Programs Update Volume 1 Issue 1
Welcome to the inaugural edition of Programs Update - HRSDC Ontario, an electronic bulletin about the delivery of HRSDC's programs and services in Ontario. Programs Update will be published at the beginning of each quarter, with special issues for news of immediate importance.
Each issue will provide current information in three categories:
- Recent Developments - updates on broad Government of Canada or HRSDC initiatives;
- Program, Policies and Procedures - highlights of operational changes; and
- Agreement Management - tips on program administration.
I encourage you to Contact Us with your feedback and return to this site each quarter to be updated on new developments. The next issue will be published in October.
David Carter-Whitney
Director General, Employment Programs
August, 2005
PROGRAMS, POLICIES & PROCEDURES
- National Grants and Contributions - Electronic EPO Application Forms Posted on the Internet
- Call for Proposals
- Professional Development Costs for Contribution Agreement Holder Staff
- Centralized Administrative (overhead) costs
- Skills Development
For information on the National Homelessness Initiative, please visit http://www.homelessness.gc.ca
TALKBACK
The Programs Update team welcomes suggestions, comments and questions from our readers. If you have a question or an idea for an upcoming issue of Programs Update, please Contact Us. Please use Programs Update in your e-mail subject line and refer to the publication date if applicable (e.g., October 3, 2005). The most common or interesting questions will be responded to in future Programs Update articles. If you have a question about a specific project, please contact your local Program Officer.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
Service Canada
In the February 2005 budget, the federal Government announced the Service Canada initiative which will provide one-stop access to Government of Canada services - online, on the phone, and in person at walk-in sites in communities across the country. The Service Canada initiative will be implemented over the next three years. Further updates will be provided as information becomes available.
Social Development Canada's Community Consultations
Social Development Canada is conducting online consultations with Canadians on three topics that may be of interest to community groups: Caregivers, Persons with Disabilities, and Seniors. The challenges faced with each of these three topics are being explored in the online consultations. Other topics will be added over the next several months. For further information, please visit: http://sdc-dsc.dialoguecircles.com/
PROGRAMS, POLICIES & PROCEDURES
National Grants and Contributions – Electronic EPO Application Forms Posted on the Internet
As part of the ongoing effort to enhance service to clients, Employment Program Operations (EPO) application forms have been posted to the Internet in a PDF format that can be completed electronically. This will enable applicants to complete applications by computer. Completed application forms can then be printed and mailed into an HRCC office. The electronic application forms can be found at the following address.
Call for Proposals
The House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills Development, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities reviewed HRSDC’s Call for Proposals (CFP) process this spring.
In May 2005 the committee tabled a report on its review which contains 20 recommendations on topics such as assessment criteria, minimum dollar value, and communication with applicants. The Government’s response to the report is due in September. In the meantime, HRSDC is planning to hold national and regional consultations with stakeholders on the Committee’s recommendations. HRSDC National Headquarters has already made some changes to the CFP process to reflect the input received to date from stakeholders. For example, the assessment grid will be included with all future CFPs, and all applicants will have a minimum of 30 days to submit their applications.
Recognizing the importance of continuity of service to our clients, only urgent CFPs will be launched during the summer. Visit the Ontario CFP Web site for new postings.
Professional Development Costs for Contribution Agreement Holder Staff
Although professional development expenses that support business operations are generally considered an employer responsibility, HRSDC will consider reimbursement of professional development costs that contribute to the success of the project or activity being funded. Each request will be considered on individually in discussion with your local Program Officer.
Centralized Administrative (Overhead) costs
One of the more complex issues in the negotiation of contribution agreements is to determine the centralized administrative (overhead) costs an organization incurs to support activities drawn up for the successful operation of the project.
In an attempt to simplify this process, be more consistent, and facilitate negotiations, training was provided to Program Officers in February 2005.
To address those sponsor organizations that have multiple agreements across Ontario Region, a team of staff commenced negotiations in April with lead negotiators identified for 15 sponsors. This work is currently ongoing with an expected completion date within the second quarter. To allow agreements to move forward as this work progresses, an interim strategy has been developed which allows for up to 10% in centralized administrative costs to be considered. A statement reflecting this amount is subject to change upon finalization of the negotiations and is included within the contribution agreement.
To date, negotiations with two sponsor organizations that have multiple agreements have been completed and these contribution agreements have now been reconciled to bring the actual amount in line with the negotiated rate.
National pilot projects are also underway to test alternative methodologies to the current negotiated approach in an attempt to reduce the administrative burden on sponsor organizations.
HRSDC is also developing a directive for negotiating eligible costs for applicant-owned assets in contribution agreements. Further details will be provided as they become available.
Skills Development
HRSDC's Skills Development program provides financial assistance to clients who are eligible for Employment Insurance and whose Return To Work Action Plan identifies a lack of marketable skills as an employment barrier. In these instances, training may be the most appropriate intervention to facilitate re-entry into employment. Ontario Region has identified skills development as a program priority for 2005/06. To help our service providers market this program, various communications products are available, including a fact sheet, flyer, and poster about Skills Development. As well, there is a fact sheet about employment benefits in general. To obtain copies of these products, please contact your Programs Officer.
AGREEMENT MANAGEMENT
The Official Languages Act – Services in Both Official Languages
English and French are fundamental to our Canadian identity. HRSDC upholds the value of this linguistic duality by promoting the equal status of French and English in our Department and in providing services to the public in both official languages. This is what the public expects from the Government of Canada, and it is what they will also expect from organizations which provide services on behalf of the Government of Canada.
Although we encourage all local service providers to offer bilingual services, bilingual services must be made available in communities where it has been determined that there is a significant demand for services in French.
Service providers who have contribution agreements to provide bilingual services are expected to make an “active offer” of service in French at the start of each service transaction. The offer is made in both official languages so that the public knows that they can obtain service in the official language of their choice. This can be done verbally or through signs, notices, and other written information products.
The active offer is only the beginning of a service transaction. Providers of bilingual services ensure quality service in both official languages by knowing their official language minority clientele, including their needs and expectations. They ensure that their services are well publicized and create good communication and feedback mechanisms about their services.
Service providers should also recognize that there are several “modes” of language delivery they may be expected to provide (English, French or bilingual). Whatever the language delivery “mode” requirements of their agreement, all service providers must be aware of ways their clients can access services in the language of their choice.
People who are looking for a job face many obstacles and pressures, which may impact on the choice of training. HRSDC wants to ensure that clients are aware that they may access high quality training in French through La Cité Collégiale ![[Web site outside the Government of Canada]](/web/20061028222334im_/http://www1.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/images/nota002.gif "Web site outside the Government of Canada")
in Eastern Ontario and Collège Boréal in the rest of Ontario. Clients may be eligible for financial support under the Skills Development program if training is needed to successfully integrate into the labour market.
Employment services have a direct impact on the lives of many Canadians. We take pride in this fact and we want to ensure that we reflect it in the quality of our services. Our ability to provide services in both official languages is integral to providing quality services.
For more information on official language requirements, the Official Languages Act is available online at http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/O-3.01/