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Human Services Planning Board of York Region
The Human Services Planning Board of York Region (the Board) is a multi-sector collaborative of key human service agencies, government, private sector, and community leaders. All Board Members are appointed by York Regional Council for up to a four year term, which runs concurrent with the term of Regional Council. In addition to quarterly meetings, the Board establishes working groups, as required, undertaking initiatives to address issues and legislated requirements related to human services.
The Council approved mandate of the 2019-2022 Board is outlined in the (Terms of Reference) and is to:
- Provide strategic advice to Regional Council on human services matters and initiatives in York Region
- Enhance effectiveness and efficiency of human services in York Region through capacity building, community engagement and collaborative advocacy
- Act as the Advisory Committee to Council for preparation of a Community Safety and Well-Being Plan
New term of Human Services Planning Board (HSPB) appointed by Regional Council
Appointed for a four-year term, the members of the 2019-2022 Human Services Planning Board are:
Regional Government Sector
Wayne Emmerson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Regional Municipality of York
John Taylor, Mayor, Town of Newmarket
Mario Ferri, Regional Councillor, City of Vaughan
Jack Heath, Regional Councillor, City of Markham
Education Sector
Mary Battista, Superintendent of Education: Curriculum and Assessment, York Catholic District School Board
Cecil Roach, Coordinating Superintendent of Education, Indigenous Education and Equity, York Region District School Board
Dr. Rhonda L. Lenton, President and Vice-Chancellor, York University
Healthcare Sector
David Stolte, Vice President, Strategy and Redevelopment, Mackenzie Health
Rebecca Shields, CEO, Co-Chair, Canadian Mental Health Association
Kim Baker, CEO, Central Local Health Integration Network
Community Safety Sector
Chief Jim MacSween, York Regional Police
Jennifer Fang, York Regional Police Services Board
Non-Profit Community Organizations Investment Sector
Nation Cheong, Senior Vice President, Community Opportunities and Mobilization, United Way Greater Toronto
Michael Braithwaite, CEO, Blue Door Shelters (effective March 18, 2019)
Children, Youth and Family Services Sector
Clovis Grant, CEO, 360°kids
Dean Rokos, Executive Director, York Hills Centre for Children, Youth and Families
Seniors/Healthy Aging Sector
Christina Bisanz, CEO, Community & Home Assistance to Seniors
Training-Education/Labour Market/Business Community Sector
Darryl Gray, Director of Education and Training, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
Tracy Macgregor Walter, President and CEO, Newmarket Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Commerce representative
Al Wilson, Executive Director, Workforce Planning Board of York Region
Community and Social Support Based-Services Sector
Christin Cullen, Executive Director, John Howard Society of York Region
Medhat Mahdy, President and CEO, YMCA of Greater Toronto
Liora Sobel, Executive Director, Womenâs Centre of York Region
Colleen Zakoor, Executive Director, Community Living Central York
Advisors and Resources
Charles Beer, Principal, Counsel Public Affairs
Harry Bezruchko, Regional Program Manager, Central Region, Employment and Training Division Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
Daryl Chong, President and CEO, Greater Toronto Apartment Association
Noor Din, CEO, Human Endeavour
Moy Wong-Tam, Executive Director, Centre for Immigrant and Community Services
Nadia Venafro, Affordable Housing Consultant, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Community Safety and Well-Being Plan
As of January 1, 2019, single-tier and regional municipalities such as York Region are required to prepare and adopt a Community Safety and Well-Being Plan (CSWB Plan) by December 31, 2020. The goal of the CSWB Plan is to achieve strong, caring safe communities where everyone feels like they belong, can access services and can meet their needs.
More information can be found on the Ministry of the Solicitor General website, or by contacting hspb@york.ca.
Community Benefits Approaches Research Study
Community benefits approaches research will help to identify progressive employment opportunities through workforce development and supply chain initiatives that can provide physical, social, economic and environmental benefits to the local community. Outcomes may include jobs, training and apprenticeship for targeted groups such as young graduates, newcomers, internationally educated professionals and disadvantaged groups.
- Community Benefits in York Region Research Report - Provides background information and consultantâs research on CBAs, including key approaches, legal/policy frameworks, and recommendations for the CBA Framework document
- Community Benefits in York Region Working Framework - Intended to serve as a basis for discussion with stakeholders. The framework is a high level âroad mapâ of the CBA process, and it sets the stage for the Toolkit
- Community Benefits in York Region Toolkit - Provides templates and step-by-step guidance for implementation of CBAs within the established Framework
Human Services Planning Board of York Region’s 2016 to 2018 Action Plan
The Human Services Planning of York Region 2016 to 2018 Action Plan focuses on improving health and well-being for low and moderate income residents by addressing two community result areas:
- Housing options that are affordable for everyone in our community
- Progressive employment opportunities in a changing economy
It builds on the direction set in Making Ends Meet in York Region: A Road Map for 2015 to 2018.
Between 2016 and 2018, Board members worked together to implement collective actions in eight areas (four areas for housing and four areas for employment). Example actions include:
Progressive Employment Community Result Area
- Community Benefits Approaches Research Study
Community benefits approaches research will help to identify progressive employment opportunities through workforce development and supply chain initiatives that can provide physical, social, economic and environmental benefits to the local community. Outcomes may include jobs, training and apprenticeship for targeted groups such as young graduates, newcomers, internationally educated professionals and disadvantaged groups. - Career Navigator⢠Program
Career Navigator⢠program provides tangible benefits to multi-barriered young adults and employers through meaningful careers in the information technology sector - United Way Greater Toronto, NPower Canada and the Region have partnered to deliver the Career Navigator⢠Program in York Region. This innovative program provides life skills training and wrap around supports to help young adults access and build careers in the information technology sector. Since January 2017 in York Region: - 32 new employers were recruited into the NPower program
- 85 participants were recruited into NPowerâs Boot Camp program, 62 of which went on to complete the Skills Training Program
- 41 participants from the NPower program, 90 per cent of which were placed into full-time employment within four months
- One graduate entered into post-secondary education
Housing Options and Affordability Community Result Area
- Advocating for More Purpose Built Rental Housing
The Board is raising awareness about new funding opportunities to help partners increase the rental housing supply in the Region, and monitoring the new federal National Housing Strategy: A Place to Call Home and the provincial Portable Housing Benefit to understand the potential impact they may have on our housing goals - 212 Davis Drive Completion
212 Davis Drive, a project incubated under the Make Rental Happen Campaign officially opened its doors in September 2017. This project was a result of a unique collaboration between York Region, Town of Newmarket and a private developer which saw the construction of 225 private purpose built rental units with 30 units subsidized for low-income households
Focus: Increasing Progressive Employment Opportunities
Progressive employment opportunities allow residents to find and sustain employment related to their education, skill level and ability. It also helps increase access to education, training and employment supports that enhance career progression and generate income at all stages of life.
A stable workforce can have positive impacts on the health and well-being of our communities by building economic resiliency and competitiveness.
Focus: Increasing Housing Affordability
The growing gap between household income and the high cost of living in York Region makes it difficult for individuals and families to make ends meet while spending as much as 30 to 50 per cent of income on shelter alone.
The Human Services Planning Board works to ease this hardship by advocating for more housing options and affordability in the Region.
Learn more by reading:
Message from the Co-chairs of the Human Services Planning Board of York Region
Making Ends Meet in York Region
Collaborative Advocacy Plan - Make Rental Happen: Creating the Conditions to Build Private Market Rental Housing
Year in Review 2011 Turning Talk to Action: A Community Model for Change
The Making Ends Meet in York Region Baseline Measures: Turning the Curve report
Meetings
The Human Services Planning Board of York Region holds two types of meetings:
- Full membership meetings
- Member working sessions
Full membership meetings are open to the public, while member working sessions are attended by appointed members or by invitation.
