Jackson Lafferty ? Early Childhood Development Framework Renewal

Jun 5 2013

Mr. Speaker, this Assembly?s vision of healthy, educated people contributing to a strong and prosperous Northern society starts in early childhood, from prenatal to five years.? The Departments of Education, Culture and Employment and Health and Social Services have worked collaboratively to craft a renewed Early Childhood Development Framework based on best practices and national and international research.? We will be tabling this document later today.

From the comprehensive engagement process at the start of the year, the Framework includes input from nearly 500 completed surveys, webinars with child and healthcare practitioners, community focus groups, regional meetings, home visits, and an Elders? Sharing Circle. A roundtable with more than 100 Early Childhood experts, leaders, childcare and education professionals, health and social services professionals, and policy makers helped to round out our comprehensive engagement process.

Feedback identified the need for emphasising support to the whole family, improving and expanding existing services, communication and awareness of available services, qualified and dedicated staff, cultural infusion, and in some cases, increased funding.? Program availability, affordability and accessibility were main concerns.? Feedback also identified several successful programs, including Healthy Children Initiatives.

Mr. Speaker, we have taken all of this valuable information and built it into the renewed Framework.? In order to provide the quality supports and services that children and their families need, our front line professionals must also have access to information, opportunity and training.? Our infrastructure options are being explored across the territory.

The Right from the Start awareness campaign that is currently running also received positive feedback. The campaign targets two-parent households and single parents, as well as community members, caregivers, grandparents and other family members.? It includes multimedia advertising through print, radio, social media, parental tool kits, distribution of baby bags, and a website with resources and information.? A second phase of the campaign will focus on how the Government is providing service and support for Early Childhood Development.

Mr. Speaker, we are moving forward to provide our young children with a strong foundation on which to learn and grow, and supporting our families and communities with information, resources and services.? Healthy, educated people sustained by a clean environment and enjoying the benefits of a thriving economy are essential to the future of the Northwest Territories. Our renewed Framework is one of several strategies this Government is working on to support our people, develop our economy and protect our environment.? This includes work like the Anti-Poverty Strategy, Community Safety Strategy, Land Use and Sustainability Framework, the Economic Opportunities Strategy, Mineral Development Strategy and Energy Strategy. We look forward to keeping the House informed on the progress of the Early Childhood Development initiative.

Masi, Mr. Speaker.

Source: http://news.exec.gov.nt.ca/jackson-lafferty-early-childhood-development-framework-renewal/

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