Income Security: A Roadmap for Change

8.2
8.3
8.4
8.5
Introduce a comprehensive assessment tool to identify needs
for, and barriers to, social and economic inclusion that uses an
equity and trauma-informed approach to connect people to
appropriate supports
Use pilots to test the comprehensive assessment tool and the
case collaborator role with an initial focus on people seeking
to access ODSP through Ontario Works, long-term social
assistance recipients, youth and persons with disabilities
Eliminate financial and eligibility penalties related to
employment efforts and rigid reporting requirements to
support a new person-centred approach, promote trust and
respect between front-line workers and people accessing help,
and place a firm emphasis on problem-solving and addressing
urgent needs first (e.g., risk of homelessness). This includes
revising policies that create barriers to safety and well-being
(e.g., fleeing an unsafe home).
Ensure front-line workers have the necessary skills and
knowledge to act as case collaborators through:
• Mandatory professional development and learning,
including skills in social work (ie, anti-racism,
contemporary professional development and antioppressive
practice), and Indigenous cultural safety
training and awareness
• Provincially set and governed quality standards and
controls tied to staff performance plans
Income Security: A Roadmap for Change 101