The Family Support Program

1. The Family Support Program Presenter: Laurie D. Miller 2012

2. THE FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMAGENDA • What is the Family Support Program for Ontario Works – Review directive 5.5 • The Family Support Program in First Nations Communities: How it works in a First Nation Community compared to a Municipality • Maintaining your files to satisfy the Ministry’s Audit Requirements as per Directive – file documentation

3. What is the Family Support Program for Ontario Works? O.W. Directive 5.5: Family Support Application of Policy As a condition ofeligibility, applicants and recipients are,with certain exceptions, required to make reasonable efforts to pursue child or spousal support to which he/she, or a dependent may be entitled. Eligibility for financial assistance does not depend on the actual receipt of support payments, but on the efforts being made to obtain it.

4. What is the Family Support Program for Ontario Works The Ontario Works Act and Regulations require applicants and recipients to pursue any income that may be available to them, however, it does not require them to resolve other legal issues such as custody or access. Where there are issues in addition to support, referrals to duty counsel or Legal Aid Ontario may be the appropriate route to take.

5. What is the Family Support Program for Ontario Works Prior to an applicant or recipient being expected to pursue support from another person, there must be evidence that the person has an obligation to support the applicant, recipient or the dependent. Ie. A sole support parent with a new baby When it has been determined that the person has an obligation to support, a “Declaration of Support and Maintenance” Form 2212 is completed.

6. The Family Support Program in First Nations Communities Being a First Nations member living and working in your own Community can be difficult at times, however you can make it as easy and enjoyable as you choose. I think its safe to say we all know whose who in our Communities, but the question remains – how do we deal with those “tough” situations for the purpose of doing our job?

7. The Family Support Program in First Nations Communities Let’s say, you’ve just completed an Application for financial assistance, eligibility has been verified, they are a sole support parent & you also completed a Form 2212 with your client and now you issued their first OW cheque. Remember, try your hardest to have the 2212 Form filled out completely as this form will be the basis of whether the file will be “waived” or if you will be working toward an “Agreement” for support.

8. How it Works in a First Nation Community vs. a Municipality As a First Nations FSW living and working within my own Community I think I pretty much know all my clients. The point I want to make here is that even though we think we know them, do not assume this. On first meeting with them, make small talk, get relaxed, allow your client to get relaxed and start by introducing the FSW program, what your role is and your mandate. Be Open and Honest with them and Hear what they have to say. If we assume we know all about them, it may impair our own ability to really hear what they are saying.

9. How it Works in a First Nation Community vs. a Municipality Your clients situation may be a lot different than what is portrayed in your Community. Just remember you are there to support your client through this process. I recall a client, everyone kept telling me she lived with her man, they always seen them in the Community together. So when I met here as a sole support parent we reviewed the program and discussed her situation. You know what her life was really like…she loved and wanted a family so much with him that she would do anything to achieve it. She thought a baby would make it happen, but in reality…he wasn’t there.

10. How it Works in a First Nation Community vs. a Municipality He had 4 children with different mothers, lived at his father’s homestead, so every time he called my client, of course she isn’t going to say no. She initiated the “lets go here and let’s go there” scenario to show off to people she had her family. This is what people would see in the community, hence the assumptions of them living together. I empathized with her situation, however, in doing my job, had to reiterate to her that as long as she maintains a sole support status, that she would be required to pursue support from him.

11. Maintaining Your Files to Satisfy the Ministry’s Audit Requirements as per Directive Review the Audit Requirements of Directive 5.5 The key to Audit Requirements is document your files. Have supporting evidence to back up your decisions. Please ensure the Form 2212 is fully completed. Example 1: On an application your female client has separated from her partner due to domestic violence. She tells you the scenario as to why she left. Domestic Violence is a mandatory waiver, so you have the evidence of a domestic violence situation, do your waiver letter and mail out to your client and put a copy in the file.

12. Maintaining Your Files to Satisfy the Ministry’s Audit Requirements as per Directive Example 2: Your client comes in and has no idea who the father could be. She was partying one weekend, very intoxicated, picked up a guy, didn’t know his name, maybe his first name and that was it. Never seen him since, knew absolutely nothing about him. This file should be waived as absent parent is unknown. A waiver letter is issued to client, a copy is on file and you’ve documented the situation as told to you by client.

13. Maintaining Your Files to Satisfy the Ministry’s Audit Requirements as per Directive Example 3: A client comes in and she tells you she got a court order from the near by city last year. There is a support provision for $250 a month. You need a copy of the court order on file – ask client to bring it in. You need to document this in your file and deduct the monthly support if its in pay. If support is not in pay then you need your client to complete an Assignment for the support and once the assignment is completed then support is not deducted from their assistance.

14. Questions and Answers If you have any questions or want more clarification please feel free to call me at 519-445-2084 extension 5326 at the Six Nations Welfare Department or e-mail me at lmiller@sixnations.ca Remember we can only do what we can based on the resources and time we have to do our jobs. The FSW function can be as busy as you want it to be or as simple as you want it to be and you can still achieve success.