Social Assistance Archives

Expanding Access to Essential Services in Peel Region

by Jabari Lindsay | May 2025

OMSSA is featuring several 2024 Local Municipal Champion award recipients and their work in the Knowledge Exchange Blog. Please read this entry from Peel Region.

In Peel Region, our Human Services Department is comprised of five individual divisions each with dedicated mandates and services. The Income and Social Supports (ISS) and the Social Development, Planning and Partnership (SDPP) divisions are two of the distinct services available to support Peel residents. As a part of ISS’ stability support service delivery, a review of Ontario Works client needs, barriers and goals was completed to identify key priority areas to be addressed. Together, we co-designed and launched two impactful program funds: the Wellness Response and Assistance Program (WRAP) and Digital Literacy Programs.

Simplifying Access to Benefits Helps With Not Only Financial Health, but Mental Well-Being Too

by Katharine Reid, Prosper Canada | May 2025

There is a profound and inseparable relationship between financial health and mental well-being. In order to improve one, we need to support the other. That’s why financial counselling, resources and tools are an essential part of improving financial well-being—and ultimately supporting more positive mental health outcomes. Prosper Canada’s mission is to ensure that Canadians living with low income have access to much needed financial support systems.

Family Services Durham: Building Collaborations for Responsive Support and Services to the Most Marginalized

by Region of Durham | February 2025

OMSSA is featuring several 2024 Local Municipal Champion award recipients and their work in the Knowledge Exchange Blog. Please read this entry from the Region of Durham.

Family Services Durham (FSD) has provided affordable and no-cost quality community-based mental health services in Durham Region for almost 50 years. In 2023, over 6,600 residents were supported within FSD’s range of programs, which offer holistic, client-centered, trauma- and poverty-informed services designed to stabilize and strengthen individuals, couples, and families and respond to emerging needs.

An Interview with Janine Mitchell

by Rob Kirsic | December 2024

Janine Mitchell has worked in the human services sector for her entire 40 year career, starting off working in licensed child care and eventually making her way to a municipality managing Children’s Services, the delivery of Ontario Works Program and Social Services Emergency Management.

She is also one of the recipients of the 2024 OMSSA Champion of Human Services Award. OMSSA sat down with Janine Mitchell for an interview to discuss her work and career and thoughts on human services in Ontario.

An Interview with David Thomas

by Rob Kirsic | January 2024

David Thomas has been involved in policy development and training for over 30 years. Many of you know David from past years employed by OMSSA as a Lead Trainer in their Social Assistance Training, commencing from 1994, and more recent years as a Lead Trainer for the SAIL Curriculum and currently with OW Directive Training and Life Stabilization. David is involved with various Leadership Initiatives providing skills and competencies designed to improve service quality, build organizational capacity, enhance service system management, and further service integration. David’s role in supporting Integration includes managing multiple projects related to implementation and delivery of streamlined services for clients and staff alike. He is also one of the recipient of the 2023 OMSSA Champion of Human Services Award. OMSSA sat down with David for an interview to discuss his work as a facilitator and his thoughts on social assistance in Ontario.

From Struggle to Stability: Creating a Tailored Management Course for those Living with Low Income

by Carrie Wong, Nandita Bijur | June 2023

Now more than ever Canadians are recognizing the importance of financial well-being – achieving peace of mind about our financial situation, feeling secure in our ability to absorb a money setback, and having the freedom to make choices that allow us to enjoy life. Financial stress is compounded when people feel a loss of control and lack the appropriate knowledge and information to make decisions in their best interests. Carrie Wong and Nandita Bijur from Prosper Canada talk about the work they are doing in this area.

The Rollout of Employment Services Transformation in Haldimand-Norfolk

by Stephanie Rice | January 2022

As one of the prototype locations for Employment Services Transformation (EST), it has been nearly a year since the roll out in Haldimand-Norfolk. EST is the first major step of the Social Assistance (SA) transformation in Ontario, quickly followed by centralized intake in February. We know we are in the first stages of an ongoing transformation which will continue until 2024. Learn more about the experience in Haldimand-Norfolk.