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Welcoming communities: Creating ethnocultural communities in LTC homes December 2009- In March 2006, Concerned Friends received approval for funding from Social Development Canada's New Horizons for Seniors Program. We have since brought together a terrific project Steering Committee, made up of diverse and experienced community leaders, service providers from the Long Term Care Home sector and community to guide the project and work with a consultant. The steering committee membership is as follows:Liz Chappel , Ontario Multi-Faith Council Three very productive Steering Committee meetings have been held. In general the project is looking at facilitating the development of welcoming cultural communities in Long Term Care Homes and supporting LTC homes in building cultural competence. Most recently the committee reached a decision on the selection of a consulting firm to help research and organize our project. We are pleased to be working with Joan Christensen of Christensen Community Consulting. The response we received to our request for proposal was encouraging and although it was difficult to choose amongst such highly qualified and experienced consultants, their enthusiasm reinforced and supported our excitement about this project. Specifically we want to: • Determine how existing and emerging small ethno-cultural communities in North East Toronto are engaging LTC homes in order to achieve responsive cultural communities and cultural competence in LTC Homes, • Identify barriers (including systemic) and ideas for overcoming these barriers, • Share ideas, experiences, information and successful models, • Summarize and share the findings, summarize advocacy issues for moving forward and determine plans for future action. |