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Regi Profiles Regions Social Services director no dogooder by Mum Hart AI years of age the Social Services Director at the region has the of controlling the department With full time employees Director Debbie has her bands full overseeing toe operations to the big green machine received Planning and Administration Masters Degree from the University of Toronto and is pUvmlng on doing her Masters In Business Administration this year She was born and raised in the small town of Coldwater Ontario then moved to Toronto Presently she lives In Oakville In the past Debbie has had Jobs as a day care worker a full time em in a mental institution a family benefits worker and an ad ministrator of a local field office for the Ministry of Community and Social Services I know what Im talking about because I know the Jobs she stated But this la no bleeding heart liberal Some people see people in this business as dogooders but Im not one of them said the director In my position you have to have a tense of social responsibility but also a sense of public accountability for funds being Somewhere In there Is a healthy balance she claims Im under continual pressure to cut back on spending but I know if I do that people are going to be hurt so its difficult she said The director of social services like other directors at the region report to the top boss Chief strati ve Officer Dennis Perl in and to regional council 1 find that accountability very good she says When your backside son the line youve got to keep your wits about you Her department consists of four major areas with four different managers reporting to her There is a manager of the Halton Centennial Manor an income maintenance manager who deals with welfare benefits among other things on administrative services manager and a manager of childrens vices A lot of what we do is cost sharing with the province she explains and this Is why we have such a large administrative services Debbie Oakley One of the difficulties Debbie encounters is long range planning This is a very uncertain time and this is not a static department because we change as peoples needs change she said Being the lone woman In a male oriented management position does not worry Debbie one bit Ive had other experience working with men in an administrative position so maybe thats theres no problem she explains adding she is certain she has the respect of her colleagues There really is no distinction made and I certainly dont get any special treatment Historically social service was womens work but theres a lot more men around here she said Debbies main role is to oversee the workings of the department I in somewhat of a trouble- shooter position she said I guess Im more a team leader but I have very strong management Her direct responsibilities are fiscal planning and organisation as well as staffing But I have direct contact with clients which is something I miss sometimes she says The bureaucracy of the municipal process doesnt frustrate her because according to Debbie the municipal level works a lot faster than the provincial And the smaller size helps too she added A major project on the go la the study of the regions role in the needs of the elderly And the Job allocation program a Joint venture of the provincial and federal govern ment Is also a priority Sure the rules are complicated but in these days when someone Is handing you that amount of money to be used for Jobs it ahouldn t be criticized Welfare system may get relief hard pressed welfare system might get a little relief from the latest federal make work programs Regional councillors were told last week their staff are trying to find ways to 900 granted under the recently federal Job creation program In a report to members of the health and social services and planning and public works committees Dennis chief administrative officer said the program is designed mainly for people who have exhausted unemployment insurance benefits and are currently on welfare Since were involved in the delivery of welfare this has to have some benefits for us commented Councillor Walter Burlington I just hate the thought of sending a cheque to people who can work to Just alt there he added Les invites you to try Lea Pelitis Achilles Motors Ltd for all of your Motoring needs For a limited time we are offering a FREE GLASS with every gasoline fill up FOR FAST FRIENDL Y SERVICE STOP IN TODAY BP Canada SAFEWAY Georgetown Acton Wednesday Jan B11 SUPER DISCOUNT store SAFEWAY- BRAMPTON SHOPPERS WORLD Hwy 10 andSteeles Ave Shop for these and thousands of other items at LOW LOW EVERYDAY DISCOUNT PRICES SUPER DISCOUNT store SPECIAL YOU SAVE Fresh Produce Fresh Bakery-