Developmental Services Ontario

Developmental Services Ontario – South West Region (DSO – SWR) is the single point of access to adult developmental services funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services under the Services and Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with a Developmental Disability Act, 2008.  These developmental services and supports include:

• Residential services and supports;
• Activities of daily living services and supports;
• Community participation services and supports;
• Caregiver respite services and supports;
• Professional and specialized services; and
• Person-directed planning and supports

The Community Services Coordination Network (CSCN) has been selected by the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services to develop and operate Developmental Services Ontario – South West Region (DSO – SWR).

The DSO – SWR is responsible for the following:

Provision of Information

• Developmental Services Ontario – South West Region (DSO – SWR) provides information on the services and supports that may be available to people with a developmental disability in their community

Applying for Services

• People with a developmental disability and/or the representative of their choice must connect with the DSO – SWR to apply for developmental services and supports that are funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services
• Service provider agencies are no longer responsible for confirming a person’s eligibility for service or for completing an application to assess an individual’s needs
• DSO – SWR confirms eligibility for adults who are applying for Ministry-funded developmental services and supports for the first time, using new eligibility criteria

Identifying Service and Support Needs

• DSO – SWR completes the Application for Developmental Services and Supports and administers the Supports Intensity Scale ©.  This new “application package” is used to identify the service and support needs of adults with a developmental disability
• The application package is to be completed with all new applicants
• Over the next five years, the DSO – SWR will use the new application package to assess each person in the south west region that is currently waiting for and/or receiving a developmental service.  During this time, people waiting to access services and supports will continue to be considered for services and supports as they become available

Service Navigation 

• DSO – SWR provides information to people with a developmental disability (and/or the representative of their choice) describing Ministry-funded services and supports, and various unfunded services and supports that are available in their community
• The DSO refers individuals to urgent response mechanisms as appropriate
• The DSO – SWR is responsible for identifying people from the prioritized waiting list who are likely to benefit from available Ministry-funded adult developmental services

In addition, the DSO – SWR contacts every individual waiting for service at least once each year to discuss and document any changes in circumstances that could impact their level of need and/or level of priority.

The following has not changed:

• Service providing agencies continue to support people who have a developmental disability
• People who are already receiving services, or who have applied through current processes and are waiting for services, do not need to reconfirm their eligibility.  These individuals continue to be eligible, and will be “grandparented” into the new system.

Developmental Services Ontario – South West Region has satellite offices across the south west region:

Sarnia
The Chris Dawson Centre
420 East Street North, Suite 14
Sarnia, ON
N7T 6Y5
Telephone:  519-344-2629
Fax:  519-344-0153

Office Hours
Monday 8:30am – Noon
Wednesday 8:30am – 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am – noon

Windsor  
Greenwood Centre Business Complex
3200 Deziel Drive, Suite 212
Windsor, ON
N6A 5N6
Telephone:  519-945-3797
Fax:  519-945-4291

Office Hours
Monday 8:30am – Noon
Wednesday 8:30am – 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am – noon

London
171 Queens Avenue, Suite 750
London, ON
N6A 5J7
Telephone:  519-963-1891
Fax:  519-673-1509

The toll free telephone number for the DSO – South West Region is: 1-855-437-6797 (1-855-4-DSOSWR)

The DSO provincial website is located at: www.dsontario.ca

Community Living Wallaceburg remains committed to the provision of quality services. Should you have any questions regarding the DSO – SWR or any services provided by Community Living Wallaceburg, contact us at 519-627-0777 x 2559.