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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-013-22Staff Report If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131. Report To: Council Date of Meeting: June 20, 2022 Report Number: CSD-013-22 Submitted By: Reviewed By: File Number: Report Subject: George Acorn, Director of Community Services Mary-Anne Dempster, CAO Resolution#: C-147-22 By-law Number: Fee Assistance Update to Support Ukrainian Newcomers Recommendations: 1.That Report CSD-013-22 and any related delegations or communication items, be received; 2.That the Community Services Fee Assistance Program (FAP) be updated to include Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel be included as acceptable documentation for eligibility; and 3.That staff be authorized to make administrative changes to the Program, as necessary, including updating acceptable documentation for qualification, to be able to best respond to future needs of our community. Municipality of Clarington Page 2 Report CSD-013-22 Report Overview Staff were directed to work with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) Durham Region Branch, through Resolution C-103-22, to identify ways the Municipality of Clarington could assist the group’s work to support Ukrainian newcomers settling locally. Staff attended a meeting on May 4 to gain a better understanding of the support required by the UCC Durham Region Branch. It was identified that as newcomers arrived, there would be a better understanding of the needs of the newcomers, so it is an evolving consideration. Staff continues to work with the UCC Durham Region Branch as new requirements are identified. Through several conversations, participation in recreation programs and camps was seen as a positive opportunity to assist with the successful settlement of newcomers. To remove potential financial barriers to participation, staff reviewed the current Fee Assistance Program and identified that by adding the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel Document (CUAET) to the acceptable proof of eligibility documents, Clarington staff could accept and approve applications to the Fee Assistance for the newcomers to Clarington, supporting their participation in recreation programs and camps. 1. Background 1.1 At the May 2, 2022 Council meeting a representative, Ievgeniia Mangones, from UCC Durham Region Branch presented the need for support to their organization who would be coordinating the settlement of Ukrainian newcomers. 1.2 Through Resolution C-103-22, Council provided direction to staff to work with the UCC Durham Region Branch to identify areas of support for the initiative. 1.3 The last update to the Community Services Fee Assistance Program (FAP) was in 20 20 through report CSD-008-20. The program assists with the removal of financial barriers to participation in recreation programs and services by providing eligible residents a credit to use for registration. 2. Changes to Fee Assistance Program to Support Ukrainian Newcomers Identifying Supports for UCC Durham Region 2.1 Staff attended an initial meeting with UCC Durham Region Branch on May 4, 2022, to gain a better understanding of the support the organization was looking for. It was confirmed that there would be families settled into Clarington and that needs would evolve through the settlement process. Municipality of Clarington Page 3 Report CSD-013-22 2.2 Staff worked with the organization to develop consistent communications to build awareness and support of the initiative through a web page and social media campaigns. 2.3 Another opportunity identified was to support enrollment in recreation programs or camps. Integration into this programming would provide newcomers with an opportunity to build additional connections within the community, thereby making settlement more successful. 2.4 Identifying, that under the circumstances, there may be financial barriers to this participation to newcomers from Ukraine, staff are recommending that the Canada- Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel document be added as an acceptable document proving eligibility to the Fee Assistance Program. 2.5 With the addition of CUAET as acceptable documentation, newcomers can receive credit for registration under the Fee Assistance Program. This provides the opportunity for newcomers to access the recreation programs and services in Clarington. To further support participation in programming, for children and families who English is their second language, in-program language support will be provided through our Language Line services. 2.6 As was true of the Syrian Refugee Crisis in 2021, changes, as recommended in this report, are key to providing support to newcomers, regardless of circumstance. Staff is recommending, that to be responsive to current needs and new documents approved through different levels of government, that in th e future, changes as outlined in this report be considered administrative, thereby not requiring a council report. 3. Concurrence 3.1 Not Applicable. 4. Conclusion 4.1 It is respectfully recommended that Council consider and approve the recommendations to add the CUAET documentation to be included as an approved eligible document for the Fee Assistance Program. This will support Ukrainian newcomers who will be residents of Clarington access to the Fee Assistance Program. Also, the recommendation is that documentation changes, for program qualification, in the future are considered administrative and would not require Council approval. Staff Contact: Lee-Ann Reck, Manager, Client Services, lreck@clarington.net., 905-623-3379 ext. 2508 Municipality of Clarington Page 4 Report CSD-013-22 Attachments: Not Applicable Interested Parties: List of Interested Parties available from Department.