A Windsor MPP says she will fight to reform the way the government distributes funding to families with developmentally challenged children.
Windsor West MPP Lisa Gretzky says in Ontario, once a child who is developmentally challenged turns 18, they lose their funding from the Ministry of Children and Youth Services.
Families then have to reapply through the Ministry of Community and Social Services to continue receiving funding.
Gretzky says, on average, families have to wait three to four years to receive funding.
She says during that time, families struggle to support themselves.
"So what happens is that the ministry has a budget set up for funding and once that money has been given out, whoever has not received funding goes on a wait list," says Gretzky. "In fact, in Windsor and Essex County, just in a year, the wait list has increased by almost 50 people."
Mary-Beth Roschuleau, who is the mother of a 16-year-old autistic child, says she is concerned she will not be able to support her child when he turns 18.
"My government has disappointed me beyond belief," says Roschuleau. "I feel like they do not care about my son and I feel like they do not care about the most venerable citizens of Ontario."
Gretzky says major changes need to be made in order to help support Ontario families.
"We do not think that parents should have to prove that their child's developmental disability still applies and we think there needs to be some sort of smooth transition," says Gretzky."The two ministries need to work together to make sure there is continuity in service and funding."
Gretzky says she is coming up with ways to change how funding is distributed.