WELLINGTON CTY. – East Wellington Community Services (EWCS) has started working with the County of Wellington to transfer the operation of child and family services to another agency by Feb. 28.
A not-for-profit agency, EWCS has provided child and family programs and services in Erin and Rockwood for 35 years.
In a joint press release issued Dec. 6, the county and EWCS stated the agency will continue to focus on the expansion of its adult day program with an added dementia component as well as transportation programs, food banks in Erin and Rockwood, outreach services and youth homelessness.
“At East Wellington Community Services and the County of Wellington, we always put the people we serve first,” said Kari Simpson, CEO of EWCS, in the press release.
“These changes will allow us to better meet the needs of our community.”
Wellington County director of Children’s Early Years Luisa Artuso said the county and EWCS are working together to ensure “little to no disruption” in services.
She told the Advertiser in an email the transferred programs will include drop-in and playgroup programs for children to attend with their parents/caregivers, as well as child development and parenting resources, supports and referral services.
“The county is working on a plan for another community agency to provide the services to the Town of Erin and the Township of Guelph-Eramosa by the end of February,” she said.
She indicated a report with more details will be submitted to Wellington County council in January.
“The decision was … made by the EWCS board in reviewing their services as a whole,” Artuso stated.
