NewsToGo

OPDI NewsToGo Issue #291 - December 9, 2011

1. Federal Omnibus Crime Bill Passed

This controversial and wide-ranging bill has been passed.  The latest version of the legislation and media coverage can be found here:

http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&DocId=5303962

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/12/05/pol-crime-bill.html

2. Ontario Anti-Bullying Legislation Introduced

We have the official press release from Queen’s Park and accompanying media coverage:

http://news.ontario.ca/edu/en/2011/12/more-support-for-bullied-students.html

http://ottawa.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20111130/OTT-bullies-expelled-ontario-reaction-111130/20111130/?hub=OttawaHome

http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1094683

3. Court Decision on Child Support Affects ODSP Eligibility (from ISAC)

A recent court decision has determined that adult children with disabilities whose parents are receiving child support should not have the child support counted as income for the purposes of eligibility for ODSP.

Consequently, there will be some people who were not previously eligible for ODSP who will become eligible, and others whose benefits should stop being reduced by the amount of the child support.

There may be new reporting requirements to go along with any changed policies.  We have enclosed an English-language factsheet; bilingual versions will be made available at the Income Security Advocacy Centre website at:

http://www.incomesecurity.org/

ansell_-_FINAL_(2).pdf

4. PPAO 2010 Annual Report Released

The Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office has released its annual report.  We have enclosed a copy; it is also available online at:

http://www.sse.gov.on.ca/mohltc/PPAO/en/Documents/2010%20PPAO%20Annual%20Report%20%20.pdf

2010_Annual_Report_PPAO___Signed_Off_For_Distribution.pdf

5. Homecoming Coalition Resource

Thanks to PSR Canada, NewsToGo learned of a recently released report by the Homecoming Community Choice Coalition, which advocates on behalf of supportive housing and community inclusion.  The publication “Beyond the Backyard Fence” is a “how-to” guide for service providers in developing and maintaining good relationships with neighbours and the community. It can be downloaded at:

http://www.homecomingcoalition.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/HCBeyondLR-final1.pdf

6. Canadian Harm Reduction Network Special Event in Toronto

This timely lunch hour seminar speaks directly to the federal omnibus crime bill.

Speaker:  Professor Ernie Drucker, Professor Emeritus and former Director of Public Health and Policy Research, Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology, Columbia University and Scholar in Residence, John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Topic:  A Plague of Prisons: Lessons for Canada from the US Experience
Time:  Friday December 09, 2011, 12-2pm
Place:  Ericson Seminar Room
Centre for Criminology and Sociolegal Studies
14 Queen’s Park Crescent W, 2nd floor

7. CAST Canada Workshops

Cast Canada has several workshops in the New Year.  For more information, please refer to their website:

http://www.cast-canada.ca

8. MHCC Seeks Schools’ Input on Student Mental Health Needs

The Mental Health Commission of Canada is gathering from school boards a census of students’ mental health needs.  For more information on this project, please refer to:

http://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/English/Pages/Canadian_schools_eng.aspx

9. Post-Secondary Students At Risk for Suicide and Mental Health Issues

This article documents the unprecedented level of anxiety and other mental health issues that post-secondary students face:

http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1094018—student-stress-battering-the-ivory-tower?bn=1

10. EENet (Evidence Exchange Network) News Features Research Snapshot

The Evidence Exchange Network (EENet; formerly OMHAKEN) actively promotes the use of research evidence in decision-making by providing an infrastructure to connect research to mental health and addictions research stakeholders across Ontario, developing targeted KT products and tools and supporting interactive exchanges. For more information about EENet, please contact Keri West at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).  The EENet website is accessible through the ehealthontario.ca portal:

https://www.ehealthontario.ca/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=643&PageID=0&parentname=Opener&parentid=0&cached=true&mode=2&userID=11862

Periodically, EENet publishes Research Snapshots which are clear language summaries of featured research articles.  We have attached the latest one that discusses social inclusion for people who have lived experience of mental health issues.

snapshot___cobigo___stuart.pdf

Other Research Snapshots are available online at:

https://www.ehealthontario.ca/portal/server.pt/community/what%27s_new/1586

11. OPDI Seeks Board Members (repeat)

OPDI is currently seeking Board members.  In accordance with OPDI’s by-laws, Board members must be a member in good standing of an OPDI member organization (there are general and associate seats)  If you are interested please see the attached nomination letter and application.  Please forward this email to consumer members, staff or directors of your organization whom you think would be interested and whom you can support as excellent board candidates. 

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