Provincial/Municipal Child Care Transition

HISTORY

In January 1997, the Provincial Government announced the realignment of provincial and municipal responsibilities. As a result, municipalities will assume the management of the child care delivery system. To facilitate this realignment, the Hamilton Area Office of the Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS) and the City of Hamilton Human Support Services Department (RHSS) created a joint Transition Steering Committee to develop plans and ensure a successful transition of the management of child care delivery system.

The management of child care supports a system comprised of a range of services including both for-profit (commercial) and not for profit licensed centre-based care, private home child care, resource centres, special needs resource programs and independent child care for Ontario Works. Child Care funding provides fee assistance for parents-in-need, wage subsidy grants to most child care operators and operating funds for resource centres and special needs resource programs.

In the City of Hamilton, MCSS will be transferring the following child care services to the RHSS:

• 1 approved corporation
• 6 special needs resourcing programs
• 10 resource centre programs operating at 18 sites
• wage subsidy for 128 centre-based programs and 3 home-based programs

After Transition, service levels will be maintained for the first year.

The Hamilton Area Office of MCSS will continue to be responsible for setting policy objectives, setting performance requirements and, until further notice, licensing of Child Care Providers. MCSS will provide 80% of the cost for Child Care and the Region will provide the remaining 20%.

It is anticipated that Transition will occur on July 1, 1999 and as such a Provincial/Municipal Child Care Transition Plan has been developed to ensure that this transfer of responsibility occurs with minimal impact on service providers and families using child care services. A copy of the Plan can be obtained by calling the Regional Human Support Services Department at 546-4829. As the Transition Steering Committee is committed to the on-going communication with stakeholders, current and timely information will be added to this page as it unfolds during the Transfer.

UPCOMING INFORMATION

Guidelines for the Local Child Care Plan

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