COMMUNITY SERVICES AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
	TO:	Mayor and Members of Council
	FROM:	Barbara Roth, Director of Recreation & Culture Services
	PREPARED BY:	Lori Wells, Manager, Programs
	DATE OF MEETING:	2004-Sep-13
	SUBJECT:	Consolidated Agreement for Child Care Services

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the report entitled “Consolidated Agreement for Child Care Services” be approved;

AND THAT Council authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute a Consolidated Agreement for Child Care Services between the Town of Markham and The Regional Municipality of York, in a form satisfactory to the Town Solicitor.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the report is to update the Mayor and Council on the partnership program Recreation Services and the Region of York deliver for children of Social Assistance recipients and to obtain their approval to continue with the agreement from 2004 and onward.

BACKGROUND:

In May 2000, Council approved a pilot project with the Region of York, Community Services, for the provision of subsidised summer camp programs for children of Ontario Works recipients. The program is funded through the Region of York accessing funds through the National Child Benefit (NCB) plan. Participants receive a daily per diem aligned with the cost of the Markham summer camp programs. The Town entered an agreement that extended into 2003.

In 2003, the Region extended the subsidised summer camp program to clients who receive assistance from Day Nursery Assistance (DNA). These clients are required to pay a portion of the camps fees with the Region subsidising the remainder. These clients also were eligible to access after school and holiday recreation programs.

In 2004, the Region piloted a program called PLAY, which was for children of Ontario Works recipients. The recipients were provided one recreation program per child for a maximum fee of $80. The PLAY program was initiated to improve access to recreation for families of low income on a year-round basis. As research has proven time and again, recreation provides many benefits and is essential to the healthy development of our children and youth.

The partnership continues to be successful, and we recommend that Recreation Services continue partnering with the Region in providing an essential service to this demographic.

In 2004 we have:

· 24 families subsidised under the PLAY program (12 Aquatics, 12 General Programs) participated in the Spring session

• 33 families subsidised under the Day Nursery Act registered in Summer Camps
• 22 families subsidised under Ontario Works registered in Summer Camps

OPTIONS/DISCUSSION

The Town’s participation in this type of agreement increases the access to recreation for low-income families and breaks down barriers for those who typically cannot afford to participate.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

The Town of Markham will be reimbursed by the Region of York for all camp and program fees associated with participating in summer camps and programs.

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

The Legal Department has been consulted.

ATTACHMENTS:

Appendix A – 2004 Consolidated Agreement for Child Care Services (Draft)

Barbara M. Roth, R.D.M.R. Director, Recreation & Culture Services

Jim Sales Commissioner of Community and Fires Services

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