Page 9 - CLH Foundation - Connected - Winter 2021

Left: Courtney Hutson
Right: Vicky Simos

disability. Since 2008, the CNSC-CE in partnership with a helpful information about navigating the court system when
variety of community agencies has been providing weekly it is most needed. With step-by-step photos and examples,
A-DBT group sessions across Central East region. In 2020, supported individuals, their families, and their direct
funding from the Central Local Health Integration Network support professionals can walk through the processes and
(LHIN) gave lift-off to a pilot project to bring A-DBT and definitions, and better understand the terminology, stages
its focus on core mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, and expectations of the court systems. As Vicky and Courtney
emotion regulation and distress tolerance to support make their way through wait lists and the increasing
individuals in the justice system. These have run (virtually) demand for service, the app can provide individuals and
on a weekly basis with trained A-DBT therapists, with very family members access to information they need all in one
promising outcomes. place – in the palm of their hand.

The newest CNSC-CE initiative (and third pillar) is The Justice Funding for these initiatives is not permanent; provincial
App. A “what if” conversation in September 2020 about support is currently in place until March 2022. Recognizing
using technology to serve their high needs clients during the the tremendous outcomes for individuals who have
pandemic led Vicky, Courtney and Marnie to go to work on successfully participated in these programs, CLH
a solution. By spring 2021, with help from colleague Justin Developmental Support Services and CLH Foundation are
Neilon, a newly developed app was tested, and then refined. committed to finding long-term funding solutions.
The final version was publicly
launched in November 2021.
The Justice App contains

About the Community Networks of Specialized Care (CNSC) – Ontario
The Community Networks of Specialized Care (CNSC) links specialized services and
professionals to collaborate and develop complex support plans for adults who have
developmental disabilities with high support and complex care needs. The CNSCs bring
together people from many sectors including developmental services, health, research,
education and justice in a common goal of improving navigation, access and quality of
services. The CNSC works in four focus areas: Complex Support Coordination, Health Care
Facilitation, Service System Resources and Dual Diagnosis Justice Case Management.

CLH Developmental Support Services serves as the accountable agency for the CNSC
in Central East, which includes Simcoe, York, Durham, Haliburton, Kawartha and Pine
Ridge. The mandate focuses on providing complex support and support coordination for
individuals, and acting as a resource for other service agencies, Developmental Services
Ontario (DSO) and local planning tables. Additionally, CNSC-CE builds sector capacity
through education and mentorship to other case managers and service agencies and
provides provincial coordination of videoconferencing and French language resources.

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