INFORMATION AND RESOURCES FOR FARM FAMILIES IN MIDDLESEX AND ELGIN COUNTIES

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
London Resource Centre
667 Exeter Road
London, Ontario  N6E 1L3
519-873-4070, fax: 519-873-4062
Website: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca

 Revised November, 2007

FINANCIAL SUPPORT PROGRAMS

Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization Program (CAIS) www.agricorp.com

Contact Agricorp at 1-877-838-5144
●  The Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization (CAIS) program is part of the Business Risk Management pillar of the Agricultural Policy Framework. The CAIS program combines stabilization assistance (formerly NISA) and disaster assistance (formerly the Ontario Farm Income Disaster Program) into one program. This is a whole-farm stabilization program that helps farmers protect their operations from large and small income declines.
Canadian Farm Business Advisory Services
1-866-452-5558, www.agr.gc.ca/ren/cfbas/serv_e.cfm

• Eligible producers will have access to a range of services, including: (1) the Farm Business Assessment and Action Plan - provides eligible producers five days worth of consultative services; (2) Specialized Business Planning Services - offers financial assistance to producers in preparing the plans needed for their business; and (3) Planning and Assessment for Value-Added Enterprise Service.

Canadian Farm Business Management Council
1-888-232-3262  www.farmcentre.com

• To enhance farm manager's ability to achieve sustainable profitability through the development and delivery of quality business management resources.

Farm Credit Canada, London
519-681-1130 or 1-888-332-3301
Web site:  www.fcc-sca.ca

• Provides business and financial solutions for farm families and agribusiness.

Farm Debt Mediation Service, Guelph
1-866-452-5556,  http://www.agr.gc.ca/fdms

• Provides farmers and their creditors with mediation services pursuant to the Federal Farm Debt Mediation Act (FDMA) and Regulations to help them arrive at a mutually satisfactory arrangement. The service is private, confidential and an economic alternative to the often costly, public and drawn-out process of resolving insolvency disputes in the courts.

If employed off the farm, check with your employer to see if they have an employee assistance program to provide counselling services or stress management techniques for you and your family.

EMPLOYMENT

Human Resources and Social Development
www.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca and www.servicecanada.gc.ca
London - 519-645-5944, St. Thomas - 519-631-5470

• The department works to improve the standard of living and the quality of life of all Canadians by promoting a highly skilled and mobile workforce as well as an efficient and inclusive labour market.

Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) -
London - 1-800-265-4752

SUPPORT SERVICES

Abused Women's Help Line -
Elgin – 519-633-0155 or 1-800-265-4305
London – 519-642-3000 (24-hour crisis line)
Business Line - 519-642-3003, www.shelterlondon.org

Alcoholics Anonymous Help Line –
Middlesex – 519-438-9006, Elgin – 519-633-0430

Assaulted Women’s Helpline - 1-866-863-0511

Bereaved Families of Ontario - Southwest Region, 519-686-1573, www.bfo.london.on.ca

Bereavement Resource Council of Elgin -
St. Thomas – 519-633-2149, 1-800-463-1810, www.brce.ca

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health -
1-800-463-6273, www.camh.net
Community Program Office - 519-433-3171

Child and Family Counselling Centre of Elgin -

 519-637-2673, www.cfcc-elgin.com

Children’s Aid Society of London & Middlesex -
519-455-9000

Churches/Physicians:

• Check with your local clergy and/or doctor
• Check yellow pages of your phone book

Drug & Alcohol Treatment Info-Line
1-800-565-8603, www.dart.on.ca

Drug Information Centre - 519-646-6004

Family Service Thames Valley - 519-433-0183

Family & Children‘s Services of St. Thomas & Elgin - 519-631-1492
● Support and counselling for individuals, couples and                                       
    families.

John Field, Counsellor, London/St. Marys –
519-284-2263, Gabe Del Bianco, Innerfit Counselling & Consulting, Auburn, Phone/Fax: 519-526-7625

• Gabe & John are available to meet with rural clients to discuss counselling services, career transitions and crisis management.

Kid's Help Phone - 1-800-668-6868

• Professional counselling for children up to the age of 21, available 24 hours a day.

London and District Distress Centre - 519-667-6711 www.londondistresscentre.com
●  For 35 years, the London & District Distress Centre (LDDC)  has been providing confidential telephone support to members of our community in distress or crisis. Trained volunteers answer calls, 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week.

London & Middlesex Mental Health Crisis Service - 519-433-2023

• 24 hour crisis line - confidential listening and referral service

Ontario Farm Animal Council (OFAC) Help Line –

519-837-1326, Web site:  www.ofac.org
●  Assists farmers to provide adequate or improved care for their animals and/or in following practices that meet industry standards.

• Accepts calls from farmers in need of assistance as well as from anyone who witnesses what they perceive to be unacceptable conditions.

Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline
1-888-230-3505, www.opgh.on.ca

Parent Help Web site - www.parenthelpline.ca

Regional Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Treatment Centre - 519-646-6000, Ext. 64224

SEARCH Community Mental Health Services (Strathroy) - 519-245-0120
www.searchcommunityservices.ca
● Counselling and referral service.

Sexual Assault Centre London Crisis Line -
519-438-2272

St. Thomas Crisis and Short Term Intervention Unit-  
467 Sunset Dr., St. Thomas, ON  N5P 3V9
519-631-8510, Ext. 49430, toll free 1-800-265-4361

Talbot House Community Mental Health Centre -

 519-631-5168

The Farm Line - 1-888-451-2903
Website:  www.thefarmline.ca
The Farm Line is a confidential telephone emotional support and referral service provided to farmers and farm families in the province of Ontario. This toll-free helpline which specializes in support services for the agricultural community is accessible from Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 8:00 pm.  Callers can speak to a peer support worker about a wide variety of topics.

Victim Support Line (SW Ontario) - 1-888-579-2888
● Information line sponsored by Ontario Government to assist victims of crime.
Violence Against Women, Services Elgin County:   Emergency Shelter and Counselling Services -
519-633-0155 or 1-800-265-4305

Women’s Mental Health Resources (WOTCH) -
519-642-7630, Ext. 225

• Community support for mental health issues

Women's Rural Resource Centre of Strathroy and Area - 1-800-265-5390, 519-245-6235
http://www.wrrcsa.org
● 24-hour crisis line, outreach counselling available

Women's Shelters:
Rotholme Women’s & Family Shelter - 519-673-4114 (See www.missionservices.ca)
Second Stage Housing – London, 519-642-3000
Second Stage Housing - St. Thomas, 519-637-2288
(supported transitional housing, 8 months to 1 years)
Sisters of St. Joseph - 519-679-9570 (transitional support centre – not open overnight)
Women's Community House - 519-642-3000 – www.shelterlondon.org, (Crisis Line – 519-642-3001)
Zhaawanong Shelter - 519-432-0122 - Crisis Lines -
1-800-605-7477 or 519-432-0122

Web Sites for Other Resources:
- Canadian Mental Health Association - www.cmha.ca
- Information London - http://www.info.london.on.ca/ ;
- A Guide to your Farm and Rural Community:
  Posted on County of Middlesex Web site at:
  http://www.county.middlesex.on.ca
  (under "County Info," under "Rural Organizations")
  Posted on County of Elgin Web site at:
  http://www.elgin-county.on.ca
  (under “Links”, then “Local and Community Links”)