TORONTO, April 21, 2020 – The Government of Ontario announced today that the Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) will be leading an announced $11 million program to coordinate and subsidize deliveries of meals, medicines and other necessities to low-income seniors and people with disabilities in need, such as those who lack family or community connections, or are in supportive housing environments and community-based independent living programs.

OCSA will work with businesses, volunteer organizations and non-profits to make it easier for Ontario's most vulnerable people to receive the meals, medicine, and other essentials they need to stay safe at home. The new program will leverage Caredove’s state-of-the-art referral network, which is already used by 600+ organizations across Ontario to create trusted networks of care partners with secure and easy-to-use tools. It will also support the expansion of Meals on Wheels programs to under-serviced communities.

“Ontario is committed to protecting the health and well-being of seniors and people with disabilities during this time, said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. “Our partnership with the Ontario Community Support Association will harness the power of the Ontario spirit to ensure food, medicines and other necessities are available to those in need while they stay home.”

“Our members are continuing to serve their communities with compassion and commitment as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds,” says Deborah Simon, CEO of Ontario Community Support Association, which represents home care services, Meals on Wheels and congregate dining programs, transportation, and other community support services. “We’re already seeing creative collaborations emerging at the local level to solve local issues. This program will deliver an immediate boost of support and resources into expanding and coordinating the level of care needed to meet the unprecedented demand and keep people well and safe at home.”

More Ontarians need support now than ever. The Ontario Community Support program will roll out leveraging existing services, assisting agencies to onboard new volunteers, and finding additional resources needed to provide enhanced support to vulnerable individuals.

“Home and community care is key to getting Ontario through this crisis,” says Simon. “We’re delighted to be working with the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility to make sure services can continue and expand at this critical time.” 

Every year, the home and community support sector provides care to over one million people in their homes or in the community, helping them live independently in safety and comfort. In 2018-19, Meals on Wheels delivered 2,945,119 meals to 49,229 Ontarians.

To identify a local Meals on Wheels provider and request service, eligible seniors and persons with disabilities, their caregivers, neighbours or families should visit www.ontariocommunitysupport.ca.

Those without Internet access, or who require services in languages other than English or French, can dial 211 or 1-877-330-3213 (toll free). TTY service is also available by calling 1-888-340-1001.

- 30 -

About OCSA

Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) represents close to 230 not-for-profit organizations that provide home care and community support services that help seniors and people with disabilities live independently in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. These compassionate and cost-effective services improve quality of life and prevent unnecessary hospitalizations, emergency room visits and premature institutionalization. They are the key to a sustainable health care system for Ontario.

For more information, visit www.ocsa.on.ca and https://twitter.com/OCSAtweets.

For interviews and information requests please contact:

Janice Bedore - Executive Assistant to Deborah Simon
Ontario Community Support Association
416-256-3010 ext. 231
Janice.bedore@ocsa.on.ca