Agenda Index City of Vancouver

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

TO: Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets
FROM: Director of Community Services, Social Planning
SUBJECT: Reconsideration of Community Services Grants Applications
 

RECOMMENDATION

GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS

COUNCIL POLICY

On November 22, 1994, City Council established that reconsideration of grant recommendations can only occur if they are based on one or both of the following premises:

1) that eligibility criteria and priorities have not been properly applied; or

2) the financial situation of the applicant has not been properly assessed or understood.

Approval of grant recommendations requires eight affirmative votes.

PURPOSE

This report contains the results of the reconsideration process which was initiated by four Community Services Grants applicants, and makes recommendations based on the outcome of this process.

BACKGROUND

In November 1994, City Council approved a grants "reconsideration" process for those grant applicants who disagreed with the Social Planning Department's recommendation with regards to their applications. A key feature of the process is that there are only two grounds for requesting reconsideration (referred to in Council Policy, above). This has all but eliminated requests based solely on the fact that the group does good work (most do), or there is considerable community support for it, or any of a number of other reasons.

All applicants for 1998 Community Service Grants were advised in late February of Social Planning's recommendations, along with our rationale for recommendations for reduced or no grants. They were also told of the reconsideration process which could be used if they disagreed with the recommendations. Four applicants, out of 108, requested reconsideration.

Requests for reconsideration were submitted by the following organizations:

Organization

Original Recommendation
B.C. Soc. for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse No grant (new application).
Dusk to Dawn Resource Centre No grant (new application).
PACE Society No grant (new application).
Van. Neurological Association $13,400 6-month terminating grant ($26,760 grant in 1997)

City Council subsequently, on March 24, approved Social Planning's recommendations for all Community Services Grant applications, except for the four which were referred to the reconsideration process. At that time, Council also established a reserve of $23,078 for emergencies or unforeseen circumstances. It was understood that any new or increased grants coming from the reconsideration process would be funded from this reserve. The $13,400 originally recommended for Vancouver Neurological was unallocated, and so remains available in the budget for this or another grant.

RECONSIDERATION PROCESS

The applicants for reconsideration have all submitted written material supporting their requests for changes to our recommendations. This material is included in Appendix I.

Social Planning staff reviewed the original applications, supporting materials, interview notes, and the new information that was submitted with the reconsideration requests. If there was still some confusion or lack of clarity, applicants were personally contacted to ensure that staff had a clear and complete understanding of the situation.

Staff then developed recommendations based on this review of all the pertinent information, and prepared written explanations for their decisions. These comments and the recommendations, along with the applicants' submission, are attached as Appendix I.

All applicants were advised that they could make presentations to Council if they were still in disagreement with the staff recommendations. Some of them may appear as delegations when this report is dealt with by Council.

CONCLUSION

After a careful and thorough review of the four applications that were referred, by the applicants, to the reconsideration process, Social Planning staff have concluded that their original recommendations should remain unchanged.

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APPENDIX I - A1

British Columbia Society for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse (#6)

Request: $24,700
1997 Grant: $0 (new application for 1998)
Social Planning Initial Recommendation: $0

Program Description (summarized from grant application)

(1) Two staff therapists to outreach to male prostitutes, interview them and invite them to participate in therapy sessions (counselling).
(2) Development of three consecutive twelve week group therapy cycles, six to eight participants per group. Two groups will run concurrently.
(3) Program evaluation

Social Planning Initial Response

No grant recommended. There is no clear assessment of the need for services among the target population group. Also, community links and supports have not been adequately established.

Basis for Consideration

That eligibility criteria and priorities have not been properly applied. For more details see the attached letter from the organization.

Social Planning Comments

The letter submitted by the B.C.S.M.S.S.A. does not provide sufficient new evidence to alter our initial evaluation that there is no clear assessment of the need for services among the target population group. As the letter of reconsideration itself states on page two: "There is virtually no research on male prostitution and therefore too little empirical evidence available at this time". We think that at least three elements have to be in place before a positive recommendation for funding could be brought forward. First, that the targeted population is quantified; secondly, that the proposed program activity reflects a priority need for the targeted population; and thirdly, that no other agency or group is better equipped to offer the needed program.

We continue to encourage B.C.S.M.S.S.A. to coordinate efforts with other agencies working in the area and with the targeted population. There is a recognition of that need on the part of the applicant. As they indicate in their letter requesting reconsideration: "I am exploring with Downtown South Community Health Centre ways in which an in-road to treatment can have a starting point... I have also be directed to Adolescent Street Unit, and will be pursuing that connection soon."

Recommendation: No grant

.

APPENDIX I - B1

Dusk to Dawn Resource Centre (#23)

Request: $ 28,500
1997 Grant: $ 0 (new application for 1998)
Social Planning Initial Recommendation: $ 0

Program Description (summarized from the grant application)

The Dusk to Dawn Resource Centre provides a safe, non-judgemental drop-in centre for street involved youth during the late evening and early morning hours when other services are not available. City funding was sought for additional staff resources to network and liaise with First Nations agencies, other youth advocates and First Nations youth and to provide peer counselling during regular Dusk to Dawn hours.

Social Planning Initial Response

Staff recommended NO GRANT. Approximately half of the core funding for this organization was previously provided by the Ministry for Children and Families. However, there is considerable uncertainty around the continuation of this funding into 1998 and beyond. Also, there have been concerns raised that there have been barely sufficient resources to properly operate this program. Social Planning staff felt that supporting an outreach program that, if successful, would bring even more youth into the centre would only exacerbate the problem.

Basis for Reconsideration

The applicant claims that their financial situation has not been properly assessed and understood. In the material that was sent in to support the request for reconsideration, this group also addressed the concern raised by Social Planning about increased clientele. (see attached letter)

Social Planning Comments

Since the grant review process took place, the Vancouver Health Board has approved a grant of $137,000 for Dusk to Dawn. This is enough money to keep the centre open for about 6 months. Longer-term funding is still under discussion with the Ministry for Children and Families (MCF). There have been meetings with representatives from this Ministry, the City, Dusk to Dawn staff and the two sponsoring societies about the level of funding and what services the centre could provide. Previously, Dusk to Dawn received two sources of funding from MCF, each amounting to $100,000. One portion of money was targeted to Downtown South street youth services and the second to aboriginal street youth services. The Ministry is reconsidering this funding arrangement and is giving some thought to moving the aboriginal component to another service provider in a location that is more accessible to the aboriginal community. If MCF funds Dusk to Dawn to do both

APPENDIX I - B2

programs then City funding will not be required. The applicants acknowledge this when they state in the attached letter that "Dusk to Dawn will be doing this work regardless of whether or not we receive funds from the City, you will only be adding resources to assist our development of a First Nations Centre at Dusk to Dawn". If MCF funding for at least the Downtown South street youth services is not approved, the centre will probably have to close, or at least be severely cut back, this summer. Until MCF funding decisions are known and it is clear what services are to be provided, it would be prudent to hold off on City funding.

Recommendation: No grant.

APPENDIX I - C1

P.A.C.E. Society (#62)
Prostitution Alternatives Counselling and Education

Request : $39,500
1997 Grant : $0 (new application for 1998)
Social Planning recommendation : $0

Program Description (summarized from grant application):

Advocacy/outreach worker targeting women and sexually exploited youth involved in off-street prostitution (massage parlours, escort agencies, body rub parlours, health enhancement centres and other sites).

Staff will provide consultation and counselling over the phone, on the street, or at off-street prostitution locations. Services include individual support, counselling, information and referral to housing, education and employment skills training. Staff will also work with parents of sexually exploited youth and co-ordinate a volunteer peer worker program.

Social Planning Initial Response :

No grant recommended. Objectives and outcome of proposed work are unclear and MCF funding for core services is currently unstable.

Basis for Reconsideration :

That eligibility criteria and priorities have not been properly applied and that financial situation has not been properly assessed. For details, please see attached letter from the organization.

Social Planning Comments :

The letter submitted by the P.A.C.E. Society does not provide any new or additional information on concrete strategies and outcomes of the proposed program that would alter our initial evaluation on the need for the services and priorities. The proposed service is predicated on being able to contact off-street prostitutes, but there is no information provided to support the viability of the proposed approach or to indicate what the specific outcomes of a successful program would be. The Society's quote "for 1986 the off street prostitution number was estimated to be between 1500 and 2500." cannot be verified. Without factual information and concrete strategies it will be difficult to assess the value and positive outcome of the proposed outreach program. In addition, the concern related to internationally trafficked prostitution should be dealt with by immigration and police.

APPENDIX I - C2

In the letter of reconsideration P.A.C.E. indicated that "the Status of Women Canada has funded PACE to deliver an action-oriented research program to assess the current reality of off-street prostitution.......information from this research will supply a more comprehensive analysis of the issue and hopefully lead to more effective and equitable responses." Social Planning supports and commends the society for taking on research of this nature. The findings should assist us to formulate appropriate strategies in the future.

No new or additional information was submitted for re-assessment of the Society's financial situation. The only assured funding the Society has is for the research project. MCF funding for the Society's core services to on-street prostitutes is still unknown.

Recommendation: No grant.

APPENDIX I - D1

Vancouver Neurological Association (#93)

Request: $35,000
1997 Grant: $26,760
Social Planning Initial Recommendation: $13,400 (6 month terminating grant)

Program Description (summarized from grant application)

1) to help staffing costs for social services, socialization groups for various age categories, individual and group disability education, counselling, guidance and support to self help groups.

2) to help staffing costs for the Transition Project for youth

Social Planning Initial Response

Recommend $13,400 as a 6 month terminating grant. This organization's services fall primarily within Provincial government mandates and the proposed service is not a City priority.

Basis for Reconsideration

That eligibility criteria and priorities have not been properly applied and that the financial situation has not been properly assessed. Please see the attached letter from the organization for details.

Social Planning Comments:

No new information has been provided on the organization's financial situation or on the program. Vancouver Neurological has a $4.8 million budget, $4 million of which comes from the Ministry of Children and Families. Our current information on charitable gambling indicates that revenues to non-profit organizations will be stable next year, so the Society should continue to have this income ($126,000) plus $175,000 from the United Way, for social programs. The Society employs over 75 FTE staff including 6 family support workers. Previous years' City funding would have covered about .3 FTE plus program costs.

Vancouver Neurological Centre is the major service provider for children and adults with neurological conditions, and we believe they deliver important services. However, as the funding pattern illustrates, these services are an acknowledged part of MCF's mandate and, in our opinion, are no longer a priority for City funding.

Recommendation: $13,400 (6 month terminating grant).

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