|
CONNECT COUNSELLING SERVICES
From 1986 to 2003, CHS was able to offer CONNECT Counselling Services only in the Toronto office. Now, with increased annual funding from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC), CHS is able to offer the services of CONNECT in all of its Ontario regional offices, and some area offices.
Services are offered in a fully accessible and supportive environment by professionals experienced in meeting the needs of deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people. The services are free and confidential.
What CONNECT Offers:
Direct Service
- Support, education, advocacy and counselling for families living with a deaf, deafened or hard of hearing family member, including extended support to families of recently diagnosed babies and children.
- Assessment and counselling for individuals, couples and families who are experiencing serious relationship issues that may be complicated by communication struggles and hearing loss. This may include families with young children or adolescents, couples, families with seniors, or individuals experiencing repeated relationship difficulties.
- Assessment and counselling for deaf, deafened and hard of hearing consumers who are concerned about their mental health and well being. Support will be provided to consumers concerned about mental health and illness, depression, abuse, family breakdown and addictions or substance abuse.
- Service coordination and case management for consumers with mental health concerns who need short or long-term support in order to live independently in the community.
Outreach
- Outreach and education to consumers about mental health and wellness, the many services available in the community, and how to access them.
- Outreach and education to community service providers about how to work with our consumers and how to provide accessible, high-quality services.
- Partnership with other CHS programs as well as with outside community service providers to ensure that consumers are able to access the full range of services that are available to hearing Ontarians.
What CONNECT Does Not Offer:
- CONNECT does not offer a formal children’s mental health program. Children who are assessed at CONNECT as being in need of specialized children’s mental health services will be referred, with their families, to a children’s mental health program funded by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. CONNECT will partner with the specialized service provider regarding how to work with a child and family in which hearing loss is an issue.
- CONNECT does not offer mandatory services. CONNECT is a voluntary program. Consumers and their families must want the service.
- CONNECT does not offer emergency services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. During office hours every attempt will be made to problem-solve with consumers about everyday urgent issues. Consumers will be given information about how to access emergency services in their region.
Accessibility
CONNECT offers service that is linguistically and culturally accessible and appropriate for the consumer. To facilitate communication and access, this may include service provision directly in American Sign Language (ASL), the use of professional sign and other language interpreters, intervenors, notetakers and captionists, and the use of technical devices, including videoconferencing for service provision to remote areas.
Hours of Service
Hours of Service are (generally) Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. in some regions). Limited evening appointments may be available.
How to Get an Appointment
Consumers may access the services of CONNECT directly or through referral by a friend, family member or by a professional service provider. To find out more about the services available, call your regional office (phone or TTY), send an e-mail to infoConnect@chs.ca, or drop in.
CONNECT Counselling Services is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and reflects the Ministry’s commitment to fair and equal access to service for all Ontarians.
|
