This article written in french by Nicholas Pereira was automatically translated using AI
The Centre intégré de santé et services sociaux (CISSS) de Laval launched a new foster family recruitment campaign on September 18.
The campaign is themed “La famille, à Laval, on y croit sous toutes ses formes” (Family, in Laval, we believe in it in all its forms). The CISSS de Laval aims to add at least 20 foster care spots for clients with intellectual disabilities or autism spectrum disorder in family-type resources.
Gaétan Laprise, a social worker and evaluator at CISSS de Laval for foster family applicants, states that the current waiting lists are significant, particularly for clients with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, or physical disabilities (ID-ASD-PD).
“The clientele has become more complex,” he notes. “There is much more complexity in the needs of the users. Their families are experiencing significant exhaustion and burnout.”
Resource
Hugo Légaré is in charge of a Laval-based housing resource for clients with ID-ASD-PD. This resource accommodates nine individuals with intellectual disabilities. He took over from his mother several years ago.
“I’ve been immersed in this environment since I was young,” he assures. “I lived and grew up in this setting. Since my mother already ran the resource, I’ve been living with them for a long time. They’re like family now. We are one big family here.”
Each user has their own schedule. Some go to school, while others attend internships. It is also necessary to plan meal times, bathing, and cleaning. Once a routine is established, they adapt to this new environment, which will become their home, often for the rest of their lives.
“A living environment like this is much more normalizing than institutional settings,” says Valérie Juneau, quality intervention worker at CISSS de Laval. “The users live as normal a life as possible, developing some autonomy while having a safety net.”
Moreover, this clientele has the opportunity to visit their biological families whenever they wish.
“They enjoy their time with their loved ones, but it’s often the case that they tell their family they want to return home when talking about the resource,” says Hugo Légaré with a laugh. “It’s really their home now. Even though their families find it unusual, they’re happy because it shows that they’re doing well here.”
Légaré considers his role “the best job in the world.” He believes resource managers “must be versatile, resilient, and full of love to give.”
Get Involved
People interested in becoming foster families for any type of clientele can visit the CISSS de Laval website’s dedicated section.
They can then connect with an administrative agent and schedule a phone interview with an evaluator like Gaétan Laprise.
“We will determine the desired clientele and environment for the applicant,” he details. “Afterward, several documents will need to be submitted to assess whether we move forward. There is also a process of five two-hour meetings conducted by two intervention workers.”
One of these meetings will take place in the family home to confirm that everyone supports the project. CISSS de Laval evaluators will also assess various aspects, from relational skills to the physical environment.
The applicant must also meet all ministerial criteria.
“There are many steps, but we want to ensure the well-being of the users and make it clear that this is a commitment,” explains Gaétan Laprise. “You must genuinely care about the clientele and want to collaborate. Yes, there is a financial component, but it should not be the main goal.”
Like Hugo Légaré, Gaétan Laprise believes that being responsible for a resource is one of the most rewarding jobs.
“It’s a wonderful clientele that I’ve worked with for about thirty years. I could have gone elsewhere, but I always came back. It allows us to offer a relief option to an exhausted family. […] Laval’s population would benefit from having more and more housing resources for our ID-ASD-PD clientele,” adds Mr. Laprise.
Simple and Free
Meta (Facebook and Instagram) is blocking your news from Courrier Laval, just as Google continues to obstruct them in response to Bill C-18.
To stay connected to your source, Courrier Laval invites you to download its app. You can also subscribe to the weekly newsletter. This way, you can continue reading your news for free, in real time, with fewer ads. Don’t forget to activate notifications and spread the word to your loved ones and contacts!
Apple: https://apple.co/3wsgmKE
Android: https://bit.ly/3uGPo1D
Newsletter: https://courrierlaval.com/infolettre/
