Federal prisons ill-equipped to manage growing incarceration of mentally ill Canadians

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For further information:

Joanne Koskie,

Canadian Mental Health Association,

(416) 484-7750, ext. 236,

jkoskie@cmha.ca

Kathy Hendrick,

Royal Ottawa Health Care Group,

(613) 722-6521, ext. 6755,

khendrick@rogers.blackberry.net

Deborah Kelly,

Schizophrenia Society of Canada

(905) 415-2007, ext. 25,

kellyd@schizophrenia.ca

In this section of the website, called "Building a True System", a link is posted to three documents: a flyer, a "Frequently Asked Questions" section, and a "Myths and Facts" document. You can access them at:

www.health.gov.on.ca/transformation/lhin/lhin_facts.html

Grief is not an illness, a sign of weakness, or a problem to be solved. It might feel like all those things. And other people may treat you as though you as ´sick´ and have a problem. But grief is not life a broken bone or a cold or an allergy. There isno ´quick fix´, no ´easy cure´ for grief.

Grief is a transition, a long, slow, time-consuming, painful, healing process. These Grief Support Groups are intended to help you in that process.

Learn more

The government is making improvements to the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) to help people who are working, or want to work, keep more of what they earn.

Starting with your November 2006 cheque:

You and every eligible adult member of you family who is working and reporting earnings will each receive a $100 Work-Related Benefit per month to help with cost such as transportation or work clothing.

If you are self-employed and have a positive net business income after deducting business expenses, you will also receive the $ 100 Work-Related Benefit.

The exemption rate on your employment income will be 50%. This means that no matter how much you earn, only half of you net employment income will be deducted from your ODSP cheque. For example, if you are a single recipient who is working and you net income is $600:

Under the current rules, ODSP would deduct $330 from you ODSP payment. Under the new rules, ODSP will only deduct $300 from your ODSP payment

Also starting in November 2006:

If you are working and your reported earnings, you will be able to deduct:

Up to $300 per month (instead of only $140) for disability-related items you may need to help with your job, such as specialized equipment.

Up to $600 each month (instead of only $390) for each child in unlicensed care. You are able to deduct the full cost of licensed child care.

If you are starting a new job or participating in a training program, you

may be eligible for increased supports:

The Employment and Training Start-Up Benefit has been increased to $500 (instead of only $253) in any 12-month period to help. Pay for things such as work uniforms and professional fees.

The Upfront Child Care Benefit for informal child care has been

increases to $600 (instead of only $390).

You may also be eligible to receive these benefits if you participate in an employment-related activity (e.g. job search).

If you earn enough to leave ODSP, you may be eligible for:

A $500 Employment Transition Benefit (once per 12 month period)

A Transitional Health Benefit to Help with drug, dental and vision care costs if you do not have employer health benefit.

If you leave the ODSP, improved rapid reinstatement rules may make it easier for you to return to the ODSP if your job does not work out.

If you have any questions, please call our provincial client services unit toll-free at 1-888-789-4199 or 416-325-5666 (Toronto) or Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-800-387-5559. Or contact your local ODSP office.

No positions available at this time.