Message From the Executive Director

  CHILD WELFARE FUNDING IN ONTARIO – SITUATION CRITICAL

As we begin 2010 it’s timely to reflect back on some significant achievements in 2009, as we continue our advocacy towards a fair resolution of our lingering financial challenges.

One of our most notable developments was the completion of our new building and modifications to our existing office space.  Staff from Legal, Finance, Human Resources and Executive Office began moving into the new space last July and in turn, other staff were moved into the vacated space. The boardroom and cafeteria were finished in August, just in time for our official opening on September 10th.  The Honourable Leona Dombrowsky, representing the Province of Ontario, which contributed a $1.7M capital grant, congratulated the Society on this milestone event.  Several other dignitaries, representing all levels of government, were among the hundreds who attended and to highlight the opening, Sean Kelly and Todd Smith of the Mix 97 Morning Crew and CJBQ’s Talk Show Host, Lorne Brooker broadcast their shows live on location.

We are very proud of our comfortable, spacious family access suites, which allow visits to occur in more homelike surroundings.  Our boardroom is bright and situated with a scenic view of the Bay of Quinte and is well suited, not just to formal meetings, but training events, receptions and other functions. With our reception area now open until 8:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday, it is easier to facilitate community use of our boardroom when not required by the Society.  Inquiries or reservations should be directed to Lisa Thompson at lisa.thompson@hastingscas.org.

Turning to our financial position, we are among the 75% of CASs in Ontario facing a significant deficit as we move through our third quarter.

Our initial submission was sent to the Ministry in April, after our Board approved our 2009/10 Service and Budget Plan.  However, no Ministry guidelines or allocation notices were received until late June, when we were advised that a balanced submission was expected.  We had already cut $428,000 in the April submission, which included discontinuing two Child and Youth Worker positions, closing of a Section 23 supported classroom and a variety of other service and administrative reductions.  In July, the senior team was required to look for further savings, which resulted in $478,500 in reductions from the earlier plan, but did not take us to a balanced position. This round of cuts affected a variety of program and service areas including a second Section 23 classroom, counseling, tutoring, Christmas and birthday allowances for children, recreation, etc.  The effect was to reduce our expenditure plan to $32,689,651 but still left us with a shortfall of $628,727 or 2% of our budget.  Our Board took the position that a balanced budget was not possible without undermining the Society’s ability to meet its mandate.

HCAS joined with 35 other CASs in exercising the statutory budget review mechanism known as Section 14. A team of Board and senior staff made a presentation to the review panel on October 28, with the adjudicator (Regional Director) advising that results would be communicated to us by early December.

With the Ministry’s message remaining firm that there is no more money available, there is an emerging sense of crisis across our sector, as agencies with serious shortfalls anticipate running out of money well before the end of the fiscal year.  Advocacy continues at the local and provincial levels for a fair resolution to this critical funding situation.

In June, the Ministry also announced the creation of a Sustainability Commission – a three person panel which will undertake a comprehensive, independent review of Ontario’s child welfare system over a three year period.  Unfortunately, four months later, we are still awaiting details of the Commission’s make-up and mandate.  HCAS has committed to working constructively with the Commission towards stable funding solutions and other improvements to the system.  It will likely be well into 2010 before we get a clear sense as to how the Commission’s work will start to impact on our structure or services.

In the midst of the funding crisis, a new Minster was announced in October, following the promotion of Minister Matthews to the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. The new Minister of Children and Youth Services is the Honourable Laurel Broten, who has previous experience as Parliamentary Assistant to the Ministers of Energy and Infrastructure; Health and Long Term Care and the Premier, as well as serving as Environment Minister.  The Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies is currently setting up initial meetings and invitations to alert our new Minister to the critical issues in our sector.