This report outlines the review process, funding applications and recommendations of the Board of Health AIDS Prevention Community Investment Program Review Panel regarding allocations in 2010.

The 2010 approved operating budget for the AIDS Prevention Community Investment Program includes an allocation of $1,679,000. This report proposes funding allocations in the total amount of $1,574,960 for 41 projects in the City of Toronto and $104,040 to Schools Without Borders (SWB) for the AIDS Prevention Community Investment Program Global HIV/AIDS Initiative.  Funding is to be used between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011.

The Community Partnership and Investment Program’s 2010 Approved Operating Budget includes funding of $1,679,000.00 for the AIDS Prevention Community Investment Program.  This report recommends $1,574,960.00 for 41 projects in the City of Toronto and $104,040.00 to Schools Without Boarders for the AIDS Prevention Community Investment Program Global HIV/AIDS Initiative. 

There is no financial impact beyond what has been approved in the 2010 Approved Operating Budget resulting from adopting this report.

The Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer has reviewed this report and agrees with the financial impact information.

The 2010 Drug Prevention Community Investment Program Review Panel recommends that:

1.         City Council approve the allocation of $844,280 to 38 projects as recommended by the 2010 Drug Prevention Community Investment Program Review Panel in Appendix B and Appendix C of the report (June 10, 2010) from the Chair, Drug Prevention Community Investment Program Review Panel.

2.         City Council approve the listed applicants for multi-year assessment in Appendix D and E of the report (June 10, 2010) from the Chair, Drug Prevention Community Investment Program Review Panel.

3.         City Council grant authority to the Medical Officer of Health to execute Letters of Understanding on behalf of the City.

This report outlines the review process, funding applications and recommendations of the Board of Health Drug Prevention Community Investment Program Review Panel regarding allocations in 2010.

The 2010 Approved Operating Budget for the Drug Prevention Community Investment Program (DPCIP) includes an allocation of $844,280.  This report recommends the allocation of $844,280 to 38 projects.  Funding is to be used between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011.

The Community Partnership and Investment Program’s 2010 Approved Operating Budget includes funding of $844,280.00 for the Drug Prevention Community Investment Program.  This report recommends the allocation of $844.280.00 for 38 projects listed in Appendix B and Appendix C. 

There is no financial impact beyond what has been approved in the 2010 Approved Operating Budget resulting from adopting this report.

The Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer has reviewed this report and agrees with the financial impact statement.

The Ontario 2010 Budget announced the cancellation of the Special Diet Allowance (SDA) as a supplement to the basic social assistance allowance and its replacement with a nutritional supplement program. This report provides information on the potential impact of eliminating the SDA. It recommends criteria to be considered in developing the proposed nutritional supplement program for individuals who are beneficiaries of Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and who have specific medical conditions, and it strongly supports advocacy efforts calling for increasing basic social assistance rates to provide people living in poverty with sufficient income for a healthy diet. 

The relationship between poverty, inadequate nutrition and poor health is clear and well-documented. Good nutrition can reduce the risk of chronic diseases, promote positive pregnancy outcomes and support healthy child growth and development. The SDA supports recipients’ overall health and their specific medical conditions and it enables access to healthier food choices. Creation of a new nutritional supplement program provides an opportunity to ensure that OW/ ODSP recipients with specific medical conditions are able to purchase the food they need to manage and improve their health. The importance of the role of diet in disease prevention and treatment must be recognized to ensure the proposed nutritional supplement program addresses these needs. Furthermore, as part of the design of any new program, the government must recognize that all Ontario residents require adequate income to purchase sufficient nutritious food to promote health and well being.

There are no direct financial implications arising from this report.

The Ministry of Health Promotion (MHP) recently confirmed that the expansion of the CINOT dental program to include low-income children and youth 14 to 17 years of age will be cost shared with 75 per cent provincial funding in 2010.  In 2009, the expansion of CINOT was 100 per cent provincially funded.  In 2010, a source of funding is required for the City’s portion ($89,615) of the CINOT expansion.

The Medical Officer of Health (MOH) recommends that for 2010 only, the municipal share of funding for the CINOT expansion be reallocated from the 100 per cent municipally funded dental services budget.  This will result in some reduction of service for clients ineligible for provincial cost shared programs, but will maximize the use of provincial funding and consequently dental service levels.  Municipal funding for the CINOT expansion in 2011 will be requested through the 2011 Operating Budget process.

The MOH also recommends that the Board of Health (BOH) request that the Premier of Ontario and the Minster of Health Promotion continue 100 per cent funding of CINOT expansion since the provincial funds allocated for this purpose were significantly under-spent in 2009.   

The increase in the 2010 TPH Operating Budget of $358,460 gross for the CINOT expansion program will be funded by revenue of $268,845 from the MHP therefore resulting in an additional expenditure for the City of $89,615 net.  In order to mitigate this budget pressure in 2010, the required funding of $89,615 will be reallocated on a one-time basis from 100 per cent City funded dental services that are included in the approved TPH 2010 Operating Budget. 

The additional funding requirement of $358,460 gross and $89,615 net for the expanded CINOT dental program in 2011 will be forwarded to Budget Committee for consideration during the 2011 Operating Budget process.

The Deputy City Manager, Chief Financial Officer has reviewed this report and agrees with the financial impact information.

Toronto Public Health (TPH) currently delivers four Ontario Early Years programs:  Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC), Preschool Speech and Language (PSL), Infant Hearing (IHP) and Blind-Low Vision (BLV).  Each of these programs receives 100% funding from the Ministry of Children and Youth Services (MCYS).  Services within these programs are delivered in accordance with Ontario Public Health Standards, related Protocols, and/or provincial program requirements.

The Ministry of Children and Youth Services has advised Toronto Public Health that 2010 funding levels for each of these programs have been frozen at 2009 funding levels.  This means that funding has remained constant for the past four years, with no increase to respond to cost of service pressures or rising service demands.  While Toronto Public Health is endeavouring to maintain the highest level and quality of service possible within existing funding, service levels are gradually being eroded.  Toronto Public Health is no longer able to meet Ministry established service targets and opportunities to support the healthy growth and development of children are being missed.

All programs identified in this report are 100% funded by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services.  There are no financial implications to the City directly resulting from this report.