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Adult Protective Service Worker Program (APSW)

Through our Adult Protective Service Worker Program (APSW), we help adults with developmental disabilities living in the community to be independent, safe and secure.

Staff help adults in accessing community services and supports.

How does it work?

We help each person by:

  • Learning about their personal situation, wants and needs
  • Matching them with an Adult Protective Service Worker (APSW)
  • Together – planning how we can help in their daily life
  • Providing counselling and support through the process
  • Encouraging family and friends to be included in the planning process
  • Coordinating resources and the development of personal support networks
  • Helping with unique and arising issues, like housing, or interpersonal concerns

Typical areas of support:

  • Personal planning and arranging support, like Personal Support Workers (PSWs)
  • Housing and Voluntary Trusteeship
  • Encouraging community involvement, personal engagement, recreation, physical fitness
  • Supporting education, employment, volunteering, skill development
  • Health and well-being management, social planning and interaction
  • Personal advocacy, forms and applications completion
  • Dealing with arising issues such as aging, health, and grief

Where do we provide support?

We provide some support at our main or satellite offices across Windsor-Essex, as well as virtual and telephonic support. Most support happens in the community:

  • People’s homes, workplaces, volunteer locations, and schools
  • Community centres, police stations, courts, coffee shops, and libraries

We encourage

Trusting and empowering relationships between the person we are supporting, their family, friends and the APSW so that:

  • Individuals can live as fully and independently as possible
  • Family and friends are included in the life of a person with a disability
  • Everyone knows the person has support when and how they need it

Eligibility Criteria

Adults 18 years and older with a developmental disability who are referred through Developmental Services Ontario (DSO).

Referrals are required from the Developmental Services Ontario (DSO).

Voluntary
This is a voluntary program. Clients can withdraw from the program at any time with approximately 30 days notice.

How Support Services Work

Our Professional Support Staff will

  • Talk privately with people about concerns
  • Decide what issues to work on together
  • Provide advice, advocacy and professional support to manage concerns
  • Connect people with other community agencies, as needed
  • Help deal with any new issues that may arise
  • Help people cope with changes in life

Our Professional Support Staff

  • Can support people as they work on a wide range of concerns
  • Focus on growth, development and independence
  • Facilitate overall well-being and resilience
  • Have a broad range of clinical expertise and real-life experience

How much will it cost?

Most of our Support Services are free, unless otherwise indicated by the specific program. Donations for Support Services are very welcomed. Donations help us continue our important, local work. Make a donation to our Support Services today.

Interested in this program?
Contact us today.