MESSAGE FROM THE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

This has been a year like no other. Our Lake Ridge Community Support Services staff and Board of Directors remained forward-focused and creative through a year of unknowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The 2020-2021 year began with a provincial lockdown.  Thankfully, due to a robust and well-established information technology infrastructure, we were able to pivot quickly to virtual service for many clients.  Although not the ideal option for every service type, it allowed our staff to stay connected with our clients and families and continue to provide our service.  By early July, Lake Ridge was able to start the gradual reopening process and start returning clients to in-person services.  Guidelines and procedures were developed to create a safe environment for staff, clients and families.  The ministry provided essential personal protective equipment on an ongoing basis to assist us with following our protocols.  In-person services were only provided at a Lake Ridge location through the summer and fall.  In the fall and winter, the number of COVID-19 cases in Ontario was up and down and we continued to be in and out of lockdown.  The staff, clients and families were all patient, understanding and supportive as we attempted to navigate the situation from day to day.  The sector as a whole was very supportive of each other and the community, continuously communicating, advocating and supporting each other.   We all had to pivot and reprioritize many times throughout the year.  

Over the 2020-2021 year, we were able to shift and pivot our ministry-funded programs to continue providing service either virtually or in person.  We also continued to build and develop our fee based services for children and youth.  Although COVID-19 prevented us from fully developing our fee based program, we were able to shift our services to allow for both in-person and virtual service.  We are continually reviewing our service options and looking for new and creative ways to offer service.  We are developing new program ideas and training options in response to the feedback and input provided by our clients, families, community and staff.

The Ontario Autism Program (OAP) continued to evolve throughout the year.  More families were able to access their interim one-time funding or childhood budget through the ministry to purchase the service they needed.  In August, Foundational Family Services were introduced provincially, to allow families to access free training and short-term consultation.  Since the launch, Foundational Family Services has continued to grow and evolve based on client and caregiver feedback.  In early 2021, further OAP developments were occurring and will continue to be released throughout the upcoming year.  

As we move forward, we look ahead to continued growth and development as an Agency.  Some strategic goals for the upcoming year include capitalizing on our strengths and capabilities to increase our capacity and ensure that we continue to be a high-performing, individualized and ethical organization.  Lake Ridge will continue to focus on program development and increased capacity while maintaining the highest standards of service delivery and operational quality.  Client and community engagement and feedback will help inform and direct our Agency's growth.

While the challenges of the pandemic are not entirely behind us and other challenges will undoubtedly arise, the achievements of 2020-21 point to Lake Ridge’s ability to remain steadfast, committed to supporting clients of all ages and their caregivers.  This takes the collective effort of many.  Thank you to our Board of Directors, funders, supporters, staff, clients and their families. We look forward to the future of continued growth and development - together!