Board of Health
The full agenda, as filed
All 9 items in the clerk’s order. Each carries the city’s own words: the staff recommendation, what the body decided, and its status. Nothing below is written by us.
HL7.1adopted
Toronto Overdose Action Plan: Status Report 2019
The opioid poisoning crisis continues unabated in Toronto and elsewhere in Canada. The illicit drug supply has become increasingly toxic with potent opioids and other substances. Too many people in our community are dying from these preventable deaths, and many more experience serious health harms from non-fatal overdoses. Toronto Public Health (TPH) continues to work with City and community partners on measures to help mitigate the harms of this ongoing crisis. This staff report summarizes key actions taken over the last year to implement recommendations in the Toronto Overdose Action Plan and recommends actions to respond to growing concerns about the harms associated with methamphetamine use, including overdose. This report also identifies additional measures to respond to the opioid poisoning crisis based on the results of a community consultation, as outlined in the attached Toronto Overdose Action Plan: 2019 Update - Community Consultation Summary. These measures include prevention, harm reduction, and treatment actions directed to all levels of government, including TPH. While action has been taken over the last year to address the opioid poisoning crisis, much more is needed, in particular, strategies to help move people out of the toxic illicit drug market. Fundamentally, drug policy in Canada needs to be reoriented toward addressing drug use as a public health, rather than a criminal issue. TPH remains committed to working with our City and community partners to respond to this ongoing crisis.
The Board of Health recommends that: 1. City Council endorse the Toronto Overdose Action Plan: 2019 Update - Community Consultation Summary, as outlined in Attachment 1 to the report (May 27, 2019) from the Medical Officer of Health.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Medical Officer of Health recommends that: 1. The Board of Health endorse the Toronto Overdose Action Plan: 2019 Update - Community Consultation Summary and request the Medical Officer of Health to support the implementation of the actions for Toronto Public Health, the Province of Ontario, and the Government of Canada, as outlined in Attachment 1. 2. The Board of Health urge the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to: a. Increase harm reduction funding to community-based organizations to expand overdose prevention and response capacity across Toronto in areas of demonstrated need, including areas with existing services (e.g., downtown); b. Remove the limit of 21 Consumption and Treatment Services for Ontario and provide services in all areas of demonstrated need; c. Expand the Consumption and Treatment Services model to allow inhalation services; d. Reinstate the overdose prevention site model as an agile, low-barrier service option during the opioid poisoning crisis; e. Support the implementation of overdose prevention and response strategies across the social housing system; f. Fund a range of drug checking programs in diverse settings to meet local needs; g. Expand capacity across the treatment sector to eliminate waiting lists and provide more beds sector-wide, including for crisis and withdrawal management, and, further, provide new treatment options based on individual need, such as managed opioid and stimulant programs; h. Provide dedicated bereavement and trauma supports for frontline harm reduction workers, family members, and others impacted by the opioid poisoning crisis; i. Increase funding to increase the availability of community-based harm reduction services for people using methamphetamine and other stimulants; and j. Support enhanced training for service providers on supporting people who use stimulants alone or with other drugs. 3. The Board of Health urge Health Canada to: a. Increase funding and support for overdose prevention and response strategies at the local level; b. Fund a range of drug checking programs in diverse settings to meet local needs; c. Explore a range of safer drug supply options and supports for community service providers to implement these initiatives; and d. Support evidence-based knowledge exchange and the development of innovative responses to reducing the harms of methamphetamine use. 4. City Council endorse the Toronto Overdose Action Plan: 2019 Update - Community Consultation Summary, as outlined in Attachment 1.
HL7.2received
Toronto Indigenous Overdose Strategy
Michelle Sault, Principal Consultant, Minokaw Consulting, will give a presentation on the Toronto Indigenous Overdose Strategy.
The Board of Health received the item for information.
HL7.3amended
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder - Activities to Address Key Priorities
This report responds to direction from the Board of Health (BOH) in July 2018 to consult with the Toronto Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Network (the Network) and report back on potential measures the City of Toronto could undertake to improve prevention, access to services, and access to supportive housing for people living with FASD. Toronto Public Health (TPH) is an advisory member of the Network and has been working with the Network since the summer of 2018 to address the BOH request. FASD is a neuro-developmental disability that occurs in individuals who were exposed to alcohol prenatally. There is no cure for FASD and it is a lifelong disability. It can be prevented by avoiding alcohol during pregnancy. As mandated, TPH engages in a wide range of activities to raise awareness about and prevent FASD. Prevention is also supported by ensuring compliance with Sandy's Law, a provincial requirement for establishments selling or serving alcohol to post signs warning of the risks of consuming alcohol during pregnancy. Policy measures to mitigate the impacts of alcohol retail expansion can also play a role in preventing alcohol-related harms, including FASD. Early diagnosis and appropriate interventions improve the long-term outcomes for people living with FASD. Diagnostic, health, and social services for people living with FASD are limited in Toronto or not sufficiently tailored to the specific needs of this population. Supportive housing is also required, as the majority of people living with FASD are unable to live independently. Toronto's current supportive housing options are challenged to meet the specific needs of people living with FASD. Long wait lists for supportive housing spaces pose a further barrier. To respond to challenges in accessing tailored, adequate, and lifelong services and supportive housing for people living with FASD, the Network has developed a Case Coordination Model for Adults 16+ Affected by FASD and a housing model called Housing to Effectively Support Adults 16+ Affected by FASD. TPH has connected the Network with City Divisions, in particular, Social Development, Finance and Administration and the Housing Secretariat so that they may engage in further consultation to advance services for people living with FASD in Toronto, where feasible and within the mandates of these divisions.
The Board of Health: 1. Requested the Medical Officer of Health to work with the Toronto Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Network to: a. Develop an FASD-specific e-learning module to raise awareness about FASD, FASD prevention, and how to most appropriately deliver services to people living with FASD, post this module on Toronto Public Health's website, and promote this module to City of Toronto staff and community organizations; and b. Develop an inventory of successful national and international FASD-specific supportive housing services and post this inventory on Toronto Public Health's website and promote it to relevant organizations. 2. Directed that the report (May 30, 2019) from the Medical Officer of Health be forwarded to the Interim Executive Director, Housing Secretariat, the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, and the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, for consideration in their ongoing review of programs, policies, and processes in their mandates. 3. Directed that its decision and the report (May 30, 2019) from the Medical Officer of Health be forwarded to all Toronto school boards.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Medical Officer of Health recommends that: 1. The Board of Health forward this report to the Interim Executive Director, Housing Secretariat, the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, and the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, for consideration in their ongoing review of programs, policies, and processes in their mandates.
HL7.4adopted
2019 Student Nutrition Program Service Subsidies
This report outlines recommendations for the 2019 Student Nutrition Program service subsidy allocations. The proposed combined allocations to the Angel Foundation for Learning and the Toronto Foundation for Student Success total $14,930,117 which includes $100,000 held in reserve for appeals/late applications and $270,000 held in reserve for the expansion to eligible independent schools meeting needs-based assessment criteria.
The Board of Health recommends that: 1. City Council authorize the Medical Officer of Health to enter into agreements totalling $14,930,117 with the Angel Foundation for Learning ($4,004,313) and the Toronto Foundation for Student Success ($10,925,804) to administer the 2019 approved municipal funding to eligible Student Nutrition Programs across the City of Toronto. 2. City Council authorize the Medical Officer of Health to take the necessary action to give effect to Part 1 above, including the execution of legal agreements with the Angel Foundation for Learning and the Toronto Foundation for Student Success, on behalf of the City of Toronto. 3. City Council request the provincial government to increase its grant funding investment proportionally to match the increased City of Toronto investment. 4. City Council request the federal government to provide core funding for a national school food program.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Medical Officer of Health recommends that: 1. City Council authorize the Medical Officer of Health to enter into agreements totalling $14,930,117 with the Angel Foundation for Learning ($4,004,313) and the Toronto Foundation for Student Success ($10,925,804) to administer the 2019 approved municipal funding to eligible Student Nutrition Programs across the City of Toronto. 2. City Council authorize the Medical Officer of Health to take the necessary action to give effect to Recommendation 1 above, including the execution of legal agreements with the Angel Foundation for Learning and the Toronto Foundation for Student Success, on behalf of the City of Toronto. 3. The Board of Health and City Council request the provincial government to increase its grant funding investment proportionally to match the increased City of Toronto investment. 4. The Board of Health and City Council request the federal government to provide core funding for a national school food program. 5. The Board of Health forward this report to the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, the Minister of Education, the Toronto District School Board, the Toronto Catholic District School Board, le Conseil scolaire Viamonde, le Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir, the Angel Foundation for Learning, the Toronto Foundation for Student Success, and FoodShare Toronto.
HL7.5adopted
Toronto Public Health Operating Budget Variance for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018
This report provides an update to the Board of Health on the Toronto Public Health (TPH) Operating Budget Variance for the twelve months ended on December 31, 2018. As of December 31, 2018, TPH's 2018 Operating Budget was underspent by $51.2 thousand net (0.1 percent).
The Board of Health received the report (May 31, 2019) from the Medical Officer of Health for information.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Medical Officer of Health recommends that: 1. The Board of Health receive this report for information.
HL7.6adopted
Toronto Public Health Capital Budget Variance for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018
This report provides an update to the Board of Health on the Toronto Public Health (TPH) Capital Budget Variance for the twelve months ended on December 31, 2018. As of December 31, 2018, TPH spent $3.358 million, representing 73.4 percent of the 2018 Approved Capital Budget of $4.575 million.
The Board of Health received the report (May 31, 2019) from the Medical Officer of Health for information.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Medical Officer of Health recommends that: 1. The Board of Health receive this report for information.
HL7.7adopted
Toronto Public Health Operating Budget Variance for the Four Months Ended April 30, 2019
This report provides an update to the Board of Health on the Toronto Public Health (TPH) Operating Budget Variance for the four months ended on April 30, 2019. As of April 30, 2019, TPH's 2019 Operating Budget had a net unfavourable variance of $1,315.4 thousand net (9.9 percent). The variance is attributed to changes to the provincial-municipal cost-sharing model announced on April 11, 2019 in the 2019 Provincial Budget. On May 27, 2019, the Province communicated its intent to reverse the retroactive funding cuts to public health announced in the 2019 Provincial Budget, thus reverting back to the funding arrangement that had been in place prior to the Budget announcement for their fiscal year of 2019/20.
The Board of Health received the report (May 31, 2019) from the Medical Officer of Health for information.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Medical Officer of Health recommends that: 1. The Board of Health receive this report for information.
HL7.8adopted
Toronto Public Health Capital Budget Variance for the Four Months Ended April 30, 2019
This report provides an update to the Board of Health on the Toronto Public Health (TPH) Capital Budget Variance for the four months ended on April 30, 2019. As of April 30, 2019, TPH spent $1.418 million, representing 29.2 percent of the 2019 Approved Capital Budget of $4.864 million.
The Board of Health received the report (May 31, 2019) from the Medical Officer of Health for information.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Medical Officer of Health recommends that: 1. The Board of Health receive this report for information.
HL7.9received
Board of Health's Meeting Procedures
The Manager, Committees and Boards, City Clerk's Office, will give a presentation on the Board of Health's Meeting Procedures.
The Board of Health received the item for information.