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Access Consultant
An individual who provides short-term support (access consultation) to individuals and families as part of the Toronto Integrated Response approach.

Access Consultation (Interim Support)
Interchangeable terms referring to the provision of up to 10 hours of support to individuals and families as part of the Integrated Response approach. Access Consultation may include assisting individuals and families in applying for government programs, developing a personal vision for the immediate future, getting connected with community resources and programs, and clarifying their choices with regard to developmental services and a Lead Agency.

Access Consultation Coordinator
The individual to whom the requests for access consultation are sent from the 32 agencies facilitating Integrated Response and who co-ordinates the assignment of the requests to the Access Consultants.

Community Participation Supports
“Community Participation Supports” is the term used in the Passport Initiative to refer to a variety of community-based activities related to work or volunteerism, daily living skills, social skills, independent living and personal management, and employment preparation where the individual does not meet the criteria for funding through the Ontario Disability Support Program Employment Supports.

Community Supports
Service coordination for adults living independently or with their caregiver and specialized supports such as assessment, counselling, and behavioural services.

Consumer Engagement Facilitator
The person who supports the Developmental Services Council and the participation of self-advocates, family members, and consumer groups/organizations within the Toronto Partnership.

Coordinated Information
One of the Making Services Work For People “system features” which requires every network of services to have a strategy enabling individuals and families to get information on all available services and supports from one source. In Toronto, coordinated information is part of the Integrated Response approach, which means that individuals and families can contact any one of the partner agencies to obtain information on services and supports.

Crisis Supports
Time limited residential and non-residential services as well as supports to individuals and caregivers who require immediate assistance in a crisis.

Day Supports
A variety of social, recreational, and training activities and programs that usually take place during the day.

Design Principles
The five principles that guide the design and operation of the Toronto collaboration including: person-centred approach, equity, accessibility, accountability, and inclusive planning.

Developmental Disability
A condition of cognitive impairment present or occurring during a person's formative years, to the age of 18 yrs, that is associated with limitations in adaptive behaviour to cope with common life demands and to meet the standards of personal independence: communication, self-care, domestic skills, social skills, self-direction, community, academic skills, work, leisure, and health and safety.

Developmental Services Council
One of two core groups focused upon sector-wide issues and planning, the other being the Service Provider Committee. The Council brings a consumer perspective to the design and functioning of the Toronto collaboration.

Developmental Services Forum
The group that oversees the design and functioning of the Toronto collaborative approach and monitors the approach for consistency with the design principles. It is the only body with the authority to sanction major changes to the collaboration. The Forum consists of the Executive Directors and Board Presidents (or their designate) of the 29 partner agencies, along with the Toronto Regional Director of the Ministry.

Developmental Services Toronto (DSTO)
The name of the Toronto collaboration comprised of the users, providers and funder of services and supports to adults with developmental disabilities and their families. The partners are working together to improve the quality of life of adults with a developmental disability—today and into the future.

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Integrated Response
Integrated Response is the term used in Toronto developmental services for adults to refer to a comprehensive and consistent sector-wide approach to responding to the requests of individuals and families for information about available services and supports, and to helping them get connected to the services and supports of their choice.

Integrated Response Record (IRR) Form for Adults
Adapted from a Ministry form used in children’s services, the Integrated Response Record (IRR) form for Adults is the agreed-upon standard form for the Integrated Response Approach.

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Lead Agency
Within the Integrated Response approach the “Lead Agency” is the agency-of-record for an individual or family waiting for service. The Lead Agency ensures that the individual or family is registered with the appropriate access mechanism; acts on their behalf when a vacancy becomes available; provides a point of contact with the sector should the individual’s or family’s circumstances change; and keeps the individual and/or family informed by forwarding appropriate communications (such as the sector newsletter).

Making Services Work for People
The Ministry’s policy framework, introduced in 1997, that required each local network of services to design and implement a number of “system features” (see “System Features”).

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Passport Initiative
An initiative introduced by the Ministry of Community and Social Services in 2006 to provide resources to individuals and families seeking community participation supports (including day programs).

Residential Supports
A variety of living arrangements made possible through varying levels of staff support.

Respite Supports
Planned services that provide short-term relief and/or support to caregivers.

Service Provider Committee
One of two core groups focused upon sector-wide issues and planning, the other being the Developmental Services Council. The Committee brings a service provider perspective to the design and functioning of the Toronto collaboration.

System Features
Characteristics of local networks of services required by the Ministry’s policy framework Making Services Work for People. The system features include: coordinated information; integrated/coordinated assessment; easy access to non-residential services; single point of access to residential services; and case/service resolution.

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