Released on December 10, 1998
Social Services Minister Harry Van Mulligen cited the Family Place in
Weyburn as an example of the success of early childhood intervention
programs in enhancing the well-being of Saskatchewan children and
families.
The earlier we provide the support children need in their lives, the
greater the positive impact on their well-being throughout their
lives, Van Mulligen said. Programs like The Family Place in Weyburn
are critical for the future of Saskatchewan.
The Family Place is a community based centre providing resources and
support to build strong healthy families.
Van Mulligen noted that their work complements the recommendations
contained in the recently released Saskatchewan Council on Children
Report, which emphasized the importance of early childhood development
in the growth and development of children.
The Saskatchewan Council on Children is an independent body
established to advise the government on priorities for enhancing the
well-being of Saskatchewan children and youth. It provided 12 major
recommendations to government targeted at children from birth to age
five, six to 12 and 13 to 19 years of age.
Although the recommendations are age-specific, many of them
apply to children and youth of all ages, Van Mulligen said.
My emphasis on the importance of focusing on preschool children
stems from the fact that they are at an age where they can most
easily be influenced into positive, productive behavior. We can
prevent major social problems, and major costs, by creating
healthy environments for children which prevent as much as
possible the development of unhealthy problem behavior in older
children. We can pay a little now, or a pay a lot later, if we
don t take positive steps now with very young children.
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For more information, contact:
Donnita Maas
The Family Place
Phone: (306)842-7477
Bill Carney
Director of Communications
Social Services
Phone: (306)787-0916