Ontarios Healthy Schools Strategy Presentation to Championing Public Health Nutrition Conference November 25 2014 by Gary Peall Deputy Auditor General of Ontario Overview Our Mandate Distribution of Our Work ID: 585658
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2013 Value For Money Audit of Ontario’s Healthy Schools Strategy Presentation to Championing Public Health Nutrition ConferenceNovember 25, 2014byGary PeallDeputy Auditor General of OntarioSlide2
OverviewOur MandateDistribution of Our WorkValue-for-Money Auditing
Healthy Schools Strategy – Value-for-Money Report
2013 Value-for-Money and Special Audits
Recent and Upcoming Special Reports
Upcoming Value-for-Money Audits
Questions Slide3
Our MandateAct as the Legislature’s watchdog in helping them ensure taxpayer funds are prudently spent and government, Crown agency and broader public sector administrators follow sound business practicesEncourage improvements in the way governments deliver public services – better and more cost-effective service deliveryProvide assurance that Ontario’s Summary Financial Statement (Public Accounts) are fairly presented
Provide assurance on crown agency financial statements where we are the appointed auditor (over 40)Slide4
Our MandateConduct Value-for-Money and Special auditsConduct and review attest auditsAssist the Standing Committee on Public AccountsFollow-up on Value-for-Money reports and recommendations from the Standing Committee on Public Accounts
Review of Government Advertising
Review of the Pre-Election Report on Ontario’s Finances
Receive complaints from MPPs and citizens
Review governance in our auditsSlide5
Distribution of Our Work Slide6
Assesses how economically and efficiently the government or organization is operatingAssesses whether program effectiveness is measured and reported onTypically, audit against best practices or generally accepted ‘industry’ standardsFinancial statement audits reveal what taxpayer funds are spent on vs. VFM audits reveal whether funds are well spent and opportunities exist to improve service-delivery or reduce costs
Value-for-Money (VFM) AuditingSlide7
Auditor General Act amended in 2006 to allow VFM audits of organizations in the broader public sector and Crown CorporationsAudit “universe” expanded by over 3,000 entities (accounting for over 50% of provincial spending)Standing Committee on Public Accounts (PAC) very interested in holding hearings on BPS auditsHospitals, colleges, universities, social service agencies, school boards, children’s aid societies, long-term care homes, mental health agencies, crown agencies and corporations
Value-for-Money (VFM) AuditingSlide8
Healthy Schools StrategySlide9
BackgroundNumber of overweight children and youth in Canada has increased dramatically over past three decades. About 1/3 students are overweight and 12% are obese.Stats Canada found only 7% get recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity.Student health and well-being is a priority for the Ministry of EducationIn 2012, Ontario set a goal to reduce childhood obesity by 20% in five yearsMinistry established Healthy Schools Strategy to support student learning and growth through nutrition and daily physical activity
Previously audited Literacy & Numeracy Strategy (2009), Safe Schools Strategy(2010) and Student Success Strategy (2011). This audit dealt with the last of four pillars.Slide10
ObjectiveTo assess whether the Ministry of Education and selected school boards had adequate procedures in place to:implement policies and initiatives designed to help improve health and academic achievement for Ontario’s students through better eating habits and increased physical activity; andensure the identification of good practices, oversight of schools, and the measurement and reporting of results.Slide11
ScopeMinistry’s Healthy Schools and Student Well-Being Unit Three school boardsYork Catholic District School Board; Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board; Trillium Lakelands District School BoardVisited selected schools operated by each boardSpoke with: Ministry of Health & Long-term care; Public Health Ontario; the Healthy Kids Panel; Ministry of Children & Youth Services; local public health units; Ontario Society of Nutrition Professionals in Public Health, and others.
Consulted with two external experts from BC and Alberta
Reviewed relevant legislation, policies and informationSlide12
Main Findings - NutritionEffective September 2011, School Food and Beverage Policy set nutrition standards for food and beverages sold in schools – A well-intentioned policy but largely left up to principals and teachers to implement along with many other priorities to improve student achievement. Lack of monitoring to ensure food items sold met nutrition criteria (many did not) and lack of data to assess whether eating habits are improving.Cafeteria vendor revenues decreased 25-45% and vending revenues decreased 70-85%. Many students get fast food.Lack of focus on elementary schools to influence eating habits earlier, and where there are few cafeterias. Effective parent communication and curriculum content key. Slide13
Main Findings – Physical ActivityNo formal monitoring strategy to ensure students got required activityDaily activity inconsistently implemented and not having desired impactSurvey: only 20% of Ontario high school students participated in 60 minutes of daily activity; Elementary students not receiving 20 minutes/daySome other provinces have substantially greater requirements, particularly at secondary level. Slide14
Main Recommendations - NutritionDevelop strategies to monitor compliance with the School Food and Beverage PolicyCapture additional data to assess Policy impact – Work with School Administrators on how to implement the policyBetter coordinate and leverage work of others such as MCYS (nutrition program), PHO and NFP orgs.Improve communication with parents using good practices and materials already developed and track effectiveness of those effortsSlide15
Main Recommendations - PAEnsure administrators and teachers receive sufficient training on how to safely and effectively incorporate daily physical activity into the school dayAssess policies and practices in other jurisdictions for providing sufficient physical activity to both elementary and secondary studentsSet specific goals and targets for increasing physical activity, and periodically monitor, measure and publicly report on progressSlide16
2013 Value-for-Money and Special AuditsAutism Services and Supports for ChildrenHealth Human ResourcesHealthy Schools Strategy
Land Ambulance Services
Ontario Power Generation Human Resources
Private Schools
Provincial Parks
Rehabilitation Services at Hospitals
ServiceOntario
Violence Against Women
Mississauga Power Plant Cancellation – Tabled Apr. 2013
Oakville Power Plant Cancellation – Tabled Oct. 2013
Divestment of Ontario Northland Transportation Commission – Tabled Dec. 2013Slide17
Recent and Upcoming Special AuditsRecent:Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation's Modernization Plan – Tabled April 2014Changes to Teacher Collective Agreements – Tabled Nov 19, 2014
In Progress:
2015 Pan/
Parapan
American Games Security –
Tabling Nov 26, 2014
Winter Road Maintenance –
Tabling expected spring 2015
Community
Care Access Centres
– Tabling expected spring 2015Slide18
Upcoming Value-for-Money Audits (2014 Annual Report)Alternative Financing and ProcurementChild Care: Licensing, Inspection and EnforcementCommunity CorrectionsRegulatory Oversight of Pensions and Financial Institutions
Immunization
Infrastructure Ontario Loans Program
Natural Gas Regulation
Palliative Care
Provincial Nominee Program
Residential Services for Persons with Developmental Disabilities
Smart Metering Initiative
Source Water ProtectionSlide19
Questions?