IFCO Workfest

As an action step, the vision for ‘connecting as facilitators’ is birthed.
A commitment is made to form a working group of facilitators and develop a Terms of Reference.

Ad Hoc Working Group

A Terms of Reference is developed through a series of teleconferences and meetings.

Laying the Ground Work and Gathering Information

Three facilitator forums were hosted by the Individualized Funding Coalition for Ontario (IFCO) to gather information and obtain more clarity about the value of facilitation and what people, families, and independent facilitators deem would be helpful into the future.

The importance of developing a Provincial Network and Community of Practice was identified as one of the goals for the future, as was the importance of linking with local facilitation networks that were starting to develop.

Moving Forward with a Provincial Network and Regular Forums

Beginning in 2007, IFCO hosted three informal gatherings aimed at bringing together people who were actively offering and/or passionate about Independent Facilitation to explore a shared vision and common agenda. Following these events, IFCO took a lead role in obtaining an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant in 2008-2010 for the Modelling Community Change and Innovation Project (MCCI), which focused on using a community development approach to expanding Independent Facilitation options across Ontario. Supported by MCCI, three more forums were held, and the provincial network continued to grow in vision and strength. Partners and volunteers were mobilizing interest across the province and clarifying their role in shaping the practice and defining the values and principles.

In 2010, the Network adopted a community of practice approach to organizing itself.

Growing, Strengthening, Learning, and Expanding Connections

After MCCI project funding ended, volunteers, sponsors, and partners continued their commitment to grow and strengthen the network by holding forums and finding ways to stay connected between events.

Although it was used informally since 2009, the name Ontario Independent Facilitation Network was officially adopted in 2011.

Learning and sharing continued; energy and excitement grew, as did the need for more volunteer involvement and networking.

An invitation was extended to network contacts to join the Ad Hoc Website Committee.

Planning for the Future and Expanding Our Reach

In early 2013, the development of a website began, with a launch planned for the spring.

Priorities and next steps were identified by participants/members who attended two strategic planning days:

• Form additional Ad Hoc working groups to take on priority projects.
• Expand connections and linkages to local and regional groups.
• Support the practice of Independent Facilitation provincially.
• Address gaps.
• Seek out funding/support and write proposals.
• Establish governance and shared leadership.

In late 2013-2014, OIFN received grant funding from the Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS), which has since been re-named the Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services (MCCSS), to strengthen the network’s provincial presence through education and capacity building activities, website development, and expansion of the Community of Practice.

Outcomes included:

• Website upgrades to enhance website functionality, increase Community of Practice engagement, and create a growing library of Independent Facilitation resources.
• Hosting of a two-day Common Threads Conference to explore the origins, vision, and roots of person-directed planning.
• Hosting of a 1.5 network forum in the Near North to share, discover, and learn form the expeirences of Independent Facilitation across Northern and Southern Ontario.
• Eight face-to-face and twenty teleconference meetings of the OIFN Planning Group to oversee planning and development.

Independent Facilitation Demonstration Project

In 2015, the Ontario Independent Facilitation Network (OIFN) received two years of funding for the Independent Facilitation Demonstration Project (IFDP) through the Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS), which has since been re-named the Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services (MCCSS). The project intended to expand the capacity of Independent Facilitation for people with developmental disabilities across the province and learn more about the benefits of Independent Facilitation.  The project was extended for an additional year in 2017/2018 and again in 2018/2019.  The project formally ended on March 31, 2019.

The Independent Facilitation Demonstration Project had three objectives:

1. To increase the number of people who are receiving Independent Facilitation and planning;
2. To evaluate the outcomes of Independent Facilitation and its impact in the lives of people who choose it;
3. To build the capacity of grassroots Independent Facilitation Organizations so they are able to retain facilitators and operate sustainably.

Over 1,600 individuals experienced Independent Facilitation funded through requests to and referrals from the Ministry’s DSOs to an initial 7 Independent Facilitation Organizations* that were funded through this project, and which offered capacity building, mentoring, and support for Independent Facilitation.

OIFN convened gatherings in 6 communities across the province_ Thunder Bay, Near North (Huntsville, Parry Sound, Timiskaming), Hamilton-Brandt, London and area, York Region, and Kingston- with an intention to expand Independent Facilitation across the province.

OIFN continues to focus on the importance of genuine inclusion, belonging and raising people’s voices in the decisions that affect their lives.  The need for change is more important than ever.  OIFN is committed to collaborating with everyone who wants to work on what’s possible. We look forward to continuing our work together.

*Initial 7 Independent Facilitation Organizations involved in the IFDP:

• Bridges to Belonging Waterloo Region (formerly Facile Waterloo)
• Citizen Advocacy Ottawa
• Facile Independent Facilitation (formerly Facile Perth)
• Families for a Secure Future
• Facilitation Wellington Dufferin
• Partners for Planning
• Windsor Essex Brokerage for Personal Supports

Following the conclusion of the IFDP, some Independent Facilitation Organizations continue to support a limited number of people and families on a Fee-for-Service basis.

Creating the Future We Want

OIFN remains passionate about raising the voice of people with developmental disabilities and their families, loved ones, and friends, in pursuit of an everyday, ordinary life in neighbourhood community, where everyone’s contributions are needed, welcomed, and valued.

People and families continue to share stories through a family-led initiative called the Independent Facilitation Matters Coalition, highlighting the difference and contribution Independent Facilitation has made in living the life of their choosing. We have learned over time that adults with developmental disabilities and their families/loved ones know how powerful it is to build a meaningful life in their neighbourhoods and communities. People and families have shared stories about what it takes to stay together and build their resilience and courage.

OIFN is maintaining its strong social media presence by distributing weekly social media posts and quarterly newsletters to share stories, experiences, and connections to ideas about what more is possible and to delight, inspire and start conversations that matter.

OIFN continues to focus on the importance of genuine inclusion, belonging, and raising people’s voices in the decisions that affect their lives. The need for change is more important than ever. We are committed to learning together with people and families and others who care about what true belonging is and what it takes to hold a vision of a more just and inclusive Ontario. We continue to hear from people and families who want something different – a full life in their neighbourhood or community. OIFN is committed to collaborating with everyone who wants to work on what’s possible. We look forward to continuing our work together.

Priorities 2020

Engaging and Strengthening the Community of Practice of the OIFN

• Being brave enough to start a conversation that matters:
  • Convening Reflective Practice conversations on line, monthly
  • Inviting in ‘everyone who wants to work on what’s possible’, connecting and reconnecting to people who have experienced independent facilitation or would like to experience independent facilitation, friends and family members interested in the support and practice of independent facilitation, independent facilitators, allied developmental service organizations interested in independent facilitation
  • Fostering connections to local and regional Communities of Practice
  • Re-connecting with communities where some community development has happened with respect to independent facilitation

Building/ re-building and supporting Independent Facilitation across the province

• OIFN is often asked: “How do I become an independent facilitator?”
  • OIFN is committed to begin building training and mentoring capacity, and is
  • mobilizing training and mentoring capacity, and
  • building appreciation for ongoing learning/development/reflective practice
  • recognizing that the practice of independent facilitation requires training and mentoring
    • OIFN is featuring its Key Messages document which include OIFNs Core Beliefs; and the Framework for an Ordinary Everyday Life

Increasing visibility and accessibility of independent facilitation for people and families who want it 

• OIFN is frequently asked by people and families: “How do I find an independent facilitator?”
  • OIFN is relaunching the OIFN Map/ Facilitator Listing in the FALL 2020 on oifn.ca
  • OIFN is highlighting the Ethical Code of Conduct for Independent facilitation on oifn.ca and why it is important
  • OIFN is engaging people and families in reviewing the “Questions to Ask Your Facilitator”

Building on our priorities from 2020, OIFN committed its energy and resources in 2021 to:

Growing and Engaging the Community of Practice

• Continuing to host CoP gatherings, including Reflective Practice Conversations and Book Club meetings, and staying connected and communicating with local and regional Communities of Practice.
• Telling OIFN’s story and continuing to publish newsletters and share stories, ideas, and resources – highlighting both OIFN’s history and documents, as well as the work and resources of our allies others who share our values and principles.

Building Capacity and Visibility of Independent Facilitation

• Continuing to offer OIFN Shared Learning Events to further build capacity of Independent Facilitation and build appreciation for ongoing learning and development.
• Promoting and maintaining OIFN’s Independent Facilitator Listings, which were re-launched in 2020, and highlighting resources to support people and families to find independent facilitators.
• Preserving the Integrity of Independent Facilitation by continuing to nurture and ground the Community of Practice in the principles and values of our work.

Contributing to Collaborative Ally-ship

• Preserving the Integrity of Independent Facilitation by creating spaces for conversations that matter and growing and learning together with our allies and supporters.
• Investing in What Matters by deepening our relationships with people and families, independent facilitators, autonomous self-advocacy and family groups, grassroots organizations, supportive agencies, and others and supporting initiatives and movements for social change.

Sustaining the Network

• Thinking strategically about our Developments and Investments, so that OIFN can continue to foster a Community of Practice that is committed to facilitating change for people to live everyday, ordinary lives.
• Recognizing and acknowledging the many gifts of Community and Practice members and welcoming and inviting the contributions of people who are interested in offering their gifts in meaningful ways.

As part of all of these goals, OIFN continued ongoing maintenance and development of OIFN Social Media platforms and our website, which serve as spaces for the Community of Practice to connect to, inspire, and learn from one another.

Over the past couple years, OIFN has been greatly encouraged by the broad participation in our virtual gatherings and events, and we are inspired by the contributions of participants – both familiar with and new to the network.

Moving forward, we are focusing our resources and energies, as we strive to continue to foster a dynamic Community of Practice and bring together people with developmental disabilities, family members and/or loved ones, independent facilitators, and other allies who are interested in supporting people to live meaningful, everyday lives in their chosen neighbourhoods and communities.

Growing and Engaging the Community of Practice

• Continuing to host CoP gatherings, including Reflective Practice Conversations and Book Club meetings.
• Staying connected and communicating with our allies. We are excited to review the feedback and harvest learning from our virtual engagement survey and follow-up conversations (late 2021 to early 2022) to guide further meaningful engagement at local, regional, and provincial levels.
• Endorsing and promoting opportunities for capacity building around the principles, values, and practice of Independent Facilitation.  OIFN is shifting from hosting course offerings and engaging in more intentional outreach, in order to promote training and learning events from like-minded friends and allies.  In this supporting role, we are committed to launching a clarified endorsement process, maintaining an active Events Calendar on oifn.ca, and using our social presence to raise awareness of valuable capacity building opportunities.
• Telling OIFN’s story and continuing to publish newsletters and share stories, ideas, and resources – highlighting OIFN’s history, documents, and learnings about Independent Facilitation, as well as the work and resources of our allies and others who share our values and principles.

Sustaining the Network

• Thinking strategically and dedicating our resources to opportunities that are energizing and relevant to the needs, interests, and passions of the Community of Practice.
• Recognizing and acknowledging the many gifts of Community and Practice members and welcoming and inviting the contributions of people who are interested in offering their gifts in meaningful ways.

As part of all of these goals, OIFN is committed to ongoing maintenance and development of OIFN Social Media platforms and our website, as interactive spaces for the Community of Practice to connect to, inspire, and learn from one another.

While OIFN has continued to encourage dialogue and promote collaborative action for change through many virtual conversations in recent years, a clear desire emerged for our Community of Practice to gather together in person.

We were thrilled to offer space to meet and reconnect in-person as self-advocates, people who receive some support, family members, loved ones, independent facilitators, and supportive allies who share a passion for inclusion, belonging, and tailored supports for all people to live meaningful, ordinary, everyday lives:

• October 2024: Reconnecting on Common Ground
  A day of inspiration and purposeful togetherness, as we grounded ourselves in our core beliefs, rekindled a sense that we are in this together, and reflected on how we can continue to bring our values and principles to life.
  
• May 2025: Reconvening on Fertile Ground
  Inspired by the response and ideas that emerged for telling our shared stories and moving forward together with meaningful actions for change, we continued to build momentum together and dialogue further about possibilities and opportunities for our Community of Practice to work together and bring our shared values to life in the current landscape.

Moving forward, OIFN is committed to cultivating spaces that are welcoming and inclusive of self-advocates, people who receive some support, family members, loved ones, independent facilitators, and supportive allies.

Heading into 2026, OIFN remains attuned to the Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services (MCCSS)’s Journey to Belonging Plan for Developmental Services reform and exploring opportunities for OIFN to inform and lead the development of Independent Facilitation practice across Ontario.