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Regional Municipality of Waterloo

Community Services Committee

Minutes

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

9:00 a.m.

Regional Council Chamber

150 Frederick Street, Kitchener, Ontario

Present were: Chair G. Lorentz, L. Armstrong, E. Clarke, S. Foxton, T. Galloway*, D.

Jaworsky, H. Jowett, K. Kiefer, J. Nowak, K. Redman, K. Seiling, S. Shantz; S.

Strickland*, and B. Vrbanovic

Members absent: D. Craig and J. Mitchell

Declarations of Pecuniary Interest Under The Municipal Conflict Of Interest Act

None declared.

*S. Strickland entered the meeting at 9:02 a.m.

Delegations

a) Michael Beazely, Chair, Waterloo Region Integrated Drugs Strategy Re:PHE-

IDS-17-09, Waterloo Region Supervised Injection Services Feasibility Study

Update

Michael Beazely appeared before the Committee in support of the Supervised Injection

Services Feasibility Study. He explained that the Waterloo Region Integrated Drugs

Strategy has been working with Regional staff on the Regional opioid monitoring

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strategy and remain dedicated to the integrated drug strategy including addressing

methamphetamine and the legalization of cannabis. He further noted that the Waterloo

Region Integrated Drugs Strategy was developed before the opioid crisis and that the

crisis has changed the focus from the need for community engagement to one of

coordinating resources.

*T. Galloway left the meeting at 9:15 a.m.

Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, Associate Medical Officer of Heath, and Grace Bermingham,

Manager, Information and Planning, provided a presentation on the development of a

feasibility study for supervised injection services in the Region. A copy of the

presentation is appended to the original minutes. Dr. H. Wang provided an overview of

the public health benefits of supervised injection services and the work that has already

been undertaken to consult with the community.

G. Bermingham highlighted the legal requirements for creating a supervised injection

site, which include conducting a large community consultation involving a broad range

of stakeholders. She noted that the data collection, which will include an on-line survey

for all residents, sessions with key stakeholders, and in person surveys with users, and

will begin on October 25th. Dr. H. Wang stated that staff will report back to the

Committee in January on the results of the consultation process including potential

locations and a mitigation plan to address issues raised in the consultation process.

Responding to questions G. Bermingham stated that the evidence shows that people

will be more likely to utilize a supervised injection site if it is near them and that it will be

possible to consider rotating sites.

The Committee discussed the need to consult with the area municipal councils and the

local communities. G. Bermingham noted that the area municipal councils will be

engaged in the first round of the consultation as key stakeholders and that local

neighbourhoods will be contacted once preferred locations have been identified. She

explained that feedback from the community will be incorporated into the mitigation

strategy. The Committee requested that staff provide an update to the Committee

regarding the preferred locations before going to the community.

Received for information.

b) Eric Goldberg, Executive Director, Kitchener Downtown Community Health

Centre Re: CSD-EIS-17-14, Ontario Works Discretionary Benefits Budget

Eric Goldberg appeared before the Committee on behalf of the Kitchener Downtown

Community Health Centre, House of Friendship, Homelessness and Housing Umbrella

Group, Social Planning Council of Cambridge and North Dumfries, and Mennonite

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Central Committee, Waterloo Region. He thanked staff and the Committee for the

ongoing support for discretionary benefits and noted that the organizations he that he is

representing would support advocacy efforts with the province to recognize these as

essential benefits. He stressed the importance of ensuring that future decisions do not

negatively impact the people who have the fewest resources. A copy of his written notes

are appended to the original minutes.

Chair G. Lorentz thanked the discretionary benefits subcommittee and the stakeholders

for their work on developing the recommendation.

Moved by S. Strickland

Seconded by E. Clarke

That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo approve the following changes to the

Ontario Works Discretionary Benefits (OWDB) Program budget effective January

1, 2018:

1. Enhance customer service by offering services in a variety of locations in

closer proximity to participants which will allow a reallocation of $100,000

from bus tickets to other OWDB expenditures;

2. Discontinue furniture and appliance repairs and purchases allowing for

alternative OWDB expenditures of $100,000; and

3. Realign budget for Interpreter Services to “Cost of Administration”.

That a request for an additional $235,000 in ongoing Regional funding be

referred to Budget Committee of the Whole for consideration as described in

Report CSD-EIS-17-14 dated October 24, 2017.

Carried

c) Chris Cowie, Executive Director, Community Justice Initiatives Re: Restorative Practice

Chris Cowie provided an overview of the work being done in restorative justice in the

Region. He explained that they are working on bringing restorative practices to many

different areas including schools, universities, and nursing homes. He informed the

Committee that restorative justice week is in November and he invited the Committee

and the public to attend their annual justice dinner on November 16th.

In response to a question from the Committee, C. Cowie stated that addressing sexual

assault and sexual harassment in the workplace can benefit from a restorative

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approach. He explained that simply firing a perpetrator often only leaves the perpetrator

feeling angry and does little to help the victim.

*T. Galloway entered the meeting at 9:58 a.m.

d) Pat Singleton, Executive Director, Cambridge Self Help Food Bank and Wendi

Campbell Executive Director, The Food Bank of Waterloo Region Re: The Food

Assistance Network

Pat Singleton and Wendi Campbell provided a presentation outlining the work being

done by The Food Assistance Network. A copy of the presentation is appended to the

original minutes. They explained that the Network continues to work on increasing

efficiencies and improving partnerships. W. Campbell noted that they have improved

data collection and will come back to the Committee in the spring to present a full report

on hunger in the Region.

The Committee thanked P. Singleton and W. Campbell for their work to support the

community and congratulated P. Singleton on her upcoming retirement.

In response to a question from the Committee, P. Singleton stated that it is important to

educate the community that the need for support exists year round and doesn’t end

after one food drive.

e) John Neufeld, Executive Director, Leah Reesor-Keller, Family Outreach

Program Manager, and Marjorie-Ann Knight – Family Outreach Worker, House

of Friendship Re: Family Outreach Program Update

John Neufeld, Leah Ressor-Keller and Marjorie-Ann Knight provided a presentation

on the work being done by the Family Outreach Program. A copy of the presentation

is appended to the original minutes. J. Neufeld provided an overview of the work that

the House of Friendship has undertaken since being selected as the lead agency for

the Family Outreach Program last year. He stated that sixteen full–time Family

Outreach Workers were hired and the Allocation Advisory Group was created to

examine the needs of each neighbourhood in the Region.

L. Ressor-Keller noted that a centralized website has been created to improve the ability

to link the Family Outreach Workers with the community. She highlighted that the goal

of the program is to empower parents and families rather than simply doing things for

them.

M. Knight shared a story of helping a family to access education and employment

opportunities. She explained that she assisted both parents with accessing training and

employment, and has worked with one of the children to map a path to becoming a

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pediatrician. She stated that the family expects to be off of Ontario Works within the

year.

Responding to questions, J. Neufeld explained that the program is imbedded in low

income areas throughout the Region and that the Family Outreach Workers are mobile

in order to connect with families.

In response to a question from the Committee, Douglas Bartholomew-Saunders,

Commissioner, Community Services, stated that there are outreach workers to help

people that are experiencing persistent homelessness and that when the Out of the

Cold sites closed these staff were able to identify the most underserved individuals and

went out to make sure they were safe.

Request to Remove Items From Consent Agenda

There were no requests to remove items from the consent agenda.

Motion to Approve Items or Receive for Information

Moved by B. Vrbanovic

Seconded by K. Redman

That the following items be approved:

That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo take the following actions with

respect to Ontario Early Years Child and Family Centres as outlined in

Report CSD-CHS-17-15 dated October 24, 2017:

1. Authorize the Commissioner, Community Services, to execute such

agreements and documentation necessary with the Ministry of

Education, upon terms and conditions acceptable to the Regional

Solicitor, as may be required to advance funding for Ontario Early

Years Child and Family Centres;

2. Enter into service agreements for the period January 1, 2018 to June

30, 2018 with the following agencies for the ongoing provision of early

years services:

a. Kitchener-Waterloo Young Men’s Christian Association;

b. Our Place Family Resource and Early Years Centre; and

c. Cambridge Family Early Years Centre; and

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3. Authorize the Commissioner, Community Services to determine local

funding allocations and execute agreements in a form satisfactory to

the Regional Solicitor, to ensure funding for this program is fully

utilized.

And that the following items be received for information:

CSD-CHS-17-13, Child Care Fee Subsidy Waitlist Update

PHE-HPI-17-08, Quarterly Charged/Closed Food Premises Report

PHE-CFH-17-02, NutriSTEP® Screening: Ministry of Health and Long-Term

Care Accountability Indicator Update

PHE-IDS-17-08, Influenza – Previous Season Summary and 2017-2018 Plan

Carried

Regular Agenda Resumes

PHE-17-06, Response to the Report of the Minister’s Expert Panel on Public Health

Anne Schlorff, Director, Central Resources, provided an overview of the report and

explained that the Minister’s Expert Panel has recommended fundamental changes to

Public Health in Ontario. These changes would include replacing the thirty-six existing

public health units with fourteen, designed to match the boarders of the Local Health

Integration Networks. She explained that this would mean that Public Health would no

longer be a part of the Region and that Regional Council would no longer be the Board

of Health. This would cause a significant barrier to collaboration with other areas of the

Region and will lower the profile of local public health services.

Regional Chair K. Seiling advised that the Committee to support the staff

recommendation noting that integrated public health units cover the bulk of the province

and that the Panel’s recommendations would serve to make public health decisions,

such as supervised injection sites, less public; and would create an additional provincial

health silo that would negatively affect the integration with Regional Services.

Moved by S. Strickland

Seconded by K. Seiling

That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo take the following actions in response

to the Report of the Minister’s Expert Panel on Public Health:

(a) Advise the Premier and the Minister of Health and Long Term Care

(MOHLTC) that the Region of Waterloo supports the current fully-integrated

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approach to Public Health delivery in Waterloo Region;

(b) Advise the Premier and the MOHLTC that the Region of Waterloo does NOT

support the recommendations of the Expert Panel, and urge the government

not to adopt the Expert Panel recommendations;

(c) Endorse Report PHE-17-06 as the Region of Waterloo’s response to the

consultation regarding the report of the Minister’s Expert Panel on Public

Health;

(d) Endorse The Association of Municipalities of Ontario’s position which also

opposes the recommendations of the Minister’s Expert Panel on Public

Health; and

(e) Forward a copy of this report to the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Health

and Long Term Care, all local MPPs, the Association of Municipalities of

Ontario (AMO), the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa), the

other 35 Boards of Health in Ontario and the Waterloo-Wellington Local

Health Integration Network (LHIN).

Carried

Reports – Planning, Development and Legislative Services

PDL-CUL-17-09, Selection of Final Public Art Projects for the ION LRT

Moved by T. Galloway

Seconded by B. Vrbanovic

That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo approve the final design and budget

for the following public artworks within the ION LRT corridor: The Passenger by

Brandon Vickerd as part of the Research and Technology Stop Improvements;

Arras by Lauren Judge and Elana Chand as part of the Fairway Transit Driver’s

Facility; and Fabric of Place by Lilly Otasevic as a pedestrian area enhancement

at the Albert McCormick Community Centre crossing as outlined in Report PDL-

CUL-17-09 dated October 24, 2017.

Carried

Information/Correspondence

Council Enquiries and Requests for Information Tracking List was received for

information.

Next Meeting – November 14, 2017

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Adjourn

Moved by K. Keifer

Seconded by S. Foxton

That the meeting adjourn at 11:03 a.m.

Carried

Committee Chair, G. Lorentz

Committee Clerk, T. Brubacher

SUPERVISED INJECTION SERVICES FEASIBILITY STUDY: UPDATE October 24, 2017

Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang Associate Medical Officer of Health

Grace Bermingham Manager of Information, Planning and Harm Reduction

• On June 6th, 2017, Community Services Committee endorsed a recommendation to explore the feasibility of supervised injection services for Waterloo Region

• As part of an overall strategy to enhance harm reduction services, in response to the growing opioid situation

Background

• Supervised injection services provide a safe and clean environment for people to use their own drugs under the care of trained staff

• Supervised injection services are being considered because research shows they: prevent fatal overdoses facilitate access to treatment, recovery and other health and social

services reduce sharing of needles and the spread of blood-borne infections reduce drug use and improper disposal of needles in public places

Supervised Injection Services

• To operate legally in Canada, supervised injection services require an exemption under Section 56 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA), granted by the Federal Minister of Health.

• The application for exemption requires the applicant to provide information regarding the intended public health benefits of the site and any available information related to: Local conditions indicating a need for the site; Impact on crime rates; Administrative structure in place to support the facility; Resources available to support its maintenance; and Expressions of community support or opposition

Federal Application Requirements

• Applicants must provide a report of the consultations held with a broad range of stakeholders. The consultation report must include: A summary of the views of those groups on the proposed

activities at the site; Copies of all written submissions received; and A description of the steps that will be taken to address any

relevant concerns that were raised during consultations.

Community Consultation

Feasibility Study Methodology

In-person survey with people who inject drugs

Key informant interviews with harm reduction service providers

Consultation sessions with interest groups

Community survey for all residents of Waterloo Region

Consultation sessions with key impact groups (in areas under consideration)

• Data collection is planned to begin October 25, 2017 Online survey for community residents

(www.safeinjectionwr.ca) In-person survey with people who inject drugs Consultation sessions with interest groups

• Consultations will people and businesses in areas under consideration for supervised injection services will begin in late November

Timelines

• Report back in January 2018 • The study will provide information about:

Whether supervised injection services would be used by citizens of Waterloo Region

How the services can address current substance use issues such as overdose; access to harm reduction services; access to health care; and improper needle disposal

Will also inform potential locations for these services

• Concerns raised through the consultation would be addressed through a mitigation plan

Report Back

• Public Health works with the Waterloo Region Integrated Drugs Strategy on a Community Opioid Response that includes: Overdose monitoring and reporting Coordination of harm reduction services Addressing issues related to improper needle disposal Overdose-related public education

Work continuing as part of an Opioid Response Strategy

Questions?

To: Chair Geoff Lorentz and Members of the Community Services Committee

150 Frederick Street 2nd Floor,

Kitchener, ON N2G 4J3

From: Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre

House of Friendship

Homelessness and Housing Umbrella Group

Social Planning Council of Cambridge and North Dumfries

Mennonite Central Committee, Waterloo Region

Date: October 24, 2017

Re: Briefing Note: Ontario Works Discretionary Benefits Program Budget

It has been appreciated that this Committee and Regional Council have maintained funding

and access to supports needed under the Discretionary Benefits Program.

The agencies represented do not consider items listed in “Discretionary Benefits” to be

discretionary but rather essential. We understand the Region of Waterloo has limits to

financial capacity and we would support any advocacy efforts for the province to recognize

that these benefits are essential.

Previous versions of recommendations that came to the Community Services Committee

proposed elimination of specific benefits focused on access to health services such as vision,

hearing and orthotics. Previous recommendations also included reducing funding for food

hampers and elimination of bus tickets to support transportation.

Based on the most recent Report dated October 24, 2017, regarding the Ontario Works

Discretionary Benefits Budget, the agencies listed above support the recommendations in this

report including the request for an additional $235,000 to the base budget for the OWDB

program.

It is acknowledged that the budget is capped and Region Staff has discretion to manage the

budget which may include service reductions. We would expect that any steps taken continue to

take the following two principles into account:

Do not to take away or reduce supports or funding from people who have the lowest incomes

in our community. Look at other ways for the Region to reduce costs that are not targeted

towards people who have the least resources to work with.

Implementing changes to reduce costs is supported. However, the results should focus on

people being no worse off than they were before changes were implemented.

Efficiency

Partnerships

Data

Planning

New Conversations

about Food Assistance with the

Community

We have a responsibility to the community to provide

the most effective service to

those who need it

The need for food banks

continues to grow.

We provide a

vital service to the

community.

I was just glad that it was here for me.

Help other people to see that most

people that use the Food Bank need

help.

October 24, 2017

Purpose: The goal of the Family Outreach Program (formerly known as the Community Outreach Program) is to reduce and prevent poverty in Waterloo Region by supporting children and their families. The Family Outreach Workers provide guidance and information to navigate health, educational, political, and social service support systems. In addition, Family Outreach Workers work with families and individuals to ensure access to basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, transportation, employment/education and recreation. Currently 16 full time Family Outreach Workers are connecting to families at 32 partner sites across the Region.

Background: The Social Development Programs within the Employment & Income Support Division (EIS) of the Community Services Department have been operational for over 15 years. A staff review of program efficiencies was undertaken in 2015, with the Community Outreach Program being one of the programs reviewed. The review recommended that one lead agency oversee the program. House of Friendship’s

proposal to be lead agency was accepted, and commenced January 1, 2017.

Benefits of the “one lead agency” approach include:

- Provides the greatest flexibility to meet the changing needs of communities - Allows for regular environmental assessment to determine whether resources

need to be shifted within the seven municipalities based on identified need - Allows for the most streamlined administration - Allows for fair and equitable remuneration of staff and the creation of full-time

positions - Creates the consistency and flexibility that will allow for the unique needs of

each neighbourhood to be met in a strategic and timely manner

Progress:

- Created 16 full-time positions and hired Family Outreach Workers to serve across Waterloo Region.

- Developed a program website (www.FamilyOutreach.ca) to provide a central reference point for service users and partners.

- Launched an Allocation Advisory Group (AAG) of community partners and key stakeholders to review needs and assets and make recommendations on the distribution of Family Outreach Worker days of service in all areas of the Region.

Allocation Advisory Group members:

Bill Davidson, Langs Christine Stevanus, House of Friendship Curt Shoemaker, Region of Waterloo Don Harloff, Woolwich Community Services Donna Kendrick, Cambridge Family Early Years Centre Dorothy Snyder, Our Place Family Resource and Early Years Centre Jackie Keller, House of Friendship Joe-Ann McComb, Kinbridge Community Association John Neufeld, House of Friendship (Chair) Kelly Steiss, City of Kitchener Wendi Campbell, The Foodbank of Waterloo Region

Results:

Entire Waterloo Region served. Families anywhere in the Region can now access support through the Family Outreach Program, no more unserved areas. Greater efficiency in connecting to Family Outreach Workers through the centralized website, phone and email contacts for the program. Improved consistency of service by Family Outreach Workers, in line with House of Friendship’s “Walk with” approach to serving families.

Next steps:

- Formalizing site selection and signing MOUs with partners - Implementing recommendations of the AAG on January 1, 2018. - Developing evaluation framework to measure program impact - Designing and implementing a revised database

Three Spheres of Responsibility for Family Outreach Workers

We engage, empower and equip families through service, outreach and connections.

Family Outreach Workers

Service Outreach

Connections

Regular office hours and accessibility at FOP sites

Responding to calls and messages from families

Consistent approach to service for all families

Going out into the community to reach new families

Meeting with families at other community locations to expose families to new services

Seeking out most vulnerable

Reciprocal referrals Knowledge of community

resources Making and maintaining

partnerships and collaboration to reach & serve families

Allocation Advisory Group

• Bill Davidson, Langs

• Christine Stevanus, House of Friendship

• Curt Shoemaker, Region of Waterloo

• Don Harloff, Woolwich Community Services

• Donna Kendrick, Cambridge Family Early Years Centre

• Dorothy Snyder, Our Place Family Resource and Early Years Centre

• Jackie Keller, House of Friendship

• Joe-Ann McComb, Kinbridge Community Association

• John Neufeld, House of Friendship

• Kelly Steiss, City of Kitchener

• Wendi Campbell, Foodbank of Waterloo Region

Family

Outreach

Workers

Service Outreach

Connections

Regular office hours and

accessibility at FOP sites

Responding to calls and

messages from families

Consistent approach to

service for all families

Going out into the

community to reach new

families

Meeting with families at

other community locations to

expose families to new

services

Seeking out most vulnerable

Reciprocal referrals

Knowledge of community

resources

Making and maintaining

partnerships and collaboration

to reach & serve families

Improved program consistency

“Walk with” approach

We engage, empower and equip parents

to meet the needs of their families

Through partnerships we nurture relationships

and provide supports in neighbourhood and communities

for children and their families experiencing low-income.

Entire Waterloo Region served