What are Health and Social Services?

The following are brief descriptions of current health and social services and programs offered by the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) and Manitoba Family Services and Housing:

Child Day Care: Manitoba Family Services and Housing oversees the operation of licensed childcare throughout the province of Manitoba, ensuring high quality care for children ages 3 months to 12 years of age. Services include: licensing and monitoring centres and homes according to The Community Child Day Care Standards Act; provides subsidies for child care fees to licensed facilities on behalf of eligible families; provides grants to eligible child care facilities; places children with special needs in child care settings; and classifies all early childhood educators and child care assistants.

Child and Family Services: Manitoba Family Services and Housing delivers a range of social services to strengthen and support Manitoba families. Family Services and Housing has a commitment to: keeping children safe and protected; encouraging individual, family and community responsibility, independence and self-sufficiency; developing effective partnerships with the community to develop and deliver services; and assisting Manitobans in times of need.

Children’s Special Services: Manitoba Family Services and Housing provides supports to children with disabilities who are living with their families. Services include counseling; respite; supplies and equipment; home renovation; preschool child development support; and behavioural supports.

Community Development: Winnipeg Regional Health Authority promotes organizational development, facilitates networking and collaboration between agencies, and provides resources to enable and facilitate local area development. Community development involves citizens in determining and meeting their own needs and strengthens bonds between people, which create an increased capacity to work towards common goals.

Community (Supported) Living: Manitoba Family Services and Housing provides supports to adults with mental disabilities who live independently or reside in family homes, adult foster homes or group homes. Services include protection support and planning; respite; day program supports; transportation; residential services; behavioural services; and crisis intervention.

Community Mental Health: Winnipeg Regional Health Authority provides supports to persons with severe and persistent mental health problems, as well as support and consultation to mental health residential care facilities. Services include assessment, crisis intervention; supportive counseling, basic needs support, service coordination, and intensive rehabilitation case management. A team of community mental health staff also provides community trauma debriefing following traumatic community events.

Employment and Income Assistance: Manitoba Family Services and Housing provides income assistance to Manitobans in need. This includes the provision of essential drug, dental and optical supplies and services to EIA participants and their children; quarterly income supplements to low-income Manitobans who are 55 years of age and over; and monthly supplements to low-income families to assist them in meeting the costs of raising their children. Family Services and Housing also assists Manitobans in regaining their financial independence by helping them to make the transition from income assistance to work. Services include developing, coordinating and providing support for initiatives that increase job skills, and linking EIA participants to training and employment opportunities.

Employment Services for Persons with Disabilities: Manitoba Family Services and Housing provides vocational assessment planning and follow-up for adults with a broad range of disabilities (i.e. mental health issues, learning disabilities, hearing impairments and physical disabilities). Family Services and Housing works in partnership with schools, employers, and assessment and training centres in the community in order to provide for smooth transitions into training or employment.

Home Care: Winnipeg Regional Health Authority provides essential supports to persons, regardless of age, whom require health services or assistance with daily living. The program augments the resources of family and community to support people living in their homes through promotion of care, management of health issues and facilitation of hospital discharges. The programs also provide alternatives to entering personal care and long term facilities (for as long as is safely possible).

Housing: Manitoba Family Services and Housing assists Manitobans to have access to adequate and affordable housing. This includes housing for seniors, families, persons who are single and non-elderly, abused women, persons with disabilities and persons with special needs.

Long Term Care: Through its long term care program, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority provides a broad range of help with daily activities that chronically disabled individuals need for a prolonged period of time. Services are designed to rehabilitate or compensate for loss of independent physical or mental functioning.

Primary Care: This Winnipeg Regional Health Authority service is the first level of contact with the health system and includes assessment, diagnosis and treatment of common illnesses (generally provided by family physicians and nurses). Primary care is one of the core services provided by the primary health care system.

Public Health: Winnipeg Regional Health Authority provides a range of services that promote public health and the prevention of disease and injury. Services are grouped into 6 main areas: Healthy Beginnings; Healthy School Age Children; Healthy Environments; Injury Prevention; Communicable Disease Control; and Life-Long Wellness.

Services to Seniors: Winnipeg Regional Health Authority provides supports to senior citizens to enable them to remain as independent members of the community while promoting and enhancing their quality of life. Services include escorted transportation; yard and home maintenance referrals; information about accessing community or government services; congregate meal programs; and service for caregivers.