Josh has been playing on the Riverside Rangers hockey team for a couple of years now. He began his skating journey several years ago with his friend Lucas. In the beginning, Josh was unable to skate at all, he required assistance and had many falls. His skills have improved exponentially, and he comes home eager to share his achievements with his housemate and support staff following his hockey practices.
Recently, Josh has joined a power skating league at the Amherstburg Libro Centre. This league helps hockey skaters to improve their techniques - as a bonus, he has already made some new friends there.
Josh lives and breathes hockey. If he's not on the ice at the arena you can find him spending his afternoons and evenings in the driveway playing road hockey. The Riverside Rangers team has given Josh a positive outlet to participate in the thing he loves the most!
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Enjoying The Warm Weather |
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Earlier this week Konnor took advantage of the warmer weather by exploring the boardwalk at Point Pelee National Park. Kristi enjoyed visiting Lacasse Park in Tecumseh.
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Our Journey to Re-Accreditation |
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Community Living Essex County is currently in the process of pursuing our third accreditation with Focus Accreditation. The standards developed by Focus Accreditation were examined and we have submitted our corresponding documents for these standards. There are a total of 16 domains and 148 standards, which examine every aspect of our agency.
The Manager of Accreditation and the Executive Director of Focus Accreditation have now completed their preliminary review of each standard and what was submitted. This was completed earlier this year. Next, Focus will complete both an onsite and virtual review by their validation team. The validation team does a very thorough review of all the domains and subsequent standards. This takes several weeks to complete. Once the review is completed, the validation team will conduct virtual interviews with our domain leads. A few members of Focus team will visit various locations in our agency and interview staff and people supported. File reviews and surveys will also take place at this time.
Being accredited gives our agency an ‘award of excellence’ which is another way to prove to all stakeholders and the community that Community Living Essex County provides outstanding supports and services. Stay tuned for more about our accreditation journey!
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EXTRA! EXTRA!
Read All About It
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The past 2 years, filled with so many COVID restrictions, have given everyone cause to reimagine life as we knew it. As families, we have been forced to readapt.
We have tried to find workable solutions for our family members with intellectual disabilities. We may have been forced to leave our comfort zone of days past but in doing so we have often found that there was light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe you’ve found alternative, creative strategies that better meet the needs of your family member.
We at Ensemble - your family voice - have reimagined how we can better meet the needs of families in Essex County. We have rebranded Ensemble - new colours, new website, new “Possibilities“ and new committee members.
Please visit our new website and always remember - without you - family voices won’t be heard. It is always the goal of the Ensemble family volunteers to strengthen families by supporting one another.
We anxiously await your input.
Your committee members,
Marilyn, Lois and Rubina
Family Consultant
ensemble@communitylivingessex.org or 519-776-6483, ext 225
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Free COVID-19 Vaccination Consultation Services from WECHU |
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With the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 to 11 years of age, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit understands that the decision to vaccinate children can be difficult for parents and caregivers, even for those who are vaccinated themselves.
It is normal to have questions about the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine for your children. To make an informed decision, the WECHU is encouraging all parents, guardians, and caregivers to discuss COVID-19 vaccination with their child’s health care provider, or other reliable sources. With so much misinformation available, it is more important than ever for parents and caregivers to receive COVID-19 vaccine information from a reliable and trustworthy source.
There are a number of free phone consultation services available for parents and caregivers to discuss vaccination with a registered health care professional. The hotlines included here offer free, one-to-one phone consultations with a health care professional that can help you decide if the COVID-19 vaccine is right for your child.
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Increasing Employability in Students with a Disability
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As a parent, you generally assume that when the time is right your children will automatically find a job and begin a career. But if your child is living with a disability, you may not have the same expectation.
Now, more than ever, young people with a disability are not only finding jobs but are becoming valued employees in all kinds of different businesses. As a result, starting early to develop the skills and attitudes that employers value is critical.
Learn what you can do to help enhance employability for your son or daughter at home and in school and your community.
The webcast includes a live Q&A with the panelists.
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Help Shape Amhertburg's Future Plans |
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The Town of Amherstburg is embarking on an Inclusive Community Plan and is looking for feedback from residents. Take the survey at the link below to help the town shape future plans. |
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New Windsor/Essex Acute Care Hospital
Have Your Say!
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Everyone in Windsor & Essex County is encouraged to visit TogetherWeBuild.wrh.on.ca to get informed, ask questions, complete surveys and share ideas for the layout and design of 11 program and service areas in the new hospital. The platform has direct links to upcoming virtual town halls, where hospital staff and planners will provide an update on work being done in each of the project areas and answer questions.
The town halls begin next week, on March 21. A video recording of all virtual town halls will be posted on the site after the events for those who cannot attend.
Survey responses and ideas will continue to be accepted on the site through the end of April.
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Rediscover Ontario and Get Back up to 20%
on Eligible Accommodation Expenses
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The Ontario government is encouraging the people of Ontario to rediscover the province and support Ontario’s important tourism industry this March Break and all year round with the Ontario Staycation Tax Credit. With this Personal Income Tax credit, residents will get back up to 20 per cent on their eligible accommodation expenses for leisure stays in the province this year.
The temporary Personal Income Tax credit will allow Ontario residents to claim eligible accommodation expenses, up to a maximum of $1,000 for individuals and $2,000 for families. The credit will provide up to a maximum of $200 for an individual and $400 for a family.
Eligible accommodation expenses are for stays between January 1st and December 31st, 2022, at hotels, motels, lodges, bed-and-breakfast establishments, cottages, campgrounds and other short-term accommodations in Ontario that are subject to GST/HST.
Every corner of Ontario is home to family attractions, secluded getaways and other amazing destinations. Through the Staycation Tax Credit, the government is encouraging the people of Ontario to get out, travel and explore.
Ontario residents will be able to apply for the credit when they file their 2022 personal Income Tax and Benefit Returns in 2023 and can receive the credit even if they do not owe income tax. Residents must keep detailed receipts for their eligible Ontario accommodation expenses.
The Ontario Staycation Tax Credit is part of the government’s plan to drive economic recovery and long-term growth so the province can emerge from the pandemic stronger than ever.
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Rock Your Socks Down Syndrome Day |
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The Down Syndrome Association of Toronto (DSAT) organizes the “Rock Your Socks” awareness campaign each year to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD).
Show how you rock your socks and enter to win a $75 gift card of your choice or win a free pizza party for your class!
In celebration of World Down Syndrome Day on March 21st, DSAT will be joining schools and organizations around the world to mark this special day.
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The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is Canada's leading private nature conservation organization. Working together with donors, organizations, governments and Indigenous communities, they have helped protect 14 million hectares for the long term, coast to coast to coast.
Virtually explore the coastline and forests of Vidal Bay on the largest freshwater island in the world - Manitoulin. Discover the globally-rare alvars and how important they are for threatened species.
Trek through the backcountry of the South Selkirk Mountains in British Columbia. See alpine lakes and ancient forests and discover how the Nature Conservancy of Canada is protecting and restoring the landscape.
Hike and kayak through the Musquash reserve. Learn how the community gets involved with protecting this diverse landscape - the largest, ecologically intact estuary on the Bay of Fundy.
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Maple Syrup Days at John R. Park Homestead |
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The region’s premier maple syrup celebration at the John R. Park Homestead is back! Wear your boots to see syrup being made the pioneer way. Enjoy a guided tour of the pioneer maple making process, hands-on activities and more! Sample pure maple sugar and visit the Maple Market to find pure maple products to enjoy at home.
On March 19th & 20th, 2022, tours will run every ½ hour beginning at 11:00 am. Last tour begins at 3:30 pm.
Family tickets - $30
Adult - $8
Children (3-12) & Seniors (65+) - $6
Under 3 - free
Advanced tickets required. Dogs are not permitted. Parking available in the Homestead’s main lot and the overflow lot, just north on Iler Road.
In accordance with provincial guidelines, proof of vaccination is not required for this event. Other safety measures, such as masking and social distancing, are required.
Location:
John R. Park Homestead
915 Essex County Road, Essex
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March is Nutrition Month and the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit has a Nutrition Month weekly newsletter. This newsletter features quick and easy nutritional information that you can use in the kitchen! Visit their website, linked below, to sign up for the newsletter and see all of their "You Can Cook" videos!
The "You Can Cook" video highlight this week is all about oats! Oatmeal is high in fibre and provides vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and antioxidants. People who eat more whole grains tend to have a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and digestive disorders. The fibre found in oats also helps improve cholesterol and control blood sugar levels.
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Rescued by Ruby
Based on a true story, a state trooper pursues his dream of joining a K-9 unit. In doing so, he partners with a clever but naughty shelter pup named Ruby. Streaming on Netflix.
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Amazingly Easy Irish Soda Bread
Celebrate St. Patrick's day with a traditional Irish soda bread. Made with basic ingredients, this Irish soda bread is made easily in just an hour.
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Laughter is the Best Medicine |
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What makes you feel lucky?
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What is your favourite green item?
Grass ~ 27.7%
Frogs ~ 12.8%
Apples ~ 19.1%
Mint chocolate chip ice cream ~ 40.4%
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