2013 Value For Money Audit of - PowerPoint Presentation

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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?