Passport Program and Person Directed Planning

What is Passport?

Passport funding provides resources to people who have diverse abilities after they reach the age of 18. Funding provides resources for people supported to receive in-home supports and respite, out of home respite, and a multitude of community participation options. The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services provides the money for the Passport program and disburses the funds through the Community Services Coordination Network (CSCN) in London who administer the program.

At 18 years of age, people who have diverse abilities need to apply for Passport funding through Developmental Services Ontario (DSO). People who intend on applying are encouraged to start the process at 17½ years of age.

How does it work?

Passport is a reimbursement program. Passport allows families to manage the funds and choose how to administer them within the Passport guidelines. Families may choose to hire an agency for program services and respite, or they may hire workers directly. If hiring a private contractor or worker, the family is responsible for researching and evaluating the service providers in their area, interviewing the prospective candidates, and administering the paperwork required to hire and pay for the supports provided. Another option is to purchase the services through Community Living Chatham-Kent.

Why choose Community Living Chatham-Kent to purchase services using Passport Funding?

Community Living Chatham-Kent has been providing innovative quality supports and services to people and families of Chatham-Kent for over 60 years. Our agency has the expertise and understanding of the developmental services sector and the range of services available to people, knowledge of how to provide those supports and services, and the ability to assist people to plan for the future. Once connected with Community Living Chatham-Kent we can help you navigate the developmental services sector.

Purchasing services through Community Living Chatham-Kent provides you with a worry free experience and peace of mind. When purchasing services through Community Living Chatham-Kent, we will:

• Manage the hiring process, and only employ qualified Direct Support Professionals who have the current education, training, and expertise to meet the needs of the person supported.
• Ensure that each Direct Support Professional has a Vulnerable Sector Police Clearance Check.
• Complete the scheduling in consultation with families.
• Manage all the employee expenses related to employment such as WSIB, Liability Insurance, Employer Health Tax, CPP, Employment Insurance, etc.
• Manage the employee payroll/payment process, billing for hours, and tracking of hours.
• Complete mandatory invoicing / reporting to the Passport agency.

Just some of the many options available to you through Community Living Chatham-Kent:

• Person Directed Planning – Person directed planning is all about you! Community Living Chatham-Kent believes every person has the right to plan, based on their own dreams, and goals. We all need chances to try new things, and to explore new ideas while we get better at things we already know. Using many different tools, we will gather information to help you decide what you want and what you need to get there. Then we work with you to make a plan of how it can happen. Together, we can help you become more independent, and learn to make your dreams come true.
• Personal Supports – Individualized supports, hourly supports, group activities and events, assistance for volunteer activities, daily life activities, act as a resource for families regarding recruitment of support workers, educational activities, connecting people to their community (recreational, health, legal, building social capital, trips, concerts), supporting people in their leisure pursuits, transportation where available within city limits to attend community events and respite resources, provision of in-home respite.
• Employment Activities – Job preparation, training, work activities, job coaching.
• Out of Home Respite – Voluntary, recreational leisure based, in a home environment.
• Administration and Brokerage – Act as a resource to families for recruitment of workers. Flowing funds through the agency, reporting and monitoring usage of funds.