Common Vision for Real Transformation
Principle and Direction # 5
Accountability mechanisms are simple and understandable, and they create feedback about how plans and funding are fostering citizenship and participation.
A system of accountability that is based on values; self-determination, citizenship, inclusion, and empowerment.
A system that creates feedback on how well plans and funding foster citizenship and participation.
An approach to accountability that is well understood and simple to use for both families and government.
The current system is not accountable to individuals, families/networks.
The Auditor-General says that the Special Services at Home program has strong financial accountability when families self-direct and manage the funds. There are similar findings from other jurisdictions that have individualized funding.
A simple system of accountability will enable the Ministry and its partners to track how funding fosters citizenship and participation.
Since families in Ontario are very experienced using Special Services at Home, implement financial accountability similar to the SSAH monthly invoicing approach, with clear benchmarks on costs allowable for various supports.
Allow individualized funding to be used for human resources supports and accountability mechanisms that assist families and individuals with hiring their own workers, payroll, etc.
Implement quality of life accountability for the first 500 people receiving individualized funding, in order to establish key patterns related to citizenship and community participation. This will teach us what is important to people and how we can facilitate its development.
David Schwartz points out that the astute grounds keepers of university campuses know that if you want to put sidewalks between new buildings in the right place you should wait and see where people wear paths in the grass. In Who Cares: ReDiscovering Community (1997)