Social Policy, Data & Partnerships
This monthly newsletter shares the latest policy announcements, research findings, data releases and training opportunities on social policy issues and human services work
What is the Social Policy Pulse
This should have its batteries changed twice a year at the same time clocks are set
What is a smoke detector?
These are the four focus areas identified in the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, based on data and community input
What is northern Georgina, central Newmarket, south-central Richmond Hill, south-central Markham
This plan contains 3 strategic framework Priorities: Healthy Communities, Social Inclusion, and Economic Prosperity
What is the 2024 to 2027 Plan for Newcomer Inclusion
These six focus areas, ranging from Housing Stability, Mental well-being, DEI, Food Security, OD, to other critical service and emergency needs, were approved by York Regional Council in May 2023 to steer the Community Investment Fund.
What are the Community Investment Priorities for York Region’s Community Investment Fund?
This is the number of planned projects SDCE supports the department with on a yearly basis, made up of a multitude of various deliverables and tactics.
What is 400+?
This is where you would find: the Village of 100 Brochure, Provincial Budget Analysis, Key Message and Positions Note Template, or the Council Agenda Tracker for CHS
What is the Policy and Data Centre for Excellence
This is where you should seek shelter if a tornado is approaching.
What is an indoor room with no windows?
As of October 2024, this is the number of residents who have participated in events and activities since the launch of the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan.
What is 47,872?
This celebration is happening from September 12-21, 2025, and is related to the theme of Welcoming and Inclusive communities
What is Welcoming Week
This bi-weekly newsletter is sent to over 2,500 email addresses and offers sector- based updates on funding opportunities and professional development from York Region and community funders.
What is the York Region Community Investment newsletter?
You can find this resource on SharePoint which provides tools, templates and resources; showcases previous projects for inspiration; and improves collaboration across branches.
What is SDCE Connect?
This publicly available interactive dashboard on york.ca allows for a better understanding of trends among low-income residents
What is the low-income dashboard
The system that Ontario (and York Region) uses to help agencies communicate, collaborate, and coordinate the response to an incident.
What is the Incident Management System (IMS)?
As part of the CSWB Plan refresh, the Community Development team is engaging internal and external partners through this structured process to gather insights and strengthen collaboration
What is the Consultation and Engagement Plan
LIP and its community partners are planning on creating this to bridge the gap between newcomer talent and employer needs
What is the Employer Guide to Hiring Newcomers
This initiative, funded by the Community Investment Fund Program, helps York Region agencies provide transit fares for residents to access basic needs, employment, education, and CHS community programs.
What is the Transportation Assistance Support Program?
This aspirational statement acts as our compass – to be the trusted experts and business partners who hold influential seats and voices at the table, and shape and advance the department’s mandate.
What is SDCE’s Vision?
In 2025, this Regional Council communication highlighted complex needs affecting residents and the increased demand for services, creating pressures for the Region and community partners.
What is the York Region Health and Well-Being Review
A place where incident response personnel and the communities and organizations they represent come together to coordinate and support incident response activities and responders
What is an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC)?
These weekly collaborative meeting bring together a range of service providers to address situations of acutely elevated risk for children, youth, and families. Co-chaired by York Region and York Regional Police, it aims to prevent negative outcomes through rapid, coordinated intervention.
What are the Children Youth and Family (CYF) Situation Tables
In May 2025, the LIP team brought together partners from these two organizations to discuss partnerships related to newcomer health services
What are OHTs and Welcome Centers
These collaborative networks in Ontario unite hospitals, primary care, long-term care, and community support services to deliver integrated care to a defined population.
What are Ontario Health Teams (OHTs)?
SDCE identified opportunities for improvement to empower our team to enhance its operational strategy and structure by revisiting and redefining these 3 ideas.
What is “what we do, who does what, and how we do it”?
This analysis supports policy and program planning across CHS by identifying human service trends in six major categories, including economic, social, and legal.
What is the PESTLE analysis
This team is CHS’s go-to group for Emergency Management and Business Continuity
Who is Departmental Emergency Management (DEM)?
These collaborative community networks bring together residents, local service providers, York Region, municipalities, York Regional Police, United Way, school boards, and Ontario Health Teams to co-create action plans that tackle top local risk priorities through social development and prevention strategies.
What are Community Action Tables
The HSPB will focus on this human services area in their new action plan
What is Housing Advocacy
This update includes refreshing the CIF policy document to reflect current practices, clarify language, and ensure it supports consistent decision making.
What is the Community Investment Fund (CIF) Policy and Procedures Refresh?
Implemented to support the 2025 Workplan, this tool offers customized versions for each branch with different view options which can be easily sorted and filtered based on preference.
What is MS Lists?