1. Food (security) and mental health is complicated
We are constantly bombarded with ads, advice, and warnings on how much and what to eat. And it all costs too much time and money. For folks with disabilities, our diets can help or hinder our day-to-day and long term health. Get eating. Lots more at SoundTimes.com/bulletin.
Advocacy For Food, Nutrition, and Dignity
· Dignity in Food systems (shelters, food banks, food programs)
· Right to Food—Internationally and in Canada
· Better Harm Reduction Tools include Harm Reduction Diets and Food Tips
· Income and Other Supports for Nutrition
· Shelter standards for food, diet and nutrition==> Booklet for food access and advocacy – still adding resources!
Navigate Below:
Food is complicated
Moments in C/S Bulletin History
Rights to Food
Resources and Sources, Harm Reduction and Food
Jobs
Free Events
Dignity and food and recovery – Quick Food BOOKLET
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We will be updating the website in the next week to increase the flow of information. Let us know about your events and important issues please at bulletin@soundtimes.com
2. Moments in C/S Bulletin History – Special Diet Allowance
Special Diet Allowance in 2005=$250.00
Special Diet Allowance in 2018=$250.00 …still
C/S Bulletin 297, April 1st , 2005:
…We are asking doctors/nurses/dieticians/midwives to recognize that the money from the Special Diet Allowance is a medical necessity for all social assistance recipients…
NOW: 2018…Special Diet Max is still $250.00
There are lots of conditions that qualify (diabetes, obesity, low weight) Conditions list: //bit.ly/2MffbGp
Find $ amounts: //bit.ly/2BbnP3K
Application Method:
1. Take the application form to an approved health care professional.
One of the following health care professionals must complete and sign the form. They must also initial beside every condition that requires a special diet.
· a physician
· a registered nurse in the Extended Class (Nurse Practitioner)
· a registered dietitian
· a registered midwife or a traditional Aboriginal midwife (but only for medical conditions related to difficulties with breast-feeding).
2. Complete Section 1 of the form.
Please print clearly when filling out this part of the form.
3. Sign the form.
The person applying for the allowance, or someone authorized to sign on their behalf (for example a trustee), must sign Section 4. If the application form is for a child under 16, Section 4 must be signed by someone authorized to sign on behalf of the child (for example, the child’s parent or guardian).
4. Return the form.
When you have completed the application form, return it to your local Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program office.
…we still need activism to increase Special Diet … Survivor history continues…
3. Rights, Advocacy
Shelter advocacy and Standards
Toronto sets standards for food.
You can help advocate for better food and more funding.
We need food to live. We have a right to live. Therefore, we have a right to food…mostly. The right to food is important for us because so many people with disabilities face barriers to accessing healthy food. That is why a coalition of groups has advocated for decades to Put Food in the Budget (Ontario).
Internationally, UN ESCR: Right to Food: Adequacy, Availability, Accessibility, Sustainability (Canada is obligated under international law to provide adequate, available, accessible, sustainable food. (More at //www.escr-net.org/rights/food Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights).
Drink water! Keeping hydrated increases, the size of veins so that you are more likely to get a successful hit.
Nutrition while using
From CATIE (Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange ) ==> People who use street drugs usually don’t get enough nutrition (macronutrients or micronutrients). Eating better may help you stay healthier while you are using.
Get the basics while actively using
Drink high-calorie fluids
Take a daily multivitamin-mineral
Eat as well as you can when you’re notfhigh
Find out about food programs
Get groceries that last a long time before spending money on drugs.
· Embrace the principle of moderation – some “comfort foods” may not be considered “healthy” but can be helpful in the moment
· Be mindful of your body! Pay attention to what makes your body feel good (long-term) and what makes your body feel bad.
· Some key nutrients and foods that can help manage stress and anxiety:
Food Skills, CRC | Regent Park Community Food Centre, www.tcrc.ca
Plan your meals. It reduces waste, and makes a for a fun household activity.
Buy only what you need.
Best before dates are required for manufacturing, but A sniff, a taste, or cutting off a bad part can keep good food from going to waste.
Throw out the cook book, not the leftovers!
Get spices, flavours and experiment.
Blend it. Smoothies, sauces and soups can save all kinds of edgy veggies and fruits.
Leftovers are pre-prepped ingredients. Leftovers are already cooked—making you that much closer to a new meal. With flash in the pan and some sauce or spice, last night’s discards become today’s delight.
Food Systems Lab: Closing the loop on food waste in Toronto //bit.ly/2wXvmjN ]
Diabetes and metabolic syndrome because they affect our community disproportionally (//guidelines.diabetes.ca/browse/Chapter18) and they may be caused by some of the medications that we take (//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3501406/). If you want more information about your medications and weight changes, you could talk to the prescribing doctor and if you want more information you could ask for a referral to a dietician or other supports. You may also want to apply for the Special Diet allowance.
MORE information
The Fare Pass Presto card saves money: $2.00 per ride, 115.50 month. If you receive a transport allowance from OW or ODSP check with a worker before you apply for the pass so that you don’t have that subsidy cut from your cheque.
We know there are lots of folks collecting events for Survivors so we don’t want to duplicate their efforts. If you do have a consumer survivor event, please submit it. If we don’t receive your event we probably won’t include it. Sources of events:
Toronto Public Library
Now Magazine, Torontoist (torontoist.com) BlogTo (BlogTO.com)
September 16, 2018 AIDS Walk TorontoEvent Time(s): 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Where: Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St West www.aidswalk30.com : aidswalk@actoronto.org
Community March: 11:30am—12pm, Festival: 12pm—3pm Where: 1900 Davenport Rd, in front of Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood and Community Health Centre kate@thestop.org //thestop.org/good-food-for-all-festival/ //soundtimes.com/the-stops-good-food-for-all/ September 29 2018 (Saturday) Native Child and Family Services of Toronto 21st Annual Community Pow Wow
At: 2 blocks south of Bloor St W on Dufferin St Dufferin Grove Park Time: 6am – 5pmPhone: (416) 969-8510 ext.3472
Street Soccer Toronto
We will be playing at Earlscourt Park St. Clair and Landsdowne Avenue behind the Joe Picinnini Community Centre by the running track on Saturdays.
ALL welcome you can come as an individual or a team. No expertise or fancy shoes required! Totally free. Find more information about the league on Facebook. You can also find highlights from the Homeless World Cup.
Lots more newsletters
· Ontario Peer Development Initiative OPDI “News to go” //www.opdi.org/news-events/news
· Empowerment Council //www.empowermentcouncil.ca/
· Citizens With Disability Ontario (CWDO) //www.cwdo.org/
· Housing Action Now—Great resource on housing advocacy in Toronto //housingactionnowto.wordpress.com/
· The Advocate – A Government Affairs Advisory Newsletter, Ontario March of Dimes //www.marchofdimes.ca
Looking for Resources in the Regent Park and Moss Park area?
Check out the resource booklet prepared by Regent Park Community Health Centre. The booklet is meant to be printed and shared. Consider printing out a copy or two and sharing with friends. Could your area use one of these?
7. BOOKLET Special Bulletin Part 1! Food Access, Advocacy, Fun
We are building up resources for the food and mental health booklet. We want to include your project and ideas in future versions.
Here is the link the the Booklet which has quick references and resources. You can print and share it!
SO: Please email us at bulletin@SoundTimes.com
You can contribute to the planning through this FOOD Survey.
Where we post even more information and resources.The Bulletin is free to receive.
All previous issues are available on our website: www.soundtimes.com/bulletin
The Bulletin is published on the 1st of every month
by Sound Times Support Services. Funding for this Consumer/Survivor initiative has been provided by the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network (LHIN).
Disclaimer:
The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the
Toronto Central LHIN, the Government of Ontario,
Sound Times Support Services Staff or Board Members.
Thanks: to survey participants, callers and emailers and the C/S Info Bulletin Team helping with the handoff. Go green; get The Bulletin by email! Bulletin@soundtimes.com
And that is all!
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Regent Park Community Health Centre. The booklet is meant to be printed and shared. Consider printing out a copy or two and sharing with friends. Could your area use one of these?
