November 19, 1998.

To:Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee

From:City Clerk

Re:Child Care Expansion - City's Cost Sharing Request to the Ministry of Community and Social Services

Recommendation:

The Budget Committee on November 18, 1998 reports having received as information a communication (October 8, 1998) from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services addressed to Chair of the Budget Committee.

The Budget Committee also reports having requested the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services to bring forward a report to the next meeting of the Budget Committee scheduled for December 8, 1998 on the feasibility of investing the $3 Million currently in reserves in after school programs, how many welfare parents could be taken off the welfare roll if such action was taken; and what would be the savings.

Background:

The Budget Committee on November 18, 1998, had before it a communication (October 8, 1998) from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services addressed to Chair of the Budget Committee with respect to the City's cost sharing request for child care expansion and forwarding a communication (September 30, 1998) addressed to the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services from the Assistant Deputy Minister, Program Management Division, Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services.

City Clerk

Barbara Liddiard/cp

Item No. 10

Attachment

(Communication dated October 8, 1998 addressed to

Chair of the Budget Committee from the

Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services

I have enclosed for your information and the Budget Subcommittee members a copy of the most recent letter my Department has received from Senior Officials in the Ministry of community and social Services with respect to the City's cost sharing request for child care expansion.

Regrettably, the Ministry's Asst. Deputy Minister's response does not reflect the more positive indication of future support you received in your recent discussions with the Premier.

Mr. Costante's September 30, 1998 letter confirms that additional child care fee subsidy funding will not be made available to the City this year. This latest response removes any immediate hope we may have had that the Province will cost share the 2,000 additional fee subsidies the City is prepared to fund from the Social Services Welfare Reserve.

(Communication dated September 30, 1998 addressed to the

Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services from the

Assistant Deputy Minister, Program Management Division

Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services)

Thank you for your September 1, 1998, letter regarding the additional $3,147,500 Ontario Works child care funding.

As I indicated in my August 12, 1998, the Ministry expects that this additional funding will result in new child care units of service for Ontario Works participants. The Ministry is prepared to allow Toronto to use the funding to manage the 1998 Ontario Works child care pressures. I am concerned however that Toronto does not see full implementation of the new Ontario Works child care units of service occurring before the year 2000.

I understand that the Toronto Area Office met with you on September 8, 1998, and have followed up in a letter dated September 28, 1998. As is indicated in the Toronto Area Office response, the Ministry expects Toronto to provide a service management plan by December 31, 1998. Approval of this plan by the Area Office will form the basis of your 1999 Ontario Works Child Care funding.

I am pleased that you have begun to look at strategies to modify the Ontario Works child care program to move effectively meet the needs of Ontario Works participants. I look forward to hearing from the Toronto Area Office about your progress. I am hopeful that the Operational review of the City of Toronto Child Care program will provide information to assist Toronto to better use what funding is currently available for child care.

I recognize the demand for child care services in the City of Toronto. As I indicated in my August 12, 1998, letter I do not expect that additional child care fee subsidy funding will be available this year.

If you have any questions concerning the Ontario Works child care funding and the Ministry expectations please contact Marilyn Renwick.