THE CORPORATION of the MUNICIPALITY of CHATHAM-KENT CHATHAM-KENT COUNCIL MEETING COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CHATHAM-KENT CIVIC CENTRE Se
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THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CHATHAM-KENT CHATHAM-KENT COUNCIL MEETING COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CHATHAM-KENT CIVIC CENTRE September 9, 2013 4:00 P.M. 1. CALL TO ORDER The Mayor called the meeting to Order. Present were: Mayor Randy Hope, Councillors Bondy, Brown, Crew, Faas, Fluker, Gilbert, King, Myers, Leclair, Pinsonneault, Robertson, Stirling, Sulman, Vercouteren, and Wesley Absent: Councillors Herman and Parsons 2. DISCLOSURES OF PECUNIARY INTEREST (DIRECT OR INDIRECT) AND THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF 3. SUPPLEMENTARY CLOSED SESSION AGENDA ITEMS 4. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION 5. ADJOURNMENT OF CLOSED SESSION 6. APPROVAL OF SUPPLEMENTARY AGENDA There was no supplementary agenda. 7. DISCLOSURES OF PECUNIARY INTEREST (DIRECT OR INDIRECT) AND THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest. 8. RECOGNITION a) Ron Cox, Chairman, Kent Agricultural Hall of Fame Committee regarding the Announcement of the 2013 Kent Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees Mr. Cox announced the following inductees into the Kent Agricultural Hall of Fame: · Dave Bradley Chatham-Kent Council at its meeting held on September 9, 2013 Page 1 of 37 · Tom Henry · Ron Sulivan · Jean Willson · Harold Willson Mr. Cox invited everyone to attend the induction ceremony on November 12, 2013 at Country View Golf Course. 9. PRESENTATIONS a) Presentation regarding the Battle of the Thames by Mark Dickerson, President and members of the Battle of the Thames Committee Mark Dickerson reviewed the activities taking place at the upcoming War of 1812 Commemorative events and Battle of the Thames. b) Presentation by Val Colasanti, Director, Employment & Social Services regarding Ontario Works Caseload Profile MUNICIPALITY OF CHATHAM-KENT HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL SERVICES TO: Mayor and Members of Council FROM: Polly Smith, Program Manager Employment and Social Services DATE: August 22, 2013 SUBJECT: Ontario Works Caseload Update This report is for the information of Council. BACKGROUND The average Ontario Works Assistance caseload in Chatham-Kent is presently 3145. The average caseload in 2012 was 3261. These numbers reflect regular Ontario Works Assistance participants, which represents singles, couples, sole support parents with children and couples with children. In 2007 (pre-recession) the caseload average was 2421. Thus, the current caseload is approximately 25% higher than pre-recession. The caseload is not expected to change drastically this year. Average Ontario Works Caseload 2008 – 2013 Chatham-Kent Council at its meeting held on September 9, 2013 Page 2 of 37 Unemployment Rate in Chatham-Kent vs. Ontario 2008 – 2013 (average to May 2013) The Chatham-Kent unemployment rate affects Ontario Works (OW) caseloads. This chart shows unemployment rates for the past 6 years comparing Chatham-Kent to Ontario levels. *Rates from the Centre for Spatial Economics Total Social Assistance Recipients in Chatham-Kent vs Ontario in 2012 Chatham-Kent has a higher than provincial average of individuals receiving social assistance. · Total percentage of Chatham-Kent population receiving OW = 5.9% · Total percentage of Ontario population receiving OW = 3.7% · Total percentage of Chatham-Kent population receiving OW and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) = 10.86% · Total percentage of Ontario population receiving OW and ODSP = 6.95% * Numbers are approximate and based on Ministry of Community and Social Services social assistance data from 2012 and 2011 census data re: population size. Population of Chatham-Kent according to 2011 census data is 104,075 Ontario Works Caseload Demographics - A comparison between 2008 and 2012 Demographic 2008 2012 Caseload type: singles 48% 56% sole support parent led families 40% 33% couples with dependents 8% 9% couples without dependents 4% 4% % of total caseload: Adults 56.6% 60.1% Children 43.4% 39.1% Age groups of children on OWA: 0-6 yrs. 54% 52% 7-12 yrs. 29% 30% 13-17 yrs. 17% 18% Age groups of adults on OWA: Under 18 yrs 0.6% 1% 18-30 yrs. 48% 47% 31-50 yrs 41% 38% 50 yrs. + 11% 14% Education Levels of Adults on OWA: less than Grade 12 55% 46.41% Grade 12 Diploma 32% 34.74% Post-Secondary Diploma / Degree 13% 18.85% Average months on OWA: less than 3 mos. 20% 14% 4-11mos. 30% 26% 12-23 mos. 20% 22% 24+ mos. 30% 38% Demographic Highlights: Chatham-Kent Council at its meeting held on September 9, 2013 Page 3 of 37 · Our largest caseload type is singles without children. · The smallest caseload type remains youth under 18 at only 1% or less of the caseload · The overall caseload shows the sole support led family group has decreased and the percentage of singles requiring assistance has increased in the past six years. · The percentage of children on OWA has decreased in recent years as their basic needs are now covered by the Ontario Child Benefit. · Education levels of recipients are generally lower than the overall local population. Chatham-Kent has an average of 20.9% of the population with less than Grade 12 and 30% with only Grade 12 education. (according to census 2006 data). However, education levels of recipients have improved over recent years from 55% to 46% with less than a Grade 12 diploma. · Average months on assistance has increased in recent years from 50% on OWA for more than 12 months to 60% on OWA for more than 12 months. Comments Today’s Employment Programming Picture Individuals receiving Ontario Works Assistance who are not deferred from participating due to illness or family needs (i.e. new baby) are required to participate in one or more activities to help them find employment and exit social assistance. Many participate in multiple activities and at least two of these activities at any one time are the norm. During the application for assistance, the caseworker shows a video outlining all available employment resources and program requirements. An appointment for an employment assessment is set with the client as follow up. At assessment, an employment plan is formulated with the client outlying their goals and objectives for the next three months and long term. Activities agreed upon are typically monitored monthly. Financial supports (expenses) are provided to allow clients to participate in programs. · Participants in active independent job search: 871 (usually represents working participants) · Participants in structured job search: 2114 (employment counseling and short-term job search workshops) · Participants in basic education programs: 910 (working on Grade 12, participating in homework clubs, or in literacy programs) · Participants in community placement programs: 134 (volunteer work experience program) · Participants in Employment Placement (EP) program: 109 (working full time through the EP program) · Participants with earnings: 525 (or 15.4% of caseloads, includes odd-jobs, part-time, temporary work or anytime wages are not enough to take individuals or families off Ontario Works assistance) · Other programs that support employment long term include: Job specific high-school credit courses (i.e. landscaping, construction, esthetics), college program in Customer Service Excellence (including call centre work preparation), remote employment (work from home) training, self-employment supports and training, intensive case management for persons with addictions, and older displaced workers, and referrals to Family Services Kent for counseling programs Outcomes Chatham-Kent Council at its meeting held on September 9, 2013 Page 4 of 37 The Ministry of Community and Social Services, as our primary funder, requires that employment related targets are set and met or exceeded on an annual basis. Chatham- Kent Employment and Social Services has been able to achieve or exceed targets since this system was put in place and thus able to maximize provincial funding. Here are a few examples: Recipients of Ontario Works assistance often have other types of income, including Employment Insurance or child support. Many are working and have earnings, but not enough to allow them to exit Ontario Works Assistance. Chatham-Kent has a higher percentage of Ontario Works recipients with earnings compared to many other municipalities. Changes to Ontario Works Assistance were announced as part of the 2013 Ontario Budget in April of this year to become effective in September and October of 2013. These changes were guided by recommendations from the Commission for the review of Social Assistance in Ontario. Increases will not be cost-shared by the Municipality until January of 2014 when the municipal portion will also decrease from 14.2% to 11.4%. o A 1% increase of the maximum eligible amount will be applied to basic needs and shelters amounts effective October 1, 2013 for families. Additionally, singles will get a top up of $20 on their basic needs. o Effective September 1, 2013, asset limits will increase to $2,500 for singles and $5,000 for couples with $500 for each additional dependent. Chatham-Kent Council at its meeting held on September 9, 2013 Page 5 of 37 o Primary vehicles of any value will be exempt and secondary vehicles required for employment will be exempt up to $15,000. o Gifts of up to $6,000 will be exempt for each 12 month period for participants. o 100% earnings exemptions for OWA adults over 18 attending school full- time. Full-time correspondence and educational programs can be included and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis with supervisors. o Effective Oct 1, 2013, adults who are working and receiving OWA for three months or more will receive a flat rate exemption of $200/month each, plus 50% of the balance of net earnings. These earnings exemptions will also be extended to self-employed clients with business income (after expenses) and those receiving training allowances. These changes are intended to help individuals qualify for Ontario Works assistance before they lose all of their assets. These asset changes will assist people in poverty to be better able to fund the costs of finding and maintaining employment so that they may leave Ontario Works long-term.