Community Services Statement of Operations - Quarter 4 Financial Update (2016)

Variance Analysis (in thousands of dollars)

Niagara Region Community Services works to support and advance the well-being of individuals, families and communities of Niagara through a spectrum of integrated programs and services delivered by four divisions: Seniors Services, Children's Services, Social Assistance and Employment Opportunities (SAEO), and Homelessness and Community Engagement. Community Services' total surplus before indirect allocations for 2016 was $706 or 2.4 per cent of the net budget of $30,570 and 0.3 per cent of the gross budget of $269,500.

Administrative

The favourable variance of $491 is primarily due to: the deferral of approximately $100 of agency training to 2017, consulting expenditures being $100 less than budgeted as a result of the cost sharing of labour market survey costs with Economic Development (offset by an unfavourable variance in intercompany charges), as well as reduced postage and office supplies due to the stabilization of SAMS resulting in a decrease in the number of letters issued to clients

Occupancy & Infrastructure

The unfavourable variance of $290 is a result of higher than anticipated building repair and utility costs in the long-term care homes.

Equipment, Vehicles, Technology

The unfavourable variance of $354 is related to higher than anticipated equipment repair and replacement costs in the long-term care homes, and additional spending incurred for play-based equipment at directly operated child care centres to leverage increased parent fees received for Children's Services.

Community Assistance

The favourable variance of $12,464 is related to the Ontario Works (OW) caseloads and changing demands for allowances and benefits based on case mix (i.e. single vs. families, with singles eligible for less financial support). Expenditures fluctuate based on client participation in employment programs and demands for specific benefits.

Federal & Provincial Grants

The unfavourable variance of $12,258 is a result of reduced Social Assistance funding due to reduced expenditures incurred, partially offset by unbudgeted funding from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care for Seniors Services related to the new nursing graduate program and high intensity needs claims, as well as unbudgeted Homelessness funding related to the Point in Time count.

By-Law Charges & Sales

The favourable variance of $758 is mainly driven by higher than estimated parent fee contributions for Children's Services.

Community Impacts & Achievements (in thousands of dollars)

Children's Services

• Continue to enable parents to work, go to school or train while providing necessary child care fee subsidy without a waitlist.
• Fee subsidy funding in the total amount of $1,167 was allocated amongst 48 licensed child care service providers, to maintain system stability and minimize any increase in child care fees for working families.
• As part of Ontario's commitment to supporting child care professionals, the wage enhancement program will receive ongoing, annual funding from the Province. In 2016, a total of $3,639 was distributed to licensed child care service providers and home child care providers in Niagara.

Seniors Services

• Working in collaboration with the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Local Health and Integration Network (HNHB LHIN), Behavioural Supports Ontario, Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) and the Niagara Health System to improve transition points across the care continuum and to support residents' access to the right care at the right time. Particular focus on use of long-term beds, convalescent care beds, interim beds and behavioural support unit beds.
• Working in collaboration with the HNHB LHIN, community agencies and CCAC to offer responsive support solutions to residents living in the community. Addressing service pressures as demand for service continues to increase with service level targets exceeded for each offered program.

Homelessness & Community Engagement

• Continue the implementation a common database for homelessness services to track clients so that supporting agencies can understand the client's path throughout the homelessness system and to ensure the client " tells their story once."
• Awarded an additional 80 housing first units with housing allowances provided by Niagara Regional Housing for a total of 148 units now in the system.
• Youth homelessness strategy approved by Committee and Council.
• Confirmation of provincial funding for April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2020 at a level that does not adequately support Niagara's needs.

Social Assistance and Employment Opportunities

• Achieved 2016 OW caseload target; bending the curve on the OW caseload.
• Exceeded 2016 new job starts and unique employer targets: 1,911 new job starts (2016 target - 1,350) and 1,292 employers (2016 target - 650).
• On track to launch a new customized technology in the summer of 2017 that will enhance the ability to match OW/ODSP clients with available jobs and training and increase client outcomes.