CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES
That the Community Services Committee confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of
6 June 1996
CARRIED
REGULAR ITEMS
1. MEDICAL DIRECTOR: CARLETON LODGE
- Homes for the Aged Commissioner report dated 21 May 96
That the Community Services Committee and Council confirm the appointment of Dr. John C. Russell as Medical Director of Carleton Lodge.
CARRIED
2. LONG TERM STRATEGIES FOR EFFICIENCIES
IN THE CHILD CARE SYSTEM
- Social Services Commissioner report dated 4 June 96
That the Community Services Committee recommend Council approve that the Social Services Department proceed with the following:
1. A program by program review to be completed in the next three months to identify opportunities and recommend steps to restructure programs in a more cost effective manner; to review the sustainability of the 2.1% rate reduction and to determine the potential for closure of group child care programs at Christmas and for one week in the summer.
CARRIED
2. The use of funds in the amount of $25,000 from the Child
Care Contingency fund to undertake within the next three months
a cost-benefit analysis of the following:
(a) developing automated links between child care agencies, MCSS Area Office and Social Services;
(b) setting up or linking with existing centralized services for payroll, janitorial services, purchasing etc. for individual child care programs;
(c) developing an automated central waiting list for licensed child care programs.
CARRIED
3. A review of policies related to the provision of subsidized child care for students, for parents looking for work and for parents requiring part time care to be completed by early winter.
CARRIED
4. A review of the distribution of all subsidized child care spaces including Jobs Ontario spaces in consultation with the child care community to be completed by the end of 1996.
CARRIED
5. That the child care community be actively involved in the preparation of these options and that the report to Committee on this matter include a section outlining the views of the (child care) community.
CARRIED
3. REGIONAL CORPORATE REVIEW - SOCIAL SERVICES, HEALTH
AND HOMES FOR THE AGED DEPARTMENTS
- Committee Co-ordinator report dated 12 June 96
That the Community Services Committee and Council approve the following recommendations:
Social Services Department
1. The termination of Regional funding in the amount of $700,000 gross/ $140,000 net, to six (6) drug and alcohol recovery programs (Gateway House, Harvest House, House of Welcome, James Street Recovery, Salvation Army Anchorage and Sobriety House) to reflect the transfer of responsibility for these programs to the Provincial Ministry of Health;
CARRIED
2. For the 1997 budget, the elimination of prescription drugs as an item of Special Assistance and Supplementary Aid to reflect Provincial Government policy changes and resulting in a net reduction of $254,000.
CARRIED
3. For the 1997 budget, the elimination of the discretionary Back to School Allowance, resulting in a $125,000 net savings.
DEFERRED
WHEREAS community service agencies have seen dramatic increases in demand at the same time as reductions in funding; and,
WHEREAS helping such community organizations represents some of the best value for regional dollars, since each dollar of regional support is matched by many more dollars of in-kind and financial contributions from the community:
BE IT RESOLVED that the Social Services Department's Purchase of Service/Community Funding envelope not be reduced in 1997.
CARRIED
Health Department
CARRIED
CARRIED
CARRIED
Homes for the Aged Department
That the Community Services Committee and Council receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
RESPONSES TO MOTIONS/INQUIRIES
4. RESPONSE TO CSC MOTION NO. 12: ANONYMOUS TESTING
- Acting Medical Officer of Health report dated 11 June 96
That the Community Services Committee receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
NOTICE OF MOTION (For consideration on 18 Jul 96)
That the Community Services Committee change its regular meeting time to 1:30 p.m., commencing in September 1996.
MOTIONS TABLED
1. That the $40,000 provided in 1996 from Provision for Unforeseen for food programs be included in the base budget for the purposes of the Corporate Review.
2. That $500,000 of funding for free staff parking be transferred to the Social Services budget.