Bruce County’s Human Services Department is looking to improve services in 2023.
Director Christine MacDonald told Thursday’s Corporate Services Committee Meeting that they’re looking to provide integrated services for clients.
“The first major initiative is increasing access to licensed childcare. And how we’re going to work on that specifically is the development of a toolkit for existing and new childcare operators to support the expansion of childcare spaces across the County of Bruce.”
They’re looking to continue to serve low-income clients, particularly to help them be able to care for themselves and their families.
MacDonald also shared that jobseeking services would be moved to Employment Ontario.
“Employment programs for Ontario Works, and the Ontario Disability Support Program, will be integrated into Employment Ontario to create one system focused on improving outcomes for all job seekers.”
The team is also working to find affordable housing solutions.
“This is completed using a Housing Needs Assessment, which will very soon be released and will outline demographic changes from the 2021 census. And so for housing, we’re continuing to work on increasing access to affordable housing.”
She says they’ll be doing that work by engaging with stakeholders and the community and preparing that next housing and homelessness plan in the promotion of affordable and supportive housing, as well as through homelessness prevention and collaboration with both internal and external stakeholders.
