1 Dundas Street West, Suite 2500

Toronto, Ontario M5G 1Z3

Tel: (416) 646-0513
Fax: (416) 979-4627

www.omssa.com


 

January 21, 2015

Update from MCSS-OMSSA SAMS 
Implementation Sub-Group Co-Chairs

Dear OMSSA Members;

 

MCSS and OMSSA, in our work on SAMS implementation, acknowledge the complicated environment we are all working in and the challenges this is presenting at the local level. Both MCSS and OMSSA continue to work together on solutions and we both acknowledge that this is a work in progress.

 

In our joint December 2014 communication, we committed to providing regular updates on key ministry activities related to SAMS, as well as sharing feedback from a municipal perspective with respect to the new technology through the MCSS-OMSSA SAMS Implementation Sub-Group.

 

One of the key decisions of the MCSS-OMSSA Sub-Group in December was the establishment of a joint Technical Working Group. The MCSS-OMSSA SAMS Technical Working Group met for a first meeting on Monday, January 12, 2015 to consolidate and prioritize a list of SAMS issues. During this meeting, the Group reviewed issues with data conversion, payments, and other functional issues. The meeting was very productive and included review of some specific cases, sharing of tips, and identification of action items on specific cases for further analysis.

 

This PowerPoint deck provides a summary of key issues identified and their agreed priority.

 

The SAMS team is working to identify target dates for the issues identified and will be communicating these shortly. In addition to the "top ten," the Sub-Group consolidated a list of all issues discussed, which will be shared along with with targeted dates for fixes. 

 

At its next meeting (Monday, January 26, 2015), the MCSS-OMSSA SAMS Technical Working Group will continue to review functional issues along with reports, letters and tasks. Three sub-working groups were created to assist with: 

  1. Intakes (merging cases/evidence)
  2. Household Relationships
  3. Tasks

These sub-groups began their work on Monday, January 19, 2015.  

 

As the Technical Working Group continues its work, we also need to focus on business transition and start a strategic dialogue on SAMS post-implementation activities. We have had some preliminary discussions on the best ways to accomplish this. These ideas will be developed further, in discussion with OMSSA members, in the days and weeks ahead.

 

Richard Steele, Assistant Deputy Minister, Patti Redmond, Director of Social Assistance, Service Delivery Branch, and Martin Thumm, Executive Lead, Social Services Solutions Modernization Project, will be attending the OMSSA Leadership meeting on Thursday, January 22, 2015 and will provide an update on the Ministry's activities to support SAMS stabilization. This will also provide an opportunity for dialogue with the broader OMSSA group.

 

Thank you for your ongoing support.

 

Richard Steele

      

Catherine Matheson 

 

The Ontario Municipal Social Services Association (OMSSA)
1 Dundas Street West, Suite 2500
Toronto, ON M5G 1Z3
T: 416-646-0513
F: 416-979-4627