Child Nutrition Programs: Partnerships in Funding
The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee submits, without recommendation, the following report (April 27,
1998) from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhoods Services, addressed to the Budget Committee:
Purpose:
This report describes the cost sharing partnership for child nutrition programs as requested by the Budget Committee.
Source of Funds:
Funding for the Child Nutrition Programs will be provided by the municipality (through the 1998 operating budget of the
Public Health unit) with matching contributions being provided by the private sector, the provincial government, school
boards and parents.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that Council strongly urge the provincial government to match the Toronto municipal allocation of
$1.185 million in order to ensure adequate child nutrition programs with total direct funding of $4.939 million.
Background:
At its meeting on March 24, 1998, the Board of Health endorsed the report AChild Nutrition Programs in the New City of
Toronto@ and recommended that $1,185,480.00 be allocated to provide municipal core funding for existing child nutrition
programs in the city.
On March 28, 1998, the Budget Committee requested the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhoods Services to
report back on the funding commitments to cost-sharing of the child nutrition programs.
Comments:
A review of funding for existing child nutrition programs in both community and school sites across the new city of
Toronto shows that programs have been funded through a combination of community partnerships involving parents,
provincial government, school boards and the private sector.
In the former City of Toronto, the funding partnership was supplemented by municipal contributions from both Public
Health and the Board of Education. This stable funding base resulted in strong overall program coordination, ongoing
support and training programs for local staff, and improved nutritional quality of food. This core funding also strengthened
the volunteer base and resulted in increased parental contributions.
1998 Funding Partnerships:
The following funding is expected in 1998:
Parents, Fundraising and Private Sector - $2,500,000.00:
Parental contributions across all former municipalities were approximately $750,000.00 in 1997. Based on experience
during the past two years and the current contribution rate, we are confident that this projected level of parental funding
will be achievable in 1998.
The private sector, in combination with local school community fundraising, contributed approximately $750,000.00 in
1997. We are confident that this level of private sector funding will be maintained or exceeded. A contribution of
$50,000.00 was received on April 20, 1998 from the Royal Bank, which challenged others in the corporate sector to follow
this lead.
Provincial Government:
Funding has not yet been committed. Without substantial support from the provincial government, the municipal funding
allocation is not sufficient to expand our existing child nutrition programs to five days a week from their current 1-3 day
operations. In 1997, approximately $700,000.00 in provincial funding was given to programs across the city. This was not
adequate to ensure that nutritious food was available to all programs on a daily basis.
At its April 15th meeting, the Children=s Action Committee recommended to the Community and Neighbourhoods
Services Committee that: The Mayor and the Children=s Advocate, together with representatives from the Board of Health
and the Toronto school boards, be requested to meet with the Minister of Community and Social Services to seek a
matching contribution of $1.2 million from the Province for the continuation of the children=s nutrition program. Any
shortfall in the provincial contribution would require further fund-raising from parents and the private sector, which will be
difficult to achieve. Staff in the Mayor=s Office are currently attempting to secure an appointment with the Minister of
Community and Social Services.
School Boards:
Currently 209 child nutrition programs are operating in school and community sites across the city. Nineteen of these are
under the auspices of the Toronto Catholic District School Board. The two major Toronto school boards have committed
$1,143,000.00 of in-kind contributions to programs within their jurisdictions:
(I)The Toronto District School Board has committed $1,041,000.00 of in-kind contributions, including space, utilities,
maintenance, caretaking, food delivery and administrative support; and
(ii)the Toronto Catholic District School Board has committed $102,000.00 of in-kind
contributions including space, utilities, maintenance, caretaking and administrative support.
Proposed Mechanism for Allocation of Funds:
Health and school board representatives have set up a Steering Committee to develop an administrative structure that
would include the following:
(I)A Steering Committee comprised of management from Toronto District School Board, Toronto Catholic District
School Board and Public Health will meet at least bi-annually to make policy decisions and finalize funding allocations to
community and school-based child nutrition programs, based on an equity / needs based formula and specific program
standards.
(ii)The Toronto Community Partners for Child Nutrition, comprised of foundations representing the two school boards,
public health and representatives from Area Program Networks, will make recommendations to Steering Committee
regarding policies, funding criteria and formula and funding allocations, coordinate citywide implementation, and ensure
matched funding, program monitoring and evaluation.
(iii)Area Program Networks comprised of representatives from local program districts will implement local programs
and coordinate local training, volunteers, local participation and fundraising.
(iv)Non-profit foundations will hold funds in trust prior to allocation. On an interim basis, an existing non-profit
foundation, the Foundation for Advancement of Community Education (FACE, which is affiliated with the former East
York Board of Education), has agreed to undertake this function for the Toronto District School Board pending the
establishment of a city-wide foundation.
Conclusions:
Total direct funding required to ensure adequate child nutrition programs totals $4.939 million. The municipal allocation
of $1,185,480.00 will be matched by $2,500,000.00 from parents, local fundraising and the private sector, and
$1,143,000.00 of in-kind contributions from Toronto District and Toronto Catholic District School Boards.
To ensure sustainable child nutrition programs across Toronto, $1.185 million in provincial funding is required. To date,
no commitment has been made by the provincial government to support these initiatives. It is recommended that Council
urge the Province of Ontario to commit the necessary funding to enable the development of high quality child nutrition
programs in Toronto.
Contact Names:
Dr. Sheela V. Basrur, Medical Officer of Health, Tel: 392-7402, Fax: 392-0713 .
