Tuesday, October 20, 2009
October SDAG: Response to September SDAG Letter
No big announcements were made at the teleconference meeting of the Service Advisory Delivery Group (SDAG) with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities on October 19, 2009. The meeting was an opportunity for Laurie LeBlanc to respond to issues raised in the letter SDAG sent to the new Assistant Deputy Minister in early September as well as a chance to discuss changes to the Second Career Strategy and the Self Employment Benefit.
Timelines
Although agencies were hoping for a specific date, LeBlanc could only report that notification of ES roll-out will take place between November 1 and December 20. She reiterated that all service providers would be notified at the same time when roll-out occurs. All agencies, whether facing wind-down or transition, will be given six months notice. TCU agrees with the SDAG request in the September letter that the process be consistent across the province and transparent. TCU will work closely with organizations that must shut down on deliverables, costs and closure plans.
SDAG asked that the ADM communicate with all stakeholders to ensure that service providers across the province receive a consistent message from TCU on the roll-out timelines and processes.
Severance/Termination
While originally TCU had said that costs for severance and termination would not be covered beyond 6 months, LeBlanc agreed to review this issue and report back to SDAG. SDAG asked TCU to consider the example of the closure of the Ontario Skills Development Program by TCU in 1997, which is noted in the September letter from SDAG. LeBlanc agreed to do this.
Specialized Services
LeBlanc was clear about TCU's commitment to specialized services, and named "women" as one of the populations requiring such services as indicated by community need. She said that not only is TCU is committed to serving populations with specialized service needs but also to improving services for them. Currently TCU is developing strategies for people with disabilities and will have this information available next month for SDAG feedback.
Funding Model
Patti Redmond, Programs Branch Director, reported that TCU would not increase funding ranges because there is no money available. SDAG had asked TCU to review these ranges in the August meeting. Redmond does not see the delivery model as too ambitious or as requiring agencies to serve more people with more services. However, Redmond also said that it will take "several years" for the system to reach maturity and so there will be time for agencies to adjust. TCU is committed to supporting agencies as they determine their numbers within the new system, and transition costs on an agency-by-agency level may help fill gaps in funding model.
Sherry Mahood, Director of Western Region noted that there is great difficulty making definitive comments about the EO delivery model or funding model because the new system is based on community need and communities vary greatly across each region. This means different implications for delivery and funding depending on the community. Mahood said that, "the quality of discussion at the community level is key as this defines the client pathway." Mahood followed this statement with an email to Western Region service providers reiterating this issue.
EOIS
Robert Lowry, Business and Systems Management Branch Director, reported on the EO information system or "case management" system currently under development. The challenge with EOIS is to meet the information needs of service providers, acknowledge the privacy rights of clients and overcome technical barriers.
According to Lowry, the new system will be greatly improved over previous systems:
As set out in her October letters to service providers, LeBlanc reviewed how Second Career and other EO programs have experienced spikes in demand. Further, changes in client profile have contributed to costs with more participants at the end of their EI term or on reach-back. As a result, changes are being made to the programs. Second Career and other skills development programs will continue, but in limited ways. Criteria for applicants are under review.
Second Career Strategy
At this time, TCU cannot provide details about upcoming changes to Second Career, only that there will be new rules for applicants. Once these rules are implemented, training will be available for service delivery staff. LeBlanc also said that the demand for Second Career is not slowing down the EO transition.
LeBlanc answered questions about the funding of the 16-month old program. The Labour Market Agreement funded Second Career, with $338M over three years. This fall, due to the high demand for the program, Second Career received an infusion of another $78M, as reported in the Globe and Mail. The new money comes from the Province, LeBlanc reported, and is not siphoned out other employment programs.
Self Employment Benefit (SEB)
TCU also reported all SEB money for this fiscal year has been spent, and to ensure that people already enrolled are fully served, no new applicants will be accepted. TCU is not entering into any new agreements this fiscal year for this program, but will do so next year with new guidelines. Agencies struggling to manage current SEB costs should talk to their local TCU project manager. As revised guidelines for the programs are developed, service providers will be asked for their input.
Timelines
Although agencies were hoping for a specific date, LeBlanc could only report that notification of ES roll-out will take place between November 1 and December 20. She reiterated that all service providers would be notified at the same time when roll-out occurs. All agencies, whether facing wind-down or transition, will be given six months notice. TCU agrees with the SDAG request in the September letter that the process be consistent across the province and transparent. TCU will work closely with organizations that must shut down on deliverables, costs and closure plans.
SDAG asked that the ADM communicate with all stakeholders to ensure that service providers across the province receive a consistent message from TCU on the roll-out timelines and processes.
Severance/Termination
While originally TCU had said that costs for severance and termination would not be covered beyond 6 months, LeBlanc agreed to review this issue and report back to SDAG. SDAG asked TCU to consider the example of the closure of the Ontario Skills Development Program by TCU in 1997, which is noted in the September letter from SDAG. LeBlanc agreed to do this.
Specialized Services
LeBlanc was clear about TCU's commitment to specialized services, and named "women" as one of the populations requiring such services as indicated by community need. She said that not only is TCU is committed to serving populations with specialized service needs but also to improving services for them. Currently TCU is developing strategies for people with disabilities and will have this information available next month for SDAG feedback.
Funding Model
Patti Redmond, Programs Branch Director, reported that TCU would not increase funding ranges because there is no money available. SDAG had asked TCU to review these ranges in the August meeting. Redmond does not see the delivery model as too ambitious or as requiring agencies to serve more people with more services. However, Redmond also said that it will take "several years" for the system to reach maturity and so there will be time for agencies to adjust. TCU is committed to supporting agencies as they determine their numbers within the new system, and transition costs on an agency-by-agency level may help fill gaps in funding model.
Sherry Mahood, Director of Western Region noted that there is great difficulty making definitive comments about the EO delivery model or funding model because the new system is based on community need and communities vary greatly across each region. This means different implications for delivery and funding depending on the community. Mahood said that, "the quality of discussion at the community level is key as this defines the client pathway." Mahood followed this statement with an email to Western Region service providers reiterating this issue.
EOIS
Robert Lowry, Business and Systems Management Branch Director, reported on the EO information system or "case management" system currently under development. The challenge with EOIS is to meet the information needs of service providers, acknowledge the privacy rights of clients and overcome technical barriers.
According to Lowry, the new system will be greatly improved over previous systems:
- both TCU and agencies will be track cases within the system in real-time
- agencies will be able to review previous information sent to TCU
- it will eliminate duplicate record-keeping/reporting for agencies
As set out in her October letters to service providers, LeBlanc reviewed how Second Career and other EO programs have experienced spikes in demand. Further, changes in client profile have contributed to costs with more participants at the end of their EI term or on reach-back. As a result, changes are being made to the programs. Second Career and other skills development programs will continue, but in limited ways. Criteria for applicants are under review.
Second Career Strategy
At this time, TCU cannot provide details about upcoming changes to Second Career, only that there will be new rules for applicants. Once these rules are implemented, training will be available for service delivery staff. LeBlanc also said that the demand for Second Career is not slowing down the EO transition.
LeBlanc answered questions about the funding of the 16-month old program. The Labour Market Agreement funded Second Career, with $338M over three years. This fall, due to the high demand for the program, Second Career received an infusion of another $78M, as reported in the Globe and Mail. The new money comes from the Province, LeBlanc reported, and is not siphoned out other employment programs.
Self Employment Benefit (SEB)
TCU also reported all SEB money for this fiscal year has been spent, and to ensure that people already enrolled are fully served, no new applicants will be accepted. TCU is not entering into any new agreements this fiscal year for this program, but will do so next year with new guidelines. Agencies struggling to manage current SEB costs should talk to their local TCU project manager. As revised guidelines for the programs are developed, service providers will be asked for their input.
Labels: ACTEW_Activities, Meetings_and_Events, MTCU_Updates
