In our pre-budget submission to the Government of Ontario, WoodGreen called on the government to address some of the most critical issues in our community. Our submission demonstrates that with further investment our services can help more people thrive in our community.
Recommendation 1:
Provide a 5% increase ($63 million reference by Ontario Community Support Association) in base funding to essential community care and community support services such as personal support, Meals on Wheels, transportation, and other community-based supports that allow individuals to remain in their homes. This 5% increase means an additional $533 thousand in 2025 to sustain and expand WoodGreen’s Community Care initiatives for vulnerable clients to access care at home rather than in hospital or long-term care.
Recommendation 2:
Provide a 7% ($300 million over 3 years – reference by Addictions and Mental Health Ontario) base funding increase in 2025 towards expanding and sustaining community mental health and addictions services and provide a 5% base funding increase to supportive housing. This 7% increase means an additional $332 thousand to sustain WoodGreen Community Mental Health Programs, such as case management and psychotherapy and an ability to provide support to higher acuity clients with more complex needs. This 5% means $465 thousand to WoodGreen’s supportive housing units and the ability to provide higher quality care.
Recommendation 3:
Provide a 10% base funding increase to community developmental services programs for stabilization of service and to address long waiting lists. A 10% means additional $100 thousand towards WoodGreen’s Adult Protective Service Worker (APSW) and Supported Independent Living (SIL) programs and enhanced ability to support neurodivergent children, adults, and their families to live more fulfilling lives in the community; connect to needed services and supports; and attain their social and occupational goals in their journey to belonging.
Recommendation 4:
Support refugee claimants to find employment by providing additional funding towards wrap around integrated service models. WoodGreen was a 1-year recipient of the Settlement and Labour Market Integration Services for Asylum Seekers Program to support asylum seekers with settlement and employment. The funding supported 346 asylum seekers to receive services and provided labour market and training support to 234 asylum seekers. By providing asylum claimants with supports for paving career pathways to employment through upskilling and micro-credential programs, WoodGreen can expand services to ensure that asylum seekers can be able to meet Canada’s labour market needs. With Ontario receiving more than 72,000 asylum claimants it is clear further provincial investments must be made to continue to support claimants to find employment opportunities.