1.          CONTINUATION OF FUNDING TO COMMUNITY AGENCIES

 

MAINTIEN DU FINANCEMENT D’ORGANISMES COMMUNAUTAIRES

 

 

 

Committee Recommendation

 

That Council approve the continuation of $3.19 million in funding to community agencies.

 

 

Recommandation DU Comité

 

Que le Conseil approuve le maintien du financement d’un montant de 3,19 millions de dollars accordé aux organismes communautaires.

 

 

Documentation

 

1.      Deputy City Manager's report, City Operations dated 9 July 2009 (ACS2009-COS-CAS-0016).

 


Report to/Rapport au:

 

Community and Protective Services Committee

Comité des services communautaires et de protection

 

and Council / et au Conseil

 

09 July 2009 / le 09 juillet 2009

 

Submitted by/Soumis par:

Steve Kanellakos, Deputy City Manager/Directeur municipal adjoint,

City Operations / Opérations municipales

 

Contact Persons/Personnes ressource :

Janice Burelle, Acting General Manager, Community and Social Services Department

Aaron Burry, Interim General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department

(613) 580-2424 x/poste 43081, janice.burelle@ottawa.ca

 

 

City Wide/à l'échelle de la Ville

Ref N°: ACS2009-COS-CAS-0016

  

SUBJECT:

CONTINUATION OF FUNDING TO COMMUNITY AGENCIES

 

 

OBJET :

MAINTIEN DU FINANCEMENT D’ORGANISMES COMMUNAUTAIRES

 

 

REPORT RECOMMENDATION

 

That the Community and Protective Services Committee recommend Council approve the continuation of $3.19 million in funding to community agencies.

 

 

RECOMMANDATION DU RAPPORT

 

Que le Comité des services communautaires et de protection recommande que le Conseil approuve le maintien du financement d’un montant de 3,19 millions de dollars accordé aux organismes communautaires.

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

  

In July 1998, the federal government introduced the National Child Benefit Supplement (NCBS) which resulted in municipal savings, as the NCBS was deducted from social assistance benefits (claw-back). In October 1998, the Region of Ottawa-Carleton approved the overall plan for the reinvestment of $2M (annualized) in municipal savings.

 


These savings were to be reinvested in programs and services, as directed by the Province and approved by Council, which addressed the following priorities:  

 

1.      Prevent and reduce the depth of child poverty

2.      Promote attachment to the workforce

 

 

Since 1998, this funding has supported non-profit agencies, such as Community Houses, Food Programs; Children’s Programs, etc. to provide essential services directed at families living in poverty. Services that are funded include family support programs, mentoring programs, youth programs, recreation programs, to families and children in local neighbourhoods.  This funding has also allowed families and individuals receiving Ontario Works to access recreation and culture, bus passes to search for employment and opportunities to participate in employment programs and receive support through job retention programs.

 

In 2008, 60 agencies, delivering a range of essential community services, employment and childcare programs, received $3.19M and provided services to 426,187 adults and children. The investment represents $7.48 per client served.

 

The NCBS funding is an important component of each agencies’ annual budget representing on average 6% of their total revenue.

 

Ontario Child Benefit

 

On May 14, 2008, Council approved recommendations and a report from the Community and Protective Services Department. The report informed Council about two important and related changes directed by the Province:  one was to no longer deduct the National Child Benefit Supplement (NCBS) from social assistance cheques, and the second was to upload a portion of benefits paid to children of parents who are on Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) through a new program called the Ontario Child Benefit (OCB). 

 

The new Ontario Child Benefit (OCB) program was introduced in July-August 2008 with implementation continuing in 2009.  With the implementation of the new program changes, the National Child Benefit Supplement (NCBS) is no longer clawed back from clients on social assistance. The NCBS, the new Ontario Child Benefit and the Canada Child Tax Benefit are consolidated into one child benefit cheque that is sent out to eligible, low-income families (including social assistance clients) by the Canada Revenue Agency. 

 

This new OCB program uploads some children’s social assistance benefits to the Province with no 20% cost-sharing requirement from municipalities.  Municipal funding that currently results from the NCBS claw back will instead be realized from social assistance restructuring and the introduction of the new 100% provincially-funded OCB. 

 

The Canada Revenue Agency will be providing the OCB to low-income families with children, regardless of their income source, based on families’ completed tax return.  For social assistance clients who are eligible to receive the OCB but who are not receiving it, (e.g. because they have not yet filed their income tax return for the previous year, they are newcomers to Ontario, or they have a newborn who is not yet registered for the Child Tax Benefit) the Province created a transition child benefit that is available to eligible clients pending their receipt of OCB. 

 

The Province's intention with social assistance restructuring and the new OCB program is to change the way it provides benefits for children of low-income families, regardless of source of income.  Ultimately, families with children on OW will be slightly better off and the programs will benefit all children of low-income families in Ontario, whether the parents work or receive social assistance.  Also, the OCB will help families make the transition from social assistance to employment because parents will continue to receive the OCB even after they begin working.

 

RÉSUMÉ

 

En juillet 1998, le gouvernement fédéral a créé le Supplément de la prestation nationale pour enfants (SPNE), ce qui a entraîné des économies pour les municipalités, celui‑ci étant déduit des prestations d’aide sociale. Au mois d’octobre suivant, la Région d’Ottawa‑Carleton a approuvé le plan global concernant le réinvestissement (annualisé) de deux millions de dollars ainsi économisés.

 

Tel qu’il est prescrit par le gouvernement de l’Ontario et approuvé par le Conseil, les gains réalisés devaient être réinvestis dans des programmes et des services qui touchent les priorités suivantes :  

 

1.      prévenir la pauvreté chez les enfants et en réduire l'ampleur;

2.      faciliter l’intégration au marché du travail.

 

 

Depuis 1998, ces fonds ont servi à soutenir des organismes sans but lucratif, comme des centres d'activités communautaires, des programmes de lutte contre la faim et des programmes pour enfants, afin de fournir des services essentiels aux familles qui vivent dans la pauvreté. Les services subventionnés comprennent notamment des programmes d'aide à la famille, de soutien à la jeunesse, de mentorat et de loisirs destinés aux familles et aux enfants de divers quartiers. De plus, ce financement a permis à des particuliers et à des familles touchant des prestations du programme Ontario au travail (programme OT) d’avoir accès aux loisirs et à la culture, d’obtenir des laissez-passer d’autobus afin de chercher un emploi, de participer à des programmes d'emploi et de recevoir du soutien par l’intermédiaire de programmes de maintien de l'emploi.

 

En 2008, 60 organismes qui fournissent une gamme de services communautaires essentiels ainsi que des programmes d’emploi et de garde d’enfants ont touché 3,19 millions de dollars et aidé 426 187 adultes et enfants. L’investissement équivaut à 7,48 $ par client.

 

Le financement du SPNE est un élément important du budget annuel de tous les organismes, car il représente en moyenne 6 p. 100 de leur revenu total.

 

Prestation ontarienne pour enfants (POE)

 

Le 14 mai 2008, le Conseil a approuvé des recommandations et un rapport de Services communautaires et de protection, lequel visait à l’informer de deux changements importants et connexes apportés par le gouvernement de l’Ontario : le premier consistait à cesser de déduire le SPNE des chèques d’aide sociale, et le deuxième, à le prélever plutôt des prestations versées aux enfants dont les parents bénéficient du programme OT ou du Programme ontarien de soutien aux personnes handicapées (POSPH) aux termes de la nouvelle initiative appelée Prestation ontarienne pour enfants.

 

Le nouveau programme POE a été instauré en juillet et en août 2008 et sera entièrement mis en œuvre d’ici 2011. Grâce aux modifications ainsi apportées, le SPNE n’est plus récupéré auprès de personnes touchant des prestations d'aide sociale. Le SPNE, la nouvelle POE et la Prestation fiscale canadienne pour enfants sont consolidés en un chèque unique de prestations pour enfants envoyé par l’Agence du revenu du Canada aux familles à faible revenu admissibles (y compris les prestataires de l’aide sociale). 

 

Ce nouveau programme POE transfère le paiement de certaines prestations pour enfants à la Province sans que les municipalités soient tenues d’en assumer 20 p. 100 des coûts. Le financement municipal, qui découle actuellement du transfert du SPNE sera plutôt assuré par une restructuration de l’aide sociale et la mise en œuvre de la nouvelle POE sera entièrement financée par le gouvernement provincial. 

 

L’Agence du revenu du Canada versera la POE aux familles à faible revenu qui ont des enfants en fonction de leur déclaration de revenus, quelle que soit la source de leurs revenus. Pour les prestataires de l’aide sociale qui sont admissibles à la POE mais ne la reçoivent pas (par exemple, parce qu’ils n’ont pas encore rempli leur déclaration de revenus de l’année précédente, sont nouvellement arrivés en Ontario ou ont un nouveau-né qu’ils n’ont pas encore inscrit à la prestation fiscale canadienne pour enfants), le gouvernement ontarien a créé la prestation transitoire pour enfants (PTE), qui est offerte aux clients admissibles en attendant qu’ils touchent la POE. 

 

Par la restructuration de l’aide sociale et le nouveau programme POE, le gouvernement de l’Ontario veut changer la façon de fournir des prestations pour les enfants de familles à faible revenu, indépendamment de la source de revenu de celles‑ci. En définitive, les familles avec enfants qui participent au programme OT se trouveront dans une situation un peu plus avantageuse qu’auparavant et les programmes profiteront à tous les enfants de familles à faible revenu de la province, que les parents travaillent ou qu’ils reçoivent de l’aide sociale. De plus, la POE facilitera aux familles le passage de l’assistance sociale au marché du travail, car les parents continueront à recevoir la POE même après avoir trouvé un emploi.

 

DISCUSSION

 

With the introduction of the OCB and resulting social assistance restructuring, the province expects municipalities to "maintain and build on local programs for families and children in need that are currently supported by NCBS reinvestment dollars.  Since social assistance is being restructured, and the OCB is funded 100% by the province, local programs for families and children should not be negatively impacted by these changes".  (Province of Ontario, Q&A, Dec. 21, 2007).

 

The Community and Social Services Department supports the continued investment of $3.19 million to the 60 community agencies that deliver essential programs that provide social services, children’s services, access to recreation and culture and access to employment.

These programs support the reduction of child poverty in our community, increase attachment to the labour force, reduce reliance on social assistance, and provide a range of social, health and recreational activities that improve the social, emotional and physical well-being of targeted groups.  These programs include employment preparation supports; community capacity building; Success by Six; Healthy Babies, Healthy Children Program; Community Health and Resource Centres; Community Houses; Child Care Programs.

 

The services are delivered through community partners, ranging from neighborhood-based agencies such as Community Houses to agencies providing specialized services such as counseling and personal support and community wide multi-service agencies such as Community Health and Resource Centres. Please refer to Annex 1 for a detailed list of the organizations receiving funding.

 

Maintaining this funding program is consistent with Council’s support for the development of a Poverty Reduction Strategy as well as Council’s commitment to the Community Development Framework. 

 

CONSULTATION

 

No formal consultation has occurred on this report, but in past consultations, community groups and agencies have reiterated the importance of this funding to their capacity to serve the community.

 

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

 

There are no financial implications associated with this report.

 

CITY STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS

 

This report supports the following City Strategic Directions:

 

E.   Sustainable Healthy and Active City:

 

4. Upload the cost of social services, social housing and public health while retaining responsibility for local administration to reflect the needs of the community.

 

7.  Ensure that cultural and recreation programs are offered across a range of levels of activity such that every resident, and in particular, every child, has a chance to participate.

 

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

 

Document 1: List of Agencies Funded in 2008

 

DISPOSITION

 

Community and Social Services Department will action any direction received as part of consideration of this report.

 


Document 1

NCBS Funding

NAME OF ORGANIZATION

NCBS FUNDED PROGRAM & SERVICE

2008 $

Banff Avenue Community House

House Coordination

$10,210

Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Ottawa

Meet You In School Mentoring Program

$61,689

Blair Court Community House

House Coordination

$10,210

Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa

Children in Shelter Program & Britannia Club house

$73,512

Britannia Woods Community Association (Community House)

House coordination

$10,210

Canadian Mothercraft of Ottawa-Carleton

Birth and Parent Companion

$30,630

Carlington Community and Health Services

Cool Aid program

$24,384

Centre de ressources communautaires de la Basse-Ville (CRCBV)

Club de devoirs/Homework Club and youth Sport Activities

$145,626

Centre de ressources communautaires Orléans-Cumberland

Young Families

$70,074

Centre de ressources communautaires Overbrook-Forbes

Jeunesse entraide/Youth support

$59,364

Centre des services communautaires de Vanier (budget is 2007 audited)

Family Support Groups

$53,749

Centre des services communautaires de Vanier -  Partage Vanier

Food Cupboard

$2,336

Centretown Community Health Centre

Outreach to isolated families

$90,638

Christie Lake Kids

STAR Program

$76,909

Christmas Exchange of Ottawa-Carleton

 

$1,889

Confederation Court Community Organization (Community House)

House Coordination

$20,420

Coopérative AMI-Jeunesse

Food Distribution

$26,546

Debra Dynes Family House Inc.

House Coordination

$10,210

Dovercourt Recreation Association

Special needs Rec

$25,525

Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre

Youth and Student Assistance

$19,545

Family Services à la famille Ottawa

Families and School Together

$24,960

FOCUS Vanier - Action Anti-drogue

Drug/Drinking Prevention

$27,567

Foster Farm Family House

Hamper Program

$10,210

Lowertown Good Neighbours Community House

Clothing Distribution and Family Outings

$10,210

Manotick Co-operative Nursery School

Nursery Program

$1,029

Nepean Community Support Services

Baby Cupboard

$75,006

Ottawa Children's Treatment Centre

Caution: Parent Learning (special need parent)

$51,050

Parent Resource Centre                            

Growing up Downtown

$70,449

Patro d'Ottawa          

Youth Sports Program

$14,832

Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre

Leaping Lizards and United Sisters

$45,576

 

NAME OF ORGANIZATION

NCBS FUNDED PROGRAM & SERVICE

2008 $

Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre Re:  Morrison Gardens

House Coordination

$10,210

Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre Re:  Pinecrest Terrace

House Coordination

$10,210

Russell Heights Community House

House Coordination

$19,118

Social Network For Youth of Ottawa-Carleton

Recreation for Francophone youth

$9,189

Somali Centre for Family Services

Counselling for Youth

$69,428

South-East Ottawa Community Health Centre

Community Connections Play & Learn

$40,840

St. Mary's Home

Outreach to  Pregnant Teens at Risk

$39,819

The Children's Welcome Centre

Operational expenses

$10,210

The Door / La Porte

Youth Program

$41,134

The Ottawa Food Bank

Food Cupboard

$43,238

Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre / Centre de ressources communautaires d'Ottawa West

Youth Kanata and Bully Prevention

$57,759

Other - NCB Funding

 

$80,700

Total NCB Community Funding

 

$1,586,420

Success by Six - Payable to United Way/Centraide (funds go to 19 agencies)

 

$350,000

Fee Subsidy for Recreation and Culture

 

$320,000

Childcare

 

$180,352

Employment

 

$758,714

TOTAL NCBS  Reinvestment

 

$3,195,486