Programs & Services > Options > What's new at Options
What's new at Options
Spanish Parenting Support Group (October, 2007)
An inclusive parents group for any Spanish speaking mother wanting
to talk about parenting issues. The group meets every Friday from
10 a.m. to 12 p.m at 1774 Queen East- Mennonite New Life Center, 1774
Queen East.
The group can be joined at any time. For information or registration,
please call Gabriela or Horacio at 416-971-6326 ext. 239.
Taking the Role of Expert (September, 2007)
FSA Toronto - Options and York University are carrying out a new community-based research project funded by Working Together for Change, McMaster University. The project aims to bring together individuals labelled intellectually disabled and future social workers and educators.
The voices of people labelled intellectually disabled often go unheard in the education of professionals who will be expected to assist them to define and achieve their goals. To change this, a group of young adults will conduct a series of presentations for Social Work and Education students to help them understand their experiences and the consequences of exclusion and segregation; and to share the kinds of expectations, goals and supports they need from professionals working with them in order to become full members of their communities. The presentations are followed by open discussion.
Pre- and post-presentation attitudinal questionnaires will be filled out by participating students to determine whether hearing the opinions and experiences of the persons with intellectual disabilities has an impact on the attitudes of these future professionals.
For existing Options clients only (August, 2007)
Untying the knot
A new short-term group preparing parents to grapple with their emotional
and practical issues when their children move towards
independent living. Facilitators: Judith Snow and Sarah Forer
Interest Assesments
This is a tool offered to existing clients to help
them identify their interests and strengths
and then be connected to places in the community wher they'd like to
participate.
Past News:
New video and best practices manual to be released (April, 2007)
For the past two years, Options, Violence Against Women and Springtide Resources have been working on a project called "Breaking New Ground." Through Breaking New Ground, clients have visited different homeless and women's shelters, sharing their personal stories with service providers and talking about the abuse experienced by women with intellectual disabilities. This topic is the subject of a new video and best practices manual for professionals working in the field. The video and manual were produced during the project and finalized at the end of March 2007 with support from Ontario Women's Directorate. For more information please e-mail Louise Bailey at louiseba@fsatoronto.com
Springtide and FSA Toronto's Options and Violence Against Women units jointly presented a workshop on Sexual Assault and People with Intellectual Disabilities: From Myth to Good Practice to attendees of the International Special Victims Conference in November 2006.
Circle Development Training (April, 2007)
Are you interested in developing circles of support?
If yes, starting in Fall Options will organize a series of train-the-trainer
workshops for professionals, parents and other individuals interested
in developing circles. For registration and more information, contact Judith
Snow at judithsn@fsatoronto.com or 416 971 6326.
Information FAIR for Developmental Services to Adults in Toronto (April, 2007)
Date: Thursday May 24, 2007
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., at the
Location: York Event Theatre (101 Eglinton Avenue East)
Learn about:
- agencies that provide developmental services and types of services and supports they offer;
- the process for applying for services and supports;
- available Government assistance programs; and
- the new website for developmental services in Toronto.
More info: 416 – 971 – 6326
Awareness and Education Workshop (April, 2007)
On April 24, 2007, between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., Options
Spanish speaking facilitators will bring together organizations working
within the Spanish speaking community to learn about the work of Options
and develop collaborative working relationships and promote the inclusion
of Spanish speaking people with intellectual disabilities within their own
communities.
Location: FSA Toronto, 355 Church Street. For more information
and registration please call Gabriela at 416 971 6326 ext. 239
Talk in Circles (October 2, 2006)
New Talking in Circles workshop series start on October 30. Read more
Talking in Circles (May 29, 2006) New!
At Talking in Circles you will learn how to:
- talk to families about Circles;
- invite people into the Circle;
- facilitate "out of the box" thinking and story telling; and
- sustain Circles.
You will learn how to get to "Yes" and you will leave connected to a group of your colleagues who can offer ongoing support and creative ideas.
Options welcomes new team members (February, 2006)
Peter Park joined Options in November, 2005 as Network Facilitator. He also leads the Independent Seekers Group. Co-founder and for many years president of People First of Ontario, Peter is an accomplished, internationally known leader in the disability rights movement, a trainer and a public educator and mentor.
Daryl Craig joined Options in December, 2005 as Community Resource Facilitator. After working many years as a counsellor in Ontario (L'Arche supervisor) and Madras, India, Daryl brings with him a rich experience. He has in depth experience and understanding of inclusion, circle development practice, networking, gentle teaching and Map and Path.
Leah Dolmadge joined Options in December, 2005 as Network/Community Resource Facilitator. An organizer of Toronto Care Collective and past advisor for People First of Ontario, Leah has in depth experience and knowledge of inclusion. She also delivered workshops related to sexuality and disability for the LGBT Youth Line.
Parents with Intellectual Disabilities Symposium (February 2, 2006)
The symposium will be held by the Facilitating Effective Parenting Task Force on February 28, 2006, 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at Metro Hall, room 313. Registration deadline: February 17. For more information and registration, read flyer (PDF format) or e-mail Connie Delio conniede@fsatoronto.com
Empowering You (September, 2005)
Empowering You is an innovative 15 workshops program for women of all cultures and ethnic backgrounds. The program is open for registration. Read more >>
Remembering Patrick (March, 2005)
On March 7th, FSA friends and colleagues gathered to remember and celebrate Patrick Worth's life. Read more >>
Family Service Association of Toronto and Options Program mourn the death of Patrick Worth (November, 2004)
Our dear friend and colleague, Patrick Worth, passed away Thursday,
November 11.
Read more >>
Options joins Best Buddies (March, 2004)
Best Buddies is one of Options' latest network-building projects, initiated by Options facilitators Emanuela Turbian and Catherine Legere. Read more >>
Asset Based Community Building (March, 2004)
John L. McKnight, Director of Community Studies at the Institute of Policy Research of Northwestern University, Illinois, gave a hallf-day presentation on Asset-Based Community Development in Toronto, March 3, 2004. Read more >>.
Exceptional Measures are no Solution to Disability Issues (February, 2005)
In this article Judith Snow shares her thoughts in response to Paul Martin's Speech from the Throne (Monday, February 2, 2004).
If you would like to receive service from Options, please call us at 416-971-6326
