Archived - Evaluation of the Income Assistance, National Child Benefit Reinvestment and Assisted Living Programs - Follow-up Report Status Update as of September 30, 2009
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Action Plan Implementation Status Update Report to the Evaluation, Performance Measurement and Review Committee - As of September 30, 2009
Education and Social Development Programs and Partnerships - Social Policy and Program Branch
Evaluation of the Income Assistance, National Child Benefit Reinvestment and Assisted Living Programs (200812)
AEC Approval Date: 26/FEB/2009
| Project Recommendations | Action Plan | Expected Completion Date | Program Response |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Recommendations | |||
| 1. Create an Evaluation working group of INAC Audit and Evaluation Sector and Program Staff and First Nations representatives to develop outcome indicators for all three programs that will be meaningful and acceptable at the community level. | The Program, in consultation with regions, developed an RMAF which outlined program objectives, expected results and evaluation criteria. The Program, in collaboration with regions is developing an integrated Performance Measurement and Risk Management Strategy which will include the following components: program profile, logic model, risk profile, performance measurement framework and evaluation strategy. Once an initial draft is completed it will be shared with First Nations with a view to seeking their input. |
31/03/2010 | Status: Pending Implementation Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2009: INAC is working on the Performance Measurement Strategy, including the development of program logic models. As further progress is made, the strategy will be shared with regions, and, subsequently with First Nations. |
| 2. Develop a standard data system and standardization of indicators for all regions to facilitate comparability. | As part of the Performance Measurement Strategy presently under development, the Program will identify standard outcomes and indicators, as well as support the implementation of a renewed data collection and management process. |
31/12/2010 | Status: In progress Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2009: INAC is assessing how data may be refined and better managed through work on the Performance Measurement Strategy. For example, in the case of National Child Benefit Reinvestment, INAC drafted and is now piloting new application and annual report forms, including fields to forecast and collect data on outputs, outcomes, and indicators. |
| 1. The Working Group created should have a discussion of OCAP principles regarding program data. | While INAC needs to manage data for program design and accountability purposes, it will ensure that program data is publicly available. | Ongoing | Status: In progress Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2009: INAC is complying with requirements for transparency and public access to internal data and information. |
| Income Assistance Recommendations | |||
| 1. Develop, in partnership with relevant bodies such as HRSDC, AFN, and provincial ministries, an integrated strategy to address on-reserve labour and employment needs. The strategy would recognize the complex and unique needs of the on-reserve unemployed, such as restricted access to labour markets; multiple employability barriers; transportation needs; and the need for child care and other necessary supports while in training or educational upgrading programs. | As part of the social program and policy reform, INAC is working with willing provinces and First Nations in a tripartite process that is unique to each jurisdiction. This process focuses on Active Measures to help a larger number of income assistance recipients to transition to the labour force. More specifically, INAC is working with provincial governments to develop and implement approaches for active measures using provincial expertise and services to encourage youth to pursue employment rather than income assistance. These approaches will take into account the need to coordinate and integrate related programming, as well as supports necessary to pursue training, education and employment. Program redesign and authority renewal will be based on best practices and will be moved out nationally. |
Ongoing | Status: In progress Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2009: INAC is moving toward active measures-based programming for the Income Assistance (IA) program. This programming is designed to support First Nation individuals' transition from Income Assistance to employment in a manner reflecting local needs and within the reference provincial/territorial framework. INAC has established links and has regular ongoing discussions with INAC regions, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, provinces and First Nation organizations to leverage resources and develop a more coordinated approach for delivery of the IA program to First Nation clients. INAC is working collaboratively with several provinces starting with Saskatchewan and Alberta, and relevant partners to develop and implement active measures programming. As it relates to youth specifically, the Department is presently allocating internal resources to fund several regional innovative active measures projects that target First Nation youth, with a view to increasing this group's ability to access employment. |
| 2. In the near term, until a strategy to address the causes of welfare dependency is in place, and achieving the desired outcomes; and to provide better support for basic needs: review the 2% funding increase policy to assess whether it is meeting First Nations Income Assistance costs. | See response to Recommendation No. 1 (Income Assistance) The 2 per cent funding cap was imposed on INAC by the Treasury Board in 1998. With the growth in First Nation demographics, the two per cent is a constraint in delivering the program. However, it is not within the control of the department to remove the funding cap. The Program is trying to reduce funding pressures through a renewed focus on both compliance and Active Measures in order to reduce income assistance dependency and encourage transition to employment. |
31/03/2011 | Status: In progress Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2009: The Income Assistance Program has initiated compliance-related activities including a review of regional program manuals and associated compliance regimes. This will inform revisions to the national program management framework, which INAC will undertake as part of the authority renewal process. INAC is working towards expanding active measures programming through policy and financial support for regional active measures projects, and continued engagement with other government departments, provinces and First Nation organizations. |
| 3. In the near term, address INAC staffing shortages and training needs at the national and regional levels. | Once the Performance Management Strategy has been developed, revisions to the National Manual, First Nations National Reporting Guide and training guides will be undertaken and subsequently provided to regional staff and First Nations. |
31/12/2010 | Status: In progress Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2009: In tandem with the initial work on the Performance Measurement Strategy, including preliminary work in relation to a program logic model, the Income Assistance Program has initiated a review of regional program manuals and associated compliance regimes in support of revisions to the national manual. Appropriate changes to the National Reporting Guide and training guides are expected subsequent to the completion of the Performance Measurement Strategy. |
| 4. In the near term, fund a representative sample of community needs assessments that will provide meaningful cost measures for items such as shelter, utilities and transportation. | As opposed to funding a representative sample of community needs assessments, INAC will undertake research to identify characteristics and needs of income assistance recipients and service delivery models. This will support the development of policy options aimed at reducing dependency and supporting transition into the workforce. | 31/03/2010 | Status: In progress Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2009: Research into the characteristics and needs of income assistance recipients continues to be a component of the program reform work plan. |
| 5. In the longer term, create a working group of INAC, First Nations and Provincial representatives to develop a strategy for addressing IA jurisdictional and funding issues, including a discussion of the costs of needs in rural/remote communities. | See response to Recommendation No. 1 (Income Assistance). The approach of working with provinces on an incremental basis will help to ensure that the geographic and community-specific needs of First Nations are taken into account. |
Ongoing | Status: In progress Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2009: INAC is engaging provincial partners in relation to active measures, particularly in Saskatchewan, where the provincial government has agreed to collaborate with the Department to help First Nation recipients transition from dependence to participation in education, training and regionally relevant employment initiatives. In British Columbia, INAC is working with provincial representatives as part of a multi-jurisdictional Active Measures Working Group aimed at enhancing employment opportunities and reducing dependence on Income Assistance by First Nation members. INAC and the Province of Alberta are working in partnership, whereby the Province provides access to its social development resources, including the provision of advice and allowing First Nation program administrators to participate in provincial training. In Ontario, INAC and the province are working collaboratively with First Nations to expand access to Ontario Works active measures programming to an additional 4 communities by April 1, 2010, for a total of 40 communities province-wide (1 as of November 1, 2009, the other 3 as of April 1, 2010). INAC and the province also jointly support the Ontario Native Welfare administrators Association (ONWAA), which aims to increase the capacity of income assistance administrators in the province, including their ability to incorporate active measures programming on reserve. |
| 6. Take the lead in initiating an integrated education and training strategy with HRSDC, Aboriginal organizations, and relevant provincial ministries, to address the education needs of First Nation youth in particular, as a way of reducing the number of youths who choose welfare over further education and/or employment. | See response to Recommendation No. 1 (Income Assistance) |
March 2010 | Status: In progress Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2009: As noted in response #4, this research has not been completed, but continues to be a component of the program reform work plan. The Department is presently allocating internal resources to fund regional active measures projects that target First Nation youth, to prevent and reduce this group's reliance on income assistance. In Saskatchewan, the focus of INAC's work is on integrated services, both within the federal government and with the province, in the areas of education and pre-employment training services. |
| INAC will work with HRSDC and provinces to develop approaches to encourage youth to pursue educational opportunities rather than applying for income assistance. | March 2011 | ||
| 7. Strengthen links with other relevant departments such as HRSDC to enhance information sharing so that long term employment outcomes can be measured, and develop more refined outcome indicators for future evaluation activities. | INAC is developing a Performance Measurement Strategy with clear program outcomes and measurable indicators to improve capacity to monitor program effectiveness.
|
31/03/2010 | Status: In progress Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2009: Preliminary work has begun on a program logic model, which is to provide a basis for clearer program outcomes and more measurable indicators. INAC has established links and has regular ongoing discussions with Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, provinces and relevant First Nation organizations to leverage resources and develop a more coordinated new approach for delivery of the IA program to First Nation clients. |
| National Child Benefit Reinvestment Recommendations | |||
| 1. Initiate a formal discussion with First Nation organizations and INAC regional staff on the most effective way to address reporting issues so that meaningful outcomes can be measured. | INAC will work with its regional offices and First Nations to identify performance outcomes and indicators as well as the development of appropriate data collection tools, to be pilot tested prior to full implementation. | September 2010 | Status: In progress Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2009: Program has developed new National Child Benefit Reinvestment (NCBR) Application and Annual Report forms, which include fields to forecast and collect data on outputs, outcomes, and indicators. The new forms are currently being pilot-tested by INAC Regional staff; the pilot-testing includes discussion with First Nation organizations. The INAC NCBR Working Group was reinstated in the 2008-09 fiscal year. Program holds regular INAC NCBR Working Group meetings (monthly teleconferences) to achieve the objectives as stated. |
| INAC's NCBR program will reinstate the HQ/Regional INAC NCBR Working Group, which will focus on evaluation of NCB/NCBR impacts, data, reporting, outcomes, strategic research, best practices, and improving collaborative working relationships with relevant partners. | Fall 2009 | ||
2. Recommend to regions that they adopt a management regime similar to Saskatchewan region, which does the following:
|
Regions are expected to adopt a management regime similar to the Saskatchewan model. Management practices with respect to NCBR will be on the agenda of an INAC NCBR national meeting (late summer 2009). As per the design of the National Child Benefit Initiative, of which NCBR is one component, NCBR management and programming must be in the context of P/T/regional regimes; HQ will work with/support each region to strengthen its management regime and supports within the reference P/T/regional social development context. |
August 2009
|
Status: In progress Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2009: Program holds regular INAC NCBR Working Group meetings at which management regimes and supports are discussed; work is ongoing. Participants of the NCBR National Meeting held in early Fall 2009, discussed management regimes/supports; the meeting report will include a summary of discussions and recommended action items. |
| Ongoing | |||
| 3. Revise reporting mechanisms to avoid multiple counting of program participants. | INAC will work with its regional offices, First Nations, HRSDC (NCB Initiative) to develop an improved project proposal template and reporting tool for collecting more accurate information regarding NCBR activities and beneficiaries and provide better information for evaluating outcomes, with a view to pilot testing and implementation of the new tool. |
September 2010 | Status: On target Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2009: Program has developed new Application and Annual Report forms, in collaboration with INAC Regions (in discussion with First Nations organizations), and HRSDC. The new forms are expected to yield higher quality data, reduce multiple counting of program participants, collect more accurate information, and provide better information for evaluating outcomes while simultaneously reducing the reporting burden. INAC Regional staff are pilot-testing the forms. Results of pilot-testing will inform any proposed revisions to the NCBR Data Collection Instrument. Review and discussion regarding the new Application and Annual Report forms and pilot-testing of the forms will be an agenda item for the upcoming INAC NCBR National Meeting. |
| A national meeting is tentatively scheduled for August 2009 to strategize and move forward with improvements to NCBR outcomes / reporting. | Fall 2009 | ||
| Assisted Living Recommendations | |||
| 1. Continue the initiative to devolve the funding and authority for the in-home component to the FNIHCC program. | Overall Approach: In its broadest context the Assisted Living program is working towards a more integrated and coordinated First Nations continuing care system on reserve that is more responsive to the needs of seniors, and adults and children with disabilities or chronic illness. |
To be determined | Status: In progress Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2009: INAC is working with Health Canada to explore a proposed transfer of the in-home component to the First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care Program. As well, the department has begun implementing activities identified in the critical path; including developing a communications plan and providing regular updates to INAC regions through monthly HQ/Regional Social Policy and Program calls. |
| 2. Secure Treasury Board funding for children's AL services, to resource the program authority in place since 2003. | See response to Recommendation No. 1 (Assisted Living) INAC will undertake needs assessments in the areas of foster care, including supportive living, and institutional care to inform decisions on the further direction of the program. |
September 2009 | Status: In progress Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2009: INAC is preparing to conduct a national assessment of the AL program. The study is expected to be underway in December 2009. A study of institutional care practices in the Yukon is being undertaken and will inform the national assessment. The study is expected to be completed by end of January 2010, at which point an implementation plan will be developed. |
| INAC will undertake analysis regarding the social, non-medical needs of children with disabilities and related costs to inform proposed options for future direction of the program for this population. | April 2009 | ||
| INAC is currently reviewing provincial and territorial funding practices related to institutional care clients on reserve and, based on this review, will develop a position paper clarifying roles and responsibilities with respect to the provision of funding. | March 2010 | ||
| 3. Coordinate discussions at the Federal / Provincial / Territorial and First Nations level to address other AL service gaps, resolve jurisdictional issues and develop an integrated approach to a full continuum of care model. | See response to Recommendation No. 1 (Assisted Living) |
March 2010 | Status: In progress Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2009: Committee Work with other government departments is ongoing. INAC works with Health Canada, the AFN and ITK (of the Joint Working Group on Continuing Care) to explore the possible integration of health and social services on reserve. This ongoing partnership work will help inform this recommendation and action plan (any structural changes would require machinery of government decisions). |
| 4. Fund community-based AL needs assessments and uses the information as a basis for reviewing current funding levels. | See response to Recommendation No. 1 (Assisted Living) INAC's current assisted living allocations are based on a historical funding formula that allows for a 2% increase per year. Any proposed revisions to the funding formula would be based on needs assessments conducted on foster care and institutional care. |
31/03/2010 | Status: On target Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2009: Community-based needs assessment remains a priority for the Assisted Living Program. The Yukon study (i.e. institutional care review), which will be completed this fiscal year (2009-10), and the national assessment, which will be launched in January 2010, will both contribute to the analysis of the program. |