Recognizing the great work done in advancing excellence in human services integration and service system management by teams from CMSMs and DSSABs across the province. Teams may include CMSM and DSSAB staff in partnership with community organizations and/or initiatives where CMSM and DSSAB staff work together with their communities.
Nominations for OMSSA's 2023 Awards are now CLOSED!
OMSSA encourages nominations that reflect the diversity of its membership, in particular from individuals from racialized groups and Indigenous Peoples to ensure that our awards are reflective of the racial diversity of the populations its members serve.
Teams of at least two different partners (groups or individuals); this is not an award for individual achievement.
The results of teams work must demonstrate a contribution to the advancement of human services integration.
The results of teams work must demonstrate a contribution to the advancement of local service system management.
In addition to the key human services sectors (Children's Services, Housing and Homelessness, and Employment and Income), we are encouraging nominations for contributions in these additional areas of focus:
Indigenous (work with Indigenous communities and/or organizations)
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Other (for any projects that do not fit the above areas of focus)
Nominations for our 2023 Awards are CLOSED!
The nominator must be the designated lead representative to OMSSA from each CMSM and DSSAB (i.e. the Commissioner, CAO of a DSSAB or General Manager etc.)
Each CMSM and DSSAB may nominate one team per year
Nominators must receive sign-off from their Commissioner/Lead
The total number of award recipients is limited to fifteen (15) teams per year
*NEW for 2023* Nominators can now submit nominations online! Click on the button below and fill in the form to submit your nomination directly to OMSSA. If you have any questions, please contact OMSSA at info@omssa.com.
In April 2022, the York Region Ontario Child Care Management System (OCCMS) team in partnership with the York Region EarlyON Child and Family programs team implemented a system-wide, centralized online registration platform for EarlyON programs. The platform was developed in collaboration with EarlyON agencies and other Consolidated Municipal Service Managers/District Social Service Administration Boards (CMSMs/DSSABs), to increase access to available programs, make it easier for families to find and register for programs across the Region (which expanded parent choice), and enable data collection and integration, which will support future program planning. The platform was first launched in the Regional Municipality of York (York Region) and is now being used by seven CMSMs/DSSABs across the province. From April 1 to October 30, 2022, a total of 6,913 families have used the registration portal in York Region.
In the spring of 2020, as COVID-19 began to impact York Region communities and the number of cases rose, York Region took proactive steps to develop a comprehensive and integrated strategy to support people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, to prevent/stop the spread of COVID-19, and prevent housing loss while proactively ensuring community and client needs were met through wraparound supports and services. Partnerships fostered among York Region staff across the corporation as well as with external partners including the United Way Greater Toronto, non-profit service providers, local business and the Provincial Government were instrumental to the Region’s success. Consistent planning, coordination and integration with service providers in the community, Emergency Housing and Violence Against Women Sectors, and Housing with Supports providers, helped to create innovative systems-focused solutions. The specialized supports (e.g. primary health care clinic at the Transitional Shelter) offered by various internal and external partners demonstrates how York Region leveraged funding such as the Social Services Relief Fund, resources and expertise to fill service gaps and facilitated integration across the sector to better provide timely support to individuals at risk of or experiencing homelessness. At a program/service level, York Region continues to adapt and enhance planning and delivery of core services to address the barriers and inequities exacerbated by the pandemic. This includes the creation of the following initiatives that thrived because of innovative partnerships: The Transitional and Self-Isolation Shelters, primary health care and mental health and addictions supports clinic, temporary arrears benefit program, digital access support, and training to build capacity to address anxiety and promote mental health wellness in children. York Region is using continuous quality improvement methods along with Key Performance Indicators to monitor success, track client outcomes and inform the development of current and future programs.
The Regional Municipality of York recently changed their Ontario Works (OW) service delivery model to a model that puts the customer at the forefront. The new integrated approach supports life stability and future success through a holistic trust-based approach that results in better customer outcomes. The traditional caseworker roles have moved into Integrated Benefits Caseworkers (manage customer financial eligibility and access to benefits); Integrated Wraparound Caseworkers (develop trusting relationships, and support service navigation); and Program Support Representative (administrative and additional support). Integration begins right from application through Access York (Contact Centre). The customer provides their story, which is captured using the Customer Service Flow tool, so that the OW staff have information available to them and they can come prepared with resources to the first appointment. This ensures that staff can support customers with resources that are available based on their needs. Another key feature of this new model is Case Conferences, where OW teams bring in internal and external partners to collaborate and strategize to support customers. In order to develop and implement a new Ontario Works service delivery model at York Region, an Ontario Works Transformation (OWT) Team was established. The OWT Team consisted of the Director, lead Managers, Supervisors, Policy, Human Resources, and Communications. Through this new model, York Region continues to evolve services based on Key Performance Indicators and tracking customer outcomes to monitor success.