Released on April 17, 2013
The Cabinet Committee on Children and Youth is refocusing its efforts to respond to important issues facing Saskatchewan children, youth and families and to support the goals of the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth. To reflect this focus, the Child and Youth Agenda will be renamed the Child and Family Agenda.
“The Committee is expanding our mandate to include additional work in the areas of education, health, and family supports to respond to the needs of young people and their families today,” Social Services Minister and Committee Chair June Draude said. “Our cross-government approach will now be referred to as the Saskatchewan Child and Family Agenda to reflect the critical role that parents and other family members play in the lives of children and youth, as well as the emphasis that our government is placing on supporting the family as a whole.”
The Cabinet Committee, comprised of ministers from across government, has identified challenges that must be addressed to meet both the goals of the Saskatchewan Child and Family Agenda (previously called the Saskatchewan Child and Youth Agenda) and the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth.
Goal: Children get a good start in life
Challenges: School readiness, literacy, parenting, overweight and obese children and youth
Goal: Youth are prepared for their future
Challenges: Educational attainment among Aboriginal groups, graduation rates, school attendance
Goal: Families are strong
Challenges: Mental health, addictions, parenting, FASD
Goal: Communities are supportive
Challenges: Inter-agency co-operation and communication
The Cabinet Committee has tasked the seven member ministries of the Saskatchewan Child and Family Agenda with identifying initiatives to address each of these challenges, as well as establishing specific targets to track the progress of the initiatives.
“By refocusing our efforts in these critical areas, we can help children, youth and families realize the better quality of life envisioned for all Saskatchewan people in our Plan for Growth,” Draude said.
The Cabinet Committee on Children and Youth was established in December 2010 in response to the Child Welfare Review Panel’s final report. The Committee currently consists of Social Services Minister June Draude, Chair; Education Minister Russ Marchuk; Advanced Education Minister Don Morgan; Justice Minister and Attorney General Gordon Wyant; Minister responsible for Corrections and Policing Christine Tell; Government Relations Minister Jim Reiter; Health Minister Dustin Duncan and Saskatoon Fairview MLA Jennifer Campeau.
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For more information, contact:
Trish Alcorn
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0916
Email: trish.alcorn@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-536-1479