On April 7th, 2020, as part of Ontario’s Action Plan: Response to COVID-19, the Ontario government announced $37 million to support outbreak planning, prevention, and mitigation efforts to ensure the health and well-being of Indigenous people and communities. Out of this $37 million, the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services provided $10 million to support Indigenous communities and agencies in responding to the needs of children, families and elders.
On May 6th, 2020 the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services sent out notifications for new emergency response funding to Indigenous communities and service providers to address emerging needs and to support emergency response initiatives as result of COVID-19. This notification was sent directly to member First Nations’ Chiefs and Band Administrators/Chief Executive Officers.
This one-time funding is being sent directly to AIAI’s member First Nations through their Family Well-Being programs and it will be applicable from April 1st, 2020 until September 30th, 2020.
The parameters of this emergency response funding are broad and preventative in nature. First Nations have the discretion on how to apply these funds. The funding can be used to support a number of areas such as, child and family well-being, food security, child and family safety, supporting vulnerable populations, lodging, transportation and other needs.
The Ministry is asking all funding recipients to track how this emergency response funding is utilized and its impacts on prevention, and child and family well-being.
Should you have any inquires on this funding, please contact the following Ministry staff:
Dennis Sithoo
Senior Policy Analyst, Planning and Partnerships Unit
Child Well-Being Branch, Child Welfare and Protection Division
Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
Email: dennis.sithoo@ontario.ca
Phone: 416-272-6919
Sarah Caldwell
Director
Child Well-Being Branch, Child Welfare and Protection Division
Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
Email: sarah.caldwell@ontario.ca
Phone: 416-326-1051
Reference
Ministry of Indigenous Affairs. April 7, 2020. Ontario Helping Indigenous Communities Stop the Spread of COVID-19. https://news.ontario.ca/mirr/en/2020/04/ontario-helping-indigenouscommunities-stop-the-spread-of-covid-19.html
