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Press Release – Lanark County
Here are the highlights from the Lanark County Council meeting held April 17, 2024.
Seeking Support for Youth Wellness Hub Proposal: Following a presentation to the community services committee meeting last week, Lanark County Council has directed staff to meet with Planet Youth Lanark County (PYLC) and Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth (ODLCY) to prepare a recommendation about how the county can support the development and implementation of proposals to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO).
The committee heard from PYLC Steering Committee Chair David Somppi and ODLCY Executive Director Kevin Clouthier about plans the organizations have to apply for funds to support the establishment of an integrated youth service hub for the county and Smiths Falls. Somppi outlined PYLC’s work to bring the Icelandic Prevention Model to Lanark County, which focuses on upstream prevention of substance use among youth.
An integrated youth service hub could include core services for 12- to 25-year-olds such as social recreation, mental health, peer support, substance use, primary health, education, training and social services.
Somppi explained PYLC is aiming to submit a proposal to the PHAC for three years of funding for intervention implementation and evaluation. They have also extended an invitation to all Lanark County Youth Centres to join the collaboration for an integrated youth service hub as part of the proposal.
Several youth centre representatives were on hand for the presentation. This, he explained, “defines and implements an effective collaborative governance model” and brings a network of established resources to the table. “Strong civic support is a critical success factor,” he added. “It communicates endorsement by elected officials for the healthy development of children, youth and families.”
Staff will meet with PYLC and ODLCY before bringing a recommendation about supportive measures back to council for consideration. For more information, contact Jasmin Ralph, Clerk, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1502.
Supported Transitional Housing Agreement Amended: Lanark County Council has amended an agreement with Lanark County Mental Health (LCMH) for the Supported Transitional Housing Program that will increase the amount of funding and spaces in the program.
In February, council approved using $296,000 from the Homelessness Prevention Program to cover rental of 11 rooms at the previous Willowdale facility in Smiths Falls, as well as salary for a full-time case manager from LCMH, incidental costs for program participants and a small administration fee. The county has an agreement with LCMH to administer the program.
Director of Social Services Emily Hollington explained as part of negotiations between LCMH and the owners of the facility, the program location is being moved to a different part of the building, which includes an additional three rooms, and rental costs are higher than expected.
The supported transitional housing program uses the “Housing First” model to support individuals who are experiencing homelessness to successfully transition to longer-term, independent housing. The case manager supports activities of daily living and connections to services, and assists individuals on a path to independence and stability.
An additional $120,000 will be allocated to the program from reserves and is to be paid back to the reserve funds through rent or fees collected from the program. For more information, contact Emily Hollington, Director of Social Services, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 2101.
“IDEA” Committee To Be Launched: Lanark County Council has directed staff to schedule a striking committee meeting to review the terms of reference and structure of a new working group: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA).
At the corporate services committee meeting last week, Clerk Jasmin Ralph explained the IDEA Working Group would have a large and diverse committee base and serve as a foundational piece in developing programs and policies that support all members of the community and the Lanark County workplace.
She noted with the county receiving Rural Economic Development funding for settlement services and diversity, equity and inclusion training and programs, as well as with Lanark Lodge working to bring internationally training health-care worker to the county, “it has become evident that as an organization and as a community, we can take additional steps to support newcomers and people across our communities.”
Ralph said the IDEA Working Group will help to foster a welcoming community and can also review access and inclusion programs that affect those with disabilities.
Recommendations will be brought back to council from the striking committee for consideration. For more information, contact Jasmin Ralph, Clerk, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1502.
Information on Senior Levels of Government Funding Provided: Lanark County Council received an information report on provincial and federal levels of funding presented by CAO Kurt Greaves at the corporate services committee meeting last week.
Greaves explained there are constant changes to funding programs, and amounts received in different funding envelopes can vary significantly. At the same time, the county’s program expenditures can be affected by factors such as inflation, population growth, aging demographics, usage and more.
Greaves compared increases to funding against inflation over 10 years and found the annual increase in funding has been more than double the Consumer Price Index, and the amount of funding as a percentage of gross expenditures has also increased, which he called “positive news.”
Most services provided by the county are mandated by provincial legislation, and the province has given municipalities power to manage, tax and operate under the Municipal Act and other provincial legislation. The province is the major source of direct funding to municipalities, and the federal government provides the Canadian Community Building Fund and some direct money for housing programs.
“Over the 10-year period examined from 2013 to 2022, the provincial and federal governments have provided an increasing share of overall funding to Lanark County,” Greaves said.
For more information, contact Kurt Greaves, CAO, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1101.
Upcoming Meetings: County Council, Wednesday, May 8, 5 p.m.; Community Services, May 8 (following County Council); Corporate Services, May 8 (following Community Services). County Council, Wednesday, May 22, 5 p.m.; Public Works, May 22 (following County Council); Economic Development, May 22 (following Public Works). Watch for details about public access to meetings on agendas and through online notifications.
For more information, contact 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1502. Like "LanarkCounty1" on Facebook and follow "@LanarkCounty1" on X!
