Manitoba is a Canadian province tagged as the ‘Polar Bear Capital Of The World.’ Flanked by Ontario to the right and Saskatchewan to the left, it’s home to a mix of cultures and ethnicity due to the influx of immigrants looking for work opportunities that it has welcomed in the past few years. And due to its diverse heritage, among the departments created to manage the core of Manitoba society is the Department of Families.
The Role Of The Department Of Families In Manitoba
The Department of Families of Manitoba was created on May 3, 2016, taking in the combined roles of the defunct now Department of Family Services and the Department of Housing and Community Development.
The combined and critical roles gave birth to the current Department’s various duties and responsibilities covering the Manitoban society’s general welfare. It has centralized service locations, local services, provincial registries, including the Office of the Vulnerable Person’s Commissioner, Manitoba child benefit programs, and the like.
Some Important Legislations Governed By The Department Of Families
- The Adoption Act and related laws;
- The Advocate for Children and Youth Act and other laws;
- The Manitoba Assistance Act and other related statutes;
- The Child and Family Services Act, its amendments, and associated laws;
- The Housing Act and related laws;
- The Parents’ Maintenance Act;
- The Elderly and Infirm Persons’ Housing Act;
- The Poverty Reduction Strategy Act; and
- The Protecting and Supporting Children (Information Sharing) Act.
The Department of Families in Manitoba’s scope includes laws that help provide social welfare services, especially the Manitoba child benefit program and the housing and protection benefit to all of its constituents. Further, other pieces of legislation to implement the government’s response and social responsibility are being overseen by the said state body.
Helping The Manitoban Families
The government of Manitoba enacts laws to implement strategies to reduce poverty. Its objectives include accessible quality education, employment opportunities, and other programs benefiting the Manitobans. Its financial benefit assistance for families include:
- The Early Learning And Child Care Program (ELCC)
It helps qualified families to support the cost of caring for their children from 12 weeks to 12 years old. The program pays part of the child care fees paid by parents to a licensed child care facility. Subject to some eligibility requirements, families can always apply and see if they can join one of the government’s Manitoba child benefit programs.
- The Employment and Income Assistance Program (EIA)
The government of Manitoba supports qualified families who can’t support themselves. It includes the Rent Assist Program to help them with the cost of their housing. The program also offers employment assistance to those who can still work.
- The Manitoba Child Benefit (MCB)
Those parents who were unable to receive the EIA and have insufficient income are supported by this program. It’s one way for the government to help families raise their children. MCB is a monthly benefit to low-income families with many children. And it helps provide the cost of children’s glasses through its Children’s Opti-Care Program.
The Manitoban Health Assistance
The disability and Health Supports Unit (DHSU) is one of the programs under the Health Services Program that helps Manitobans with health care assistance. It’s provided for individuals or children under the Employment and Income Assistance or under the child and family service agency.
Assistance To Seniors
Low-income Manitobans who are already 55 years old may apply for the 55 Plus Program benefits which aim to supplement their meager income to sustain their cost of living.
Residents under this age bracket may also apply for the School Tax Assistance for Tenants 55 Plus benefits. It’s a program to provide qualified tenants with rebates and offset the school tax from their rentals.
Housing Programs
Subsidized housing programs are given to Manitobans who can’t afford the cost of homes in Manitoba. The program extends suitable housing accommodation to qualified families and individuals in need. It includes the Rent Assist program for individuals or families who spent a considerable part of their income paying rent.
Good Governance Amidst Challenges
The Department of Families in Manitoba, serving a population of around 1.38 million, was created to improve the lives of all its residents. Promulgations and ongoing government initiatives increased the Department’s coverage area to adjust to increasing population and demands. It aims for good governance and social relevance by finding ways to improve the lives of Manitoban families, especially the children.
Nevertheless, despite the improved statistics, there have been discussions on its struggles to keep pace with the influx of applications from families needing assistance. Allegedly, there were reports of staffing shortages in various agencies of the Department. And it accordingly discontinued some programs that help Manitoban families overcome problems. Families could have stayed together and taken care of their children themselves and out of child care.
The news about discontinued programs that affect childcare and family support services are just a few other concerns regarding the Department. But true to its mandate, the Department of Families in Manitoba continues to take these into account to improve its services year after year.
The Department had achieved milestones doing the most challenging job of protecting and enhancing the lives of families and protecting Manitoban children. Its leadership, along with the government, promised not to stop pursuing its mission for more years to come.
