The Ministry of Community and Social Services announced today that it would be providing one-time funding to Consolidated Municipal Service Managers (CMSMs) and District Social Services Administration Boards (DSSABs) to address the costs of implementing the Social Assistance Management System (SAMS) software at the local level.

This is important and welcome news for OMSSA members.

The Ministry committed $5 million to assist CMSMs and DSSABs in addressing program delivery pressures such as staff overtime. In a memo to municipalities and DSSABs, Ministry staff indicated that $50,000 would be provided to each of the 47 service managers in base funding, with the remaining funding to be determined and distributed by case loads. The funding is 100% provincial.

The new funding is in addition to the previous $5 million in funding provided to assist with the initial training and implementation of SAMS.

On December 3, 2014, OMSSA convened the 47 Leads to discuss SAMS implementation concerns and strategies for mitigation. During the meeting, OMSSA and the Leads met with Ministry of Community and Social Services Assistant Deputy Minister, Richard Steele, delivering a clear message that help was needed to address the challenges with SAMS.

Alleviating funding pressures is an important first step in working with CMSMs and DSSABs. OMSSA commends the Ministry on its actions today.

OMSSA remains concerned about the continuing pressures facing staff as they work to meet their client's needs.

OMSSA continues to work with the province to ensure staff are provided with the information and tools they need to find their way through the ongoing system challenges.