MESSAGE FROM THE CEO
I hope you have all enjoyed a restful and rejuvenating holiday season, and are ringing in the New Year in good cheer! Please do take a moment to pat yourselves on the back for all the hard work you have done on behalf of home and community support clients this year. You have made an enormous difference to over one million Ontarians and their families.
As 2016 comes to a close, the OCSA team is looking towards the future, and anticipating the exciting opportunities in store for the sector in 2017. On the policy front, there is much work to be done regarding the implementation of the Patients First Act and the Roadmap to Strengthen Home and Community Care. On these and other initiatives, we continue to appreciate members' invaluable input and contributions, and are developing projects to support members during the coming transition.
Within our office, we continue to develop new projects which will help build the capacity, leadership abilities, and research resources of our sector. And of course, we're updating and growing existing programs like Capacity Builders and our annual conference to meet members' changing needs.
We will celebrate our 25th anniversary at this year's conference - thank you for being a part of our history!
- Deborah Simon, CEO
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ONTARIO GOVERNMENT PASSES BILL 41, THE PATIENTS FIRST ACT
On December 7, the Ontario government passed Bill 41, Patients First Act. The passage of the bill is an important step towards strengthening the health care system, and towards our mutual goal of providing high-quality, personalized care which allows Ontarians to live independently in their own homes and communities for as long as possible.
OCSA members have deep knowledge of the needs of their clients and their communities, and a history of providing innovative, high-quality and cost-effective care. In order to make the vision of the Patients First Act a reality, they must be fully consulted and included.
Throughout the consultation process, OCSA provided feedback and recommendations on the bill, and we thank the province for hearing our concerns and committing to addressing them. In 2017, we look forward to particing in the development of regulations and policy guidelines addressing the gaps we identified in the legislation.
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Update: 2017 Provincial Budget
OCSA has presented our preliminary budget asks, and is putting the final touches on our full submission and member toolkit. Many thanks to the OCSA members who completed the survey which will inform our document.
We will highlight the following issues, among others:
- The critical need for base funding increases;
- Re-investment of savings from the structural integration of CCACs and LHINs into community support and home care services;
- Enhancement of training funds for the sector;
- The importance of meeting client need for support services including respite and adult day programs, as part of the province’s proposed dementia strategy; and
- Increased investment in assisted living services for frail seniors and people with physical disabilities, particularly in innovative and flexible models.
To read the minutes of our preliminary presentation to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs, click here.
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Coming Soon: Sector Wage and Benefit Survey
OCSA’s wage and benefit survey will be distributed in early January. The survey, open to all not-for-profit, publicly-funded Ontario home care and CSS organizations, will remain open until January 27.
OCSA has been working with Lough Barnes Consulting Group and an HR working group to develop the survey which will cover 25 positions. This will be the sector’s first compensation study since 2010, and all OCSA members should participate as the survey results will serve a benchmarking tool that will enable providers to make informed business decisions about compensation for recruitment and retention.
For more information, contact David at david.hughes@ocsa.on.ca.
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Welcome to OCSA!
New Full OCSA Members
 Indus Community Services (formerly India Rainbow Community Services of Peel) was founded in 1985 by concerned members of the Indo-Canadian community to meet the settlement and social service needs of newcomers from the Indian sub-continent. With their expanded mission, they provide educational, social, settlement, health and employment related services to help all new immigrants in the Peel region with a range of services for seniors and caregivers. Indus has grown to six locations in the Mississauga Halton and Central West LHINs with a staff of over 100.
 Participation House Markham provides services to 120 men and women ranging in age from 20 to 86 at seven locations in the Central LHIN. They are a leader in enhancing the quality of life of individuals with disabilities through a continuum of services designed to reflect individualized approaches, community involvement and a respect for human dignity.
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MEMBERS GET MORE
Did you know that leaders of OCSA member organizations also receive a quarterly members-only newsletter, featuring detailed policy information and updates from our recent meetings with government and other health system stakeholders? The December issue was just released - if you missed it, log-in to our Members Only website to catch up!
To learn more about becoming an OCSA member, e-mail kim.prince@ocsa.on.ca.
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MEMBER LISTINGS
Events and programs hosted by OCSA members.
Are you an OCSA Member who would like to promote an event or program in our next issue? E-mail a link and one-sentence description to bulletin@ocsa.on.ca.
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Update: Federal-Provincial Health Accord Negiotiations
The provinces and the federal government are currently negotiating a new federal-provincial health funding accord, having failed to come to an agreement after a day of negotiations on December 19. The main issues are the rate of growth of federal transfers to the provinces and the ability of the federal government to issue priorities for the funding.
The federal government has offered increases of 3.5% and targeted spending of up to 11 billion dollars in targeted spending in mental health and home care over 10 years. However, the provinces asked for annual increases of 5.2% and would prefer to be able to spend the funds on their own priorities. A statement released by Ontario Finance Minister Sousa following the end of the negotiation estimated the federal government’s offer would leave the Ontario healthcare system $12 billion short of what is needed to maintain a sustainable healthcare system. The current framework passed by the previous government would see transfers increase at a minimum 3% or more based on the country’s economic performance.
Currently, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador have signed deals based on the federal government's terms.
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Upcoming Training from Capacity Builders:
From all of us at Capacity Builders, we hope you and yours enjoyed a wonderful holiday season filled with laughter, peace and joy!
As the year comes to a close, are you thinking about your training needs in 2017?
Capacity Builders' training travels to you! We would be happy to set up a call to discuss how we can deliver training in your community, either for your organization, a group of agencies, or for your Network/Coalition. Just call us at 1-800-267-6272 or 416-256-3010 ext 229.
We have over 50 in-service workshops developed specifically for front-line staff, supervisors, managers and team leaders working in Home and Community Support organizations. Please click here to view the full list.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...
Quick links from around the sector.
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