Version 2 – Updated April 2020
Frequently Asked Questions: New Legislative Requirements related to Mandating Community Safety and Well-Being Planning
1) What is community safety and well-being (CSWB) planning?
The goal of CSWB planning is to achieve the ideal state of a sustainable community where everyone is safe, has a sense of belonging, access to services and where individuals and families can meet their needs for education, health care, food, housing, income, and social and cultural expression.
2) Why is CSWB planning important for every community?
CSWB planning supports a collaborative approach to addressing local priorities through the implementation of programs/strategies in four planning areas, including social development, prevention, risk intervention and incident response. By engaging in the CSWB planning process, communities will be able to save lives and prevent crime, victimization and suicide.
Further, by taking a holistic approach to CSWB planning it helps to ensure those in need of help receive the right response, at the right time, and by the right service provider. It will also help to improve interactions between police and vulnerable Ontarians by enhancing frontline responses to those in crisis.
To learn more about the benefits of CSWB planning, please see Question #3.
3) What are the benefits of CSWB planning?
CSWB planning has a wide range of positive impacts for local agencies/organizations and frontline service providers, as well as the broader community, including the general public. A few key benefits are highlighted below: •
- Enhanced communication and collaboration among sectors, agencies and organizations;
- Transformation of service delivery, including realignment of resources and responsibilities to better respond to priorities and needs;
- Increased understanding of and focus on local risks and vulnerable groups;
- Ensuring the appropriate services are provided to those individuals with complex needs;
- Increased awareness, coordination of and access to services for community members and vulnerable groups;
- Healthier, more productive individuals that positively contribute to the community; and
- Reducing the financial burden of crime on society through cost-effective approaches with significant return on investments.