The Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities has just published the list of qualifiers for the RFP stage of bidding to be a service system manager (SSM) in the three catchment areas of the Employment Services Transformation project pilot launch.
The pilot covers:
- Peel Region
- Hamilton-Niagara
- Muskoka and Kawartha Lakes
This morning the ministry confirmed to ODEN that the Province is on target for launching the new service delivery system later this year.
In spring and early summer, the Province consulted with the employment services sector as the ministry prepared the RFP document and developed the new service delivery model. There was a consistent message for the ministry from service providers during consultations — the Province must do everything possible to ensure stability of the employment services sector.
To accomplish this, the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities developed a Transition Approach — a three-phase process:
Phase 1 – January to March 2020
- Planning the SSM. Contracts will have been awarded. SSMs given time to get established in their catchment areas.
Phase 2 – April 1 to September 30, 2020
- ODSP and EO services transferred to the SSM
- No changes to funding levels or contracts allowed
- SSMs given time to analyze data and delivery methods in preparation for Phase 3
Phase 3 – October 1, 2020 and onward
- Integrated employment services delivery phase
- Employment services transferred to SSMs from Ontario Works
- SSMs can change the network of delivery agencies, design of delivery methods, etc.
The ministry stressed that the SSMs’ goal is to ensure a healthy network of service providers.
Timelines for next steps
- September 13 – RFP posted by the ministry for public viewing, with the intent to provide more detail on the structure of the new system and expectations for the SSM
- October 31—Deadline for RFP submission for the SSM role in the three catchment areas
- Late 2019 — SSM contracts awarded and the phases listed above begin
- 2022 – Target year for full launch of the SSM model across Ontario
ODEN appreciates that there are many unanswered questions, and many concerns for what the future of service delivery will look like. We will explore dates in the coming months to have an open dialogue with members. We’ll keep relaying information about the Employment Services Transformation to you as we receive it.
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