Updated October 2008

Child Care Access

Background
Principles
Objectives
Strategic Actions
Responsibilities

Background

Over the years, a strong partnership has developed between Employment and Social Services (ESS) and Toronto Children’s Services (TCS) to the benefit of our mutual clients needing child care to pursue their approved Ontario Works (OW) service plan goals.

The partnership between ESS and TCS has resulted in:

Collaboration on procedures to ensure that OW clients continue to receive child care services based on their OW activity for as long as possible
Clear communication procedures and policies developed for ESS and TCS staff
Ongoing strategizing to resolve current and emerging issues
A new streamlined automated referral process

Principles

Work collaboratively to maximize and enhance services to our mutual clients
Exchange of information is collaborative with intent to enhance efficiencies
Focus resources and efforts on continuous improvement of program
Communication is clear and expectations and outcomes are understood

Objectives

Maximize the availability of child care spaces to parents who are currently employed or starting a new job
Support parents as they move closer to the labour market
Remain compliant with OW legislation in the area of employment assistance

Strategic Actions

Child Care Priorities

When referring clients to Children’s Services, ESS staff make LEAP mandatory clients (16 and 17 years of age) a top priority.

The other priorities are:

Priority 1:	Placement for clients with or obtaining employment

Priority 2:	Placement for the following activities: LEAP voluntary Employment Placement Job Specific Skills Training

Priority 3:	Placement on a “first come, first served” basis for the following activities: Addiction Treatment Program Basic Education Employment Placement Self-Employment Development Literacy Pre-Employment Development Structured Job Search Specific volunteering activities
	NOTE: The Priority 3 list will be revisited on a regular basis or at any other time in response to changes in available subsidized spaces

Alternative Child Care Options

It is anticipated that the demand from OW clients for child care subsidies may outweigh the supply. It is therefore recommended that, in addition to continuing to refer to Children’s Services, local office staff both research and provide child care options in their geographical area for parents participating or planning to participate in OW activities.

Options may include “no fee” programs at community or local recreation centres. Some agencies may offer child care services while parents participate in educational activities. In addition, ESS is an active participant in the ‘Strong Neighbourhoods’ initiative and is partnering with TCS and Parks, Forestry and Recreation (PF&R) to provide innovative after-school programs for 6-12 year olds in the thirteen priority neighbourhoods: After School Recreation Care (ARC). Eligible OW parents can access the program via a caseworker referral to Children’s Services. The PF&R ‘Welcome’ policy may also partially help parents outside the school year.

Responsibilities

ESS Caseworkers will continue to refer all eligible clients to Children’s Services. It is the ESS Caseworkers’ responsibility to determine the appropriateness of the client’s employment-related activity and must ensure that the information regarding that activity is maintained and updated on their current Participation Agreement.

Child Care Brokers will continue to accept ESS referrals. Effective April 2, 2007 they will place OW dependent children according to the ESS priority list.

It is anticipated that through priority setting, attrition and case circumstances, and with continuing collaboration and communication between ESS and TCS, child care spaces will continue to be available to OW parents.