Youth-serving agencies across the region talked about the strain that the constant stress of funding put on them. So often, it takes away from their capacity to deliver much needed services. This recommendation addresses funding stability which would allow organizations with a proven track record to provide more consistent and effective services to youth. A more consistent funding model would allow staff members to focus more time and energy on delivering effective services, and would reduce the amount of stress, uncertainty associated from regularly reapplying for funding. Reporting is a necessary ‘evil’ and accountability is important but are there ways that funders can reward organizations with proven track records and reduce the administrative strain on those organizations, allowing more staff time to be dedicated to serving the needs of youth?
“Right now our program has funding and I think I’m really grateful for that and what it allows us to do in our work, but yeah I crave stability, I do. I, as a person do and I think in terms of programming it’s always a bit like even whenever you talk about we have a four-year grant and we’re in year three, people go oh so, and then I go, yes we’re almost done and then we have to figure out what we’re doing past that.
So, I don’t know if it’s just we have to deal with that’s the reality of the world that we live in, but I feel weird that the work that we’re doing is that
we’re working with such vulnerable folks and vulnerable youth and especially that it’s targeted prevention work and there isn’t a sustainable funding for it.” (FW).
[1] For more information about SPLIT: http://halton.ca/cms/One.aspx?portalId=8310&pageId=66709#TransitSubsidy
[1] For more information about the SCRIP program: http://www.haltonhills.ca/transit/youthTaxiScrip.php
