ISSUE/PURPOSE

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) administers the Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC) Program, which is funded entirely by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS). Changes to the operating budget for the fiscal year April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, require approval by the Board of Health.

BACKGROUND

The budget for the HBHC Program had been frozen until 2025/26, when MCCSS announced a $197,000, or 6.8%, base increase, bringing the annual budget to $3,091,990. WECHU received notification from MCCSS on May 20, 2026, advising that a 2% funding increase had been approved effective May 19, 2026. This increase amounts to $61,840.00, resulting in an annual budget of $3,153,830.

The additional funding will be used to strengthen the HBHC Program to better align WECHU with MCCSS program targets and respond to the growing complexity of care required by individuals who are pregnant and unhoused. Consequently, the budget for the HBHC Program has been revised to reflect the increased allocation.

For fiscal 2026/27, the HBHC Program supports twenty-four and one-quarter (24.25) FTEs, comprised of two (2.0) Manager FTEs, one-quarter (0.25) Program Director FTE, fifteen (15.0) Public Health Nursing FTEs, one (1.0) Public Health Nurse Lactation Consultant FTE, two (2.0) Family Home Visitor FTEs, one (1.0) Social Worker FTE, one (1.0) Health Promotion Specialist FTE, and two (2.0) support staff FTEs.

The 2026/27 operating budget is detailed below. Descriptions have been updated to align with MCCSS.

Changes to the operating budget include the following:

• Increase in Salaries and Benefits of $75,124.00. This increase is due to a change in HBHC staffing from 23.75 to 24.25 FTEs, including a reduction of 0.5 FTE Coordinator and an increase of 1.0 FTE Manager.
• Decrease in Mileage of $2,500.00. This decrease reflects the estimated mileage costs.
• Decrease in Travel of $500.00. This decrease reflects the use of digital technology in the program. 
• Decrease in IT/Communications of $4,310.00. This decrease is due to the discontinuation of Telus Health documentation and a reduced need for translation services.
• Decrease in Audit Fees of $1,357.00.  The actual cost from the prior year has been maintained, reflecting a decrease in audit fees. No increases in audit fees are anticipated from the previous year.
• Decrease in Occupancy Costs of $4,900.00.  Occupancy-related costs have been maintained at the same level as the 2025/26 budget.

PROPOSED MOTION

Whereas, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit receives grants from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services to fund the Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program; and

And Whereas, at its meeting of June 16, 2026, the Finance and Audit Committee passed a motion recommending that the WECHU Board of Health approve the MCCSS operating budget for the period April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027.

Now therefore be it resolved that the Board of Health approve the revised MCCSS operating budget for the period April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027.