Who We Are
About Us
E3 Community Services (E3) operates under letters patent issued on December 18, 1974 in response to parents brought together by their concern about lack of educational opportunities and services for their children. Prior to incorporation and in the following years, the Association was involved in the development of pre-schools, developmental centre, schools, workshops, living solutions and parent support services. Many people gave freely of their time to develop these services and to seek government support to maintain and expand upon the small base of services for people with a developmental disability.
Over the years, the Association modified services, removing and adding, as trends in the sector and legislation evolved. New services replaced outdated approaches. Social enterprises were developed to address unfunded items, such as capital expenditures and maintenance to our properties. Children’s programs, such as EarlyON Child and Family Centres and Tots ’n’ Tykes Child Care Centre, are essential community outreach programs in South Georgian Bay and Alliston.
The direction of current services and supports has moved from a program model to one which endeavours to be responsive to individuals with developmental disabilities, and to further enhance their independence and quality of life. The range of services E3 offers today for children, adults and their families include integrated child care services, supports in community living, supports to explore social opportunities and to ensure that services are designated for the individual and focus on his/her strengths, needs and choices.
All people with developmental disabilities have full rights as citizens of South Georgian Bay, to access all recreational, educational, social, and employment opportunities that the area offers.
Mission
We strive to Educate, Enable and Empower our persons served, our staff and our community.
E3 Community Services believes:
our primary service responsibilities are to support both adults and children in getting full value as participating citizens in the community. E3 embraces the principles of inclusion, integration, individualization and community acceptance,
that our success depends on meeting and anticipating individual and community needs, that our activities will be personalized, family centered and designed to help people achieve their full potential,
It is vital to respect all people, provide them with choices and to promote the concepts of inclusion and community education,
we must work in partnership with the larger service system to pro-actively develop efficient, quality services,
we must advocate for and on behalf of persons served and families to ensure they are afforded the services, support and respect needed for safe, healthy and happy living,
that staff must have a safe, respectful and fair working environment that promotes personal growth, fiscal accountability and transparent procedures will be inherent business practices to ensure the integrity of our funding.
Values
E3 Community Services, values the uniqueness, dignity and worthiness of each individual we support. We believe that a healthy community only exists when the contributions, needs and aspirations of every individual, no matter their differences, are recognized, acknowledged, utilized and appreciated.
People’s Rights
The individuals we support are citizens with all the rights, dignity and prerogatives of Citizens of Canada. The laws that apply to civil conduct of all citizens apply equally to staff involvement in individual’s lives, homes, places of employment, etc.
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Along with the most basic of human rights, individuals have the right to refuse service from the Agency and/or re-evaluate the role the Agency plays in their lives. Conversely, individuals do not have a legal entitlement to service and can be refused service with the Agency.
In addition to supporting the “Rights” conferred upon all people in Canada through The United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Statutes and Laws of the Government of Ontario, the Agency undertakes to support individuals in making personal choices respecting all aspects of daily living.
Rights are generally conferred upon people by law or declarations of a level of authority. Choices on the other hand are decisions made by an individual. However, many choices in life can be as important or even more important than Rights declared by government.
Although far from inclusive, the following are perhaps the most important and common examples of the personal needs and wishes which we support individuals to achieve:
- to retain and personally decide on the use of their own funds;
- to be free from exploitation and abuse;
- to receive regular and adequate medical support under the Canada Health Act;
- to practice a religion of choice;
- to receive adequate and nutritious food;
- to be supported in a safe, clean and appropriate home environment;
- to have personal privacy respected;
- to self-advocate and appeal decisions related to personal well being;
- to interact with family and friends and have close relationships where possible;
- to have personal belongings;
- to choose services, recreational activities, entertainment and accommodation in line with personal needs and wishes; and
- to receive education and counseling on matters affecting daily life circumstances.
Persons served have the right to routinely expect all information to be held in strict confidence and shared with third party sources only on a need to know basis, in the interest of the safety and well-being of the person served and with the person or their designate’s signed consent.
Rights are outlined in the following legislation and can be viewed by clicking on the links:
Canadian Charter of Rights
Ontario Human Rights Code
United Nations Declaration of Rights of Disabled Persons
Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, 2008
Quality Assurance Measures
Strategic Operational Plan
This plan is a culmination of E3 management and staff ideas to take E3 into the next three years. Focus Groups were held over several months and all input was incorporated into this ambitious plan. Many items mentioned throughout this process, have already been addressed and implemented.
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Code of Ethics
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Annual Report
