Huron County is tweaking how it delivers Ontario Works Services.
It’s to improve the way the service is provided in multiple communities so clients don’t have to travel to the main location in Clinton.
Cheryl Patience is Huron County’s Manager of Ontario Works and Children’s Services.
“Without having public transportation, it certainly is difficult for folks to have to travel to the centre of the county,” said Patience. “So we always try to be as flexible as possible, but I think this is a nice step, to meeting people, actually where they are, versus asking them to come to us.”
She explains they have approval from county council to enter into office-sharing agreements with the Centres for Employment and Learning, through the Avon Maitland District School Board.
Some centres may also be accessible through Child and Family Centres, library space, and medical centres throughout the county.
Patience says the changes will allow their staff to meet with clients in their own communities to address their needs.
Under the new model, case workers will be assigned to a geographical region in the county and their focus will be that particular region.
The transition is just beginning but is expected to move ahead more quickly.
