Minutes of the June 24, 2021
MANITOULIN-SUDBURY DSB BOARD MEETING
Present: Arthur Hayden, David Santi, Maureen Van Alstine, Bruce Killah, Richard Malette, Michael Levesque, Ted Lovelace, Richard Stephens, David Ham, Paul Schoppmann, Kevin Burke, Jill Beer and Ned Whynott
Regrets:
Staff: Fern Dominelli, Donna Stewart, Connie Morphet, Melody Ouellette, Paul Myre, Lori Clark and Ehren Baldauf
Chair, Bruce Killah, called the meeting to order at 9:32 a.m.
There were no declarations of conflict of interest.
Resolution 21-58
Moved by: Paul Schoppmann
Seconded by: David Santi
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board move into closed session at 9:32 a.m.
Carried
Resolution 21-59
Moved by: Kevin Burke
Seconded by: David Ham
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board adjourn this closed session at 10:07 a.m. and move to the regular Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB Board meeting.
Carried
Minutes of the June 24, 2021
MANITOULIN-SUDBURY DSB BOARD MEETING
Present: Arthur Hayden, David Santi, Maureen Van Alstine, Bruce Killah, Richard Malette, Michael Levesque, Ted Lovelace and Richard Stephens, Kevin Burke, David Ham, and Paul Schoppmann
Regrets: Jill Beer
Staff: Fern Dominelli, Donna Stewart, Connie Morphet, Melody Ouellette, Paul Myre and Lori Clark
Media: Alicia McCutcheon, The Manitoulin Expositor
During its Closed Session, the Board discussed Human Resources and Property Issues.
Resolution No. 21-60
Moved by: Maureen Van Alstine
Seconded by: David Ham
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Agenda be adopted.
Carried
No Conflicts declared
Resolution No. 21-61
Moved by: Ted Lovelace
Seconded by: David Santi
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Minutes of the May 27, 2021meeting be approved.
Carried
Paul Myre, Chief of Paramedic Services walked the Board through the 2021 Deployment Plan Pilot Update – Issue Report.
We have continued to take a practical and careful approach in the planning for deploying the 3 proposed pilots. Unfortunately, with the advent and continued impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, staff have had to consider delaying the deployment of the pilot as a risk mitigation measure.
Staff believe that it would not be prudent to deploy the three pilots at this time as a good number of our Paramedics have yet to receive the second injection of their COVID-19 vaccine and we anticipate some operational pressures due to the reported varying side effects that accompany the second dose.
We have attempted to work with our Public Health partners with the hope to balance the importance of vaccinations and the provision of emergency services but due to the rigidity of the vaccination schedule, a controlled staggered approach is not possible.
Staff believe the consequences of potentially disrupting the sequencing for our Paramedics to be vaccinated far outweigh the cost of managing staffing pressures.
Staff are recommending deferring the pilots until at least the Fall of 2021 where we anticipate a more stable workforce to support staffing requirements. Staff will continue to re-analyze the proposed models during the deferral to assess their feasibility and whether or not we should course correct given the new normal.
Resolution No. 21-62
Moved by: Ned Whynott
Seconded by: Art Hayden
WHEREAS the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB has reviewed the 2021 Deployment Plan Pilot Update – Issue Report.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB approve the 2021 Deployment Plan Pilot Update – Issue Report and authorize staff to action the recommendations contained within the report.
Carried
Lori Clark, Acting Director of Integrated Social Services, walked the Board through the Community Housing policy revisions.
Over the last several weeks staff have completed a comprehensive review of Community Housing Policies, changes have been made to reflect changes to legislation, current practice, and language. Most policy changes have been to remove reference to the Social Housing, which is now Community Housing. Procedure changes have been made to reflect current practice.
Resolution No. 21-63
Moved by: Ted Lovelace
Seconded by: Jill Beer
WHEREAS the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB has reviewed the revised Community Housing Policies, 2.3 Centralized Waiting List and Tenant Selection, 2.5 Former Tenant Arrears, 3.1 Determining Unit Size & Occupancy Standards, 4.6 Notice to Vacate, 7.2 Cable, Satellite, other Antennae, 7.5 Fire Code – DSB Apts., 7.7 Move Out/Cyclical Painting, 7.8 Portable Air Conditioners, 7.9 Unit Maintenance and 7.11 Fire and Police Service Access to DSB Buildings.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB approve the revisions to the Community Housing Policies, 2.3 Centralized Waiting List and Tenant Selection, 2.5 Former Tenant Arrears, 3.1 Determining Unit Size & Occupancy Standards, 4.6 Notice to Vacate, 7.2 Cable, Satellite, other Antennae, 7.5 Fire Code – DSB Apts., 7.7 Move Out/Cyclical Painting, 7.8 Portable Air Conditioners, 7.9 Unit Maintenance and 7.11 Fire and Police Service Access to DSB Buildings contained within the Community Housing Policy Manual effective July 1, 2021.
Carried
Lori Clark, Acting Director of Integrated Social Services, walked the Board through the Ontario Works Housing Related Benefit Policy revision. The housing related benefits policy has been updated to include home repairs in addition to moving expenses, energy and water conservation measures and alerting systems.
Resolution No. 21-64
Moved by: Richard Malette
Seconded by: Kevin Burke
WHEREAS the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB has reviewed the revised Ontario Works Policy 7B.12 Housing Related Benefit.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB approve the revisions to the Ontario Works Policy 7B.12 Housing Related Benefit contained within the Ontario Works Policy Manual effective July 1, 2021.
Carried
Donna Stewart, Associate CAO walked the Board through the Human Resources Use of DSB/Emergency Vehicles Policy.
This policy was revised to ensure all DSB vehicles are not parked at people’s homes overnight.
All DSB vehicles will be parked overnight in their designated parking areas, no DSB staff will be permitted to take any DSB vehicle, including Paramedic Services vehicles, home overnight.
All DSB owned vehicles will be used for work related purposes only. No DSB staff, partner agency staff or anyone authorized to drive a DSB vehicle will be permitted to take a vehicle home overnight without the written approval of the CAO or designee in advance.
Resolution No. 21-65
Moved by: Richard Stephens
Seconded by: Mike Levesque
WHEREAS the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB has reviewed the revised Human Resources Policy 6.05 Use of DSB/Emergency Vehicles.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB approve the revisions to the Human Resources Policy 6.05 Use of DSB/Emergency Vehicles contained within the Human Resources Policy Manual effective July 1, 2021.
Carried
Lori Clark, Acting Director of Integrated Social Services walked the Board through the memo received from the Ministry of Education regarding Financial Flexibility to Support Early Years.
On June 2, 2021, staff received a memo from the Ministry of Education regarding funding flexibility to support sector sustainability as a result of the decision to continue with remote learning.
In 2021, we have continued to receive our regular monthly childcare funding allocation.
We may leverage funding flexibility between fee subsidy and general operating funding. This enables us to provide time limited and targeted support to licensed childcare providers with the intention of providing financial relief to assist with sustainability.
Child Care providers are expected to access all federal supports Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) before we exercise funding flexibility.
We continue to provide additional supports as needed for costs associated with the following:
6.6.1 Social Assistance Vision
Lori Clark, Acting Director of Integrated Social Services walked the Board through the Social Assistant Vision – Issue Report.
In late September, staff received a memo announcing the provincial plan to support economic recovery and employment through a new recovery and renewal plan for social assistance.
On February 11th, 2021 staff received a memo announcing Ontario’s New Visions for Social Assistance the vision is: “To create an efficient, effective and streamlined social services system that focuses on people, providing them with a range of services and supports to respond to their unique needs and address barriers to success so they can move towards employment and independence.”
On April 15th, 2021 staff received a memo advising of proposed amendments to the to the Ontario Works Act, 1997, within the Supporting Recovery and Competitiveness Act, 2021.
The Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board (DSB) is in a great position to leverage the integration of all programs to deliver a person-centered casework approach within the new Social Assistance vision.
The province’s new social assistance vision aligns with the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB’s integrated approach as our staff have in-depth knowledge of all DSB programs and local community programs to help support life stabilization for the client.
Through the process of integration, we have realigned many functions internally and have already streamlined our services so that our clients can receive the best customer service when they are most vulnerable.
Considering the new realignment of roles and responsibilities, a new funding formula for Ontario Works program administration will be developed. Under the legislative amendments, changes to the current 50-50 program administration cost-sharing are not proposed.
The province will continue to pay 100% for the cost of income support benefits. The province, municipalities, and DSSABs will co-design a new funding and accountability model as part of new social assistance program design.
Staff will continue to update the Board regarding implementation of the Social Assistance Vision and ask that the Board approve the Social Assistance Vision Report.
Resolution No. 21-66
Moved by: Vern Gorham
Seconded by: Ted Lovelace
WHEREAS the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB has reviewed the Social Assistance Vision – Issue Report.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB approve the Social Assistance Vision – Issue Report and authorize staff to action the recommendations contained within the report.
Carried
6.6.2 Employment Services Transformation
Lori Clark, Acting Director of Integrated Social Services walked the Board through the Employment Services Transformation.
Staff received a memo on June 11th confirming the announcement of the launch of Employment Services Transformation. The expansion has been carefully sequenced and will be happening in several steps between now and 2023.
A two-stage competitive selection process to select Service System Managers for each catchment area will be used beginning with the launch of a Request for Qualifications process, followed by a call for proposals in the lowest complexity areas in the fall of 2021, with service system managers being identified in the spring of 2022.
Medium complexity areas will proceed later with service system managers being identified at the end of 2022.
The process for high complexity areas which include Toronto, and the North will occur in 2023. Complexity is being defined by factors related to community readiness and interest as well as labour market conditions.
Transformation of employment services is an important step toward Ontario’s Vision for Social Assistance.
Resolution 21-67
Moved by: Maureen Van Alstine
Seconded by: Richard Malette
BE IT RESOLVED THAT we do now adjourn at 10:43 a.m. until the next regular meeting to be held on September 23, 2021.
Carried
Original signed by Bruce Killah - Chair
Original signed by Fern Dominelli - CAO (Secretary-Treasurer of the Corporation)
Original signed by Donna Stewart - Associate CAO
