OASIS Operating Pressures Survey shows lack of government funding has strained developmental services sector

TORONTO, Nov. 22, 2017 /CNW/ - On November 20, 2017 OASIS released its 4^th Operating Cost Pressures Survey to an audience of more than 200 Developmental Service (DS) sector professionals.  This report has become increasingly important as OASIS continues to monitor and assess the impact that 9 years of zero budget increases have had on community agencies.

The cumulative results since the first survey carried out in 2012 show: 

• 40,000 staffing hours/week cut
• 375 Full Time Employees cut
• 4,385 program hours/week cut
• 29 programs permanently shut down

Since the last Operating Pressures Survey conducted in 2014, survey respondents indicated that the agencies have experienced greater cuts to services, which have resulted in reduced quality of services, decreased employee morale, and more time and effort being spent on complying with burdensome administrative regulations.

To combat cost pressures, community agencies continue to diligently take steps to try and manage their increasing operating costs. In fact, the number of respondents who indicated that they had to cut staff and hours of service increased by nearly 10% since 2014.

This year's Operating Cost Pressures Survey makes it clear that all people served by developmental service agencies, as well as their staff, have been impacted directly or indirectly by cost cutting, cost pressures and service changes. 

"We appreciate the $810 million invested over the past few years, and the $677 million announced for this year and the next two years to support individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.  However, the focus of this funding has been on direct funding for families and people waiting for services--there has been no funding relief provided for agencies struggling due to the increased cost of living and legislative requirements, such as pay equity," said Ann Kenney, OASIS President. "Agencies are at their breaking point and the sector is in crisis".

OASIS will continue to support our member agencies in building capacity through transformative changes that will help us respond to the ever-growing need, while also working with government to help identify the challenges being faced by community agencies, families and individuals with special needs.

About OASIS

OASIS is a volunteer-run, member-driven provincial organization.  Its member agencies serve over 65,000 of Ontario's most vulnerable citizens and employ 25,000 full and part-time staff.  Its 195-member agencies currently provide more than 85% of all developmental services funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services.

SOURCE OASIS - Ontario Agencies Supporting Individuals with Special Needs

Media Contact: OASIS President Ann Kenney, Email: [email protected]