PREPARED BY: Finance
DATE: March 20, 2025
SUBJECT: 2025/2026 Budget for Programs funded by MCCSS
ISSUE/PURPOSE
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) administers the Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program which also encompasses our Nurse Practitioner, who serves clients ranging from prenatal to school-aged children. This Program is funded entirely by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS). The operating budget for the fiscal year April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026, requires approval by the Board of Health prior to submission to the MCCSS.
BACKGROUND
The budget for this Program had been frozen for six years making it challenging to deliver on Program needs. In late July of 2024 (four months into the fiscal year), the MCCSS announced an increase in base funding of $197K or 6.8%. The Program Director and Department Manager developed a plan to utilize the additional funding by the end of the fiscal year.
For fiscal 2025/26, the HBHC Program supports twenty four and one quarter (24.25) FTEs comprised of one (1.0) Manager FTE, one-quarter (0.25) Director FTE, fifteen (15.0) Public Health Nursing FTEs, one (1) Public Health Nurse Lactation Consultant FTE, one (1.0) Nurse Practitioner FTE, two (2.0) Family Home Visitor FTEs, one (1.0) Social Worker FTE, one (1) Healthy Promotion Specialist and two (2.0) support staff FTEs.
The 2025/26 operating budget is detailed below. We have updated our descriptions to align with the MCCSS.
Changes in the operating budget include the following:
- Increase in Salaries and Benefits of $14,730 – there was an increase of two FTEs that was almost entirely offset by assumed resignations and mandatory leaves of absence based on historical trends.
- Increase in Travel and communication by $9,726 - The fiscal 2025/26 budget is enhanced to reflect the increase mileage rates.
- Increase Building occupancy of $2,025 – The fiscal 2025/26 budget enhanced to reflect the actual expenditure anticipated for 25/26.
- Reduction in Program Supplies of $16,212 – more was spent in 2024/25 to utilize the unexpected increase in funding. In 2025-26 spending for this budget item will go back to normal levels.
- Increase in Purchased services of $1,985 – The fiscal 2025/26 budget accounts for a 6% increase in expenditure resulting from anticipated higher demands and expanded translation services for clients.
- Reduction in Staff training - Professional development of $12,254 – in 2024/25 there was an investment in specialized training that was over and above the normal training programs. In 2025/26 no specialized training is planned however continued annual PD will remain.
| Indicators | MCCSS Forecasting for April 1st, 2025, thru March 31st, 2026 | MCCSS Forecasting for April 1st, 2024, thru March 31st, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| # of families served (total – with Two or More Home Visits): HBHC | 500 | 442 |
| #of Individuals Confirmed with Risk (Total): HBHC | 325 | 552 |
| #of Individuals Screened (total-Early Childhood): HBHC | 180 | 153 |
| #of Individuals Screened (Total-Postpartum): HBHC | 3600 | 4174 |
| #of Individuals Screened (Total-Prenatal): HBHC | 100 | 132 |
| # of Individuals who Received an In-depth Assessment: HBHC (nurse going into homes to confirm risk) | 450 | 860 |
Several of the indicators are forecasted in 2024/25 to be above the 2025/26 MCCSS targets. The direction from the MCCSS was to keep the 2025/26 targets at the same levels as the prior year.
PROPOSED MOTION
Whereas The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit receives grants from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services to fund the Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program.
Whereas the total budgeted expenditures for the Program for the period April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026 is $3,091,990.00
Whereas the Finance and Audit Committee reviewed the 2025/2026 Budget for Programs Funded by MCCSS at it’s meeting on March 6, 2-25 and recommends for approval to the Board of Health the operating budget for the period of April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026,
Now therefore be it resolved that the Board of Health approve the 2025/2026 Budget for Programs Funded by the MCCSS for the period April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026.