“Increasing Opportunities forLow Income Families”

Family Strengthening ProgramsAccess to Recreation and Sport

Parks & Recreation Ontario Forum

April 2006

After School PLAY Recreation Camp

About The Regional Municipality of York

Community Services and Housing ● Family and Children’s Services ● April 2006

York Region is one of the largest Regional municipalities in Ontario

Nine lower tier municipalities deliver local services such as Parks and Recreation

A 2nd tier regional level of government delivers co-ordinated services in all nine municipalities

Services include Social Services, Child and Family Services and Housing Services

The total population of York Region is 905,416

Community Services and Housing ● Family and Children’s Services ● April 2006

Barriers to Participation for Low Income Families

Parents Cite: User fees Stereotypes Lack of awareness Registration processes Expensive equipment Transportation Culture, language

Community Services and Housing ● Family and Children’s Services ● April 2006

Barriers to Participation for Low Income Families

Municipalities & Non-Profit Organizations Cite:Limited budgets for subsidies

User fee driven policies

Lack of capacity to outreach

Lack of human resources

York Region’s Family Strengthening Programs

Community Services and Housing ● Family and Children’s Services ● April 2006

A range of community programs available to vulnerable families, free of charge: Summer Day Camp

PLAY: Year-Round Recreation

Youth Residential Camp

Leadership Camp

After School Programs in Social Housing Sites

Youth Leadership and Certification

Family Strengthening Programs

Program Design

Programs are not duplicated

Programs are diverse and available throughout the region

Agencies must meet quality and safety standards

Community Services and Housing ● Family and Children’s Services ● April 2006

Family Strengthening Programs

Program Design (cont’d)

Eligible families are informed of program options and select programs according to needs & interests of their child(ren)

Programs are inclusive

Programs are delivered through approved recreation providers (municipal/non-profit)

Most programs are community based (social housing programs delivered on-site after school)

Community Services and Housing ● Family and Children’s Services ● April 2006

Positive Leisure Activities for Youth (PLAY)

Is a collaborative initiative between York Region and the 9 local municipalities to provide access to seasonal recreation programs

Children aged 4 to 12 of eligible families have access to 3 seasonal recreation programs per year

Subsidizes the cost per child up to $90.00 for one program, per session

Community Services and Housing ● Family and Children’s Services ●April 2006

Positive Leisure Activities for Youth (PLAY)

Available to families receiving at least one of the following benefits:

Social Assistance (Ontario Works or ODSP)

Child Care Fee Assistance with income under the low income cut-off

Social Housing Residents with Rent-Geared-to-Income

Community Services and Housing ● Family and Children’s Services ● April 2006

The PLAY Process

York Region’s Role: Promote recreation programs to eligible families

Encourage referrals from family case co-ordinators

Co-ordinate with recreation registration periods

Establish standards and manage service agreement (e.g. High 5 and/or OCA accreditation, staffing & supervision)

Approve families for subsidy

Pay recreation departments

Community Services and Housing ● Family and Children’s Services ● April 2006

Recreation Department’s Role: Co-ordinate administration process with York Region

Enable families to register without payment

Deliver programs in accordance with service agreement

Submit documentation to York Region for payment and statistical purposes

Community Services and Housing ● Family and Children’s Services ● April 2006

The PLAY Process

Parents Identified:

The value of recreation for their child:

Positive self-esteem

Physical development

Skills development employment

Healthy lifestyle

Positive role models

The Benefits of Improved Access to Recreation

Community Services and Housing ● Family and Children’s Services ● April 2006

Benefits

Research indicates a marked improvement in all areas of development for children from low income families

Builds resiliency in vulnerable families

Parents of children engaged in Family Strengthening Programs gain and sustain employment

A long-term, positive return on investment

Community Services and Housing ● Family and Children’s Services ● April 2006

The Benefits of Improved Access to Recreation

The Benefits

“I felt that my family was average and did not feel needy”- parent receiving Social Assistance

“Thank you, Thank you. Finally, I didn’t have to say no.” - parent of PLAY participant

“It was difficult after work to run and pick up the children, rush to the rec. centre and finally arrive home at 8 pm for dinner, bath, homework and bed…was it worth it?… YES!!” – parent receiving Child Care Fee Assistance

“It gives you the energy (seeing your child) to go outinto the workforce and help others” – parent receiving Social Assistance

Community Services and Housing ● Family and Children’s Services ● April 2006