Literacy Basics - Employment Ontario

Enhanced Information Resource and Referral Services

Providing enhanced information resource and referral services is at the foundation of the Employment Ontario network. It is important for all Employment Ontario agencies, including Literacy and Basic Skills, to develop or continue to foster, strong partnerships with each other. As well, some agencies that are not funded through the Employment Ontario system still continue to be important partners, such as Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).

The expectation of an enhanced resource and referral system is that agencies will be able to direct customers to the most appropriate program or service in the training and employment system. As such, Employment Ontario is exploring a Community Information Resource and Referral Service (CIRRS). The proposed CIRRS:

• Will support all Employment Ontario employment and training services and the service provider's capacity to be effective
• Will support the community's capacity to plan for, and respond to, local/regional labour market needs
• Could be delivered as a separate service or as part of other Employment Ontario services
• May be specialized to target the needs of certain customer/community groups, such as immigrants and the internationally trained or persons with disabilities
• Could be accessed by individuals and communities
• Would be augmented by web and telephone service channels

As yet, specific timelines for this proposed referral service have not been announced, but ways that Employment Ontario agencies can start enhancing their information and referral services include:

• Becoming familiar with other Employment Ontario programs and services, available online at www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/eopg/programs/progs_servs_list.html, to become familiar with other Employment Ontario programs and services
• Visiting the Employment Ontario website (www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/tcu/employmentontario/) to become familiar with the content and search features, specifically the link to programs and services
• Ensuring that existing information and referral protocols include the services available to adults in the Employment Ontario network
• Ensuring that all agency staff who provide information and referral services are up-to-date on Employment Ontario services
• Displaying the Employment Ontario signs and brochures prominently so the public is aware that the agency is part of this integrated training and employment system
• Setting up meetings with other Employment Ontario service deliverers
• Creating new partnerships with other Employment Ontario service deliverers or enhancing existing ones
• When appropriate, encouraging the participation of other Employment Ontario service deliverers at the Literacy Service Planning meetings

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