Peterborough Blogs
Community Care Peterborough Highlights Difference From Trillium Grant
/A virtual meeting of Peterborough notables discussed how a $99,600 Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) grant obtained in late 2020 has made a difference for Community Care Peterborough on Friday.
Photo courtesy of Community Care Peterborough.
Among the discussion were Community Care members, MPP Dave Smith, MPP Laurie Scott, MPP David Piccini and Elizabeth Finnie-Hunt, OTF volunteer.
The Resilient Communities Fund was created by OTF to help the non-profit sector to rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19.
“Community Care Peterborough delivers essential and critical services to our most vulnerable members in the community,” said Smith. “Their team of volunteers, donors and staff have supported our residents throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This capital investment will strengthen Community Care, enabling them to grow and further their good work in our community.”
Over the last year, Community Care Peterborough — which involves several communities — used the grant to help fund four key elements in its recovery plan: a new strategic plan; to reinvigorate its fundraising methods; build awareness of the agency and to expand its virtual care capabilities.
“Our Government believes in the importance of supporting community based organizations that improve the health and wellbeing of the people we serve,” said Piccini. “These unprecedented times have highlighted the importance of having a strong health care system and we are incredibly grateful for the work Community Care Peterborough does to support better patient-centred care and the social determinants of health."
Funds from the year-long grant were helped with staffing and administrative costs, guidance for developing new strategies, purchasing new donor data management software and technical equipment to expand online capabilities and communications, as well as health and safety supplies for rural offices.
“Community Care is a staple in Peterborough County and this funding will help community members access new and improved virtual services that are so important to residents,” said Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock.
Over the course of the pandemic, Community Care Peterborough has seen an increased need for the essential services and wasn’t able to host in-person programs or its usual fundraising activities. It saw the closure of its thrift stores for extended period of times.
“We adapted and extended programs to help even more residents of the City and County of Peterborough through these difficult times,” said Danielle Belair, Community Care Peterborough executive director. “Also as part of our funding, we were able to increase our staff capacity by hiring Donor Relations Assistant, Laura Strongitharm, to help us transition into our new software.”
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Ontario Provides Additional Funding For Public Transit to Peterborough and County
/The Ontario Government is providing $1,913,675 to the City of Peterborough and $41,648 to the County of Peterborough to support the expansion and improvement of public transit services announced Wednesday.
Photo courtesy of City of Peterborough.
The funding is part of the province’s Gas Tax program which will allocate $375.6 million this year to 107 municipalities that deliver public transit.
“Affordable and reliable public transit in our community is important for seniors, people with disabilities and workers. This funding will support the city and county of Peterborough’s transit systems by ensuring investments in maintenance and fleet expansion can continue,” said MPP Dave Smith.
Funding for the Gas Tax program is determined by the number of litres of gasoline sold in the province during the previous year. Municipalities that support public transit services in their community receive two cents per litre of provincial Gas Tax revenue which can be used to extend service hours, buy transit vehicles, add routes, improve accessibility or upgrade infrastructure.
To make up for reduced gas sales due to COVID-19, this year’s Gas Tax funding includes one-time additional funding of $120.4 million to ensure municipalities can support their transit systems.
“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen how critical public transit is for frontline workers and for Ontarians who depend on these services to get to medical appointments, the grocery store and other important locations,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. “Gas Tax funding remains a vital source of long-term transit funding that municipalities can rely on to help operate and expand existing public transit services – ensuring people have access to safe and reliable transportation when they need it.”
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
CMHA HKPR Receives Combined $60K Donation From Two Local Organizations
/The Canadian Mental Health Association, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge branch (CMHAHKPR) received a $50,000 donation from the Kinsmen Club of Peterborough, and a $10,000 grant from the Peterborough Police Services Board Auction Fund.
Photo courtesy of CMHAHKPR
The donations, both received on Monday, will support the new Mobile Mental Health and Addictions Clinic being launched in 2022.
“We thank the Kinsmen Club of Peterborough for their generous donation which will support our new Mobile Mental Health and Addictions Clinic,” said Mark Graham, Chief Executive Officer, CMHA HKPR. “The new clinic will bring specialized mobile mental health and addictions care to underserviced and under-resourced communities.”
The clinic will operate within a custom-built retrofitted bus, travelling to communities across the Four Counties. With a multidisciplinary team and collaboration from community partners, it will provide individuals with a variety of services together under one roof, including mental health and addictions services, psychiatric support and follow-up, sexual health and addictions education and support, and basic primary care and health screening for vulnerable populations.
Photo courtesy of CMHAHKPR.
“We’re pleased to have been selected by the Peterborough Police Services Board as a recipient of the Auction Fund Grant, which will support our new Mobile Mental Health and Addictions Clinic,” said Graham. “The launch of this program is a monumental step in bringing specialized mobile mental health and addictions care to underserviced and under-resourced communities.”
“The Peterborough Police Services Board is pleased to support the Canadian Mental Health Association’s new Mobile Mental Health and Addictions Clinic with an auction fund grant. The Police Board and the Police Service recognize and understand the need for effective supports and programs that will help support our fellow citizens who are struggling with their mental health and/or addiction to substances,” said Bob Hall, Chair of the Peterborough Police Services Board. “The CMHA is to be commended for this project and we hope that this grant will be part of a community solution.”
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Fourcast Announces Expansion, Gets Funding For Addictions Services
/Addiction treatment centre Fourcast will expand with $500,000 in annualized funding for mobile withdrawal management services from the Ontario Government announced at Victoria Park on Friday.
(left to right) Deputy Mayor Bonnie Clark, Coun. Keith Riel and Donna Rogers, Fourcast Executive Director were in attendance at Victoria Park joining MPP Dave Smith for the announcement. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The funding is part of the Ontario government’s investment of $32.7 million in new annualized funding for targeted addictions services and supports including treatment for opioid addictions.
Ontario is committing $3.8 billion over the next decade to implement Roadmap to Wellness, Ontario’s comprehensive plan to build a modern and connected mental health and addictions system centred around the needs of individuals and their families according to the press release.
“The fight against the opioid crisis requires a robust local response including a comprehensive array of services to help people beat addiction and live healthy, productive lives,” MPP Dave Smith said. “The key to this effort is strong support at every level of their recovery. $500,000 in annual funding will expand detox services, outreach, and primary medical care for more people struggling with addiction.”
Community Withdrawal Management allows individuals to withdraw from substances in their homes or in another location under medical supervision.
This new funding will hire a nurse practitioner a program manager and two addictions workers into the program. It will be integrated with Peterborough Regional Health Centre’s Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) Clinic and other existing services such as housing, social services, residential and addiction treatment and high-quality primary medical care.
"Fourcast appreciates this investment in community withdrawal management services especially the opportunity that it provides to expand our existing program, “ said Donna Rogers, Fourcast executive director. “This new funding will add outreach and nursing capacity to our existing team. Quick and comprehensive response for people who make decisions to change their substance use is important and this investment allows us to improve access and incorporate much-needed nursing support into our response."
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
PRHC Receives New MRI Machine and Critical Infrastructure Upgrades
/A new MRI machine is being invested into the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) from the Ontario Government to address wait times for diagnostic imaging announced Wednesday.
Photo Courtesy of PRHC.
A payment of $101,023 from the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund will support upgrades and repairs to emergency infrastructure.
“This new MRI machine will save thousands of trips to other communities each year with local residents being able to access this health service right here in Peterborough,” said MPP Dave Smith. “Fewer trips for families to Toronto or Kingston for health care saves money in gas and meals while reducing travel time and the impact on the environment.”
Over the last 10 years, the demand for MRI services has increased on average by approximately four per cent annually and wait times have got longer with 54 per cent of cases completed within target wait times in 2013-14 to 39 per cent of cases completed within target in 2019-2020.
“Since 2017, the demand for MRI services at PRHC has continued to increase. In fact, outpatient MRI requests have increased 53% from 2017 to 2021. The addition of a second MRI at PRHC will not only improve access to care closer to home for our patients, it will decrease wait times and offer modern, leading-edge MRI technology for patients in our community and region,” said Dr. Peter McLaughlin, PRHC President and CEO, PRHC. “I am thrilled that PRHC is among those hospitals across Ontario to receive funding for a new MRI machine as part of this investment.”
This new investment brings additional MRI service to Peterborough making it easier for patients to receive the care they need closer to home. It is part of the government’s $30 million investment in the 2021 Budget to support MRI services for patients and add new MRI machines to hospitals across the province.
“Our government made a commitment to end hallway health care, and that includes ensuring that patients have access to high-quality MRI services,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “By providing hospitals with annual investments to support net new MRI machines, our government is helping to ensure that these vital services are available patients now and in the future.”
The Ontario Government is investing up to $324 million in new funding to enable Ontario’s hospitals and community health sector to perform more surgeries, MRI and CT scans and procedures including on evenings and weekends according to the press release.
The 2021 Budget, Ontario's Action Plan: Protecting People's Health and Our Economy, outlined a total of $1.8 billion in additional investments for hospitals in 2021-22.
This includes funding to create more than 3,100 additional hospital beds to increase capacity. There is an increase of $778 million in operating funding to ensure all publicly funded hospitals will receive a minimum one per cent increase to help them keep pace with patient needs and to increase access to high-quality care for patients and families across Ontario as stated in the press release.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Ontario Government Invests $375,000 Into Hospice Peterborough For COVID-19 Relief
/Hospice Peterborough gets a $375,000 boost from the Ontario Government to offset any costs incurred from the COVID-19 pandemic announced on Tuesday.
Hajni Hős, Hospice Peterborough Executive Director (left) with MPP Dave Smith (right) in front of Hospice Peterborough on London Street. Since 2018, the Ontario government has invested $40 million to add over 200 new hospice beds in Ontario for over 7,000 additional patients annually. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The money given is a 36 per cent increase from last year and brings their 2021-2022 funding to $1,425,000. During the COVID-19 pandemic, residential hospices experienced a decrease in community donations which are used to help support day-to-day operations as stated in the press release.
This capital investment is part of Ontario’s $23 million to help residential hospices across the province provide high-quality, compassionate end-of-life services and care to people and their loved ones.
This new investment is in addition to the province’s annual investment of over $74 million per year in palliative care.
“Hospice Peterborough will continue to provide high-quality, compassionate, end-of-life care to meet the needs of our clients, their families and caregivers in our community,” says Hajni Hős, Hospice Peterborough Executive Director.
As Ontario’s plan to end hallway health care, the government is investing $23 million to help residential hospices across the province provide high-quality, compassionate end-of-life services and care to people and their loved ones.
This investment is one factor in an integrated approach to reduce silos in health care and create a seamless, patient-centred system according to the press release.
“There’s no question Hospice Peterborough has felt the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic; community events to raise capital and support programming was cancelled,” said MPP Dave Smith. “This boost in funding will help them reorient, plan for the future and deliver the best care for patients.”
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Local Organizations Receive Vital Community Grants to Combat COVID-19 Inequality
/The Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough (CFGP) announced on Tuesday that Vital Community Grants totaling $90,000 will go to nine local organizations whose work focuses on supporting equity-deserving people who have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Photo courtesy of The Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough.
This year’s Vital Community Grants theme was an “Equitable COVID-19 Recovery”.
CFGP notes that some people have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 relative to others. Indigenous people, women, youth, people with disabilities and others facing systemic inequality have experienced a heightened chance of exposure to the virus, social isolation, lack of access to food, services and education, worse health outcomes, and adverse financial repercussions.
Nine local charities led by, serving and focused on equity deserving groups were invited to a participatory granting circle to discuss their applications and allocate the available funds. Participatory grantmaking is a decision-making process that invites those who are most knowledgeable about an issue to identify priorities and direct the available funds.
The recipients of 2021 Vital Community Grants are:
Heads Up for Inclusion
To support the Community Amigos Program by providing space for connection to reduce social isolation for people living with disabilities
Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation
To support programs for in-care youth transitioning to independent living
Niijkiwendidaa Anishnaabekwewag Services Circle
To reverse the damage that was caused by residential schools and the pandemic by bringing in Elders and Traditional Knowledge Holders as well as language speakers
Peterborough AIDS Resource Network (PARN)
To assist in the reduction of financial and socio-economic barriers to people needing to engage in PARN’s programs and services
The Council for Persons with Disabilities
To engage more young people living with disabilities
The Elizabeth Fry Society of Peterborough
To launch and support a group counselling program that supports mothers and birthing parents who have lost custody of their children
TRACKS Youth Program (Trent Aboriginal Cultural Knowledge and Science)
To provide resources, workshops and activities to Indigenous youth living in the seven Williams Treaties First Nations in Ontario at no cost
YES Shelter for Youth and Families
To support the RISE Youth Housing program that helps youth between 16 and 24 resolve homelessness and find stability
YWCA Peterborough Haliburton – Nourish Project
To support its civic literacy work including programs like Hungry for Income, a food insecurity training series
Donations to the COVID-19 Community Response Fund are still being accepted by the Community Foundation and will continue to be used to support charities with their pandemic recovery work https://cfgp.ca/project/covid/.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Ontario Government Invests Over $5 Million In Rural Townships For Infrastructure
/The Ontario Government has given over $5 million to five townships in the Peterborough-Kawartha area for infrastructure announced at the Millennium Gardens in Douro-Dummer on Wednesday.
(left to right) MPP Dave Smith; Andy Mitchell, Selwyn mayor; Janet Clarkson, Trent Lakes mayor; Jim Martin, Havelock Belmont Methuen mayor and Warden J. Murray Jones under the gazebo at Millennium Gardens. Smith says it takes $1.2 million to pave one kilometre of a road. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
