The following is the most recent consolidated Quarterly Report that the DSB will be sending to member municipalities and posting on the public website. Expect Quarterly Reports in February, May, September, and November of each year.
The program statistics are provided separately and updated monthly. They are available on the website by clicking the following link: Monthly Program Statistics
The DSB 2021 Third Quarter (Unaudited) Financial Report was presented to the Board and projects a year-end municipal surplus of $867,199. Children’s Services and Ontario Works is forecasted to be on budget. Community Housing is forecasted to be under budget by $694,445. Paramedic Services is forecasted to be under budget by $173,658. Interest revenue on non-reserve accounts is forecasted to be $904 less than budgeted.
The DSB quarterly financial reports are available on the DSB website by clicking the following link: Quarterly Financial Reports
Paramedic services continues to be an integral participant in vaccination and testing clinics. We are anticipating a “ramping up” of activities in the fourth quarter with the requirement of “booster” 3rd doses of vaccine for the most vulnerable and imminent approval of vaccines for the younger populations (5 to 11 years of age).
Vaccination and Directive 6 by Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH)
On August 17, 2021, CMOH issued COVID-19 Directive #6 under the section 77.7 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act stating that every Paramedic Service must establish, implement and ensure compliance with a COVID-19 vaccination policy requiring employees to provide:
The directive further directs that each Paramedic Services’ policy require staff that are opting out of vaccination for whatever reason, to submit to regular antigen point of care testing a minimum of once every seven days. Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB Paramedic Services’ policy went into force as of September 7, 2021, as directed by the CMOH. To date, 95% (121) of our active staff have provided proof of full vaccination. We have received zero (0) medical exemptions and a total of six (6) staff that have opted out of getting vaccinated. As previously reported, Paramedic Services deployed the PanBio Rapid Antigen Tests to each of our 12 Paramedic Stations as part of the Provincial Surveillance program and the non-vaccinated employees have been self-testing as required per policy.
After an exhausting process to fill the last two (2) positions on the Community Paramedicine (CP) Team, we were successful in hiring 2 Full-Time CPs and the team is now fully staffed and operational. Community Paramedicine education and training is underway to provide the team with the necessary tools to fulfill their mission. The rostering of patients continues to exceed expectations and the feedback from our stakeholders has been extremely positive. In the fourth quarter we are anticipating finally deploying our iSTAT point of care testing devices that will enable our Community Paramedics to analyze blood samples and communicate those to the primary health care providers to further compliment appropriate care planning.
Through the Community Paramedicine Program, we have engaged with Public Health Sudbury and Districts to explore the possibility of participating in the annual Influenza Vaccination campaign across our entire region. Discussions are on-going and while we are early in the planning stages, we are confident that we can receive the appropriate approvals in time for November 2021 clinics.
On July 27th, 2021, the Association of Municipalities (AMO) wrote a letter to the Honourable Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education regarding its concerns with the changes to administrative cost-sharing arrangements. An Issue Report was completed and noted the threshold for allowable administrative funding the CMSM/DSSABs can spend on Child Care will be reduced from 10% to 5% in 2022 in addition to the ongoing cost sharing requirements previously introduced. This will place added pressure on service system managers to fill in the gaps and there has not been a significant reduction in administrative burden. The Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB endorsed AMO’s letter to the Minister and supports the request that the province reverse the administrative changes in recognition of the detrimental impacts to those served by the child care system.
Beginning in early August several memos have be shared with Service System Managers and Child Care Licensees regarding health and safety precautions and immunization disclosure requirements.
Programs are encouraged to continue with health and safety precautions in particular regular hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, continued use of personal protective equipment and continued use of Provincial screening tool.
The Ministry of Education announced on August 18, 2021 the requirement of an Immunization Disclosure Policy for all licensed child care settings. Licensee requirements came into effect September 7th and need to be fully implemented by September 27, 2021.
The COVID-19 immunization policy must require child care staff, home child care providers, home child care visitors, volunteers, students, Special Needs Resource Workers, and frequent visitors to do one of the following:
In addition to the instructions that licensees are to establish, implement and report on a COVID-19 immunization policy, a memo shared on September 14th indicates that individuals who are subject to testing (those individuals who are not fully vaccinated) must provide verification of negative test results at least two times per week.
As part of the testing requirement the Ministry has asked that licensees inform those required to undertake testing that:
A supply of rapid antigen tests will be provided at no cost to licensees by direct delivery, pick up through the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, or pick up at an assigned school.
An additional memo received on September 14, 2021 shares that individuals who are not vaccinated are required to participate in an educational session about the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, participation must occur outside of working hours.
In a memo dated September 23, 2021 an extension to access pharmacy testing for those school boards and child care licensees that may have a shortage of testing kits, for eligible staff was granted until October 1, 2021.
In the third quarter of 2021, the Ontario Works/Temporary Care caseload average was 467. Compared to last year at this time, the caseload has decreased 9.1%.
On August 5, 2021 AMO wrote to the Honourable Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. AMO acknowledged the ongoing engagement with the 47 service system managers on both the co-design of the new model and the vision for human services integration.
AMO stressed the importance that all partner ministries attend the Provincial Municipal Social Assistance and Employment Services Committee (PMSAEC) and the Human Services Collaborative Table, including those with employment, housing, child care, education, justice, corrections and health responsibilities.
It is crucial that the Ministry of Health is a fully engaged partner. Social assistance and health care transformation need to be interrelated moving forward beyond the immediacy of the pandemic. For life stabilization to be successful, health supports, especially supports for mental health and addiction are essential.
AMO has recommended the provision of supports to increase the capacity of the non-profit community sector to provide health and social services that are essential for life stabilization, including supportive housing, and mental health and addiction services.
An update was provided on the ongoing rollout of Employment Services Transformation (EST) across the province. The government had previously announced a multi stage competitive process that would see service system managers selected for all catchment areas in Ontario between now and the end of 2023.
As such, the ministry is now proceeding with the selection of Service System Managers in four additional catchment areas. York, Halton, Stratford-Bruce Peninsula and Kingston-Pembroke have been identified to be part of the next phase based on findings from stakeholder engagement, organizational interest, and service delivery considerations. The next group of catchment areas will be completed in 2022, with a final round for Toronto and the Northern catchments occurring in 2023.
The second round of the Skills Development Fund (SDF) was announced on September 29, 2021. The Skills Development Fund was created to enable market-driven solutions and unlock the economic potential of skilled trades and broader workforce development initiatives to facilitate economic recovery.
For the second round of the SDF, there is a continuous intake process for applications, and project proposals will be accepted on an ongoing basis for the 2021/22 fiscal year.
The Ontario Works Two- Year Service Plan is required by all CMSM/DSB’s every two years and it is submitted to the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.
This document speaks to the Ontario Works vision and the mandate of the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB and offers an environmental scan of caseloads and the employment programs offered.
Operation indicators for April 2021 and April 2020 are highlighted in this document as well as a comparison to the province and to the North as a whole. Outcome strategies are detailed within the plan. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent stay at home orders, referrals have dropped between 2019 and 2020 which can be seen in the Service Plan statistics.
On August 23, 2021 the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing provided a funding letter for the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB 2022-23 allocations.
|
Program |
Allocation Amount |
|---|---|
|
Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI) |
$347,763 |
|
Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI) |
$207,700 |
|
Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB) |
$114,700 |
|
Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI) |
$766,183 |
|
Service Manager Federal Funding for Social Housing |
$624,903 |
Total applications at end of the third quarter are 548. The applicant breakdown is as follows:
Staff continue to identify and complete the application process with eligible applicants for the DSS program. All applicants receiving the benefit are deemed housed. As of the end of this quarter there were 216 active DSS recipients.
In accordance with DSB Policy, every effort is being made where the waitlist allows, to mix the Community Housing Buildings with RGI, Affordable and Market Rent Tenants. As of the end of this quarter we have successfully secured 10 market rent tenants and 74 affordable rent tenants.
In the third quarter, 180/275 of the portfolio’s units are designated as Smoke-free. This represents 65.5% of the full portfolio currently. Units are designated as turn-over occurs.
On August 16, 2021, the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB board chair received important details regarding additional provincial funding being offered to us through the fourth phase of Ontario’s Social Services Relief Fund and through the Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI).
The Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB will receive an additional $1,130,700 in provincial funding through a fourth phase of Ontario’s SSRF for the 2021-2022 fiscal year. An investment plan was created and submitted to the Ministry on how the funds would be utilized.
Year 6 of the 10-Year Housing and Homelessness plan had been completed, presented to the board, and submitted to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
The report is designed using SMART Goals. SMART goals are Specific (clearly defined), Measurable (easily recorded and compared), Attainable (reasonable), Relevant (reflect the organization’s Mission and purpose) and Time-Bound (doable in a fixed time frame)
The report identifies 4 goals for the Manitoulin-Sudbury District to work within. Each goal has priorities attached along with Inputs, Activities, Outputs, Outcomes, and Impacts.
Goal 1: Understanding Demand for Housing Services and supports by Demographic
Goal 2: Understanding and Addressing Need for Supply of Housing and supports
Goal 3: Income Support for Shelter and Homelessness Prevention Services
Goal 4: Innovations and Partnerships in the Provision of Housing with Supports
Details of the goals can be found in the Year Six Report.
On June 24, 2021, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario wrote to Deborah Richardson, Deputy Solicitor General, Correction Services and Kate Manson-Smith, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
The purpose of the letter was to propose a dedicated, time-limited staff working group to address the issue of inmates that are discharged into homelessness.
AMO acknowledged the ongoing efforts of the ministry but stressed there is more to be done. Municipal expertise can assist in addressing the issue. When inmates are discharged into homelessness or inappropriate housing, their cycle of homelessness continues and there is often a risk of repeated incarceration.
The proposed group would be co-chaired by a municipal service system manager, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Ministry of the Solicitor General with participation from relevant ministries.
All parties could work together to co-design policies, procedures, and protocols. The goal would be to ensure that inmates are appropriately discharged into housing and adequately supported to transition back into the community in a safe and healthy manner.
During the third quarter a total of 226 Work Orders were generated: 168 for Community Housing; 8 for Administration Offices, and 50 for Paramedic Services. There was a total of 150 Work Orders closed or resolved during that time. Work orders are closed if the work is done in-house, or when the invoice is paid if from an outside source.
During the period, a total of 15, unit turnovers were started or completed which is more than average.
Pest Management issues continue to be addressed in various locations throughout the portfolio as we move into the fall. Abell Pest Management Services provide services throughout the district for all programs and locations.
A few projects worth mentioning:
Well drilling in Webbwood has been completed and water testing is underway. The well drilling project will continue to be supported by Ontario Clean Water Agency to ensure compliance before supply to the building will be completed.
Encompass completed the Thermal Scans in various Community Housing locations and reports from this work were received in the quarter. Various locations were identified as having issues within the electrical performance of the building that would require attention.
To date the following projects are completed or nearing full completion as of the current date for COCHI Year 3 allocations:
Correspondence received from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing on August 16, 2021, announced additional investment thought the fourth and final phase of the Social Services Relief Fund (SSRF) and through the Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI) in August announced an additional $84,100 in funding to the DSB. Our investment plan was created and submitted to the Ministry.
The DSB had a very busy quarter. If municipal Councils have any questions or would like DSB staff to attend a municipal Council meeting, please feel free to contact me directly.
Fern Dominelli
Chief Administrative Officer
Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board
Phone: 705-222-7777
E mail: fern.dominelli@msdsb.net
Website: www.msdsb.net
