Community Services

We envision a strong community as one where every individual is supported to maximize their potential, achieve their goals, and enhance their quality of life and social well-being.

Community Services assists some of the most vulnerable people in our community, from infancy to senior years. We provide help to tens of thousands of Niagara residents each year through social programs, most of which the provincial government mandates, funds and regulates.

Additionally, through service agreements with the province and Ontario Health West, we manage long-term care homes and provide community supports for seniors in Niagara.

Adrienne Jugley
Commissioner


905-980-6000
ext. 3800
Email Adrienne Jugley

Divisions

  • Children's Services

    Children's Services is responsible for the planning, administration and financial support of approximately 11,000 licensed child care spaces in Niagara for children birth to 12 years of age. The division:

    • Works collaboratively with approximately 70 child care service providers to provide licensed child care in Niagara in 175 child care locations
    • Operates five directly operated centres and a licensed home child care program
    • Provides monthly fee subsidy payments for 2,500 children, based on assessment of household financial need
    • Plans and manages EarlyON Child and Family Centres in Niagara on behalf of the provincial government

    Contact

    905-980-6000 ext. 3803
    Email Children's Services
  • Homelessness and Community Engagement

    The Homelessness and Community Engagement division supports homelessness services by working with and funding local service providers to address the needs of Niagara's most vulnerable residents. The homelessness service system, in accordance with provincial funding requirements includes:

    • Prevention
    • Outreach
    • Emergency shelters
    • Supportive and transitional housing
    • Coordination and delivery of the Region's 10-year Housing and Homelessness Action Plan

    Contact

    905-980-6000 ext. 3808
    Email Homelessness Services and Community Engagement
  • Housing Services

    Housing Services provides low-income housing options through legislated programs and services, including:

    • Public housing that is rent-geared-to-income (about 30 percent of household income)
    • Non-profit and co-operative housing
    • Rent supplement and housing allowance programs
    • Niagara Renovates, a program that helps low to moderate income homeowners with house repairs, accessibility modifications and the creation of secondary suites in single family homes
    • Housing First, a program that helps those who are homeless find and keep housing
    • Welcome Home Niagara Homeownership, which helps low to moderate income rental households buy their first home
    • New development, construction, renovation and rehabilitation of rental housing for low to moderate income tenants

    Contact

    905-980-6000 ext. 3930
    Email Housing Services
  • Seniors Services

    Seniors Services provides high quality, compassionate care for residents and clients through a range of integrated programs and partnerships including:

    • Wellness, outreach and residential programs supporting the well-being of seniors
    • Eight long-term care homes

    Contact

    905-980-6000 ext. 3806
    Email Seniors Services
  • Social Assistance and Employment Opportunities

    The Social Assistance and Employment Opportunities division is responsible for the delivery of the provincially mandated Ontario Works program and discretionary benefits. The division provides:

    • Dental services for adults, funeral services and other items needed for the health and safety of Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program recipients
    • Employment supports for family members of Ontario Disability Support Program clients
    • Financial support and comprehensive case management to help people prepare for, find and keep a job, including individualized case planning, life stability supports, employment coaching, training opportunities and job placements
    • Niagara Prosperity Initiative which provides an annual investment of $1.5 million to support local poverty reduction activities

    Contact

    905-980-6000 ext. 3811
    Email Social Assistance and Employment Opportunities

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