DNSSAB facing budget challenges

District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board
News Release

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The 2013 budgeting process of the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board is getting underway. A report on the 2013 Preliminary Budget Issues, (attached) highlights areas for discussion during the budget process. While not exhaustive, the report provides some perspective on what issues will shape the fiscal terrain of 2013.



Changes announced in the 2012 Provincial Budget are expected to put significant strain on some resources available to recipients of Ontario Works as well as the working poor. One area of substantial impact is the elimination of the Community Start Up and Maintenance (CSUM) benefit under the Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Programs, effective January 1st, 2013. This benefit is currently used to stabilize individuals and families in receipt of social assistance.



Funding previously used for CSUM has been moved into a consolidated fund, known as the Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI). This new fund leaves municipalities with about half of the money – a reduction of more than $800,000.00 - previously required to support the needs of citizens receiving social assistance, and will also be used to assist other qualifying citizens in the District with low income.



“A greater understanding of elements that will influence the financial performance of the organization in 2013 will allow a more cohesive process in developing a budget that is relevant and will provide strong financial guidance and risk management,” says Sara Tonks, DNSSAB Director of Fianance and Administration. “The success of the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board is dependent on our partners and their ability to work together and maximize the use of scarce resources and secure innovative new funding opportunities.”



The full report and Budget Issues Timetable can be found at http://www.dnssab.on.ca/Extranet/pdf/Agenda_AuditComm_Sept-5-2012.pdf



The DNSSAB Strategic Plan will provide guidance to budget development and ensure that new initiatives fit the strategic direction of the Board.



HUMAN SERVICES SUMMIT

The DNSSAB’s core values include Putting People First, Being Pro-Active, Collaborating with Partners and Innovating through Original Ideas. Cuts to programs like the CSUM benefit diminish local capacity to deal with the emergency needs of citizens and require a collaboration of community resources. The DNSSAB is inviting all interested community services members to a Human Services Summit on October 10th to assess areas of great need in our community and to find ways to work together to close the expected gaps that cuts such as this will create.

ABOUT US

The District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board is responsible for the delivery of social services, such as Ontario Works, Childcare related programs, Social Housing and Emergency Medical Services/Land Ambulance throughout the District of Nipissing.

In 2011, the DNSSAB served approximately 10,000 people through direct housing, childcare, temporary income support and social assistance programs. In addition, approximately 20,000 people called for an ambulance and numerous other citizens benefited from programs and services operated by the many service delivery partners funded by the DNSSAB. Last year, approximately one in nine of the District’s of 87,000 citizens were served by the DNSSAB.

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