2003/04 – 2005/06 SERVICE PLAN Ministry of Human Resources

Strategic Context

Ministry Overview

The Ministry of Human Resources (MHR) supports British Columbians in achieving their potential by moving people from income assistance to sustainable employment, and by providing income assistance to those in need.

BC Employment and Assistance legislation emphasizes personal responsibility and active participation. Clients receiving temporary assistance who require support to find work have access to job placement and job training programs.

The ministry also provides programs for people with disabilities, including continuous income assistance and supplementary assistance to meet their basic medical needs. The ministry is committed to assisting people with disabilities achieve greater independence.

The ministry delivers its programs through more than 130 regional and local offices. It is committed to sound fiscal management and excellence in client service.

Introduction

The Service Plan outlines the goals the Ministry of Human Resources will accomplish over the next three years. It lists the ministry’s strategic objectives and sets clear performance measures and targets for each of the goals.

The Service Plan focuses on decision making, planning and implementation. It is a part of the government’s commitment to improve openness and accountability. Progress is monitored throughout the year and outcomes are presented in the Annual Service Plan Report that the ministry publishes after each fiscal year, along with more detailed information about its activities and accomplishments.

To support BC Employment and Assistance, the ministry has six core business areas:

• employment programs are available to assist clients to find and sustain employment. Individualized employment plans may include referral to job search, job placement programs and/or specific training for employment. Specialized programs that support persons with disabilities are included in this core business area.
• temporary assistance is available to eligible individuals who are capable of financial independence through employment. Those unable to work because of a short-term medical condition, because they are a single parent caring for a young child or because they are caring for a disabled family member may be temporarily excused from seeking employment. Those persons with disabilities who are expected to work are included in this core business area.
• continuous assistance is available to eligible individuals who are not expected to gain financial independence through employment; this includes individuals with severe disabilities and those with multiple barriers to employment.
• supplementary assistance is available to eligible clients to provide supports for people in need, such as health services for persons with disabilities, and emergency shelters.
• the Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal is available to assist clients with timely decision-making through a single-level, regionally based appeal system.
• executive and support services include the minister’s office, executive direction, research and performance measurement, employee services, financial services, information management and service delivery.

The ministry’s BC Employment and Assistance program is achieving results for clients. In June 2001, the caseload — the total number of families and individuals receiving assistance — was 157,000. By November 2002, the caseload had declined to 124,000. The number of people and significantly, the number of children dependent on income assistance in British Columbia is now at its lowest level since 1982. Results from a tracking survey that began in 2002 show that 97% of clients contacted left income assistance because they found work, attended school, had other income or because of a change in family or financial status. On average, these families’ incomes are double what they received on income assistance.

New Initiatives

Building on the progress made in 2002/03, the ministry is moving forward with new initiatives to further support its goals and objectives. Specifically the ministry will continue to focus on employment and the provision of support to those most in need.

Employment Plans: Most people applying for income assistance are required to complete an employment plan, specifying the steps they will take to find and keep a job. Each plan is unique, based on the client’s individual strengths and abilities. Steps set out within a plan may include, for example, independent work search activities, training or referral to a job placement program. Implemented in September 2002, the employment plan is the foundation for assisting clients towards sustainable employment.

New Employment Programs: The Job Placement program and the Training for Jobs Pilot program, introduced in 2002/03, assist BC Employment and Assistance clients to achieve independence through sustained employment. Clients enrolled in the Job Placement program receive pre-employment services, job placement assistance, and follow-up support. The Training for Jobs Pilot program gives people with barriers to employment the specific skills and job placement opportunities they need to gain sustainable employment.

Employment Strategy for Persons with Disabilities: The ministry has a comprehensive strategy to support persons with disabilities who want to take advantage of opportunities to work – whether that work is full time, part time, temporary or voluntary. The strategy, introduced in Fall 2002, includes specialized services such as:

• employment planning;
• job placement assistance;
• targeted training; and
• supports to make workplaces more accessible for persons with disabilities.

The strategy also includes a strategic partnership with Human Resources Development Canada; strengthened inter-ministry coordination of services for persons with disabilities; and the Minister’s Council on Employment for Persons with Disabilities.

Community Assistance Program: This initiative was introduced in 2002/03 for people who face multiple barriers to accessing the job market or contributing to their communities. The program is designed to foster self-reliance, personal responsibility and increased independence. It recognizes that leaving income assistance may be a longer term goal for these individuals.

Electronic Service Delivery: The Electronic Service Delivery initiative provides a foundation for improving services to clients and increasing public access to information. It updates information management and information technology (IM/IT) and the ministry’s business applications. These applications have not been substantially upgraded since the early 1980s. Planning and approvals for this initiative will be completed in 2003/04.