About Vita Mens Sana
2022ANNUAL REPORT
2021 ANNUAL REPORT
2019-2020 ANNUAL REPORT
2018-2019 ANNUAL REPORT
Our Services and Programs
Support Services
VITA provides a comprehensive range of services:
Services and Programs
Clinical and Educational Services
Our Clinical and Educational Services (CES) provide therapeutic interventions and learning opportunities for members to help them acquire new skills and develop the abilities to live with a sense of well-being and support for the achievement of their life goals. Training is also offered to Direct Support Professionals and sector related agencies to keep pace with evolving best practices and to better serve a variety of specialized populations.
Program Highlights
- Clinical services: Consultation, life skills and community living training/ classes, including our innovative Learning You Program provided in our Day Programs.
- From Trauma to Trust: A new therapy clinic for adults with intellectual disabilities who have endured trauma from life experiences, institutionalization, and loss or grief.
- Educational services: Using evidence -based approaches, knowledge and skills are broadly shared within the sector, across the country and around the world.
- The International Journal for Direct Support Professionals: Provides practical information in an accessible format in English, French and Spanish.
Respite Services
Pre-planned, short-term breaks for family members who provide daily support for family members 16 years of age or older.
Program Highlights
- March Break and Summer Programs
- Vacation / Holiday Respite Programs
- Day, weekend, and overnight respite services
Treatment Programs
Short- and long-term treatment programs available as well as post treatment supports for adults with complex behavioural needs and/or a dual diagnosis to enable them to live as safely and productively as possible in their communities.
Program supports individuals who might be transitioning from their family home, homelessness, other types of treatment, hospitalization, and/or may be experiencing changing needs.
Program Highlights
- Transitional Treatment Services and Complex Behaviour Treatment Program
- Transitional Specialized Program
- Permanent Treatment Services: Prader-Willi Syndrome treatment program and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) treatment program
Community Participation Services (CPS)
CPS offers educational and experiential learning opportunities aimed at empowering people to create meaningful connections and friendships while developing life, leisure and employment skills.
Our dedicated staff work with the Clinical Services and each member to maximize the individual’s input into their own day. Services are designed to support independence, self-advocacy and community inclusion. Services are designed to support independence, self-advocacy and community inclusion.
Program Highlights
- 7 Community Participation Programs across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
- Monday to Friday Service
- Group and 1:1 approaches that build on individual strengths and interests based on choices and opportunities
- Annual goal-setting and evaluation to promote independence and choices while providing members with skills to complete tasks as independently as possible
- Social, communication, life skills, job readiness skills: swimming, bowling, library, computer lab, and day trips to various locations in and around the GTA.
Virtual by Vita
- Fun filled fine and gross motor skills activities
- Arts and crafts themed activities depending on season/holiday/occasion
- Access to a variety of VITA’s sensory rooms
- Community trips (half and full day planned events) to local attractions
- Participation in VITA’s Book Club
- Cultural awareness activities
- Various outdoor activities usually in the warmer weather months
- Food handler training
- Computer classes
- Sewing classes
- Preparation of nutritious snacks and simple meals
- Money management and shopping skills development class
- Music appreciation and Karaoke challenge
- Health and wellness activities
- Delivery of meals on wheels
- Option to participate in summer vacation trips
Learning You (Virtual Program)
Community living is a skill as much as it is a concept. Vita Community Living Services has developed a variety of different trainings for people with disabilities to help develop the skills and abilities for living a life of maximum quality in the community. All training, (with exception of the Abuse Prevention refresher) begins with a pre-test that will allow instructors to target specific needs of those attending the classes. The post-test will allow the instructors to measure success and if necessary point out areas for future development.
All Vita classes are aimed specifically at the needs of the learners with intellectual disabilities and are designed to be fun and affirming. Our feedback from students attending these classes has been exceptional and we are gratified at the reports that our students are transferring their skills to the real world.
For more information and registration, contact Support Services at 416-749-6234
Residential Services
Residential supports are calibrated to individual member needs, interests and behaviours, which can change over time. Homes are staffed with specialized and skilled talent to best support our members. Our direct support professionals work closely with Clinical and Educational Services to bolster existing skills and to identify and deliver new skill-building opportunities.
Program Highlights
- 24/7-365 Program Support (Clinical Services and Building Maintenance)
- Direct support professionals trained in accordance with VITA policies and procedures and Ministry regulations
- VITA’s Rights Approach: Members have a voice at the table and choice in the service they receive — pertaining to privacy and confidentiality, personal support plans, medication practices and procedures, and clinical documentation.