Published plans and annual reports 2019-2020: Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
Plans for 2019-2020, and results and outcomes of all provincial programs delivered by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services in 2018-2019.
Ministry overview
Purpose
The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services funds and delivers programs and services that promote thriving and inclusive communities, and help Ontarians build independence and improve their quality of life.
The ministry envisions an Ontario where children and youth are safe and have opportunities to succeed and achieve their full potential; where newcomers can settle and participate in the labour market; where all can contribute to the economy and their community to the best of their ability; where those who are unable to work are supported with dignity and connected to their communities; and where gender equality and breaking the cycle of poverty are at the forefront of decision-making.
The ministry helps people in need build independence and improve their quality of life. It does this by supporting them as they reach for the next rung on the ladder of opportunity.
The ministry values its role in helping people reach their potential and building a stronger Ontario. To that end, the focus this year was on making responsible program changes as efficiently and effectively as possible, to protect those critical public services that matter most to Ontarians. This work included a sharper focus on outcomes and benefits, not process, so that all Ontarians can access the services they need to succeed.
Ministry contribution to priority outcomes
The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services is following the government’s overall plan to make every dollar count so we can continue to invest in critical programs through actions such as:
- Working to move all 23,000 children and youth with autism off the Ontario Autism Program waitlist within an 18-month period
- Upgrading and repairing community agencies to provide better services for people with developmental disabilities
- Providing specialized services to survivors of human trafficking in and from rural and remote areas.
We will work to eliminate duplication so valuable programs and services are sustainable and working for the people of Ontario and we will continue to look for opportunities to modernize services, reduce red tape, and streamline to serve Ontarians more effectively.
The ministry is also integrating human service programs, streamlining administration, simplifying reporting requirements, and ultimately helping people in Ontario find employment and build independence. We are streamlining transfer payment processes, aligning and integrating service contracts, and developing outcomes-focused service delivery.
The ministry is working with our transfer payment agencies to transform and strengthen developmental services, child welfare, special needs and early intervention. This will allow the government to continue investments in core services such as the Ontario Autism Program.
Ontario has two different social assistance programs:
- Ontario Works provides income and employment assistance to people who are in temporary financial need
- Ontario Disability Support Program provides income and employment supports to people with disabilities
Ontario will reform the social assistance system by simplifying the rate structure, reducing administration, eliminating unnecessary rules, modernizing service delivery and providing greater opportunities to achieve better employment outcomes for social assistance recipients.
These changes will result in estimated annual savings of over $1 billion at maturity to help support a sustainable social assistance program in Ontario.
The province will also redesign the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) by consolidating complex supplements and benefits into simplified financial support for people with severe disabilities. Reducing the administrative burden of delivering this program will help case workers dedicate more time to supporting their clients in achieving their goals.
Indigenous Healing and Wellness Services
The government continues to work with Indigenous partners to reduce family violence and violence against Indigenous women and children, and support the health and wellness of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples and communities in Ontario through the longstanding Indigenous Healing and Wellness Strategy. Ontario invests $54.7M in a continuum of health, healing and wellness programs across the province that are designed and delivered by and for Indigenous peoples.
Ontario Autism Program
Key Ontario Autism Program changes were announced on Feb.6, 2019. Several enhancements were announced in late March and early April. These reforms were designed to clear the waitlist of 23,000 children and provide support to more families of children and youth with autism. They include:
- the introduction of Childhood Budgets and a broader list of eligible and ineligible expenses, including speech language pathology, occupational therapy and physiotherapy
- for children currently receiving behavioural services, one additional six-month behaviour plan to better smooth the transition to Childhood Budgets
- doubling funding for the five diagnostic hubs over the next two years to help families receive a diagnosis sooner
- a new online list of experienced clinical supervisors of behavioural services to help families find providers
- family supports available through Autism Ontario to help families understand and navigate the Ontario Autism Program
- a month-long series of public consultations, including an online survey and telephone town halls for families as well as an advisory panel, to examine how children and youth with autism, including those with complex needs, can be better supported.
Citizenship and Immigration
Through a comprehensive program review, the Citizenship and Immigration Division will reduce duplication with federal language training offerings, while modernizing service delivery for greater program efficiency.
Programs will target improved outcomes for newcomers in early integration, employment and economic independence. This approach aligns with the ministry’s core business of protecting and improving the economic and social well-being of new and established Ontarians, while reducing long-term costs to health and social services systems.
Violence against Women/anti-human sex trafficking
Consultations are ongoing across Ontario to help stop violence against women and improve services for survivors, and to help end the deplorable crime of human sex trafficking.
Family Responsibility Office
The Family Responsibility Office (FRO) is transforming the way it works with its clients to ensure families are confident in FRO through greater, proactive communications and knowing their payments are timely and consistent, enabling them to plan for their family’s future. This transformation has been designed to help put more money in the hands of Ontario families through investments in service improvements and technology, including: alternative service channels for clients; accessible, efficient and proactive case management processes; and enhancements to FRO’s case management IT system.
| Category | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|
| Operating | 16,590.0 |
| Capital | 76.3 |
| Total | 16,666.3 |
Highlights of 2018-19 results
The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services began streamlining and transforming program delivery this year to improve outcomes for people.
Developmental and Community Services
In Ontario, there were approximately 57,000 adults eligible for developmental services in 2017-18. Ontario invested $1.6 million in more than 60 projects that will upgrade and repair (residential) settings operated by community agencies that provide services for people with developmental disabilities, as well as women and children escaping domestic violence, Indigenous people, children with mental health needs, and others being supported in community settings.
Ontario Autism Program
On February 6, 2019, the Ontario government announced a widespread reform of the Ontario Autism Program. The reform was designed to clear the waitlist of 23,000 children and provide a more sustainable program so that more families of children and youth with autism can receive services. In March and early April, a number of key enhancements to the Ontario Autism Program were announced, including further expanding eligible services for purchase with new Childhood Budgets and, for those children currently receiving behavioural services, one additional six-month behavioural plan to better smooth the transition to a Childhood Budget. The ministry also announced in early April a series of public consultations on how children and youth with autism, including those with complex needs, can be better supported.
Social Assistance
In 2018-19, about one million Ontarians monthly received some form of social assistance. Efforts were focused on service excellence, organizational effectiveness and accountability. The ministry also made technology advancements, enhanced staff training, made stronger partnerships with community partners and streamlined processes to improve service delivery and ensure fiscal responsibility. In November 2018, the Minister launched social assistance reforms that will restore dignity, encourage employment, and empower the province’s most vulnerable to break free from the poverty cycle. Early changes were made and will continue to improve efficiency and lay the foundation for future reforms.
Citizenship and Immigration
In 2018-19, the Citizenship and Immigration Division invested over $80M in settlement and language training services. Through the Newcomer Settlement Program, over 80,000 newcomers benefited from settlement assistance to integrate and establish themselves in Ontario. Through the Adult Language Training Program, over 70,000 newcomers received language assessment and training to develop the official language skills they need to live and work in Ontario.
Violence against women services/ending violence against women
In November, the Minister announced consultations with the 48 Violence Against Women Coordinating Committees across the province to help stop violence against women and improve services for survivors. These consultations are still taking place. The ministry also invested $11.5 million to better support frontline shelter workers serving women and children and delivering counselling programs across the province. This funding directly supports more than 400 agencies including Indigenous centres providing supports to Indigenous women and children.
In December, the ministry invested an additional $1.5 million in funding for rural frontline agencies to increase collaboration, strengthen service delivery, improve culturally relevant supports for Indigenous women, and reduce geographic and transportation barriers.
Child and spousal support orders
Through the Family Responsibility Office (FRO), the ministry collects and distributes court-ordered child and spousal support payments. In 2018-19, FRO collected approximately $13 for every $1 invested in the program.
Transfer of School-Based Rehabilitation Services
In January 2019, the Ontario government completed the provincial transfer of children’s rehabilitation services (speech-language pathology, occupational therapy and physiotherapy) for students in publicly-funded schools from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to the ministry. The transfer is a step towards better integrated and more streamlined services to improve outcomes and service experiences for children with rehabilitation needs and their families.
Infant Hearing Program
In May 2018, the Ontario government began to phase in an additional newborn hearing screen to further improve early identification of hearing loss through a partnership between the Infant Hearing Program (IHP) and Newborn Screening Ontario. By July 1, 2019, all newborns born in Ontario will be offered this screen.
Ontario Child Benefit
The Ontario government is supporting low and moderate-income families with the cost of raising children through an annual cost-of-living increase to the Ontario Child Benefit.
Bill 57, the Restoring Trust, Transparency and Accountability Act, 2018.
As part of the Fall Economic Statement, the government announced it is taking measures to wind down the operations of the Ontario Child Advocate and to expand the scope and mandate of the Ontario Ombudsman. This includes transferring the investigative powers and staff from the Ontario Child Advocate to the Ontario Ombudsman in order to increase oversight responsibility for investigations related to Ontario’s children. The Ontario Ombudsman will be able to investigate services provided to children and youth by Children’s Aid Societies and in children’s residences. These changes came into effect on May 1, 2019.
Youth Cannabis Diversion Program
On January 28, 2019 the Youth Cannabis Diversion Program opened for referrals. The program gives courts and law enforcement offices the ability to refer youth to the Diversion Program in lieu of proceeding with a fine or criminal charges for certain cannabis-related offences. The program is operated by Springboard Services and funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. It is an online course approved by the Attorney General under the Cannabis Control Act, 2017.
Youth Roundtables
On November 26, 2018, the Minister announced the creation of three youth roundtables. Young people ages 18-25, including Indigenous youth, with lived experience in child welfare, residential services and the youth justice system will share ideas for improving Ontario’s child welfare and youth justice systems.
Human Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation
Human trafficking for sexual exploitation is a deplorable crime that robs the safety, livelihood, and dignity of those who are exploited and abused, fuels drugs and gangs and creates a significant strain on government resources. In 2018-19, the ministry provided about $5.55 million in funding for 45 anti-human trafficking projects led by community and Indigenous organizations to support those at risk and survivors of human trafficking access the full spectrum of services and supports they need, including $500 thousand to provide specialized services to survivors of human trafficking in and from rural and remote areas.
On February 22, 2019, the government announced a new Human Trafficking engagement to consult with police, social workers, frontline workers and people with lived experience on Ontario’s response to human trafficking.
Ontario’s second annual Human Trafficking Awareness Day took place on February 22, 2019, with over 830 unique social media interactions as politicians, police, frontline agencies, child welfare agencies, and individuals posted on social media about human trafficking throughout the day.
At their annual meeting in October 2018 in Whitehorse, Yukon, Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women established a task team on human trafficking co-chaired by Ontario and Canada. The task team is meeting regularly to explore concrete actions to respond to human trafficking that may be undertaken by the Status of Women Forum.
Women’s Issues
In honour of International Day of the Girl, the Minister hosted a roundtable with industry partners to discuss and find solutions to the underrepresentation of women in the skilled trades.
The Minister joined the Canadian delegation at the 63rd Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women to highlight the inequities faced by women and girls at home and abroad.
Ministry Organization Chart
- Deputy Minister – Janet Menard
- Executive Lead, Office of Women’s Issues – Lisa Priest
- Director, Programs & Integration – Vacant
- Director, Strategic Policy & Analysis – Erin O Connor
- Director, Legal Services Branch – Diane Zimnica
- Director, Communications – Estelle Saint-Martin
- Director, Delivery Unit – Vacant
- ADM, Social Assistance Programs – Richard Steele
- Director, Social Assistance and Municipal Operations – Jeff Bowen
- Director, Social Assistance Central Services – Keith Palmer
- Director, Social Assistance Service Delivery – Patti Redmond
- Director, Social Assistance Service Modernization – Nelson Loureiro
- Director, Social Assistance Program Policy – Anna Cain
- Project Director, Social Assistance Reform – Vacant
- ADM, Youth Justice – David Mitchell
- Director, Operational Support and Program Effectiveness – Trish Moloughney
- Director, Planning and Program Development – Tamara Stone
- Director, Divisional Services – Jim Faulkner
- Director, Youth Justice Direct Operated Facilities – John Scarfo
- Project Director – Paul Wheeler
- Director, Youth Probation Services – Angela James
- Regional Directors – Karen Eisler, Jeff Gill, Linda Chihab, Kevin Pal, Sandra Russell
- ADM, Child Welfare & Protection – David Remington
- Director, Residential Services Project – Greg Douglas
- Director, Child Welfare Operations – Sandra Bickford
- Director, Child Welfare Secretariat – Peter Kiatipis
- Director, Children and Youth at Risk – Marian Mlakar
- Director, Indigenous Child Well-being – Sarah Caldwell
- Regional Directors – Karen Eisler, Jeff Gill, Linda Chihab, Kevin Pal, Sandra Russell
- ADM, Children With Special Needs – Jennifer Morris
- Director, Client Services – Judy Switson
- Director, Children’s Facilities – Shannon Bain
- Director, Ontario Autism Program Project – Sarah Hardy
- Director, Early Child Development – Stacey Weber
- Director, Specialized Services and Supports – Jane Cleve
- Regional Directors – Karen Eisler, Jeff Gill, Linda Chihab, Kevin Pal, Sandra Russell
- ADM, Community Services – Rupert Gordon
- Director, Provincial Anti-Human Trafficking – Jennifer Richardson
- Director, Service Delivery & Supports – Diane Wise
- Director, Community Supports Policy – Laura Summers
- Director, Program Policy Implementation – Christine Kuepfer
- Regional Directors – Karen Eisler, Jeff Gill, Linda Chihab, Kevin Pal, Sandra Russell
- ADM, Business Intelligence & Practice – Aki Tefera
- Director, Strategic Information and Business Intelligence – Vacant
- Director, Policy Research and Analysis – Cindy Perry
- Director, Data Science & Analytics – Harrison Moon
- ADM, Strategic Policy – Jill Vienneau
- Director, Planning and Strategic Policy – Laura Belfie
- Director, Integration & Business Improvement – Sheila De Cuyper
- Director, Social Assistance Strategic Policy – Gloria Lee
- Director, Basic Income – Debbie Burke-Benn
- Director, Modernizing Services – Charene Gillies
- Director, Youth Strategies – Debbie Burke-Benn
- Chief Information Officer Children, Youth and Social Services I&IT Cluster – Dafna Carr
- Director, Community and Social Services I&IT Solutions – Stanley Shiah
- Director, Children and Youth I&IT Solutions – Shelley Edworthy
- Director, Shared I&IT Solutions – Surendra Nawbatt
- Director, I&IT Operations – Paul de Gray
- Director, Business Operations – Tony Paniccia
- Director, Strategy & Governance – Kelly Garant
- ADM, Citizenship and Immigration – Virginia Hatchette
- Director, Strategic Policy, Research and Analytics – Barb Simmons
- Director, Program Management and Evaluation – Yvonne Ferrer
- ADM/CAO, Business Planning and Corporate Services – Drew Vanderduim
- Director, Business Planning – Lisa Zanetti
- Director, Controllership and Fiscal Reporting – Sean Keelor
- Director, Operational Finance – Lourdes Valenton
- Director, Strategic Business Unit – Patricia Kwasnik
- Director, Community Services Audit Services – Aliza Premji
- Director, Capital Planning and Delivery – Tony Lazzaro
- Director, Corporate Services – Maxine Daley
- ADM, Family Responsibility Office – Susan Erwin
- Director, Client Services – Doris Dumais
- Director, Finance and Administration – Bani Bawa
- Director, Strategic and Operational Effectiveness – Trevor Sparrow
- Director, Support Services Branch – Louise Pachal
- Director, FRO Legal Services – Kikee Malik
- Project Director, Transformation – Chris Ling
- Executive Lead, Office of Women’s Issues – Lisa Priest
| Commission | 2019-20 Estimates $ | 2018-19 Interim Actuals $ | 2017-18 Actuals $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soldiers’ Aid Commission | 253,200 | 253,200 | 63,300 |
The Soldiers’ Aid Commission (SAC) provides financial support of up to $2,000 over a twelve-month period for home, health, specialized equipment and personal supports to eligible veterans and their spouses/dependent children.
An eligible veteran is an individual in financial need who resides in Ontario, enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces or an Allied nation and served overseas or served with the armed forces in Canada during the First or Second World Wars or the Korean War.
MCCSS provides SAC annual funding of up to $253,200 for payments to applicants approved for financial assistance and Commissioner’s travel and meal expenses in accordance with the Travel, Meal and Hospitality Directive.
The Commission is comprised of eight Commissioners appointed by the Lieutenant Governor through an Order in Council. The appointments are set without fixed terms.
The relationship between SAC and the ministry is governed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Commission and the Minister. The Chair of the Commission reports directly to the Minister of MCCSS.
Detailed financial information
| Description | 2019-20 Estimates ($) | Change from 2018-19 Estimates ($) | Change from 2018-19 Estimates (%) | 2018-19 Estimates ($) | 2018-19 Interim Actuals ($) | 2017-18 Actuals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating expense | ||||||
| Ministry Administration | 123,073,900 | (3,286,100) | (2.6) | 126,360,000 | 134,579,300 | 136,161,648 |
| Children and Adult Services | 16,615,760,500 | (819,031,200) | (4.7) | 17,434,791,700 | 16,989,943,700 | 16,339,280,744 |
| Poverty Reduction Strategy | 7,300,000 | (7,499,000) | (50.7) | 14,799,000 | 14,800,000 | 14,700,000 |
| Total Operating Expense to be Voted | 16,746,134,400 | (829,816,300) | (4.7) | 17,575,950,700 | 17,139,323,000 | 16,490,142,392 |
| Statutory Appropriations | 32,100,487 | (111,855) | (0.3) | 32,212,342 | 32,211,342 | 34,708,879 |
| Ministry Total Operating Expense | 16,778,234,887 | (829,928,155) | (4.7) | 17,608,163,042 | 17,171,534,342 | 16,524,851,271 |
| Consolidation | (188,230,700) | (19,278,200) | 11.4 | (168,952,500) | (226,332,800) | (243,651,090) |
| Ministry Total Operating Expense Including Consolidation | 16,590,004,187 | (849,206,355) | (4.9) | 17,439,210,542 | 16,945,201,542 | 16,281,200,181 |
| Operating assets | ||||||
| Ministry Administration | 1,000 | (1,000) | (50.0) | 2,000 | 1,000 | - |
| Children and Adult Services | 43,707,000 | 6,544,100 | 17.6 | 37,162,900 | 37,158,900 | 35,023,192 |
| Poverty Reduction Strategy | 1,000 | - | - | 1,000 | 1,000 | - |
| Children, Community and Social Services Capital Program | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - | - | - |
| Total Operating Assets to be Voted | 43,710,000 | 6,544,100 | 17.6 | 37,165,900 | 37,160,900 | 35,023,192 |
| Ministry Total Operating Assets | 43,710,000 | 6,544,100 | 17.6 | 37,165,900 | 37,160,900 | 35,023,192 |
| Captial expense | ||||||
| Children, Community and Social Services Capital Program | 37,458,500 | (47,472,400) | (55.9) | 84,930,900 | 59,561,900 | 97,787,786 |
| Total Capital Expense to be Voted | 37,458,500 | (47,472,400) | (55.9) | 84,930,900 | 59,561,900 | 97,787,786 |
| Statutory Appropriations | 41,122,900 | 4,238,800 | 11.5 | 36,884,100 | 36,883,100 | 36,562,642 |
| Ministry Total Capital Expense | 78,581,400 | (43,233,600) | (35.5) | 121,815,000 | 96,445,000 | 134,350,428 |
| Consolidation | (2,250,000) | - | - | (2,250,000) | - | - |
| Ministry Total Capital Expense Including Consolidation | 76,331,400 | (43,233,600) | (36.2) | 119,565,000 | 96,445,000 | 134,350,428 |
| Captial assets | ||||||
| Children, Community and Social Services Capital Program | 23,248,400 | 11,340,200 | 95.2 | 11,908,200 | 24,361,300 | 6,819,232 |
| Total Capital Assets to be Voted | 23,248,400 | 11,340,200 | 95.2 | 11,908,200 | 24,361,300 | 6,819,232 |
| Ministry Total Capital Assets | 23,248,400 | 11,340,200 | 95.2 | 11,908,200 | 24,361,300 | 6,819,232 |
| Ministry Total Operating and Capital Including Consolidation (not including Assets) | 16,666,335,587 | (892,439,955) | (5.1) | 17,558,775,542 | 17,041,646,542 | 16,415,550,609 |
Estimates, Interim Actuals and Actuals for prior fiscal years are restated to reflect any changes in ministry organization and/program structure. Interim Actuals reflect the numbers presented in the 2019 Ontario Budget.
Historic trend analysis
| Historic Trend Analysis Data | Actual 2016-17 ($) | Actual 2017-18 ($) | Estimates 2018-19 * ($) | Estimates 2019-20 ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ministry Total Operating and Capital Including Consolidation and Other Adjustments (not including Assets) | 15,788,606,614 - | 16,415,550,609 4% | 17,558,775,542 7% | 16,666,335,587 -5% |
* Estimates and Actuals for prior fiscal years are re-stated to reflect any changes in ministry organization and/or program structure.
The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services is focused on ensuring that vital, mandated programs and services continue to serve children, youth, adults and families and has identified efficiencies and cost savings by integrating services, streamlining processes and working with our transfer payment agencies to transform and strengthen programs.
For additional financial information, see:
Expenditure Estimates
The Public Accounts of Ontario 2016-17
2019 Ontario Budget Protecting What Matters Most
Contact: Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
Appendix: 2018-19 annual report
Overview:
The expanded Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services was created in the Government of Ontario’s Cabinet announcement of June 29, 2018. The ministry brings together several major social programs and services that support one in ten Ontarians. This year’s focus was on streamlining program delivery and reducing costly and unnecessary administration work in an effort to improve outcomes for people.
2018-19 results
Developmental services
In Ontario, there were approximately 57,000 adults eligible for developmental services in 2017-18. Services provided may include speech therapy, employment, supported accommodation, and help participating in the community or home care. Some individuals may require higher levels of support like full residential care and other specialized services.
Through the annual Partner Facility Renewal program Ontario has invested $1.6 million in more than 60 projects that will upgrade and repair (residential) settings operated by community agencies that provide services for people with developmental disabilities, as well as women and children escaping domestic violence, Indigenous people, children with mental health needs, and others being supported in community settings.
Social assistance
In 2018-19, about one million Ontarians monthly received some form of social assistance. Efforts were focused on service excellence, organizational effectiveness and accountability. The ministry also made technology advancements, enhanced staff training, made stronger partnerships with community partners and streamlined processes to improve service delivery and ensure fiscal responsibility. In November 2018, the Minister launched social assistance reforms that will restore dignity, encourage employment, and empower the province’s most vulnerable to break free from the poverty cycle. Early changes were made and will continue to improve efficiency and lay the foundation for future reforms.
Violence against women services/ending violence against women
In November, the Minister announced consultations with the 48 Violence Against Women Coordinating Committees across the province to help stop violence against women and improve services for survivors. These consultations are still taking place. The ministry invested $11.5 million to better support frontline shelter workers serving women and children and delivering counselling programs across the province. This funding directly supports more than 400 agencies including Indigenous centres providing supports to Indigenous women and children.
In December, the ministry invested an additional $1.5 million in funding for rural frontline agencies to increase collaboration, strengthen service delivery, improve culturally relevant supports for Indigenous women, and reduce geographic and transportation barriers.
Indigenous Healing and Wellness Services
The government continues to work with Indigenous partners to reduce family violence and violence against Indigenous women and children, and support the health and wellness of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples and communities in Ontario.
Through the longstanding Indigenous Healing and Wellness Strategy, Ontario invests $54.7M in a continuum of health, healing and wellness programs across the province that are designed and delivered by and for Indigenous peoples.
The network of Indigenous-led programs and services funded through the Strategy includes Healing Lodges, Community Wellness Workers, Crisis Teams, Emergency Women’s Shelters and Family Violence Healing programs, and Mental Health and Addictions Treatment and Healing Centres. Indigenous Healing and Wellness Strategy programs are delivered from more than 240 sites across the province and provide over 650 full time jobs for Indigenous peoples.
Citizenship and Immigration
In 2018-19, the Citizenship and Immigration Division invested over $80M in settlement and language training services. Through the Newcomer Settlement Program, over 80,000 newcomers benefited from settlement assistance to integrate and establish themselves in Ontario. And through the Adult Language Training Program, over 70,000 newcomers received language assessment and training to develop the official language skills they need to live and work in Ontario.
Interpreting and Intervenor Services
Ontario funds 21 agencies across the province that provide interpreting services for those who are Deaf, deafened, hard of hearing or deafblind and intervenor services for those who are deafblind.
Ontario is helping deaf, deafened, hard of hearing and deafblind people by supporting access to services so that people can participate in their communities, access information, make informed decisions, achieve and/or maintain their independence and ultimately improve their quality of life.
Soldiers’ Aid Commission
The Soldiers’ Aid Commission was the first provincially funded veterans support program in Canada. The program provides financial support of up to $2000 over a twelve-month period for home, health, specialized equipment and personal supports to Canadian and Allied veterans of World War I, World War II and the Korean War and their spouses/dependent children. In 2017-18, the Soldiers’ Aid Commission received 83 applications for assistance, of which 75 were approved, for a total of $92,550.
Children and Youth Services
These programs help provide children and youth with the supports they need to live, grow and thrive in their communities. Many of the children, youth and families served by the ministry are vulnerable, at-risk or have specialized needs. Most of the services supported by the ministry are delivered through community-based organizations, with some services provided through direct delivery. The ministry focus has been on supporting services that are child and family centred, high quality and integrated at the community level.
Custodian of Adoption
Working with the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services, the ministry supports Ontario's adoption information laws that give adults and birth parents access to information from birth and adoption records, and at the same time, safeguard their right to privacy.
Ontario Autism Program
On February 6, 2019, the Ontario government announced a widespread reform of the Ontario Autism Program. The reform was designed to clear the waitlist of 23,000 children and provide a more sustainable program so that more families of children and youth with autism can receive services.
Several enhancements to the program, were announced in late March and early April including:
- the introduction of Childhood Budgets and a list of eligible and ineligible expenses that include behavioural services, family/caregiver capacity building and training, speech language pathology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, respite, technology and travel
- doubling funding for the five diagnostic hubs over the next two years to help families receive a diagnosis sooner
- a new online list of experienced clinical supervisors of behavioural services to help families find providers
- establishing a new independent intake agency which will assist families in registering for the program, provide them with their Childhood Budgets and offer support to help them choose which services to purchase
- family supports available through Autism Ontario to help families understand and navigate the Ontario Autism Program.
In early April, the ministry announced public consultations on how children and youth with autism, including those with complex needs, can be better supported. The advice collected through the consultations will be invaluable in helping to assess how the government can reduce barriers for children with autism, while also looking specifically at enhancements to the Ontario Autism Program, including additional funding through Childhood Budgets.
Transfer of school-based rehabilitation services
In January 2019, the Ontario government completed the provincial transfer of children’s rehabilitation services (speech-language pathology, occupational therapy and physiotherapy) for students in publicly-funded schools from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to the ministry. The transfer is a step towards better integrated and more streamlined services to improve outcomes and service experiences for children with rehabilitation needs and their families. With accountability consolidated in the ministry, duplication and administrative burden have been reduced, allowing funds to be directed to service delivery improvements.
Infant and Child Development Program
The Ontario government updated and released Program Guidelines for the Infant and Child Development Program (ICDP) to agencies in October 2018. The purpose of the new guidelines is to:
- standardize program delivery across the province
- provide evidence and research that supports the service components
- align the program with the broader provincial children’s services sector
Infant Hearing Program
In May 2018, the Ontario government began to phase-in an additional newborn hearing screen to further improve early identification of hearing loss through a partnership between the Infant Hearing Program (IHP) and Newborn Screening Ontario. By July 1, 2019, all newborns born in Ontario will be offered this screen.
The new screen will help families understand the cause of their baby’s hearing loss and identify babies with hearing loss even earlier, so they can be provided with supports and services earlier to develop language and maximize their outcomes.
Bill 57, the Restoring Trust, Transparency and Accountability Act, 2018.
As part of the Fall Economic Statement, the government announced it is taking measures to wind down the operations of the Ontario Child Advocate and to expand the scope and mandate of the Ontario Ombudsman. This includes transferring the investigative powers and staff from the Ontario Child Advocate to the Ontario Ombudsman in order to increase oversight responsibility for investigations related to Ontario’s children. The Ontario Ombudsman will be able to investigate services provided to children and youth by Children’s Aid Societies and in children’s residences. These changes came into effect on May 1, 2019. In addition, the ministry will ensure that there is an advocacy role for children, youth and families within the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.
Youth Cannabis Diversion Program
In February 2019 the Youth Cannabis Diversion Program opened for referrals. The Cannabis Control Act (CCA), 2017 authorizes police officers (and others designated to enforce the Act), prosecutors and courts to refer an individual under the age of 19 to a youth education or prevention program instead of charging the individual, proceeding with a prosecution or imposing a fine or other judicial sanction, under Section 10 of the CCA. The program is operated by Springboard Services and funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. It is an online course approved by the Attorney General under the CCA.
Youth roundtables
On November 26, 2018, the Minister announced the creation of three youth roundtables. Young people ages 18-25, including Indigenous youth, with lived experience in child welfare, residential services and the youth justice system will share ideas for improving Ontario’s child welfare and youth justice systems.
Indigenous Community and Prevention Supports
The ministry is investing $61.2M in Indigenous Community and Prevention Supports to support improved outcomes and well-being for Indigenous children, youth and families. Through a consolidated funding approach for community-based prevention targeted for Indigenous children and youth, the ministry will work with First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous partners to support the development of a coordinated system of services, prioritize prevention and build on the foundation and success of the Family Well-Being program to reduce the over-representation of Indigenous children and youth in the child welfare and youth justice systems.
Human trafficking for sexual exploitation
Human trafficking for sexual exploitation is a deplorable crime that robs the safety, livelihood, and dignity of those who are exploited and abused, fuels drugs and gangs and creates a significant strain on government resources.
As part of Ontario’s response to end human trafficking, the Government is providing access to specialized supports and services to prevent at-risk individuals from being trafficked and to help survivors to heal and rebuild their lives.
On February 22, 2019, the government announced a new Human Trafficking engagement to consult with police, social workers, frontline workers and people with lived experience on Ontario’s response to human trafficking.
In 2018-19, the ministry provided approximately $5.55 million in funding for 45 anti-human trafficking projects led by community and Indigenous organizations. These projects support persons at risk and survivors of human trafficking by providing access to a spectrum of services and supports they need, including $500k to provide specialized services to survivors of human trafficking in and from rural and remote areas.
Ontario’s second annual Human Trafficking Awareness Day took place on February 22, 2019, with over 830 unique social media interactions as politicians, police, frontline agencies, child welfare agencies, and individuals posted on social media about human trafficking throughout the day.
At their annual meeting in October 2018 in Whitehorse, Yukon, Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women established a task team on human trafficking co-chaired by Ontario and Canada. The task team is meeting regularly to explore concrete actions to respond to human trafficking that may be undertaken by the Status of Women Forum.
Women’s issues/zero tolerance for human trafficking
The ministry believes in an Ontario where all girls and women reach their potential. The ministry is proud to support services and programs that advance equality for women and girls. In honour of International Day of the Girl, the Minister hosted a roundtable with industry partners to discuss and find solutions to the underrepresentation of women in the skilled trades. The Minister also joined the Canadian delegation at the 63rd Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women to highlight the inequities faced by women and girls at home and abroad.
The final, ministry-funded report on Indigenous-led engagements with human trafficking survivors and service providers in Indigenous communities was completed. The participants included over 250 self-identified Indigenous human trafficking survivors. This is the largest engagement with human trafficking survivors conducted in Ontario and it was undertaken by the Ontario Native Women’s Association, with funding from the ministry.
Ending Violence Against Women
In November, the Minister began consultations with the 48 Violence Against Women Coordinating Committees across the province to help stop violence against women and improve services for survivors. These consultations are ongoing.
In December, the ministry invested $1.5 million in funding for rural frontline agencies to increase collaboration, strengthen service delivery, improve culturally relevant supports for Indigenous women, and reduce geographic and transportation barriers.
The ministry continues to fund violence against women prevention programs and women’s economic empowerment programs. These programs support violence prevention and women’s leadership. Successful programs include:
- Kizhaay Anishinaabe Niin (I am a Kind Man): Delivered by the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres, Kizhaay is the most-established Indigenous initiative in Canada dedicated to engaging Indigenous men and youth in ending violence against women
- Neighbours, Friends and Family: Ontario’s community-based public education program for domestic violence prevention includes focused programs for Francophone Ontarians and immigrant and refugee populations
- Building Aboriginal Women’s Leadership: The ministry funds the Ontario Native Women’s Association and Equay-wuk, who provide leadership training to Indigenous women. The women are successfully taking on leadership roles in their communities.
Human Services Integration
Human Services Integration is a cross-ministry initiative led by MCCSS that works in partnership with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Housing, and other ministries. Through Human Services Integration, ministries are working with Consolidated Municipal
Service Managers and District Social Services Administration Boards to identify opportunities to support and enable integration across the following municipally managed provincial programs:
- Municipally-delivered social assistance
- Early years and child care
- Affordable housing and homelessness prevention
Working with municipal and ministry partners, the ministry is developing and implementing more integrated approaches to drive results for people and efficiency in how the programs are managed and delivered. The ministry also has leadership for simplifying and streamlining transfer payments across human and social service programs in response to the Ernst and Young Report.
Youth Justice Services
The ministry administers programs and services for youth in, or at risk of conflict with the law between the ages of 12 and 17 at the time of offence. Youth justice programs are aligned with the principles and provisions set out in the federal Youth Criminal Justice Act and the provincial Child, Youth and Family Services Act. The youth justice continuum of services includes prevention, diversion, probation, custody and detention, reintegration and rehabilitation programs.
Since the Youth Criminal Justice Act came into force in April 2003, there has been an increased focus on prevention, diversion and community-based programs. The success of these programs has led to an 86% reduction in the number of youth who are admitted to custody and 71% reduction in detention.
In March 2018, Youth Justice launched identity-based data collection that supports the Government of Ontario’s commitment under the Anti-Racism Act of 2017. Collecting this data from people who access government-funded programs and disaggregating it by demographics (e.g. gender, language, race or ethnicity) helps the ministry and other organizations that provide these services to better understand the impact that each program is having on population groups
By standardizing the process of collecting data the ministry can:
- better understand who is accessing programs and services to help users experience programs and services responsive to their needs
- improve program delivery and accountability
- increase the capacity of the program to conduct analysis for potential gaps in access and client outcomes
| Category | Ministry Interim Actual Expenditures ($M) 2018-19 * |
|---|---|
| Operating | 16,945.2 |
| Capital | 96.4 |
| Staff Strength ** (as of March 31, 2019) | 5,873.29 Full-time equivalents |
* Interim actuals reflect the numbers presented in the 2019 Ontario Budget.
** Ontario Public Service Full-Time Equivalent positions.