STAFF REPORT

January 4, 2000

To: Community Services Committee

From: Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services

Subject: Implementation of Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP)

Purpose:

This report confirms the provincial funding approved in support of the City's implementation of the mandatory provincial program Learning, Earning and Parenting, LEAP and provides the assurance Council requested that the City and the Province are discussing the impact of the Provincial Operational Review recommendations on Ontario Works and child care services.

Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Provincial subsidy in the amount of $3,290,000 for implementation of the mandatory LEAP program has been approved for the year 2000. The annualized gross amount requested by the City and built into the Department's budget estimate was $5.8 million gross, $1.2 million net. The cost sharing of LEAP will be discussed during the year 2000 budget process.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1) this report be forwarded to the Budget Advisory Committee for inclusion in the year 2000 operating budget discussions; and

(2) the appropriate City Officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

Background:

City Council on October 26 and 27, 1999 adopted the recommendations in the September 30, 1999 report entitled "Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP)" approving in principle the implementation of the mandatory provincial program, LEAP in Toronto by the end of 1999. In addition Council requested assurance that discussions between the Province and the City concerning the impact of the recommendations contained in the "Provincial Operational Review of Ontario Works Program and Child Care" were making adequate progress. This report provides that assurance and confirms the provincial funding approval received in response to the LEAP proposal submitted by the City.

Comments:

In a December 6, 1999 letter to the Department of Community and Neighbourhood Services, the Province confirmed funding in the amount of $3,290,000 in support of 700 LEAP participants. While this falls somewhat short of the City's gross funding request of $5.8 million it does cover the required case management and parenting supports for families and covers approximately half of the child care top-up costs projected by the City. The City's share of the costs of implementing LEAP will be included as part of the year 2000 operating budget discussions for the Social Services and Children's Services divisions.

With respect to the assurance sought by Council that joint discussions between the City and the Province regarding the implementation of the Operational Review recommendations are making progress, the Department is pleased to confirm that this is the case. In the case of child care, agreement has been reached that an independent third party assessment of current service capability and future service need will be undertaken. Terms of Reference for this project are currently being developed. When complete, this project will confirm the impact that Ontario Works and LEAP are having on the child care system and will identify the child care expansion required to support the mature program needs of these two initiatives.

Since LEAP is a natural extension of the historic priority afforded teen parents under the "Student Child Care Initiative" originally established in 1989 by the former Metropolitan Toronto, many children of LEAP-eligible clients have already been placed in subsidized child care. At the time of writing, a total of 559 families with a total of 642 children are receiving subidized child care. A total of 225 more families with 226 children are currently on the subsidized waiting list awaiting placement. Of these families and children who are waiting, 22 families with 22 children are part of the 16 - 17 year old mandatory participation group.

Conclusions:

As proposed in the original department report dated September 30, 1999 and approved by Council in October 1999, a significant number of LEAP eligible families and their young children are already being supported with subsidized child care. Provincial subsidy in support of the City's implementation proposal has now been confirmed. This report also provides evidence that progress is being made in discussions with the Province concerning the recommendations contained in the "Operational Review of Ontario Works and Child Care" Report. Discussion of the City's share of the costs of the LEAP program will be part of the consideration of the year 2000 operating budget request of the Community and Neighbourhood Services Department.

Contact:

Marna Ramsden

General Manager

Children's Services Division

Tel.: 392-8128

Email: ramsden@csis.csis.csd.metrotor.on.ca

General Manager of Children's Services

Commissioner of Community & Neighbourhood Services