Waterloo Region Social Resources Council

Established in 1977, the Waterloo Region Social Resources Council was an advisory planning body focusing on planning for voluntary and government social services for the Regional Municipality of Waterloo.

The need for social and health planning coincided with the institution of Regional government in 1973. The Region’s first conference on health and social planning was held in 1973 to explore the future development and delivery of health and social services. As a result of the conference, a steering committee was established to aid in the formulation of the infrastructure to support these services. The committee commissioned a study to review community attitudes and recommend a model for social and health planning in the Region. The results of the study were published in 1975, and the outcome of the second conference which ensued was the recommendation to form separate health and social service councils. The Waterloo Region District Health Council and Waterloo Region Social Resources Council were formed in 1977.

The Social Resources Council was established as a demonstration project to determine the extent to which an advisory body, accountable to Regional government, could improve the planning, delivery and overall efficiency of social services. Funded for a three year trial period from December 1, 1977 to November 30, 1980 by the Ministry of Community and Social Services with assistance from the Region, the Council was given the mandate to advise the Region, and the Province (if requested), on social policy, new programs, and major changes under consideration. The first meeting was held on February 2, 1978. Over the next several months, the first executive director was appointed and the plan of operation for the Council was developed and approved. A successful evaluation of the Council at the end of the trial period resulted in an agreement between the Ministry and the Region to share the costs for an ongoing planning organization.

The Social Resources Council consisted of twenty members appointed by the Regional Municipality of Waterloo. The Council reported to the Region through the Health and Social Services Committee. During the period of its operation, the Council established numerous standing, advisory, special and sub-committees, many of which experienced changes in name, function and structure. The standing committees of Council in 1978 included the Executive, Program and Budget Review, Population Problems and Service Needs, and Technical Advisory and Services Development. In 1981, the committee on Population Problems and Service Needs was renamed the Long Term Planning Committee. In 1982, the Program and Budget Review Committee branched into two separate adult and children’s committees and the latter was renamed the Children’s Service Plan Review. The Council established an Audit Committee in 1982 which continued until 1985, and a Personnel Committee in 1983.

In addition to its standing committees, the Social Resources Council operated Associated Planning Groups (APGs). These planning groups functioned as advisory bodies to the Council and were primarily made up of representatives of public and voluntary social service agencies in Waterloo Region. The APGs included Children and Youth (1978-1986), Counseling (1978-1979), Physically Handicapped (1978-1986), Senior Citizens (1978-1986), Hostels, Residential and Emergency Services (1989-1981), and Mental Health (1979-1982). An APG for Women was added in 1981. Each APG appointed sub-committees to function as core management groups for particular projects, and ad hoc committees to address special issues on a short-term basis within the planning group’s area of expertise.

In 1982, the Province decided to establish Children’s Services and Coordinating Advisory Groups (CAGs) on a local level to replace the former Children’s Services Committee, previously a standing committee of Regional Council. The responsibilities of the CAG for Waterloo Region were incorporated into the mandate of the Council and the functions of the new CAG came under its Associated Planning group (APG) For Children and Youth. Aside from overseeing its own committees, the Council formed joint health and social services committees with its counterpart, the Waterloo Region District Health Council. The Health and Social Services Co-coordinating Committee, Joint Steering Committee, and the Joint Mental Health Committee all served to co-ordinate the planning and development of services which were of mutual or overlapping concern to both Councils. During 1984, the Council undertook an extensive review of its operation to determine more effective methods of utilizing staff and resources. A complete restructuring of its advisory bodies occurred as a result. In 1986, the four existing Associated Planning Groups were replaced by two Planning Advisory Committees (PACs), one for children, youth and families, and one for adults. A system of ad hoc working groups became responsible for overseeing all major projects and activities approved by the Council. In the same year, the Council entered into an agreement with the Ministry of Community and Social Services to operate the Residential Placement Advisory Committee for the Counties of Bruce, Grey, Wellington and the Regional Municipality of Waterloo.

In 1995, as a result of provincial cutbacks, the Ministry of Community and Social Services terminated funding to social planning bodies across the province. The Social Resources Council was officially dissolved on December 31, 1995.

The Waterloo Region Social Resources Council was established as a demonstration project to determine the extent to which an advisory body, accountable to Regional government, could improve the planning, delivery and overall efficiency of social services.. The Social Resources Council advised the Region, and Province (if requested) on social policy, new programs, and major changes under consideration.