Public Access to the DTSSAB Offices continues

Please be advised that in accordance with the announcement made January 3rd, 2022, by Premier Doug Ford, the District of Timiskaming Social Services Administration Board (DTSSAB) is taking further measures to protect our residents, employees and community.

These measures include keeping our offices in Kirkland Lake and Temiskaming Shores open with compliance to health and safety protocols.

All individuals seeking services of the DTSSAB are advised to call the office at one of the numbers listed below. There is a phone located outside the door of each office that will allow people to call our reception desk directly. In addition there are drop boxes at each office location and each of the community housing buildings that can be used (by our tenants).

Kirkland Lake 705-567-9366 OR 888-544-5555

Temiskaming Shores 705-647-7447 OR 800-627-2944

In-office visits are restricted to emergencies only, and people will be required to pass the COVID-19 screening and wear a mask when accessing the premises.

People receiving social assistance payments are strongly urged to set up Direct Bank Deposit if they haven’t already done so to avoid any complications with receiving their benefits. Anyone can call the number listed above if they need assistance with this.

All client emergency assistance needs, including health and safety issues, will continue to be addressed. Tenants will be advised of alternative ways to pay their rent where necessary.

Community Paramedicine supports continue to be provided to eligible patients with strict adherence to health and safety protocols. Our 911 service is operating to respond to medical emergencies.

Targeted School-Aged Emergency Child Care in Timiskaming

The District of Timiskaming Social Services Administration Board, in collaboration with our Licensed Child Care Centres and Licensed Home Child Care Providers, will be implementing emergency childcare during Ontario's temporary move to shift schools to virtual learning, in response to concerns surrounding the Omicron variant of COVID-19. The Emergency Child Care has a tentative start date of January 10th, 2022, pending further direction from the Ministry of Education.

The Ontario government has opted to move elementary and secondary schools to remote learning following the Christmas break. The move has been made as a preventative measure in response to the rapid increase of community transmission of COVID-19 cases, and the increasing risks posed to the public by the Omicron variant across the province.

Licensed childcare programs will continue for non-school aged children from ages 0-4. Childcare programs that are co-located within a school may continue as approved by individual school boards. Early ON programs will pause in-person programming.

The Targeted School-Aged Emergency Child-Care will provide childcare services for children aged 3.8 to 12 years old, at no cost for provincially identified essential workers who are not able to acquire alternative child care and/or are unable to accommodate care at home for their school-aged children. Eligibility will be determined according to the Province's Individuals Eligible for Emergency Child Care list available here: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/200263.

The DTSSAB will continue to work closely with the Timiskaming Health Unit, Licensed Child Care providers and local school boards to identify interest and prepare for the opening of emergency childcare locations for school-aged children. Applications can be completed using the following link:

Application

Inquiries can be directed to DTSSAB Children's Services at our toll-free number 1-888-544-555 or 1-800-627-2944.

The DTSSAB Launches By-Name List

The District of Timiskaming Social Services Board is launching the Timiskaming By-Name List in conjunction with National Housing Day on November 22, 2021. The By-Name list is an essential tool for ending homelessness in our communities. It can help connect people to services and can create a foundation for better service coordination. The list provides a more consistent approach for assessment and referral protocols to make sure clients are being matched to the services they need.

The intention behind the By-Name List is to use and share data and information more effectively to achieve the best outcomes for local individuals experiencing homelessness. The By-Name List will collect data on consenting individuals experiencing homelessness across the entire district of Timiskaming to help connect with local supports and community partners.

The need for the By-Name list was highlighted through the results of the Timiskaming Counts 2021 Homeless Enumeration. An infographic outlining the results of the Enumeration are attached.

The Ontario government believes that everyone deserves a place to call home and provides funding to support housing and homelessness programs in our district. The Province also believes that achieving alignment throughout the Province is the best path forward to establishing a comprehensive and effective approach for addressing homelessness. One method of achieving alignment is through the creation of a the provincially mandated By-Name List.

For more information contact:

Lyne Labelle - labellel@dtssab.com

Homelessness Count Underway Across the District of Timiskaming

The issue of homelessness has been gaining attention in the District of Timiskaming and across the Province of Ontario. The District of Timiskaming Social Services Administration Board (DTSSAB), in partnership with several service agencies in our communities, is conducting a count of individuals experiencing homelessness over one week, between September 12th and September 18th.

This count is part of a province-wide effort to gain a better understanding of homelessness in communities across the province. This count will allow not only the DTSSAB, but all service agencies across the district, to be able to learn more about, and respond to, the issue of homelessness in the District of Timiskaming. The requirements for the 2021 Homeless Enumeration introduce more consistency in methodology so that the data can be used to provide point-in-time snapshots of homelessness across the District of Timiskaming.

The method being used to collect the information is known as a Point in Time (PIT) Count that identifies the number of people experiencing homelessness on a specific night, for a single point in time. In addition to the PIT count, a registry week will be conducted surveying individuals experiencing homelessness throughout the Enumeration week of September 12th to September 18th.

Surveys will be available at agencies across the district where respondents will be offered a pre-survey asking, “Where are you sleeping tonight?”

Anyone not sleeping in their own house or apartment will have the opportunity to complete the survey, in addition to those whose current housing feels unsafe or are one unexpected bill away from homelessness. The survey is voluntary, confidential and respondents will receive a gift card to local stores, as well as a bag of personal care items.

The survey is designed not to be a simple headcount of homelessness, but to dig deeper in understanding patterns and reasons why. The results will help us plan services to meet the needs of the community. The homelessness count will take place province-wide every two years and results will be made publicly available in the months following the count. Individuals or families who are currently homeless or at risk of homelessness are encouraged to visit the DTSSAB at 290 Armstrong Street in New Liskeard or 29 Duncan Avenue N. in Kirkland Lake.

For further information please visit www.dtssab.com or by phone at (888)-544-5555 x 3247 to learn what supports may be available.

Reopening of the DTSSAB Offices

The DTSSAB is committed to supporting individuals in need throughout the community. In reflection of Ontario’s present position in the Roadmap to Reopening, our offices are open for in-person appointments.

 The DTSSAB is open during regular business hours for in-person services; weekdays 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and closed between 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm. Read more about our service locations and office hours here: https://www.dtssab.com/office-location-hours

 We are committed to keeping the public and staff safe through strict adherence to safety protocols as set out by Public Health, including but not limited to:

• Social distancing

• Wearing of masks or face coverings

• Screening of all visitors at reception

• Enhanced cleaning protocols

• Plexiglass barriers

• Availability of secure drop boxes

 If possible, please call our office to schedule an appointment in advance. Walk-in services are available.

 Please note, our open status is dependent upon Public Health’s recommendations, any changes will be communicated through public channels including social media and press releases.

 We look forward to reconnecting with you in person!

Are you experiencing homelessness? Help us increase awareness of homelessness.

Housing Services online applications are now available

The DTSSAB’s Housing Services Program is pleased to announce that Online Applications are now available at https://www.dtssab.com/hs-apply-for-housing

• Online Application is available 24 hrs./day

• You will need a valid current email and to create a personalized account

• You will be asked to upload eligibility documents based on your application

• You submit your application online when complete

• You can check the status of your application through your account

• We will contact you through your account/email

Targeted School-Aged Emergency Child Care in Timiskaming

Beginning April 19, the District of Timiskaming Social Services Administration Board, in collaboration with our Licensed Child Care Centres and Licensed Home Childcare Providers, will be implementing emergency childcare during the current stay-at-home order and provincial emergency.

The Ontario government has opted to move elementary and secondary schools to remote learning following the April break. This move has been made as a preventative measure in response to the rapid increase of community transmission of COVID-19 cases, and the increasing risks posed to the public by COVID-19 variants across the province.

Licensed childcare programs will continue for younger children, which includes infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Childcare programs that are co-located within a school may continue as approved by individual school boards. As part of this order, before and after school programs, and Early ON programs will be closed.

Beginning April 19, Emergency child care services for children 3.8 to 12 years old (junior kindergarten, senior kindergarten and school-aged children) will be available at no cost for provincially identified essential service workers who are not able to acquire alternative child care and/or are unable to accommodate care at home for their school-aged children. We would like to remind everyone that the safest option for families is to have children remain at home, if possible.

The DTSSAB will continue to work closely with the Timiskaming Health Unit, Licensed childcare providers and local school boards to identify interest and prepare for the opening of emergency child care locations for school-aged children. Information will be posted on www.dtssab.com/childrens-services once details are confirmed.

Inquiries can be directed to DTSSAB Children’s Services at our toll free numbers 1-888-544-5555 or 1-800-627-2944.

UPDATE: Application forms for Emergency Child Care for School-Aged Children are below and available in French and English.

Targeted Emergency Child Care – School-Aged Children Application Form (English - PDF)
Programme de garde d’enfants d’urgence ciblé – enfants d’âge scolaire (Francais - PDF)