P A R T N E R S H I P S F O R P E O P L ES E P T E M B E R 21 23, 2010 • S H E R AT O N T O R O N T O A I R P O R T H O T E L • T O R O N T O, O N TA R I O

This conference is presented by the Ontario Municipal Social Services Association and the Ontario Association of Hostels

2010Housing &HomelessnessConference

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Event PartnersOMSSA is pleased to have the following partners for this event and wouldlike to acknowledge the support of:

Presenting Partner Social Housing Services Corporation

Host Partners Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

City of Toronto

Networking PartnersRegional Municipality of Halton

Regional Municipality of Peel

Workshop PartnersRegional Municipality of DurhamCity of HamiltonHamilton Aff ordable Housing Flagship211 in OntarioFJ Galloway Associates Inc.

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Dear colleagues and friends, Welcome to the 2010 Housing and Homelessness Conference, designed for service managers, shelter providers, and

community agencies in Ontario. This event has been organized by the Ontario Municipal Social Services Association (OMSSA)

and the Ontario Association of Hostels (OAH).

The theme for this year’s conference, “Partnerships for People,” is refl ected throughout the conference from opening

keynote address, workshops, and other activities that are being off ered over the two-and-a-half-day event. Delegates who

deliver municipal housing and homelessness services and shelter and hostel representatives from across Ontario can expect

to come away with tools, resources, and concrete examples of partnerships, as well as a renewed sense of the importance of

collaboration as they pursue the goal of healthy communities for all Ontarians.

As OMSSA continues its 60th anniversary celebrations, we are excited present a number of Champion of Human

Services awards throughout the conference. Over the following days we will be honouring people that have made a signifi cant

diff erence in human services in Ontario.

Our goal for this conference is to provide you with new insights, renewed enthusiasm, and an increased capacity to

continue your very important work.

Sincerely,

David Rennie, Leaurie Noordermeer,

President, President,

Ontario Municipal Social Services Association Ontario Association of Hostels

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Program at a GlanceTuesday, September 21

8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Networking Breakfast Ambrosia BallroomSponsored by the Region of Halton

8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Registration and Information Muskoka Foyer

9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Opening Plenary Session Ambrosia Ballroom Safe and healthy First Nations children? We know just what to do!

Speaker: Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director, First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada Cindy Blackstock is a recipient of the OMSSA Champion of Human Services Award

10:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Break and Exhibits Ambrosia Foyer

10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Concurrent Workshops

1.1 Developing Eff ective Partnerships to Deliver Mental Health Care for Homeless and Vulnerable Populations Muskoka 1

1.2 Community Assistance Trust: A Creative Solution to Reduce the Impact of Poverty Algonquin

1.3 Housing Sector Prespectives: SHSC, ONPHA, CHF Muskoka 2

1.4 Supporting Safe and Healthy Workplaces: Q & A for Implications of Bill 168 Muskoka 3

1.5 Home Ownership and Stable Housing: More than a Dream, be Inspired Collingwood

12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. Lunch Ambrosia Ballroom

1:15 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Concurrent Workshops

2.1 Patterns of Shelter Utilization in Toronto, Ottawa, and Guelph: Implications for Housing and Service Delivery Muskoka 1

2.2 Successful Service Integration Models in Housing and Homelessness Muskoka 2

2.3 Hostels to Homes: Best and Promising Practices Algonquin

2.4 Planning for the Future of Housing Muskoka 3 Sponsored by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Break and Exhibits Muskoka Foyer

3:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. Ontario Association of Hostels Muskoka 2 Annual General Meeting

Concurrent Workshops

3.1 Social Enterprise: Employing People with Barriers to Employment Muskoka 1

3.2 Ontario 211: How Can We Help You? Collingwood

3.3 Lasagna Funding for Housing and Homelessness Programs: Creativity in Funding Models Muskoka 3

3.4 Sofas, Shelters, and Strangers: A Report on Youth Homelessness in Niagara Algonquin

Program at a Glance

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4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Exhibitor / Sponsor Wine and Cheese Ambrosia FoyerSponsored by: GLOBE

Green Light on a Better Environment A chance to mingle with sponsors, exhibitors and colleagues with an opportunity to win great prizes

Wednesday, September 22

8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Networking Breakfast Ambrosia Ballroom Sponsored by the Region of Peel

8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Registration and Information Muskoka Foyer

9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Opening Plenary Session: Ambrosia Ballroom Minister Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long Term Care Minister Matthews is a recipient of the OMSSA Champion of Human Services Award

Screening of “Stepping Forward to Improve Quality of Life” Follow-up documentary to “Invisible People, Homeless In Sault Ste. Marie”

10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Break and Exhibits Ambrosia Foyer

11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Ministry of Municipal Aff airs and Housing: Northern Spy Technical Resource Drop In

11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Concurrent Workshops

4.1 Partnering in Housing with People Who Have Addictions Muskoka 1

4.2 STEP Home (Support to End Persistent Homelessness): A Mid-Sized City Approach Muskoka 2

4.3 Partnerships in Health Care Services Algonquin

4.4 The History of Housing Muskoka 3

12:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. Lunch Ambrosia Ballroom

12:45 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. David Lepofsky, Chair, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance David Leposksy is a recipient of the OMSSA Champion of Human Services Award

1:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. Secret Exhibitor Ambrosia & Muskoka Foyers

1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Concurrent Workshops 5.1 Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act:

Meeting Training Requirements in Preparation for 2012 Muskoka 1

5.2 CMSMs and Shelters: Partnering Together Muskoka 2

5.3 Housing, Homelessness, and Human Service System Management: Learning from Each Other Muskoka 3

5.4 Alternative Waiting List Models: Examples from the Netherlands and the United Kingdom Algonquin Sponsored by Social Housing Services Corporation

4:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. Mix and Mingle with Minister of Municipal Aff airs and Housing, Rick Bartolucci Ambrosia Foyer

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Program at a Glance5:00 p.m. An Evening with Friends – Live, Laugh, Learn Ambrosia Ballroom Ambrosia Ballroom Greetings from Minister Rick Bartolucci Gina Browne, is a recipient of the OMSSA Champion of Human Services Award

5:30 p.m. Buff et networking dinner

6:30 p.m. Film screening: Home Safe Hamilton

Thursday, September 23

8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Networking Breakfast Ambrosia Ballroom

8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Registration and Information Muskoka Foyer

9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Concurrent Workshops

6.1 Health Determinants and Housing Muskoka 1

6.2 Special Priority Status: Equipping Your Housing Providers Muskoka 2

6.3 OMSSA Human Service Planning Paper Muskoka 3

6.4 Places to Grow: Why it Matters to Your Community Even if You’re Not in the Greater Golden Horseshoe Region Algonquin

6.5 Engaging Those with Lived Experience Collingwood

10:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Break Ambrosia Ballroom

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Concluding Plenary: A Brave New World: Ambrosia Ballroom The practical implications of changing housing and homeless policy for Ontario

Speakers: Steve Pomeroy, President, Focus Consulting Ltd

Michael Shtapcott, Director, Aff ordable Housing and Social Innovation, Wellesley Institute

Moderator: Sylvia Patterson, Regional Municipality of York

12:00 p.m. Adjournment ~ Box lunch will be provided upon departure

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Tuesday, September 219:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.OPENING PLENARY: SAFE AND HEALTHY FIRST NATIONS CHILDREN? WE KNOW JUST WHAT TO DO!

Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director, First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada

After identifying the major risk factors facing First Nations children and how they can be solved, this presentation invites caring people and organizations of all ages to do 7 things that

cost nothing, take under 5 minutes each and can change the lives of tens of thousands of children and

young people for the better. We can do it!

OMSSA is pleased to present Cindy Blackstock with a Champion of Human Services Award.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS

1.1 Developing Eff ective Partnerships to Deliver

Mental Health Care for Homeless and Vulnerable

Populations

This workshop will outline lessons learned in research and clinical practice on the eff ectiveness of collaborative partnerships for mental health care delivery, in both homeless shelters and other frontline agencies. A model of coordinated access to care for homeless people, funded by the Local Health Integration Network (LHIN), will be shared. As well, the workshop will present guidelines for discharge from shelters to ensure ongoing service delivery and success in housing placements.

Speaker: Dr. Vicky Stergiopoulos, MD, SHSc, MSc, Medical Director, Inner City Health Associates, Assistant Professor, University of Toronto

1.2 Community Assistance Trust: A Creative

Solution to Reduce the Impact of Poverty

Community Assistance Trust (CAT) was created to address the need for a single entry point in the community for accessing compassionate, coordinated emergency assistance of an extraordinary need. Emergency assistance is provided for such items as rent and utility arrears, baby safety items, dental/dentures, eyeglasses, prescriptions, transportation, medical transportation, home heating, food, diapers, and formula. CAT identifi es gaps and duplication in services, and has developed numerous partnerships with utility companies, service clubs, Ontario Works/Ontario Disability Support Program, social agencies, landlords, dentists, optometrists, and pharmacies. Specifi c to the rent bank, clients are expected to cost-share before CAT can assist. Due to the structure, community partnerships developed, coordination of services, and excellent customer service, CAT is considered a “best practice” in the community.

Speaker: Theresa Sharp, Coordinator with Community Assistance Trust

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

1.3 Housing Sector Perspectives: Social Housing

Services Corporation (SHSC), Ontario Non-Profi t

Housing Association (ONPHA), Co-operative

Housing Federation of Canada (CHF)

Come to hear the perspectives of the sector organizations as they answer some thought-provoking questions posed by the moderator. Audience participation is welcomed.

Speakers:Lindsey Reed, Chief Executive Offi cer, Social Housing Services Corporation

Sharad Kerur, Executive Director, Ontario Non-Profi t Housing Association

Dale Reagan, Managing Director, Ontario Region, Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada

Moderator: Sean Gadon, Director, Aff ordable Housing Offi ce, City of Toronto

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Tuesday, September 211.4 Supporting Safe and Healthy Workplaces:

Q & A for Implications of Bill 168

This session is an opportunity for Managers and Senior Managers to discuss and explore the results of changes to policy in accordance with Bill 168. Questions and review of the changes that are occurring in the workplace will be explored and support for good practice and compliance with workplace legislation will be referenced. Participants will experience a brief presentation leading to discussion on specifi c scenarios and questions.

Speaker: Doug Dunlop, CORE Training and Consulting

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

1.5 Home Ownership and Stable Housing:

More than a Dream, be Inspired

Many Canadians dream of owning a home and having the social stability that comes with it. This session presents a panel discussion with two Habitat for Humanity affi liates who partnered with a First Nation (Alderville) and an Urban Native Housing provider (Can Am Urban Native Homes). These partnerships provided new home ownership opportunities to First Nation communities, in the community and in an urban setting. Listen to how these partnerships were formed and how their experiences have encouraged other communities to replicate their eff orts. Hear fi rst-hand from a new homeowner who will share highlights of her journey.

Speakers:Laura Gould, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity Windsor Essex

Kim Lauder, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity Northumberland

________________________________________________________________________________________________

1:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS

2.1 Patterns of Shelter Utilization in Toronto,

Ottawa, and Guelph: Implications for Housing and

Service Delivery

To better understand homelessness, researchers have developed a model that classifi es shelter users into 3 clusters based on each individual’s number of episodes of shelter use and total length of stay over a 3-to-5 year period.

Temporary or transitional shelter users typically have one or very few homelessness episodes, whereas episodic users have the most episodes and alternate between the shelter system and jails, hospitals, or treatment centers. Long-stay or chronic shelter users are characterized by fewer but longer episodes of homelessness than the episodic group.

This session will present the results of a study that analyzed patterns of emergency shelter use by single adults in Guelph, Ottawa, and Toronto over the period 2004 to 2007. The proportion of shelters users who were classifi ed as temporary, episodic, or long stay were 94 percent, 3 percent, and 3 percent in Guelph; 88 percent, 10 percent, and 2 percent in Ottawa; and 87 percent, 8 percent, and 4 percent in Toronto. These fi ndings have substantial implications for the development of supportive housing programs for chronically homeless individuals and programs and policies to reduce homelessness through short-term assistance for newly homeless individuals.

Speaker: Dr. Stephen W. Hwang, St Michael’s Hospital, Keenan Research Centre,

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

2.2 Successful Service Integration Models in

Housing and HomelessnessThe objective of this session is to increase knowledge capacity of the need for service integration. During this session participants will learn about Homeless to ODSP Project Engagement (HOPE), a program based upon the premise that addressing issues such as poverty, health, and housing requires a collaborative partnership between diff erent levels of government and community-based agencies.

Participants will also learn about partnerships developed between City of Peterborough Social Services, Community Legal Centre, Homelessness Partnership Strategy (CMHA and VON) and the Health Unit as they to assist people in obtaining ODSP. The session will highlight each program’s successes and on-going challenges with a view to identifying opportunities in their communities.

Speakers: Gaye Hainsworth, Program Support Manager - Homeless and Housing Initiatives Employment and Social Services Division, City of Toronto HighPark/Parkdale Offi ce

Noel Brown, Social Services Supervisor, City of Peterborough Social Services

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3:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF HOSTELS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Ontario Association of Hostels members are encouraged to attend the Annual General Meeting of the association to meet the Board of Directors, learn more about what the Board is doing to support member shelters, and congratulate the winner of the 2010 Major Leonard Frost Award.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

3:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS

3.1 Social Enterprise – Employing People with

Barriers to Employment

Sponsored by FJ Galloway Associates Inc.

Social enterprise is said to generally describe businesses that, while generating a profi t, seek to further social, cultural, environmental, or community economic development outcomes. Social enterprise can be not-for-profi t, or for-profi t. Most importantly, social enterprise can be used as a vehicle to empower traditionally disadvantaged individuals and communities through training and employment. It is a model that is increasingly used as a sustainable solution to creating real economic opportunities for those who have been traditionally marginalized. This workshop looks at diff erent examples of social enterprise and social-purpose enterprise: the services they provide, the people they employ, their business models, their commonalities and the ways in which they diff er.

Speakers: Heidi Billyard, Good Shepherd Non-profi t Homes Inc.

Jennifer LaTrobe, River Restaurant, Toronto

Dion Oxford, Director, Salvation Army Gateway

Moderator: Cynthia Ross, Director, Social Innovation and Partnerships, Social Housing Services Corporation

2.3 Hostels to Homes: Best and Promising

Practices

Sponsored by the City of Hamilton

This session will off er highlights of best and promising practices of the unique Hostels to Homes (H2H) programs off ered by the City of Hamilton and the City of London. Both programs will demonstrate what they have learned from a collaborative governance structure; how the City of Hamilton has used the momentum gained from the H2H pilot to transform the men’s emergency shelter system, and how the City of London shelter system and community has changed as a result of the H2H program. Finally a potential service delivery and funding model for the province will be off ered.

Speakers:Betty Lou Purdon, Manager, Residential Care Facilities and Hostels, City of Hamilton

Jan Richardson, Manager, Homelessness, Hostels and Special Populations, City of London Community Services

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

2.4 Planning for the Future of Housing

Sponsored by Host Partner:

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Ontario’s communities are experiencing a shift in demographics, employment, and immigration. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s senior housing market analyst will connect the dots on key drivers to the housing markets including mortgage rates, trends in the rental market, and other economic indicators signaling changes on the horizon. Participants will learn how the shift in trends might aff ect housing policy—and what housing managers and service providers should expect in the housing market as they plan for the future.

Speaker: Shaun Hildebrand, Senior Market Analyst, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

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4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Spotlight Wine and Cheese

with Exhibitors and Sponsors

Sponsored by GLOBE: Green Light on a Better

Environment

Mix and mingle with sponsors, exhibitors and colleagues before heading out for the evening. Come and join us for a chance to learn about exhibitors and event sponsors as they take the stage to share their products and program initiatives. There will be lots of opportunities to win great prizes as you complete your Exhibitor Passport.

3.2 Ontario 211: How Can We Help You?Across North America 211 is transforming the way people get information about community resources and gain access to the broad range of social, community, government, and health services and programs. By December 2011, all Ontario residents will be able to dial 2-1-1 and speak directly to a certifi ed 211 information specialist, anytime day or night. The 211 database of more than 56,000 program and human service is already publically available province-wide. This session explains how 211 works, when it will come to your community, and how municipalities can leverage 211 to better serve residents and support the work of front-line staff .

Speakers:Carroll Francis, 211-311 Customer Contact Centre Supervisor, Regional Municipality of Peel

Bill Morris, Executive Director, Ontario 211 Services Corporation__________________________________________________________________________________________________

3.3 Lasagna Funding for Housing and

Homelessness Programs: Creativity in Funding

Models

Sponsored by the Hamilton Aff ordable Housing

FlagshipBuilding and operating new housing/shelter with supports since the mid-1990s has been challenging and requires creativity in funding models. This session will present the stories of two organizations, Good Shepherd Centre and Homestead Christian Care, that have taken diff erent funding paths to create new housing/shelter with supports.

Speakers:Alan Whittle, Director, Community Relations & Planning, Good Shepherd Centre

Jeff rey Neven, Homestead Christian Care__________________________________________________________________________________________________

3.4 Sofas, Shelters, and Strangers: A Report on

Youth Homelessness in NiagaraProfessor Stephanie Baker Collins will review her research and the resulting recommendations. Representatives from the Youth Without Secure Housing Committee (local youth homelessness support agencies) will discuss the implications of Dr. Baker Collins’ research and the local programming response to it, in the context of Niagara’s urban-rural mix.

Speaker: Professor Stephanie Baker Collins, McMaster University

Tuesday, September 21

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Visit cmhc.ca/affordablehousing or call 1-800-668-2642

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Wednesday, September 229:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. PLENARY SESSION

Minister Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long Term Care Recipient of

OMSSA Champion of Human Services Award

Deb Matthews’ work before her political career—including business

experience in the construction industry, fundraising in the not-for-profi t sector, and teaching at the University of Western Ontario—all contribute to her ability to relate to people and show compassion for vulnerable Ontarians. Elected fi rst in 2003, Deb has a respected track record of achievement that includes work on social assistance reform, a Review of Employment Assistance Programs in Ontario Works and Ontario Disabilities Support Program, and driving the progress behind the Ontario Child Benefi t and Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy. During her work on the Poverty Reduction Strategy, Deb traveled the province to learn from the experiences and to harness the expertise of municipal service managers and other municipal and community leaders. Her commitment to her community and to the people of Ontario make her a true champion, and a welcome ally for human services in Ontario.

Minister Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long Term Care will address delegates and then be presented with a Champion of Human Services award.

Following the presentation to Minister Deb Matthews, a screening of “Stepping Forward” will be shown. The Sault Ste. Marie Alliance to End Homelessness initiated this follow-up documentary to the award-winning “Invisible People-Homelessness in Sault Ste. Marie.” There are many community programs and agency partnerships that assist mutual clients in moving forward and have their own success stories.

The journeys presented in this fi lm, “Stepping Forward,” are just a few examples of individuals who have faced numerous challenges, accessed community supports, and “stepped forward” to improve their quality of life. Let us take you to where they were, when they decided to make a change, what helped, and where they are now. Following the documentary, a panel of participants from the fi lm will share their experiences. Purchase your copy of the DVD at

the registration desk.Panelists:Leila McMahon, Transferable Skills Development Coordinator, Vincent Place Men’s Shelter

Matthew Taylor, former resident, Pauline’s Place

Keith Lindsey, former resident, Pauline’s Place

Moderator: Dree Pauze, Community Coordinator, City of Sault Ste. Marie

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.MINISTRY OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS AND HOUSING: TECHNICAL RESOURCE DROP IN

Do you have questions about your housing programs? Looking for answers to your technical questions? This drop-in session will provide an informal forum for housing service managers to ask their questions to representatives from the Ministry of Municipal Aff airs and Housing. Come prepared to share your questions and listen to what your colleagues are asking. Drop in for a few minutes or stay longer, the room will be open 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. so come by at your convenience.

Speakers: Representatives from the Ministry of Municipal Aff airs and

Housing

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS

4.1 Partnering in Housing with People Who Have

Active Addictions

This session explores the successes of Options Bytown, an Ottawa-based supportive housing organization that works with over 1000 social housing tenants in the community each year. The organization off ers a mixture of advice and support, case management, and counseling, to advance its model of addictions support through a community-based housing model. Workshop participants will learn about the challenges of working with a population with complex needs as they relate to maintaining housing while living with active addictions. The session will look at innovative ways of working with these individuals, and particularly at Options Bytown’s harm-reduction approach. Finally, the

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session will explore the role played by concurrent trauma, and will discuss Options Bytown’s discussions with a local university professor who specializes in dealing with trauma about ways to support staff in working with people who have been homeless. As will be discussed, the inclusion of an understanding of trauma in addictions counseling and housing support roles can be an eff ective way of helping people tackle their addictions.

Speakers:Cliff Clark, Addictions Worker, Options Bytown Non-Profi t Housing

Karin Druin, Case Manager, Options Bytown Non-Profi t Housing

_________________________________________________ _________________________________________________

4.2 STEP Home (Support to End Persistent

Homelessness): A Mid-Sized City Approach

This session presents an overview of STEP Home, Waterloo Region’s approach to ending persistent homelessness. Seven diff erent programs, at 13 sites through seven diff erent organizations have been working collaboratively since June 2008. Learn about STEP Home’s development, programs, funding sources, evaluation approach, and data. Understand what is working, what the challenges are, and what might be diff erent about a mid-sized-city approach to ending homelessness.

Speaker: Marie Morrison, Manager Social Planning, Regional Municipality of Waterloo, Social Services – Social Planning, Policy and Program Administration

_________________________________________________ _________________________________________________

4.3 Partnerships in Health Care Services

More than 5,000 homeless individuals call Toronto home and almost three-quarters of these spend their nights in shelters. They have complex health and social needs that cannot be met by any single agency – an integrated and collaborative team-based approach within the community sector is needed. Launched in mid-April 2009, the Inner City Access Program (ICAP) is a partnership with the Fred Victor Centre, Women’s Residence, Homes First, and Inner City Health Associates (a primary care physician group serving clients in shelters). Learn how this partnership was negotiated and what have been the successful outcomes

Wednesday, September 22and the links they are establishing to continue into housing.This session also includes a registered nurse from Women’s Residence and a doctor who provides clinical services related to the mental health and addiction needs of women on-site. They will share their experiences meeting the complex needs of women who have spent years living in poverty on the streets or in shelters.

Speakers: Susan Harris, Social Assistance Supervisor, City of Toronto, Women’s Residence

Dr. Patricia Cavanagh, Department, Psychiatry, Impact, Assertive Community Treatment Program, Toronto Western Hospital

Lynda Meneely, RN, City of Toronto, Women’s Residence

_________________________________________________ _________________________________________________

4.4 The History of Housing

This session tells the fascinating history of social housing programs from the 1940s up to the present from a federal, provincial, and municipal perspective. Learn about the roots of Ontario’s social housing sector and how our present-day situation has been shaped by events over the past many decades.

Speakers: Kathryn Campbell, Centre Manager, Ontario Aboriginal Housing, Portfolio Management, Loans Administration and Direct Lending, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Toni Farley, Consultant, and former Director of the Social Housing Branch, MMAH

Kerry Hobbs, Manager, Housing Administration, Regional Municipality of York

________________________________________________________________________________________________

12:45 p.m.LUNCHEON SPEAKER

David Lepofsky, Chair, Accessibility

for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

Alliance

Recipient of OMSSA Champion of

Human Services Award

David’s vision and commitment to increased accessibility for people with disabilities has translated into signifi cant process in

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__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________

1:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. SECRET EXHIBITOR

This is one of two opportunities remaining to complete your exhibitor passport and visit with exhibitors to win great prizes. Immediately following David Lepofsky’s presentation, delegates will have an opportunity to make their way through the exhibitors. Drop your business card at all booths for your chance to win great prizes! Will you fi nd the secret exhibitor? Draws will be held during dinner Wednesday evening and during the closing plenary on Thursday, September 23.

__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________

1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS

5.1 Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities

Act: Meeting Training Requirements in Preparation

for 2012

This session will provide the information you need to ensure your organization meets all the training requirements of O.Regulation 429/07, the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, under the Accessibility for Ontarians with

Disabilities Act. We will cover:• who needs to be trained in your organization;• training requirements under the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service regulation;• training tools and resources available to support you;• what you need to do to ensure that third parties working on your behalf are trained

Speaker: Representative, Accessibility Directorate of Ontario,

Ministry of Community and Social Services

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

5.2 CMSMs and Shelters – Partnering Together

This session explores the creative partnerships the service managers and service providers have formed to improve service delivery for people in the community. On June 17, 2010, after much IT work, negotiations with the shelters, and training for all the staff , the City of Toronto celebrated “burning their pinks,” by eliminating the “1A” or “Pink Form” previously used track people entering and leaving the shelter system, to determine who is eligible for Ontario Works, and to facilitate per diem billing by shelters. Hear how a partnership between the service manager and service providers in Toronto made this shift to a paperless route a reality. In the City of London, the municipal service manager partnered with shelter providers and other homeless service providers to develop a strategy to deal with people living with addictions and mental health issues who are living on the streets or at risk of becoming homeless. This session will refl ect on about challenges and opportunities that have come to light in establishing “Safe Havens” and a mobile outreach service.

Speakers: Stephen Giustizia, Manager, Ontario Works, City of LondonTrish Horrigan, Manager, Operations and Support, City of Toronto Hostel Services, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration Division

Rudy Mumm, Project Manager, Shelter Management Information System, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration Division, City of Toronto

policy and legislation across Canada. A trained lawyer, David has been acting in a volunteer capacity since the late 1970s advocating for new laws that protect the rights of persons with disabilities in Canada. Provincially, David’s work and accomplishments include leading a broad disability coalition that successfully advocated for inclusion of protection against discrimination based on disability in Ontario. He championed the Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee, which after ten years of campaigning saw the passage of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) to make Ontario fully accessible to person with disabilities

David continues to be a strong advocate for people with disabilities. His eff orts and hard work have not only impacted Ontarians with disabilities, but also the broader population’s perspective on equal treatment of people with disabilities across the country. David’s experience also reminds us that the actions of a few can have producing long-lasting change for the better.

David Lepofsky will address delegates and then be presented with a Champion of Human Services award.

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Wednesday, September 225.3 Housing, Homelessness, and Human Service

System Management: Learning from Each Other

As the professional home to the municipal human services sector, OMSSA serves as a unique clearinghouse for learning from one another, both within and across sectors. Though each sector has its unique challenges, they all share common characteristics—provincial accountability, community provider relationships, and service planning, among other things. This session features a panel conversation among service managers from the housing, homelessness, and human services, refl ecting on the commonalities across the sectors. Listen, learn, and contribute to this fascinating discussion on the opportunities to share knowledge and expertise on managing local service systems.

Speakers: Susan Bacque, Manager, Housing Division, City of Peterborough

Katherine Chislett, Director, Housing and Homelessness Supports and Initiatives, City of Toronto

Deborah Cercone, Executive Director of Housing & Children’s Services, City of Windsor

_________________________________________________ _________________________________________________

5.4 Alternative Waiting List Models: Examples

from the Netherlands and the United Kingdom

Sponsored by Presenting Partner:

Social Housing Services

Corporation

Many agree that the current model of waiting list management is fl awed and are looking to other models used in such countries as the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. But, are these models the best solutions for Ontario, and is it even possible to use them and adapt them to address some of the inadequacies of our centralized waiting lists? This workshop will examine these alternative systems and discuss how, if at all, they could be applied in Ontario.

Speakers:Ishbel Solvasen, Director, Social Housing Registry of Ottawa

Chris Lawrence, Director, Special Projects, Social Housing Services Corporation

AN EVENING WITH FRIENDS ~ LIVE, LAUGH, LEARN

4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Mix and mingle with Minister Rick Bartolucci, Minister of Municipal Aff airs and Housing. Take this opportunity to network with colleagues and engage in conversation with Minister Bartolucci.

5:00 p.m. Our evening will begin with greetings from Minister Rick Bartolucci. Minister Bartolucci will present Gina Browne with her Champion of Human Services Award.

Gina Browne, Founder and Director of the Health and Social Service

Utilization Research Unit.

OMSSA’s focus on the integration of service delivery in many ways

builds on the ground fi rst broken on integration and a people-centred

approach by Gina, a proven thought and research leader in this area.

As a Family Therapist in primary care, Gina has fi rst-hand knowledge of the mix of challenges faced by the most vulnerable citizens and their families. This knowledge has provided the foundation for her compelling research that has provided valuable insight into advancing the way in which human services are delivered. Gina’s achievements include bringing partner health and social service agencies together as group to improve on the methods of integrated services delivery for citizens in priority populations. She is also the principle author of a study entitled, When the Bough Breaks, that looks at mothers and children receiving social assistance and their response to fi ve types of service intervention.

5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Networking dinner buff et

6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Screening of Home Safe Hamilton, the third fi lm in the documentary series from Sky Works that deals with how Canadian families with children live with

the threat and the reality of homelessness.

The fi lm examines systemic roots of homelessness as a

consequence of economic restructuring, discrimination, and displacement. It includes stories of steelworkers aff ected by industrial layoff s, high school students living in poverty, new Canadians, and Aboriginal families. The fi lm will be followed by a question and answer period with co-producer David Adkin and a participant from the fi lm.

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Thursday, September 239:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS

6.1 Health Determinants and Housing

Sponsored by the Region of DurhamIt is widely known that housing has an impact on a variety of social outcomes. There is great interest in the health impacts of housing interventions, yet the evidence base is small and the conceptual basis for such a relationship is still not well developed. This session will describe what is known of the relationship between housing and health, identify gaps, and demonstrate how housing providers and decision-makers can meaningfully participate in research to strengthen the knowledge base in this area.

Speaker:Jim Dunn, Associate Professor, Department of Health, Aging and Society, Chair in Applied Public Health, Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Public Health Agency of Canada

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

6.2 Special Priority Status: Equipping Your

Housing ProvidersThis session, designed by experienced service providers working in the fi eld of violence against women, explores the complexities and challenges for women and families who are victims of violence. The session will equip housing providers with the tools necessary to deal with the special priority applicants and tenants as well as related safety concerns for them and others.

Speakers: Saundra-Lynn Coulter, London Abused Women’s Centre

Shelley Yeo, Women’s Community House

Louise Stevens, Director, Municipal Housing, City of London

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

6.3 OMSSA Human Service Planning PaperIn this session, participants will learn about the key elements that make up a community human services planning framework. Against the backdrop of OMSSA’s newest paper on Human Services Planning, participants will hear from communities that are engaging in community human services planning and will learn about the benefi ts—and challenges—of integrated service planning

Speaker: Jody Orr, Human Services Integration Coordinator, OMSSA

6.4 Places to Grow: Why it Matters to Your

Community Even if You’re Not in the Greater

Golden Horseshoe Region

Places to Grow is the Ontario government’s program to manage growth and development in the Greater Golden Horseshoe in a way that supports economic prosperity, protects the environment, and helps communities achieve a high quality of life across the province. During the last few years, communities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe have prepared housing strategies that respond to the specifi c requirements of Places to Grow. These strategies include innovative policy frameworks and tools achieve housing targets set out in Places to Grow, create “complete healthy communities,” and meet the housing needs of all of residents along the housing continuum.

Although Places to Grow is geographically limited, the principles of linking housing strategies to local growth plans have relevance to all communities across Ontario. This workshop explores how the experiences of Places to Grow can be applied to other communities, with a focus on the opportunities and challenges in implementing appropriate housing policies within a broader land-use planning context.

Speakers:Ron Jaros, Planning Manager, Corporate Services, Planning Policy and Research Division, Regional Municipality of Peel

Sylvia Patterson, General Manager, Housing and Long Term Care, Region of York

Moderator:Christine Pacini, SHS Inc.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

6.5 Engaging Those with Lived Experience

Our key stakeholders are our clients, yet often it is hard to get meaningful involvement on our boards or (when invited) at Community Forums so their voices are heard at planning and policy tables as services are restructured and decisions are made that aff ect their lives. This session presents the Unity Project (a shelter started by street involved people who wanted an alternative) and My Sister’s Place (a drop-in supporting women with insecure housing), two London organizations that have worked from the ground up to involve those with lived experience in every aspect of their leadership and work. The panel discussion will explore what these two projects have learned and how

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Thursday, September 23others can incorporate their client-engagement practices in their own organization.

Speakers: Chuck Lazenby, Unity Project

Susan MacPhail, Director of Women’s Mental Health, My Sister’s Place

________________________________________________________________________________________________

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. CLOSING PLENARY: A BRAVE NEW WORLD: THE PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS OF CHANGING HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS POLICY FOR ONTARIO

Stephen Pomeroy, Focus Consulting Inc., & Senior

Research Fellow, University of Ottawa Centre on

Governance

Stephen Pomeroy is a housing policy research consultant, based in Ottawa. After 13

years working at the municipal, non-profi t, and federal government levels, in 1994 Mr. Pomeroy established Focus Consulting Inc. Since 1994

he has completed over 100 reports and studies covering issues of socio-

economic analysis, homelessness, housing policy, and aff ordable housing fi nancing. He has recently authored a number of papers on housing and neighbourhood change. He is widely recognized as one of the leading housing policy experts in Canada and has been an advisor to a number of national associations, municipalities, and provinces dealing with government restructuring and development of comprehensive housing strategies. In January 2007 he was appointed as a Senior Research Fellow with the Centre on Governance and will help the centre to develop a research and teaching focus in the area of housing and urban issues.

Michael Shapcott, Director, Aff ordable

Housing and Social Innovation,

Wellesley Institute

Michael Shapcott is Director, Aff ordable Housing and Social Innovation at the Wellesley Institute, an independent, non-profi t research, and policy dedicated to advancing urban health. Michael has worked extensively in Toronto, in many parts of Canada, nationally and internationally on social innovation, the non-profi t

sector, civic engagement, housing and housing rights, poverty, social exclusion, urban health, and health equity.

He is recognized as one of Canada’s leading community-based housing and homelessness experts. He leads the Wellesley Institute’s housing and homelessness practice and co-leads the Wellesley Institute’s social innovation practice.

In 2005, Michael led the Wellesley Institute’s Blueprint to End Homelessness in Toronto initiative, which, in turn, prompted the City of Toronto to prepare its offi cial ten-year housing strategy. Michael has worked with community and municipal offi cials in a dozen Canadian cities to develop local housing plans. He has worked with Aboriginal housing and service providers nationally and in a number of communities to develop practical and eff ective strategies for Aboriginal housing under Aboriginal control. He is a founding member of the Housing Network of Ontario, and led the Wellesley Institute’s national housing initiative aimed at those who are precariously housed.

A Brave New World: The practical implications of

changing housing and homelessness policy for

Ontario

As Ontario moves closer to the launch of a new Long-term Aff ordable Housing Strategy, the housing and homelessness sector will likely face many changes--updated policies, revised regulations, perhaps even new responsibilities, and more. Whatever the changes might be, they will have far-reaching implications both for the day-to-day work of the housing and homelessness sector and for the long-term health of our province. Come and be part of this exciting and motivating conclusion to the conference as we bring together two of Ontario’s leading experts on housing and homelessness policy who will speak about their experience and predictions for the future of the fi eld.

This free-fl owing conversation will refl ect on how decisions made in past generations continue to shape the sector today—and how the decisions of today will shape the housing and homlessness landscape for decades to come.

Speakers:Steve Pomeroy, Focus Consulting Inc., & Senior Research Fellow, University of Ottawa Centre on Governance Michael Shapcott, Director, Aff ordable Housing and Social Innovation, Wellesley Institute,

Moderator: Sylvia Patterson, General Manager, Housing and Long Term Care Branch, Regional Municipality of York

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Exhibitors

Social Housing Services Corporation – Presenting Partner

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation – Host Partner

City of Hamilton, Housing and Homelessness Division

City of Toronto

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

Ministry of Community and Social Services

Supportive Approaches through Innovative Learning (SAIL)

Multilingual Community Interpreter Services

Ontario 211

Service Canada

Ontario Municipal Social Services Association

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Notes

Welcome Delegates,

We are proud to support OMSSA’s 2010Housing and Homelessness Conference.

For information on what Toronto is doingto end homelessness and support peoplein their housing, check the website forthe Shelter, Support and Housing Administration Division.

www.toronto.ca/housing

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Ontario Municipal Social Services Association

The Ontario Municipal Social Services Association (OMSSA) is a non-profi t organization whose members are involved in all aspects of developing and implementing programs in human services at the municipal and community level. Its goals are to: promote public awareness of the importance of human services to healthy communities; advance the integration of human services at the local level; promote progressive public policy and program design; and advance high standards of professional competency in service delivery.

To meet the above goals, OMSSA collects and shares information on human services, undertakes advocacy for improved social policies, and provides professional development opportunities to its members. Visit www.omssa.com for information and resources.

Ontario Association of Hostels

The Ontario Association of Hostels (OAH) acts as a provincial coordinating body for emergency hostels located throughout Ontario, providing support and resources to member hostels and acting as an advocate on behalf of clients, service providers, and member agencies.

We aim to make a positive diff erence in the lives of vulnerable people experiencing homelessness by providing safe, quality emergency shelter as well as services and supports as they seek to fi nd a new home. While addressing immediate needs of those we provide services for, we strive to reduce the impact of poverty and homelessness as well as break the cycle by advocating for meaningful changes. Please visit our new website at www.ontarioshelters.ca

2010 Housing and Homelessness Conference“Partnerships for People” has been organized by

SHSC is proud to be the presenting partner for the2010 Housing and Homelessness Conference

SOCIALHOUSINGSERVICESCORPORATION

THE BUSINESS OF HOUSING