NORTH BATTLEFORD CHILD CARE CENTRE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN SASKATCHEWAN

Released on October 2, 2003

Young parents at Sakewew High School now have access to affordable child care thanks to a project recently funded by the federal and provincial governments. The Sakewew High School Child Care Centre is the first of its kind in the province and has been identified as a model for potential future child care facilities within high schools.

Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and the Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians today announced funding of $287,450 under the Urban Aboriginal Strategy component of the Government of Canada's National Homelessness Initiative (NHI). This funding, announced on behalf of the Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, Minister of Labour and Federal Co-ordinator on Homelessness, will help Sakewew High School Child Care Centre create space for 12 infants and 10 toddlers whose parents are attending high school.

"The Government of Canada wants to help local people create local solutions to prevent homelessness and address risk factors," Minister Goodale said. "Being able to attend school and having access to child care are some of those risk factors. If not for a child care centre, many parents would not be able to attend school."

The Government of Canada's contribution has enabled Battlefords First Nations Joint Board of Education to build, equip and furnish a licensed daycare facility and to purchase a van for transporting students and children. The provincial government provided a start-up grant of $11,400 and a capital grant of $10,000, and will provide ongoing funding for 19 child care spaces. The other three spaces are funded through the KidsFirst initiative.

"Tomorrow's success begins today. The new child centre provides young parents at Sakewew High School with access to quality and affordable child care while they go to school. Through Child Care Saskatchewan, we are helping children across the province get a good start in life to ensure a future that is wide open to opportunity. Federal and provincial funding will create 1,200 new, licensed child care spaces over the next four years through Child Care Saskatchewan. This high school and the child care centre, through support for teens and their families, is a powerful example of SchoolPlus at its best," Legislative Secretary for SchoolPlus David Forbes said.

The Sakewew High School opened in August 2002, and is governed under a joint agreement among the Battleford School Division, North West Catholic School Division and Battlefords Tribal Council.

By working in partnership with community organizations, the private and voluntary sectors and other levels of government, the NHI is bringing all stakeholders together to develop local solutions that work to address particular needs and challenges faced by homeless people. Through this co-ordinated approach, the following programs are available to support communities across Canada: the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative; the Regional Homelessness Fund; the National Research Program; the Homeless Individuals and Families Information System; and the Urban Aboriginal Homelessness Fund.

The Government of Canada launched the NHI in December 1999 to support communities' efforts to help Canadians out of homelessness. Building on the successes achieved, the February 2003 Budget announced $405 million over three years to continue the federal government's commitment to addressing homelessness in Canada.

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For More Information, Contact:

Cathy Frasz Government of Canada Phone: (306)780-6981	Kim Oliver Minister Bradshaw's office Phone: (819)953-5646
Herb Sutton Superintendent of Instruction Phone: (306)445-6158	Janet Miller Community Resources and Employment Regina Phone: (306)787-0531
Jacquie McLean Learning Regina Phone: (306)787-5609