York Region Human Services Planning Coalition releases first annual report

NEWMARKET – The York Region Human Services Planning Coalition released its first annual report, From Plan to Action 2001-2002. The report outlines the work plan and accomplishments of this advisory, resource and planning forum for human services in York Region for the years 2001 and 2002.

"From Plan to Action is a significant milestone for the Human Services Strategy, approved by Regional Council in November 2000," said Regional Chair and CEO Bill Fisch. "The Strategy serves as a key policy document in Vision 2026, the Region's 25-year strategic plan."

The HSPC is a partnership between representatives of government, service provider agencies and corporations, the non-profit sector and consumers of human services. Such services include those that support a safe, healthy community and maintain and promote its quality of life. They include the police, schools, hospitals, housing providers, social services, public health, municipal recreation departments and religious organizations.

"The HSPC, with leadership provided by the Region, has successfully brought service providers, consumers and residents together to discuss issues and take action on shared solutions," said Vaughan Regional Councillor Joyce Frustaglio, Co-chair of the HSPC. "The HSCP is poised to take giant leaps forward in eliminating barriers to service and making the taxpayer dollar go further."

The formation of a HSPC was a key recommendation of the Human Services Strategy, a long-range plan to co-ordinate the human services that will be required to support the growing and changing communities of York Region. The HSPC held its inaugural meeting on February 14, 2001. Significant accomplishments since its inception include:

• Release of Fair is Fair: Health Care Funding in York Region 
• Launch of the Human Services Employment Project to address the growing shortage of trained human service workers.
• Launch of inFORUM YORK series in partnership with Rogers Television
• Research and innovation partnership reached with York University

"The HSPC represents a new approach to planning for people," said Bill Hogarth, Director of York Region District School Board and Co-chair of the HSPC. "Together, we are building common understanding of the issues we face, co-ordinating efforts to solve problems and speaking with a strong, unified voice on York Region priorities and issues of concern to our communities."

The HSPC's continuing and new initiatives over the next two years will include:

• Government relations strategy with community partners
• Release of Towards a New Model, report on social services investment in York Region and further refinement of the Fair is Fair: Health Care Funding in York Region
• Phase II of the Human Services Employment Project
• Continued communications and marketing strategies to promote HSP model of collaboration
• Continued research on impact of integrated planning approaches
• Continued research on impact of immigrant settlement patters in York Region

To view the HSPC's annual report and information about the Human Services Planning Coalition, The Regional Municipality of York, the services we offer and links to our nine area municipalities, please visit our Web site at www.region.york.on.ca

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Contact: Wendy Lewis, Corporate Communications Services, York Region

- (905) 830-4444 or (416) 297-9696, ext. 1238

- Email: wendy.lewis@region.york.on.ca