Co-Chair of the HSPB-YR
Joyce Frustaglio,
Regional Councillor
 

Co-Chair of the HSPB-YR
Susan LaRosa
 

We want to thank York Regional Council for establishing this Board and providing the resources to support its administration and coordination. We are thrilled to lead such a talented group of leaders from this community.

Human services, whether it be affordable housing, education, healthcare, immigrant services, employment services or social services etc. are absolutely critical to creating healthy communities where all residents have access to the services they require through the various stages and events in their lives.

York Region, like many other municipalities in the GTA continues to experience rapid population growth, fuelled primarily by immigration, shifting demographics including increasing ethno-cultural diversity and a growing seniors population, a variety of socio-economic trends, and, urban intensification. This highly complex and dynamic environment is occurring in the context of rising costs and funding constraints, placing immense pressure on our human service providers and their capacity to keep pace with overall demand and changing need.

Addressing human service needs in York Region does not come without its challenges. Collectively members of the Board are being offered the opportunity to look at the issues and challenges from a broader, systemic perspective. We are confident and optimistic that we will be able to identify collaborative solutions to our complex issues.

Members of the Human Services Planning Board, have the opportunity to develop and pursue strategies for issues that we cannot accomplish individually on our own.

York Regional Council has outlined the scope of our work in the Terms of Reference. Our work is focused on two streams of action: building capacity in the human services sector and collectively advocating for timely adequate funding. Community engagement and public awareness are fundamental to this work. Our work plan will be based on actively pursuing these two streams of action.

It is by finding common ground that we will have the opportunity to find better ways to do business and strengthen the capacity of the human service sector to meet the current and future needs of our residents. It will take all of us working together to make the difference.

Sincerely,