TBDSSAB The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board. Annual Report 2014

Transcription

1 TBDSSAB The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board Annual Report 2014

2 On behalf of the Board of The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board (TBDSSAB), it is my pleasure to present the 2014 Annual Report. Message From the Chair In 2014, progress was made in furthering organizational aims and objectives, as outlined in the Strategic Plan. Energy efficiency projects at many TBDSSAB properties, for example, correspond directly to the commitment to green, environmentally friendly housing. The strategic aim of establishing partnerships with community agencies has been realized, in part, through the co-location and delivery of services to those in need. The sustained provision of excellent client service, especially with regards to housing, is evidenced by the positive response to the 2014 Tenant Satisfaction Survey. The TBDSSAB has also begun the implementation of a Communications Strategy with the intent of enhancing communications internally with staff and externally with clients, tenants, stakeholders, and the general public. Support for Homelessness Prevention Initiatives and Poverty Reduction also continued in The TBDSSAB donation of an eleven seat passenger van helped to support the work of Shelter House Thunder Bay s Street Outreach Services (SOS) Program. A $589,900 allocation through the Community Social Reinvestment Program supported various programs throughout the District of Thunder Bay specifically targeting Child Poverty. This includes food security and feeding programs and recreation programs that offset the costs of activities such as hockey, skating, and gymnastics for low income families. I would like to thank my fellow Board members, community agencies and member municipalities for their ongoing dedication and support as we work to improve the quality of life for all citizens across the District of Thunder Bay. Respectfully submitted, Bob Katajamaki Chair (2014)

3 Our Vision The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board provides quality services within the context of a commitment to social justice and recognition of people s potential to achieve selfsufficiency and to break the cycle of social assistance. Our Mission The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board delivers provincially mandated services on behalf of the citizens of the District of Thunder Bay in an equitable and cost effective manner. Programs and Services Child Care Services Child Care Fee Subsidy Online Child Care Applications Special Needs Resources Family Resource Programs Ontario Works Informal Child Care Ontario Works Financial Assistance Employment Assistance Community Placement Program Enhanced Employment Placement Program Ontario Works Addiction Services Initiative (ASI) Housing Programs and Homelessness Prevention Affordable Housing Programs Housing Security Fund Social Housing Programs Rent Supplement Program Emergency Shelter Assistance

4 Message From the CAO TBDSSAB continued to advance as an organization in While we cannot list every accomplishment, notable achievements corresponding to our Strategic Plan include strengthened policies for corporate services and significantly improved internal organizational and program knowledge transfer. As a key objective in our Communications Strategy, the TBDSSAB website was redesigned allowing for regular information updates and enhanced user navigability. Moving forward, the realization of these goals will support our sustained efforts to provide quality service and effectively address the needs of some of the most vulnerable individuals in the District of Thunder Bay. None of this would be possible without the commitment and enthusiasm of the TBDSSAB staff located throughout the District. I would like to thank TBDSSAB staff for their hard work and dedication over the past year. Respectfully submitted, William (Bill) Bradica Chief Administrative Officer

5 Tenant Satisfaction Survey The 2014 Tenant Satisfaction Survey was distributed to 2,596 Thunder Bay District Housing Corporation (TBDHC) units and households throughout the District of Thunder Bay. The results of the 2014 TBDSSAB Tenant Satisfaction Survey indicate that the tenants residing in TBDHC units and buildings are generally positive about the upkeep of their home and with the quality of the service that they receive from TBDSSAB Housing Operations staff. These results present TBDSSAB with the information necessary to focus efforts in order to further improve the quality of life for the TBDHC tenants throughout the District of Thunder Bay. Not Satisfied 5% Satisfaction with Home No Response 19% Extremely Satisfied 20% Satisfaction with TBDHC Service Not Satisfied 6% No Response 17% Extremely Satisfied 23% Housing Services Fairly Satisfied 22% Very Satisfied 34% Fairly Satisfied 20% Very Satisfied 34%

6 TBDSSAB Housing staff, in partnership with Ontario Native Woman s Association, Greenstone Family Health Team and students from Geraldton Composite High School, worked to enhance community engagement by installing a community garden at Fisher and Neill Courts in Geraldton. The garden boxes were raised for increased accessibility and built by student volunteers using donated materials. Similar projects have been completed in the City of Thunder Bay, such as at 707 John Street, Lendrum and Madeline. A new garden project is underway at Limbrick for 2015.

7 Housing Waitlist by Unit Size 2 Bedroom 17% 3 Bedroom 9% 4+ Bedroom 3% 1 Bedroom 71% Homeless Shelter Average Occupancy Rates Shelter House 137% Salvation Army 148% Total Housing Waitlist as of December 31st 2014: 1,305 67% of applicants choose 10 or more properties when they apply. The average number of properties is 46 per application. Housing Waitlist by Household Type Family 27% Senior 10% Housing Services Shelter Average 140% Single 63% * Shelters are given an overflow capacity by the Thunder Bay Fire Marshal. Both shelters were using overflow capacity for the majority of Rates are calculated based on regular capacity..

8 Housing Security Fund Housing Services The Housing Security Fund is available to recipients of Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), and to low-income families to assist in obtaining a new principal residence, or to prevent eviction or discontinuance of utilities or heating in an existing residence. The HSF may also be issued where there is a threat to the health or welfare of a recipient or a member of the benefit unit. Almost $300,000 was spent in 2014 to assist in establishing or maintaining a home for low-income families.

9 Ontario Works Caseload Sole Support 35% Couples 3% Couples with Dependents 6% Average Time on Assistance District of Thunder Bay Ontario Average Single 56% Average 2014 Caseload : 2, months 18.2 months The Community Social Reinvestment Fund (CSRF) provides financial support to initiatives in the District of Thunder Bay that help reduce the depth and breadth of child poverty, promote attachment to the labour market, or reduce the overlap and duplication of government programs. 42 projects were funded with the CRSF in 2014, totalling $598,900. Ontario Works provides financial support to those in the Thunder Bay District with low or no income. TBDSSAB also offers assistance with removing barriers to gaining employment and independence from financial assistance. TBDSSAB staff work with community partners in providing services for education, mental health, and language barriers, as well as employment and volunteer placements for those who are job ready, assisting participants in removing barriers to employment. The Employment and Community Placement programs placed 101 clients in community volunteer opportunities and 194 clients in employment placements in Extraordinary Needs 11% Recreation 9% CSRF Projects Employment Supports for Parents 7% Nutrition or Food Security Issues 73% Ontario Works

10 Child Care Services In November, TBDSSAB hosted a two day professional learning institute on the Ministry of Education s How Does Learning Happen? Ontario s Pedagogy for the Early Years. This seminar provided an opportunity for the orientation of over 200 early childhood educators on this new pedagogical resource. This capacity building opportunity provided early childhood education staff, system leaders and community partners with an opportunity to reflect upon the four foundations that ensure children s optimal learning and development Child Care Waitlist Total List Currently Waiting School Age 39% Licensed Spaces JK/SK 17% Infant 4% Toddler 13% Pre-School 27% In 2014, TBDSSAB provided an average of: 928 children with fee subsidy assistance 198 children with special needs resource assistance 0 Infant Toddler Pre-School JK/SK School Age

11 The District of Thunder Bay Social Administration Board strives to: - Create a comprehensive, consistent child care system that supports sound investment in the early years as the foundation for a healthy future. - Stabilize the child care industry as an integral player in the economic and social health of a community. - Focus on child and family with an emphasis on what is in the best interest of the child & family. - Ensure children experience safe, nurturing and stimulating environments. - Promote an inclusive climate for children with special needs and exceptional circumstances. - Coordinate, collaborate, and co-operate with all community partners and stakeholders.

12 The Corporate Services Division encompasses the activities of Finance, Purchasing, Information Technology & Information Management, and supports management decision making across the organization by creating and managing internal systems to maintain financial and data integrity. In 2014, the Division successfully enhanced its internal corporate infrastructure by accomplishing the following key support system components: Corporate Services Supporting financial data integrity: ~ A new Tangible Capital Asset Policy was drafted and approved by the Board. With almost $400 Million in value, tangible capital assets are a significant economic resource and a key component in the delivery of many TBDSSAB programs; ~ A new Reserve and Reserve Fund Policy and Strategy was drafted and approved by the Board. These funds (totaling approximately $20 million) form an integral part of sound financial management and long-term program sustainability; ~ Successfully completed a public procurement process and awarded the contract for the management of the organization s financial investment resources. Maintaining system, data and information integrity: ~ Phase III of the previously established Disaster Recovery Site began, supporting the organization s Business Continuity Plan to ensure certain services will be maintained for clients in the event of a disaster. Enhancing procurement process integrity: ~ Established a separate Purchasing area within the formal organization structure to provide internal strength to the public procurement processes, including amending the Procurement Policy, and to enhance procurement process integrity.

13 Expenses by Program Expenses by Type Housing & Homelessness Prevention $40,142,453 48% Child Care Programs $12,758,500 15% Ontario Works $31,365,400 37% Federal Funding $8,580,300 10% Funding Sources Rent and Other Revenues $11,168,300 13% Levy to Municipalities $21,852,668 26% External Transfers - Funded Agencies $28,620,593 34% Other $5,222,360 6% Personnel Services $13,596,100 16% External Transfers - Persons $21,870,600 26% Long Term Debt and Reserve Fund $6,142,500 7% Insurance, Utilities, Property Tax, Rents $8,820,800 11% 2014 Approved Budget Levy to TWOMO $1,680,985 2% Provincial Funding $40,984,100 49%

14 Staff Complement by Division CAO/HR 5% Human Resources The TBDSSAB Employs 186 staff in a variety of roles. Our employees include staff who provide services directly to clients and tenants such as our Caseworkers and Property Management Officers, and many other front line support staff and technical services staff. Many of our employees work directly with community partners as part of their role with TBDSSAB. Community Involvement TBDSSAB staff are committed to the organization s mission, vision and values and often support the community through volunteer service and fundraising for agencies such as the United Way, Shelter House and Salvation Army. The generosity of staff was once again recognized with a Silver Medal from the United Way in 2014, with over 60% of staff participating in the payroll deduction program to raise over $24,000 for the charity. Housing Services 29% Corporate Services 16% Client Services 50%

15 Front Row L-R: Councillor Kelly Tsubouchi - Township of Marathon Councillor Aldo Ruberto - City of Thunder Bay Mr. Robert (Bob) Katajamaki - Territory Without Municipal Organization Mr. William (Bill) Bradica - CAO, TBDSSAB Councillor Joe Virdiramo - City of Thunder Bay Back Row L-R: Mayor Keith Hobbs - City of Thunder Bay Councillor Paul Pugh - City of Thunder Bay Mayor Jody Davis - Township of Terrace Bay Mayor Kevin Holland - Township of Conmee Councillor Iain Angus - City of Thunder Bay Councillor Andrew Foulds - City of Thunder Bay Missing from Photo: Councillor Armand Giguere - Municipality of Greenstone Councillor Sara Park - Township of Red Rock Executive Chair - Mr. Robert (Bob) Katajamaki Vice - Chair - Councillor Aldo Ruberto Secretary - Treasurer - Councillor Joe Virdiramo

16 Visit our Website! TBDSSAB The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board 231 May Street South Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7E 1B5 Phone: Fax: Toll Free: