Jennifer Weinman, Manager, Enterprise Audit Services, and Aileen Baird, Director, Housing Services presented the results of the Emergency Shelter Operations Contract Management audit including a review of the Audit objective, observations and management response. Janice Sheehy, Commissioner of Human Services provided overall management context, noting that changes have been made within the Human Services department organizational structure, ensuring there are clear accountabilities for all functions and outcomes.
In response to a question from Councillor Ras regarding oversight of shelter contracts, Aileen Baird clarified that oversight occurs through informal meetings between Regional staff and the Salvation Army. The Region will formalize processes and documentation with all shelter operations as a result of this audit.
Councillor Fonseca requested that a future emergency shelter operations audit consider management controls with respect to the Salvation Army food safety practices.
In response to a question from Councillor Fonseca regarding a recent family shelter fire, Aileen Baird noted that staff will include a review of lessons learned, with respect to fire safety, in the next report to the Committee.
In response to a request from Councillor Starr regarding the need to improve the system of administration and monitoring of emergency shelter contracts, staff took direction to provide an operational progress report to the Committee within six to eight months; and to include an audit of the Shelter Contract management in the 2021 work plan to allow sufficient time for the controls that have been put in place to be audited. Councillor Starr further requested that the operational progress report include an organizational flow chart, processes in place to monitor the emergency overflow system, and any changes accomplished to date.