HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-10-18CORPORATION OF THE 'TOWN OF NEWCASTLE 3 6r �z 3.<t.
40 TEMPERANCE STREET
BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO
L1C3A6 TELEPHONE 623-3379
REPORT TO COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 18th,1982
FROM: COUNCILLOR DIANE HAMRE
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION GPA -1157-82
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RECOMMENDATION:
That this report be received for information.
This report to Council is in response to a motion by the
Mayor seconded by Councillor Prout that I report to Council on the Social
Services Committee meeting held Tuesday, October 12th, 1982 with Mr.
R. M. McDonald, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Community and Social Services
and Mr. D. Alfieri, Director, Operational Support Branch, Ministry of
Community and Social Services to discuss the financial impacts (both direct
and indirect) to the Region of Durham on the FBA/GWA Integration and
Employment Support Initiative Program.
Employment Support Initiatives Program:
Durham Region has been invited to participate in a "test period"
on this program. This program is intended to reduce the dependency of
employable persons by provision of employment serivices.
It is intended the Region will provide:
1. employment counselling
2. preparation of employment and training plans
3. information and reff.rral to appropriate programs
or opportunities
4. pre -training and pre-employment financial assistance
5, job search and training assistance
6, assistance with travelling and child care requirements.
It is intended that two of the Region's family counsellors
will be purchased on an 80-20 basis to handle this program. These employees
are presently funded 50-50 but it must be remembered at present they are
serving Regional clients where with the Employment Support Incentive Program,
they will be serving what are now 100 percent Provincially funded clients.
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REPORT TO COUNCIL
-Page 2- MEETING OF OCTOBER 18th, 1982
The main question that remains in my mind is why should the
Regional taxpayer have to take on the added 20 percent of what is at present
a 100 percent Provincial client.
Though the intent is very worthwhile, and that is to assist
long term (particularly sole support parents) social assistance receivers
to become independent and have an improved lifestyle and sense of selfworth,
it is, in my opinion, the responsibility of the Provincial Government
to fund this program 100 percent, not only through the test period, but
indefinitely. The property taxpayer CANNOT be asked to take on any
additional responsibilites particularly this that involves very costly, long
term financial implications.
Some of the added areas it will impact on are:
1. Regional staffing
2. Regional space requirements
3. Present Regional salary and benefit levels
4. Regional caseloads, etc..
Rather than lengthen this report by discussing the proposed
FBA/GWA Integration, let it suffice to say that the proposed integration
has the same previously mentioned intent and goals and as Mr. McDonald
stated,will save the Province millicns of dollars, but again, the question
remains, how can the Regional taxpayer be expected to take on this
additional responsibility.
It is the writer's opinion that the Province could achieve the
very worthwhile goals of better serving the FBA recipient at the same time
saving millions of provincial dollars by purchasing service from the Region
with 100 percent dollars. It is true they would not save as much as on an
80-20 percent basis, BUT, what is to be gained if the Provincial taxpayer
continues to pay the present level of Provincial taxation PLUS an
additional program cost on their property taxes?
Respectfully submitted,
(Mrs.) Diane Hamre
Regional Councillor
DH/mr
October 18th, 1982