Services needed for families: survey

Results from a recent “Family Activity Survey,” distributed to families in local housing units, were shared with members of the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board during their regular meeting last Thursday.
Sandra Weir, Non-Profit Housing manager, and receptionist Heidi Parr presented the findings.
“It was designed for families in the units to see what types of issues they deal with and what services they require,” said Weir, noting Parr developed the survey while she was there for her placement from Confederation College.
The “Family Activity Survey” was distributed to five family units in Fort Frances, reaching a total of 82 families.
Thirty-six percent of the families responded to the survey, with an average of two children in a family household.
Of these, 28 percent either were full-time or part-time students, 24 percent were stay-at-home parents, 23 percent were employed either full-time or part-time, and 20 percent were unemployed.
A total of 11 percent were on maternity leave, volunteers, or disabled. And tenants could choose more than one occupation.
Weir and Parr indicated some of the tenants’ concerns included abuse, addictions, child care support, employment, financial, parenting support, and transportation.
The barriers they faced were child care issues, personal/health issues, scheduling issues, and transportation issues.
Some families indicated being shy was a barrier while others were uncertain about programs or services offered in the community.
“If there was a resource centre at Sixth [Street] and Webster [Avenue], I would love to volunteer and offer some insight on the new centre,” one tenant commented in support of services in the survey.
“We really need one at this end of town. There are many mothers that would take active involvement here. We do need a centre for all our mothers and children.”
In fact, Weir and Parr noted 68 percent of tenants stated they would access services if they were made available while 63 percent of those surveyed currently are not participating in any services.
A total of 66 percent of tenants said they would participate in activities if they were provided in a local DSSAB housing unit.
Some of the activities tenants would like to see included AA, after-school programs, child care, developmental screening, lending library, playgroups, and sports.
The results will be presented to the Outreach Services Committee. It is looking at partnerships in the community that could offer outreach services at the Sixth Street and Webster Avenue unit.
Weir and Parr next plan to survey family units in Atikokan in the fall.
Also at last Thursday’s meeting, members of the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board:
•heard a presentation from paramedic Chris Wielinga regarding the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System;
•reviewed the 2007 audit with Jon Evans of BDO Dunwoody;
•supported, in principle, the 2008/09 Best Start Integration Status Update Template;
•supported an employee computer purchase program; and
•passed a resolution to increase the mileage rate due to increasing gas prices.