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Haif of region's child care subsidy recipients living Ili poverty: says report - The Canadian Champion, Tuesdi July 13, 2004-3 PONTIAC e BUICK a CADILLAC Average annual income of child subsidy clients is less than $24,000 By MELANIE HENNESSEy The Champion Almost 50 per cent of the Region's cbild care subsidy clients are living in poverty, wiîb many only eamning one-tbird the money most Halton residenîs make. Tbis is one of the figures con- taîned in a recent report from the Region's social and communiîy services department profiling ils Iow-income clients. Halton Senior Policy Analyst Joan Kaczmarski presented tbe fmndings 10 tbe bealîb and social services commitîe ast Tuesday, calling it an "in-deptb snapsbot of socto-economic issues." Il states that the average annual gross income of bousebolds using tbe Region's cbild care services îs $23,820, compared 10 the average $60.966 across Halîîîn. "Tbe median family incoie lfor aIl Halton famîlies is thre.'climes igber than that of cbild care sub- sidy clients," the report states. Ms Kaczmarskî described the typical cild care subsidy client as female. -32 years old. single and a moîber of onie cbild. Sbe lives in Burlington, is a bigb scboeal graduate, owns a car and reccives no cbild support pay- ments. Sbe said 88 per cent ofthIe main subsidy applicants w<rk in support positions, sucb as retail and restau- rant jobs. "Tbe average bourly wage for cbild care subsidy clients is 001 quite a thîrd of the Halton aver- age," the report said. "Unskilled wîark is often unstable work, and tbat means a grealer risk ol slipping back ion liaemploymenî insurance or social assistance." Ms Kaczmarski also prcsenled several scenaneas Ibat sbowed if tbese lous-income peoaple sserc trained leor a sklled jîb, like a legal secrelarv, lbey could brîng in almiasi isice ,is naîîcbas us al thcy nsake niau. The repoîrt states thal bcyianî the moncy prîîblems tbese pceople copc sitb, lbey bave 10 deal wîtb sever- al other persona] issues as well. "In additioan t the linancial cbal- lenges faced by these cbild care subsidy clients, 1l per cent indicat- ed a history of spousal abuse and 15 per cent reported mental health issues.," The report will be circulated to the provincial govemment and var- mous other orgasizations. Regional staff are continuing to irivestigate ways to support low- income families, such as tbrougb funding from the provincial and federal govemments and a possible reduction in child care fees. Also, staff are looking Io secure funding during the 2005 budget process foar additional staff resources tia belp clients obtain cbild support. Tbe idea bebtnd this is il moare clients are receiving these pay- tacots, the less money the Region wîîuld bave bo spcnd ion support serv ices like reni subsîdy. "The report is laudable, especial- ly bccause il's proactive,- Regional Chair Joyce Savoline said. "We bave 10 increase the support system l'or adults. 1 îbînk we are making our cîîmmunîîy a better place to live." Mel/oiie'llei'..i' ai he' re'acie'd utaiihî/îcuress'V(a.niiltoi- îaiadlianj-htî!onpi<()ni(o, ~cu~ose m.ua.~, i rtmac- No. 1 Grade Fresh and ersp each CANADA WIDE CLEAROUT Up ta 60 months on9w Vidual, ail 2004 modols RING 1"s &WIN %*O EVERY S CALL WINS A CHANCE TO WIN YOUR VEHICLE! onT A MINIMM 0f $1 s000 WIT4A CHACE OUN UP siOe*0,00 Crew cab, diesel en'gîne. heavy duty trailer equipment, SLE Futly loaded. Cg player polished alum. wheels, tog lamps, deep tinted rear glass, power Iocks & windcows,* 1 i keyless remote. 3.4L 185 HP V6 engine, air conditioning, power locks, windows, mirrors, CD stereo, remole keyless 5-Star Safety Raling (based on 2002 model) 5yr/100,000 km Powertrain Warranty with $0 Dedactîbte 3a4L 185 HP V6 engime, 4 spd auto, air, ABS, p tocks. windows, mîrrors, remote keyiess esitry, CD stereo, side-impact air bags, 5 star satety ratmng, Energsîde award. 2.2L 140 HP Ecstec engmne, 4 spd autira 5 yr/100,000 km psw- erIrais warranty wth $0 deductîble, theft deterrest system, HO/40 M M split tslding rear Seat, Ns Charge7- Sunrot, CD Player wýttr e speakers, 15" Ataminam Wtieels, Spoiler Laas prie based on Sf1 down. Trujcks payrnent based on 36 month tarin Ail other velalcies based on 48 month tarin. Cash prices ara plus tri. & ail applicable taxes and cannot be combtned wtrh any other W fe allesdac e , fat%&% 0700115M PONTIAC B-UICK aiàd du I- *4* iý 2004 Nbntm PM. m ftu 1 epý Tzer-iý) ý A -ri - ýîýÀ