Basic Needs

Programs that furnish survival level resources including food, housing, material goods, transportation and utilities for individuals with low or fixed incomes, people who are homeless, older adults and/or people with disabilities who are otherwise unable to adequately provide for themselves and their families. Also included are related services that are available to the community at large.

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Consumer Services

Programs that provide for the education and protection of individuals who buy products and services for personal use. Included are programs that establish and enforce consumer protection, fair trade and other regulatory legislation; provide information and/or counselling to help consumers manage their finances, make informed credit and purchasing decisions, and understand their tax obligations and pay their taxes; and/or ensure that consumers have access to fair hearings, mediation or binding arbitration and appropriate remedies when they have complaints.

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Criminal Justice and Legal Services

Programs that promote and preserve the conditions that enable community residents to live in a safe and peaceful environment through the enforcement of laws that protect life and property and the administration of justice according to the principles of law and equity. Included are crime prevention programs as well as programs that investigate and make arrests for criminal behaviour; provide support for witnesses to and victims of crimes; and provide for the arraignment, prosecution and defence, judgment, sentencing, confinement and eventual release and resettlement of offenders.

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Education

Programs that provide opportunities for people to acquire the knowledge, skills, desirable qualities of behavior and character, wisdom and general competence that will enable them to fully participate in and enjoy the social, political, economic and intellectual life of the community.

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Environment and Public Health/Safety

Programs that protect and conserve natural resources, prevent or reduce environmental pollution, promote environmental and public health, develop and implement measures for safety education and accident prevention, provide emergency rescue services for people in trouble and/or take other steps to enhance public health and safety and enable people to live in ecological balance and harmony with their surroundings.

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Health Care

Programs whose primary purpose is to help individuals and families achieve and maintain physical well-being through the study, prevention, screening, evaluation and treatment of people who have illnesses, injuries or disabilities; and the provision of family planning, maternity and other services that relate to human reproduction and sexual health.

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Income Support and Employment

Programs that help to meet the economic needs of the community by helping residents prepare for, find and sustain gainful employment; providing public assistance and support for those who are eligible; ensuring that retirees, older adults, people with disabilities and other eligible individuals receive the social insurance benefits to which they are entitled; and offering temporary financial assistance for people who are experiencing an unexpected financial crisis in situations where support related to their specific circumstances is unavailable

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Individual and Family Life

Programs that promote the personal, social and spiritual development of people in the community by offering services that replace or supplement the care and support that is generally available through the family unit; providing for the humane care, protection and control of the pets and other domestic animals; and offering social, religious/spiritual and leisure-time activities that are personally satisfying and lead to optimal social functioning.

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Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services

Programs that provide preventive, diagnostic and treatment services in a variety of community and hospital-based settings to help people achieve, maintain and enhance a state of emotional well-being, personal empowerment and the skills to cope with everyday demands without excessive stress or reliance on alcohol or other drugs. Treatment may include emotional support, introspection and problem-solving assistance using a variety of modalities and approaches, and medication, as needed, for individuals who have a substance use disorder involving alcohol and/or other drugs or for people who range from experiencing difficult life transitions or problems in coping with daily living to those with severe, chronic mental illnesses that seriously impact their lives.

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Organizational/Community/International Services

Programs that provide any of a broad spectrum of services that benefit entire communities or which offer services that are province-wide, regional, national or international in scope. Included are opportunities for individuals or groups to enjoy the artistic and cultural life of the community, participate in community improvement or service projects, engage in philanthropic endeavours, have a voice in the political process, obtain or offer assistance in times of disaster, have access to information services, and/or benefit from the availability of a variety of services for residents, community agencies, organizations, businesses and industries, and other individuals/groups.

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Target Populations

Individuals who have specific disabilities, medical diagnoses, ethnic backgrounds, national origins, family relationships, income levels, religious affiliations, special problems or considerations, or other targeted characteristics.

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The above terms and definitions are part of the Taxonomy of Human Services, used here by permission of INFO LINE of Los Angeles.