Latest news with #MinistryofChildren
Hamilton Spectator
26-06-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Autism services for kids to expand in Burlington with $800K grant
Two Burlington organizations providing autism services for children will grow their staff with nearly $800,000 in combined provincial funding. Ontario's Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services and Oakville North-Burlington MPP Effie Triantafilopoulos announced investments of $399,800 to Burlington's Spokes Autism Services and $399,629 to Burlington's Missing Links over the next two years though its Workforce Capacity Fund of the Ontario Autism Program. A June 21 press release from MPP Triantafilopoulos states the fund provides two-year grants ranging from $50,000 to $400,000 to help service providers hire new staff, increase staff hours, train employees and invest in technology. Ramona Mathew, of Spokes Autism Services, said the grant allows the organization to 'provide stable employment for dedicated (Applied Behaviour Analysis) therapists' and provide training that enhances service children receive. 'With this funding, we can double our service capacity and extend consistent, evidence-based services to more families,' Mathew stated in the ministry's press release. Am Badwall of Missing Links said the province's support will help the organization 'build a stronger workforce and expand access to meaningful autism services.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Ontario to give education minister power to more easily take over school boards
TORONTO - Ontario is set to give the minister of education power to more easily put school boards under supervision and require more boards to put police officers in schools. The Canadian Press has learned that Education Minister Paul Calandra will introduce broad legislation today, following weeks of warnings to boards that he would implement tougher oversight. Calandra announced in April that the province had taken control of one school board by appointing a supervisor due to financial 'mismanagement' and was launching financial investigations of three others, describing his actions as putting all boards 'on notice.' The legislation is set to expand the reasons for initiating an investigation or putting a board under supervision beyond just financial ones, to include matters of public interest. In a news release set to be released later today, the government gives an example of 'board governance dysfunction that is preventing key decisions from being made.' As well, Ontario would require school boards to implement a School Resource Officer program if the local police service offers one. Some school boards have such programs on a voluntary basis, while others ended their programs several years ago, after some students reported feeling uncomfortable or intimidated and some racialized communities raised concerns. The government materials say having more school resource officers would 'help build relationships between youth and police, actively promote positive behaviour and create a culture of mutual respect.' The bill would also give the minister power to direct school boards to publicly post expenses of trustees, the director of education and others, and would give the minister power over school names when boards open new schools or want to change an existing name. The legislation also contains measures directed at the post-secondary system, including requiring post-secondary admissions policies to be merit-based and requiring colleges and universities to provide detailed breakdowns of how tuition fee revenue is used. As well, the bill would allow the government to 'require transparency and increased oversight of ancillary fees at post-secondary institutions,' reminiscent of a court battle from the early days of the Doug Ford government. Ford's government enacted its 'Student Choice Initiative' in 2019, which made some post-secondary fees optional, such as for student unions, but the province's top court struck it down. This legislation instead lays the groundwork for the government to consult with the sector to decide which ancillary fees cover core services, and determine an opt-out mechanism. Children's aid societies have also been under the Ford government microscope, with the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services launching a review of them in the fall, and they, too, are subject to increased scrutiny in this bill. The legislation would increase the government's oversight of certain financial decisions, to be 'outlined in future regulations.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 29, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Ontario to give education minister power to more easily take over school boards
TORONTO – Ontario is set to give the minister of education power to more easily put school boards under supervision and require more boards to put police officers in schools. The Canadian Press has learned that Education Minister Paul Calandra will introduce broad legislation today, following weeks of warnings to boards that he would implement tougher oversight. Calandra announced in April that the province had taken control of one school board by appointing a supervisor due to financial 'mismanagement' and was launching financial investigations of three others, describing his actions as putting all boards 'on notice.' The legislation is set to expand the reasons for initiating an investigation or putting a board under supervision beyond just financial ones, to include matters of public interest. In a news release set to be released later today, the government gives an example of 'board governance dysfunction that is preventing key decisions from being made.' As well, Ontario would require school boards to implement a School Resource Officer program if the local police service offers one. Some school boards have such programs on a voluntary basis, while others ended their programs several years ago, after some students reported feeling uncomfortable or intimidated and some racialized communities raised concerns. The government materials say having more school resource officers would 'help build relationships between youth and police, actively promote positive behaviour and create a culture of mutual respect.' The bill would also give the minister power to direct school boards to publicly post expenses of trustees, the director of education and others, and would give the minister power over school names when boards open new schools or want to change an existing name. The legislation also contains measures directed at the post-secondary system, including requiring post-secondary admissions policies to be merit-based and requiring colleges and universities to provide detailed breakdowns of how tuition fee revenue is used. As well, the bill would allow the government to 'require transparency and increased oversight of ancillary fees at post-secondary institutions,' reminiscent of a court battle from the early days of the Doug Ford government. Ford's government enacted its 'Student Choice Initiative' in 2019, which made some post-secondary fees optional, such as for student unions, but the province's top court struck it down. This legislation instead lays the groundwork for the government to consult with the sector to decide which ancillary fees cover core services, and determine an opt-out mechanism. Children's aid societies have also been under the Ford government microscope, with the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services launching a review of them in the fall, and they, too, are subject to increased scrutiny in this bill. The legislation would increase the government's oversight of certain financial decisions, to be 'outlined in future regulations.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 29, 2025.
