Improving Government Contracts with Social Service Providers

Official title: Agency and Human Services Procurement Advisory Table engagement

Closed Policy & Studies Economy & Jobs Health & Safety
Alberta Human Services worked with service providers to improve how the government contracts and grants funding for social services. The goal was to make these relationships more efficient and effective. This work wrapped up in 2016 with a final report.

Why This Matters

Social services help vulnerable Albertans—people with disabilities, families in crisis, those facing homelessness. How the government contracts with service providers affects the quality and availability of that help. Better contracts could mean better services reaching more people who need them.

What Could Change

The advisory table produced recommendations for how Alberta Human Services structures its contracts and grants with service providers. These changes aimed to reduce administrative burden and focus more on outcomes for Albertans rather than paperwork.

Key Issues

  • How can contracting strategies better support service delivery outcomes?
  • What approaches would make government-provider relationships more efficient?

What Happened

The Procurement Advisory Table completed its work in 2016. Through monthly meetings and sub-group work, leaders from the service provider sector contributed their expertise to develop improved contracting strategies. A final report was produced with recommendations.