Social Programs Updates Annual Information Session Ontario Region Annual Information Session First Nations Child and Family Services Jordan’s Principle National Child Benefit Reinvestment Employment Experience Ontario Works Employment Assistance November 2016

First Nations Child and Family Services Budget 2016: Investment of $634.8 million over five years. Emphasis on preventing harmful conditions before child protection needs may arise. Budget 2016 Funding for Ontario First Nations: 2016-2017: $5.8 million allocated for Ontario to enhance First Nations child welfare prevention services. 2017-2018: scheduled to increase to $9.1 million 2018-2019: scheduled to increase to $12.5 million 2019-2020: scheduled to increase to $15.9 million Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) has confirmed 2016-2017 immediate relief funding for prevention services through the Province of Ontario. Ontario’s Ministry of Children and Youth Services will provide funding through Indigenous Representative Organizations and Independent First Nations to strengthen prevention activities in communities.

Jordan’s Principle - Child-First Initiative Intent: Jordan’s Principle applies to all First Nations children. The Government of Canada is committed to making a difference and helping to ensure that First Nations children get access to the same level of health and social services as other children in Canada. July 2016: Government of Canada announced up to $382 million in new funding for a new approach and broadened the definition of Jordan’s Principle. INAC and Health Canada are working together on the new approach, which includes the following key components: Enhanced Service Coordination; Service Access Resolution; and Engagement with First Nations and jurisdictional partners on a longer-term approach.

Reform of Child and Family Services INAC will be engaging with partners on reforming Canada’s support for Child and Family Services in Ontario. Under the current funding mechanism in Ontario, the 1965 Memorandum of Agreement Respecting Welfare Programs for Indians: the Government of Ontario supports agencies and prevention services providers; and INAC reimburses approximately 93% of the costs of on-reserve services. Program reform will engage First Nations, organizations, service providers, governments and other interested parties, and will address issues including: Review of the 1965 Agreement; Band Representation Funding; and Other needs of children, families, communities and service providers. A national summit on First Nation Child and Family Services is being planned to take place in January 2017. Ontario First Nations will be invited to participate.

National Child Benefit Reinvestment (NCBR) The NCBR program will end on March 31, 2017. The Department will provide the same amount of funding, $6 million, in fiscal year 2017-2018 as the Department provided for the NCBR in 2016-2017, through other programs such as: On-Reserve Income Assistance Program, such as parenting skills classes, employment-related supports for parents; and Education Programs, such as school nutrition programs, before-and-after school cultural programs. Currently, INAC officials are determining the mechanism to support First Nation community initiatives within existing departmental funding authorities. INAC will communicate directly with First Nation Chiefs & Councils, Administrators, Program staff, and First Nation organizations when details become available on the funding process for 2017-2018.

Employment Experience Formerly known as Social Assistance Transfer Funding (SATF) Provides funding to First Nations delivering Ontario Works to transfer financial assistance benefits to employers as a wage subsidy for recipients to participate in employment. The objective is to: Promote skills development, employability and ongoing employment opportunities for Ontario Works recipients; Enhance economic development; and Improve community services and facilities. In 2016-2017: INAC approved $3.6M in Employment Experience funding for 54 First Nations/organizations. This funding will support over 4,500 person-months of employment placements. Ontario Region is piloting a new approach based on input received from First Nations during a review of the SATF program in 2015: Name change to “Employment Experience” A more efficient and timely application and approval process Clearer guidelines and training Updated reporting tools to collect useful information on client outcomes

Ontario Works Employment Assistance Services & First Nations Jobs Fund Currently, 76 First Nations provide Employment Assistance case-management services for clients within the Ontario Works program. Approximately 85% of all Ontario Works cases have access to Employment Assistance case-management. First Nations that wish to implement the full Ontario Works suite of Employment Assistance case-management services should work with their Program Supervisor to develop a Service Plan. INAC and Service Canada continue to partner with First Nations Ontario Works programs to support the First Nations Jobs Fund. $2.837M has been provided through the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS) in 2016-2017 for the First Nations Jobs Fund.

Contacts For questions about INAC Ontario Region support for Social Programs, please contact: Child and Family Services: Taia Tarvainen, Officer, Social Programs, 416-952-9593, Taia.Tarvainen@aandc.gc.ca Jordan’s Principle, Employment Experience, Ontario Works, First Nations Jobs Fund: Elana Pal, Senior Officer, Social Programs, 416‑973‑1276, Elana.Pal@aandc.gc.ca National Child Benefit Reinvestment: Joe Molaski, Senior Officer, Social Programs, 416‑952‑8440, Joe.Molaski@aandc.gc.ca Phil Digby, Manager, Social Programs, can be reached at 416-954-0773 or phil.digby@aandc.gc.ca