2004/05 - 2006/07 Service Plan -- Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services

Goals, Objectives, Strategies and Results — Continued

Goal 6: Women's and seniors' unique social and economic needs are addressed.

Core Business Area:: Women's Services, Seniors and Child Care.

Women have made significant gains in BC: 59 per cent of university degrees in 2001 were granted to women, and women now comprise 47 per cent of the province's labour force. In addition, 35.6 per cent of all business owners in BC are women.

Women, however, are still more likely to be victims of crimes committed by someone they know, such as a partner, spouse, acquaintance, relative or ex-spouse. Ensuring access to safe shelter for women and children who are fleeing abusive relationships will contribute to safer communities in British Columbia.

In 2001, 13 per cent of British Columbians were over 65; by 2031, nearly one quarter of the population will be in that age category. While many seniors are active and report having good health, BC needs to plan for an aging population's unique social and economic needs. Immediate planning and coordination by government will ensure that programs are responsive to the needs of seniors.

Objective 1:: Women who have experienced abuse have access to emergency shelter and counselling.

Transition house programs and counselling services are an important part of government's strategy to ensure the safety of women and children. There are a total of 86 funded transition houses, safe homes and second stage housing providers in BC. The transition house program is being reviewed to ensure that a fair funding model is in place, leading to a more effective and efficient program.

Strategies:: 1. Manage programs that provide shelter and counselling services for women who have experienced abuse and for children who witness abuse.¹³; 2. Develop a strategy for phased implementation of a new equitable funding model for the provincial inventory of transition houses.


¹³	Supports the 2004/05 – 2006/07 Government Strategic Plan strategy to "Facilitate a community-based approach to ensure access to high-quality and cost-effective health, education and social services".

Performance Measures

Baseline 2003/04

Target

2004/05

2005/06

2006/07

Outcome: Women and their children using transition houses are safely sheltered from violence¹

Measure: Number of women and their children who used transition house services²

10,400²

10,400


¹	Safe shelter is provided to women and their children through the awarding, funding and monitoring of 86 third party service provider contracts. The number of contracts was formerly included as a performance measure. The measure now focuses on impact by identifying the number of women and children served.
²	This baseline figure has been restated. The figure of 14,125 published in last year's service plan was the number of overnight stays which, because the figure was reported monthly, resulted in some double-counting. The revised figure represents the number of new residents sheltered. These targets are demand driven.

Objective 2:: Government is enabled to make informed decisions on issues that affect women.

The strategies below will enable the community and government to report on the status of women in British Columbia and ensure that programs are designed to respond appropriately to their needs. Initiatives have also been developed to ensure that communities are safer for women. Implementation will begin in 2004/05.

Strategies:: 1. Produce educational tools and materials to provide statistical data on women in British Columbia.; 2. Develop a cross-ministry strategy to reduce violence against girls and women.; 3. Develop a strategy outlining activities and initiatives that profile and promote women's role in the province's economy.

Performance Measures	Baseline 2003/04	Target
Performance Measures	Baseline 2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07
Output: Guides, tools, and information:¹
Violence prevention strategy; and		Strategies developed and implementation begins	Continue implementation	Implementation evaluation and reporting
Strategy to promote women's role in the economy		Strategies developed and implementation begins	Continue implementation	Implementation evaluation and reporting


¹	These outputs are new measures.

Objective 3:: Government is enabled to make informed decisions on seniors' issues.

Government currently provides at least 20 programs and services that benefit seniors directly and many others that benefit seniors indirectly. These programs and services are delivered by ten ministries and Crown Corporations and include programs that address housing, health, recreation, transportation, personal security and financial needs of seniors in BC. The strategy below will enable better planning and coordination of services and programs for seniors.

Strategies:: 1. Review government's programs and services for seniors and make recommendations on how government can focus its planning for an aging population.

Performance Measure	Baseline 2003/04	Target
Performance Measure	Baseline 2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07
Output: Report and recommendations to inform government programs and planning to meet the needs of seniors	N/A	Review, report and recommendations complete	Recommendations implemented	Ongoing implementation, evaluation and reporting