Budget Summary
                                
                                 
  Departmental Reorganization to streamline operations and improve client services
     All District Offices preserved
     Operating costs reduced by 20%
     Consolidation of Regions from 9 to 6
  
   Preservation of  front-line staffing resources
     All front-line staffing positions preserved
     Added stability and extra flexibility for front-line workers through:
     Departmental reorganization - allowing more decision making at front line 
     Change of employee status from temporary to permanent
     Administrative staff reduced by 20% (54 positions - 24 layoffs [16 Management, 8     Bargaining Unit]) 
     Many affected employees may find alternate employment through reorganization
  
  Basic social assistance rates maintained
     Basic social assistance benefits for entire caseload will be maintained at current level 
     Additional assistance rates will be eliminated (top ups $61 per month) affecting     approximately 11% of the entire social assistance caseload.  
     
  Additional measures added to curtail inappropriate use of Social Services Programs
     Hiring - Ten Special Investigators
     Establishment of an electronic TAGS & CPP interface to identify clients receiving    funding from sources other than social assistance.
      
  More assistance for sole support parents to obtain support from non-custodial parents
     Hiring - Five Social Workers
  
  
  Home Support Program for people with developmental and physical disabilities
     Budget maintained at last year's actual level of $16.5 million
     Policy changes will be implemented to accommodate new clients