Poverty Breaking the Cycle ISARC PACC video

Good Morning. Have fun watching this somewhat flawed yet at times funny and at times serious video. Made on my trip to Queens Park Dec 1 when ISARC was releasing their provincial audit to the media. Note: this video is done with some humour. I will also produce a more serious piece focusing on the positives and including the successful launch party...so relax! Ha ..but this video does serve it's purpose.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEA_BoHpt5Y

Also posted on the BRAND NEW "pacc channel" on Youtube (search/join povertyacc) is a separate video of the Ministers 2nd year poverty reduction progress report last week on " Breaking the Cycle". Hear the announcement in its entirety as captured by PACC news!

PACC news
http://www.povertyacc.com/

Changes to the Special Diet Allowance

http://news.ontario.ca/mcss/en/2010/11/changes-to-the-special-diet-allowance.html

Clipped from their website:

Changes to the Special Diet Allowance
November 30, 2010 2:45 AM

Ontario is revising the Special Diet Allowance to make it more accountable to taxpayers and compliant with the recent Order of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.

By revising the allowance, the province will help social assistance recipients who have eligible medical conditions receive the special diets they need to help manage their conditions.

The Special Diet Allowance will be one of a broad range of special purpose benefits considered in the context of Ontario 's comprehensive social assistance review, which begins January 2011.

Changes to the Program

Ontario is revising the Special Diet schedule - the list of conditions eligible to receive a Special Diet Allowance - to be compliant with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario decision and improve accountability measures in the program. The revised schedule is informed by the recommendations of the Special Diets Expert Review Committee. Changes include: removing conditions that the Special Diets Expert Review Committee found to not require a special diet allowance requiring that recipients consent to the release of relevant medical information to support their application, and putting much stronger tracking methods in place, so that questionable trends can be identified earlier, and appropriate action can be taken.

With these changes, some Special Diet Allowance recipients will no longer be eligible for the program. There will still be a $250 per month maximum cap for people with multiple medical conditions who qualify for more than one allowance.

Timing:

The revised Special Diet schedule will take effect April 1, 2011. New application forms will be available in February 2011 and mailed to current Special Diet Allowance recipients.

People eligible to receive the Special Diet Allowance under the revised schedule will need to apply for the new program. All payments under the current schedule will end by July 31, 2011.

CONTACTS

Rebecca MacKenzie
Minister's Office
416-325-5219
kevin.cooke@nullontario.ca

Sandy Mangat
Communications and Marketing Branch
416-212-3262
sandy.mangat@nullontario.ca

Ministry of Community and Social Services
ontario.ca/community

Poverty News Events Reports Employment Opportunities

Reminder! ISARC provincial social audit release Party Thursday Dec 2 all welcome .. media release at Queens park (pre-registered ISARC insiders only) Dec 1. Tom Pearson will speak Re: York Regions involvement.

Kids for Kotlands Concert – Tues Nov 30! featuring Singer / Songwriter sensation Glenn Marais – Raising $1,000,000 for an orphanage with kids whose parents all died of AIDS/HIV - tickets - http://www.onrichmondhill.com/events.php?id=6804

The Regional Municipality of York and the Community Partnership Council for York Region’s Local Immigration Partnership initiative are developing a “made-in- York Region” strategy that will help new immigrants integrate socially and economically and to contribute to the overall quality of life for all York Region residents. Newcomers and long-term residents, organizations and agencies across York Region to complete the Community Online Survey and have your say at www.yorkwelcome.ca! The survey is available between November 15 to 30, 2010. The survey is quick and can be completed in English, Chinese, French, Italian, Korean, Persian (Farsi), Russian and Tamil.

25in5 - In a report marking the second anniversary of the province’s poverty reduction promise, the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction says recession has put even more heat on the Ontario government to put its commitment on the front burner. Campaign 2000 released a report that indicated child poverty in Ontario has risen and continues to rise - an unacceptable 15% of children in our province still live in poverty. We cannot understand why, 2 years into the government's so-called poverty reduction strategy, the poverty rate rose. Clearly, more action is necessary and fast!
“The 2008-09 recession hit Ontarians hard, plunging many into poverty and making it more challenging for those already in deep poverty to climb out,” says Greg deGroot-Maggetti, co-chair of 25 in 5.“The post-recession reality is that many Ontarians need help getting back on their feet, with additional supports, training, education and job opportunities.

Job opportunities: 1st one is with Heart & Stroke who’s community person was promoted. This change will take effect the end of January, allowing plenty of time to recruit, train and orient my replacement here in York Region. The job posting is attached (1 year contract). Please feel free to forward it to anyone you feel may be qualified and interested. http://www.heartandstroke.on.ca/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=pvI3IeNWJwE&b=3581667&ct=8887143

Also..ISARC is looking for an Executive Director send resume / info to info@isarc.ca

And finally: a learning / collaboration opportunity -

Dear Tom, It’s no small irony that just when the need for innovation and new ideas has never been greater, the time and resources needed for professional development seem to be shrinking. At Tamarack, part of our mandate is to fuel your continued learning through our free tele-learning opportunities and monthly Engage! e-magazine as well as our face-to-face learning events. We hope you’ll take advantage of the upcoming opportunities in the month ahead.

On December 9th, join us as Yves Lévesque, director of Vivre St. Michel en santé hosts an interview with Anne Roberge, director of poverty reduction policy for the ministère de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale. They will be speaking about the Government of Quebec’s Action Plan for solidarity and social inclusion 2010-2015. Announced in July 2010, this action plan foresees investing seven billion dollars over five years, and is the second plan to combat poverty and social exclusion in Quebec. To register please visit the Event Listing section of the Tamarack website here (tamarack@tamarackcommunity.ca).

http://www.povertyacc.com/

ISARC Do the Math Politics and More

Hi everyone. I hope all's well as can be! Well I made a complete fool of myself while trying to get to see Don Cherry from "Coach's Corner" to endorse our event when he was in town on Friday but alas even dressed as the icon I was too late with a line-up stretching way far. I did leave our flyer about the March break road hockey tourney though ... ha ... "And Everythink else!" Also attended the Green Party's Aurora kick off and NDP Richmond Hill / Thornhill riding events on the same night; got drenched but managed to convey some of PACCs concerns with them and both groups seemed welcoming. I also presented both local Chapters with a copy of the YR Social audit that we co-produced.

Speaking of which.Thursday DEC 2 at 6-8PM ISARC will be hosting a release party for the Ontario-wide version of the audit at Holy Trinity Anglican Church at the Eaton Centre complex. Come out for food & celebration! Woooo! Rides being arranged.

Nov 30 at Richmond Hill's Performing Arts Centre you can support the building of an orphanage in Africa by attending childhood friend Glen Marais' concert as they look to raise $1,000,000; tickets info below. Glen's a phenomenal talent as any attending Oct 17 can attest to. http://www.onrichmondhill.com/events.php?id=6804

The hunger report is out! To access the HungerCount press release, report and video please go to http://smr.newswire.ca/en/food-banks-canada/hungercount-study

The Forum for Children youth and Families is another forum we've been participating in..I'm sending an attachment along to keep you all informed. We are currently evaluating the value in this planning group. Input is welcome.

Pic of most of the Put Food In The Budgets " Do The Math Rally Team" that went to Green Barns in Toronto

I also encourage everyone wanting to stay informed to check the website regularly and become a FACE-BOOK friend to Poverty Action for Change Coalition!
Tom out!

Support Poverty Reduction in the York Region

.. Below from Vaughn Citizen Editor... Attend and ask a related question. Do they support a national anti-poverty strategy? Do they support an official poverty measuring system? Reinstatement of full census? Do they ( insert your Federally controlled concern here)?

tp
Do The math!
http://www.povertyacc.com/

Date: Thursday, November 18, 2010, 8:33 PM

Dear friends and community partners,


Please join The Vaughan Citizen, in partnership with Human Endeavour and the Vaughan Social Action Council, as we host a public debate Tuesday, Nov. 23 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. between candidates of the four main parties running in the Vaughan federal byelection. Invited candidates include Kevin Bordian (NDP), Julian Fantino (Conservative), Tony Genco (Liberal) and Claudia Rodriguez-Larrain (Green). The debate will be held at Vellore Village Community Centre, in the cafetorium, 1 Villa Royale Ave., in Woodbridge.


A panel of journalists, community leaders and Vaughan mayor-elect and former longtime Vaughan MP Maurizio Bevilacqua will put questions to the candidates. The last half of the debate is devoted entirely to questions from the audience ... Look forwarding to seeing you there!

Correction Meeting Time today

Correction on the address for todays 1pm meeting location - 919 Bray Circle - left (w) off Leslie N of Davis Dr Newmarket behind No Frills plaza (keep right).


Nov 15 Road Trip to Green Barns evening Put Food in the Budget - " Do The Math" rally attached...Appearance by YR's own " Schtick Jagger" as well!

Nov 18 is the ISARC leaders lunch/event - $40 for those wishing to attend. No funds for avail for this that I'm aware of....Dec 1 ISARC provincial audit launch at Queens Park.

Also...We have an opportunity to reward a couple families at xmas with some presents/goodies...if you are or you know of a family that could use some assistance with gifts etc this year - AND WHO MISSED THE Charity SIGN UPS let us know asap..

tom

http://www.povertyacc.com/

PACC Meeting in Your Community

We have been moving the PACC meeting locations around as of late to allow opportunities for different communities to attend - especially those who have a tough time getting away.


If you'd like to host a PACC meeting in your community (hall) please let us know!

Next in BRAY CIRCLE - community hall 191 Bray ( N of Leslie St & Davis Dr behind No Frills) at 1PM - 2:30PM.if u need a ride let us know!

Also...next Monday Nov 15 - Road Trip to Toronto - Put Food in the Budget Campaign's Rally - Ontario-wide " Do The Mathers"( see attached)...fun day out and see the "Green Barns" in Toronto a place they grow food indoors and community food access awareness campaigns..RIDES are available but we must know who's coming!

Last call for PACCer for becoming non-profit Operation Sparrow Board member...I will be stepping down and we want someone who can relate to these families situations on the board as the current board( meets once per month) as it sits, lacks that crucial element to continue to operate with full dignity and respect or families..Let me know..

Tom Pearson

www.povertyacc.com/getinvolved