Our focus on innovation and research is driven by the mission of the Durham Region Strategic Plan 2015 - 2019:
"Meeting the current and future needs of the Durham community through leadership, co-operation, innovation and service excellence."
One of our corporate values is continuous improvement, where innovation and research is purpose driven and integrated in our business solutions. We seek opportunities to collaborate with government agencies, the private sector and academic institutions.
Our journey in innovation and research has led to developing a corporate culture of team work and empowerment, where staff is encouraged to learn new approaches and leverage the latest tools in problem solving.
Many program areas focus on innovation and research within their own departments to promote improvements in service delivery.
| Corporate initiatives |
|
We have taken a collaborative approach to innovation by working across all departments to increase the capacity of innovation through training. This proven leadership training includes:
- LEAN - a methodology that looks at maximizing customer value by while reducing waste.
- Six Sigma - a set of processes that helps improve business performance.
- Juice Inc. - a structured innovation process that enables proactive solutions.
|
| Social Services Department |
|
The Social Services Department's Innovation and Research Unit promotes improvements in municipal service delivery. Our Innovation and Research Unit is a recognized leader in the development and implementation of new social innovation, and has an interest in new and emerging social service work practices.
Featured activities
Contact our Innovation and Research Unit by email at Innovate@durham.ca to learn about our different innovation and research activities, such as:
- Community collaborations
- Global best practices
- Innovation projects underway
- Local and global networks and partners
- Research projects underway
| LEAP to Durham |
| Our Social Services Department has partnered with Durham College and the Durham District School Board (DDSB) to give young parents access to post-secondary education through the Learning, Earning and Parenting Program (LEAP). |
| Giving children and families the best start |
| Durham Best Start Research and Knowledge Mobilization Sub-committee is a creative space that brings local researchers and service providers together. This collaboration improves services in Durham Region by turning research into practice. |
| Innovation labs |
| Innovation labs are creative spaces that promote information sharing, collaboration, and co-creation of new ideas and solutions. |
| Homelessness Statistics |
|
The Housing Services Division keeps statistics on community trends and program use to identify future needs and measure progress on the goals of At Home in Durham, the Durham Housing Plan 2014-2024.
Homelessness
Regional staff reports to Council through the Committee of the Whole on homelessness program that the Region provides either directly, or through its community partners to support households who find themselves homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
The summary report for 2016 homelessness programs shows the most recent trends in service use and highlights the needs of single, low income people below the age of 65. This group faces the largest challenges in finding and keeping rental housing.
Durham Access to Social Housing (DASH)
Durham Access to Social Housing (DASH) runs the wait list for rent-geared-to-income (RGI) and modified units in Durham Region.
Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA) does annual surveys to learn how many households are waiting for rent-geared-to-income (RGI) housing in Ontario.
We do annual reports to Council through the Committee of the Whole on wait list statistics in Durham. The most recent report shows trends on the wait list for who is on applying for RGI and who is getting housed.
|
|
