-ordinator, and was hired August 9th, 1993.Judy Cumming hired May 22nd, 2001 is our Respite Co-ordinator and Sheri Deterling hired July 2nd, 2002 is our Administrative Assistant.

On January 25th, 1996 the Ministry of Health announced the structure of the Long-Term Care. CCHCS will continue to be funded directly from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care for the core services (Meals on Wheels, Wheels to Meals, Friendly Visiting, Security Checks or Reassurance Checks, Transportation, Home Maintenance and Repairs) and clients will be able to access these directly from us. Support for the non-core services especially Emergency Response System, Home Help and Social Recreational Services will continue although they are classified as vulnerable.

Many services have been made possible by the support, financial and moral, of many organizations and government ministries, as well as the very many volunteers. Without these dedicated people, the Service would not continue to fulfill its purpose: "to enable seniors and/or physically disabled to remain independent in their own homes for a longer period and to continue to co-operate with others in the County to create an awareness of client needs and enhance the quality of their life".