Released on March 30, 2001
The government will spend $10 million this year on intensive earlychildhood care and education for children. The funding contained in the
2001-02 budget will focus on high-risk children from prenatal to age five.
"If we can enhance the development of children by supporting them in these
early years of life, we are investing in the long-term good of our
communities," Health Minister John Nilson said. "As a government, we
intend to focus intensive care and attention on at-risk children to ensure
they have an opportunity to lead productive and healthy lives."
The new initiative will include an outreach program to ensure high-risk
women receive prenatal counselling and care with a focus on prevention of
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Fetal Alcohol Effect. Under the new initiative, all
newborns and their families will be screened for potential risk factors.
Families with high-risk factors living in target communities can access an
intensive home visiting and community support program. Target communities
are those characterized by high rates of poverty, unemployment, substance
abuse and low levels of education.
In communities where the need is not as great, community developers will
work to put high-risk families in touch with existing services and ensure
those services are realigned to make them more responsive and accessible.
The funding will also provide new daycare spaces for high-risk children and
expanded pre-kindergarten programs as well as other early learning
opportunities and community support programs.
"We are committed to working with communities, services organizations,
health districts, school divisions and other key partners to ensure our
children have the support they need to overcome challenges and succeed in
life," Nilson said. "This government is working for children and families
and connecting them to the future."
Since 1993, Saskatchewan has invested more than $25 million in early
childhood development initiatives. Over the next five years, the federal
government will transfer $2.2 billion to the provinces for early childhood
development programs.
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For more information contact:
Peter Mayne
Health
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-7296