This guide has been prepared by the Centre for Management of Community Services as a companion piece to the Foundations funding package available through the Regional Offices of the Ministry of Community and Social Services. Its purpose is to assist family groups, community service agencies and other organizations in developing the content of their proposals. Time-limited and transitional, it focuses on helping individuals access a range of community activities such as leisure, volunteering, work, activities of daily living and further education. Foundations' ultimate goal is to help participants build a base of experience, knowledge and skills so that by the time they conclude their involvement in the Foundations-funded initiative, they are ready and able to make informed choices about their future life directions.
Foundations is unique in other ways as well.
It is a vehicle for fostering the development and implementation of innovative ideas. Sponsoring organizations other than traditional service providers are encouraged to apply, including parent groups. This guide is intended to be particularly helpful to such groups. The rest of the document is divided into three sections. The first describes the steps to developing an innovative concept, the second the principles which should be reflected in the proposed innovation, and the third the key characteristics of the range of community activities which will facilitate the transition process.