Peel Children and Youth Initiative (PCYI) Canada Learning Bond RESP Making a Collective Impact

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1 Peel Children and Youth Initiative (PCYI) Canada Learning Bond RESP Making a Collective Impact Graham Clyne, Executive Director Peel Children and Youth Initiative June 2013

2 The Canada Learning Bond (CLB): RESP» Federal Grant provides up to $2,000 for low income children e.g. < $42,707 net family income and a 40% match on any family contributions» Retroactive funding Paid for every year 2004 and after ($500 first year; $100 annually to age 15)» Universal program - Canada Education Savings Grant Family income over $42k under $85k - 30% match on contributions Over $85k - 20% match on contributions» Flexible Any type of post secondary education / training (over 8 weeks); can be used to age 36!

3 Collective Impact Strategy for the Region of Peel» Collective Impact: A shared priority (issue or opportunity) among multiple partners from different sectors and systems intended to achieve measurable results» Focus in Peel: Enrolling all the eligible children from low income families in the Canada Learning Bond (e.g. 113,000 children)» Not just an educational issue really a long term economic development strategy that affects everyone

4 Collective Impact Strategy for the Region of Peel» Two part strategy - from the outset Phase one: Spreading the word, engaging partners, service providers and communities February 2012 April 2013 Phase two: Systems Change: Permanent change to the practices and policies of partner organizations to sustain the effort over time April ongoing

5 Banks Enablers/Supporters Politicians (MPs, MPPs) John Howard Society/ Elizabeth Fry Faith Communities Community Parenting Funders Child Care Peel Children s Aid DPCDSB PDSB OEYC Payroll/ Employers Recreation (B, M, C) Libraries (B, M, C) Mississauga Comm. Services Associated Youth Services Peel Peel Police PCYI Board of Directors Family Day Canada Learning Bond Strategy Peel Public Health Peel Human Services Ethnic/ Cultural Orgs Neighbourhood /Local Collaboratives Media LHIN Erinoakkids Healthcare United Way Peel Children s Centre Settlement Orgs Unions Violence Women YMCA Education Peel Newcomers Strategy Group Community Living Mississauga Counselling supports Community Development Private Business Universities/ Colleges (Sheridan)

6 Peel Children and Youth Initiative: Unique Circumstances» Original Community Input access to post secondary education was a very high priority for families in Peel» Board Composition all the senior leaders of systems that impact outcomes for children, youth and families (e.g. reach and resources)» Materials / Resources already available Omega Foundation; Smart Saver in 14 different languages (critical in Peel Region)» Clear focus for PCYI on evaluating the impacts of our work

7 Peel Children and Youth Initiative: Unique Circumstances cont d» PCYI, a brand new organization, established only 3 clear and compelling priorities (Canada Learning Bond was one of three)» Research Evidence: Money does impact participation rates; youth with post secondary plans make better choices during adolescence» HRSDC Data: Secured access to quarterly results tracking success possible» PCYI s own research demonstrated need for broad engagement including libraries and community centers (e.g. we know where isolated parents actually go)

8 Challenges Phase one» Underestimated the amount of outreach required huge number of potential partners with a role to play Trillium and Mississauga Community Foundation support for one year was, alone, insufficient» Information alone does not work: General distrust of federal government helping with no strings!! Direction for trusted community agencies is essential to uptake» Busy organizations: most service agencies not looking for new responsibilities especially one introduced externally

9 Challenges cont d Phase one» Hosting Community Sign up events: Lots of logistics; small actual enrollment done for profile and media reasons» Bank participation: Staff at branch level unaware / uninformed / uninterested» Labour disruption Region of Peel: Slowed access and engagement during year one» Engagement of funders such as CIC who reach a huge group who would most likely qualify

10 Successes Phase one» PCYI: Introduced for the first time in a very helpful way to community agencies» Great profile; connectedness to new community based organizations and partners» Strong morale booster for service providers who were able to share good news for a change

11 Successes Phase one» Outreach results: Significant numbers of presentations, training, information and resources shared across Peel Region 230 presentations, 7,500 people reached 25,000 materials distributed 8 Community Sign Up Events registering 312 kids on the spot 30 media stories» PCYI Communications strategy: web resources available directly for download Canada Learning Bond the top viewed page on our website with 4,092 views Feb June 2013

12 Challenges Phase two» PCYI staff had limited expertise around payroll deduction expert resource was required» Permanent changes to ongoing policy difficult to encourage as an outside partner no financial or other incentives (e.g. funder encouragement)» Differential support and levels of engagement from PCYI Board members» Ontario Works; Community Housing are key partners - engagement underway» Resource Challenges ongoing commitment by PCYI

13 Successes (just getting started): Good Examples of CLB Adoption as Practice / Policy Phase two» Peel CAS - changed their RESP transfer for children in care back to their caregivers» Credit Valley Hospital Trillium Health Partners - Birth Registration Package and prenatal education curriculum» School Boards Welcome to Kindergarten packages» Associated Youth Services Peel - Intake Package that worker reviews with family» India Rainbow - quarterly community educational seminar» Child Development Resource Connection Peel - Ongoing information line support for families inquiring about the CLB» City of Mississauga including information on subsidy application» City of Brampton payroll deduction strategy

14 Work remaining Phase one Phase two» Still engaged in outreach phase one still needs attention and resources» Adopting Payroll deduction strategies among major public sector employers» Outreach to unions and major employers with an aligned CSR strategy (e.g. a no cost benefit for staff)» Outreach to Human Resource Professional Organizations in Peel» Work with Board organizations and other partners on systemic change (e.g. from now on )

15 Lessons Learned» Awareness of CLB is insufficient: Trusted staff / agencies needed to describe, explain and encourage participation» A large launch event to build community buy-in may have helped (PCYI cold calling )» Community Sign up events: Value is largely media related; not cost effective in terms of on site cost per conversion» Banks at the retail level are difficult to recruit and engage (except RBC) and not really incented to participate

16 Lessons Learned cont d» Actual resources used: Staff time; overhead; transportation; print costs; Trillium Grant ($76k); Mississauga Community Foundation ($30k) Total costs $240k» Funders who encourage or build in accountability for CLB enrollment would have helped» National toolkit with PCYI resources available online shortly» Data from HRSDC: Hard to access; restrictions on media use; but absolutely critical to measurement and reporting» Immigration in Peel Region: Eligible families continue to grow rapidly every year must be a systemic approach!! Immigrants comprise 51% of Peel s population; 16% are recent immigrants At the time of immigration, 50% of immigrants are under age 25

17 Collective Impact: How did we do? Canada Learning Bond in Peel Region Where we began Late 2011 Where we are now Late 2012 Difference # Eligible children 95, , % $ Eligible million million # Children actually enrolled 29,783 41, % $ actually collected 59.6 million 82.4 million Uptake Rate 31.3% 36.3% +16%

18 Thanks! Comments Questions