PHSSC

That Report COM 18-2024, dated June 11, 2024, respecting Niagara Poverty Reduction Strategy – Social Assistance Rates, BE RECEIVED and the following recommendations BE APPROVED: 1. That the Regional Chair BE DIRECTED to send correspondence to the Provincial Government requesting that action be taken to increase the Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) basic financial assistance rates and establish a policy to index rates to inflation for OW similar to ODSP, to mitigate further hardship that has resulted from frozen rates; and 2. That the Regional Chair BE DIRECTED to circulate a copy of the Niagara Poverty Reduction Strategy and associated correspondence to the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS), the Association of Municipalities Ontario (AMO), the Ontario Municipal Social Services Association (OMSSA), local area MPs and MPPs and local area municipalities for consideration of further actions required to address poverty.

That Report COM 20-2024, dated June 11, 2024, respecting Group Purchasing Services for Homelessness Services, BE RECEIVED and the following recommendation BE APPROVED: 1. That Homelessness Services, direct operations, BE APPROVED to have sites added to the Complete Purchasing Services Inc. (CPSI) agreement previously approved for the Region’s Long Term Care (LTC) homes as the provider and purchasing agent for group purchasing services for food and supplies.

That Report PHD 3-2024, dated June 11, 2024, respecting Approval of Public Health and Emergency Services Program Audits, BE RECEIVED and the following recommendations BE APPROVED: 1. That the draft audited schedule of revenue and expenses and the annual reconciliation return for the Public Health General Programs for the year ended December 31, 2023 (Appendix 1 and 2 to Report PHD 3-2024), BE APPROVED; 2. That the draft audited schedule of revenue and expenses and the annual reconciliation return for the Community Mental Health Program for the year ended March 31, 2024 (Appendix 3 and 4 to Report PHD 3-2024), BE APPROVED; 3. That the draft audited schedules of revenue and expenses for the following programs for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, BE APPROVED:  Ambulance Communication Services (Appendix 5 to Report PHD 3- 2024)  Infant and Child Development Services (ICDS) (Appendix 6 to Report PHD 3-2024)  Healthy Babies, Healthy Children (HBHC) (Appendix 7 to Report PHD 3-2024); 4. That staff BE DIRECTED to co-ordinate with the auditor to finalize the statements as presented; and 5. That Report PHD 3-2024 BE FORWARDED to the Region’s Audit Committee for information.

That the following items BE RECEIVED for information: COM 17-2024 Seniors Services Quality Improvement Report: January – March 2024 COM 19-2024 Considerations for New Homeless Shelter Site Selection