Released on June 10, 2019
Today, Deputy Premier and Education Minister Gordon Wyant announced La Ronge as the host community for one of the province’s seven newest Early Years Family Resource Centres. Work will begin immediately to establish a Community Planning Team which will develop programming, select a physical location and hire staff.“We have seen firsthand the impressive service Family Resource Centres are providing to families in communities throughout the province,” Wyant said. “We look forward to seeing the La Ronge area families benefit from the additional access to these resources.”
“Quality early learning and child care are critical to the development and future well-being of children,” Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development said. “Today's announcement will ensure that more Saskatchewan families will have access to services, tools and resources to help them raise happy and healthy children.”
Early Years Family Resource Centres provide a place where families with young children can access reliable information, services and supports to help them raise healthy children. Expert advice could be made available on everything from how to connect with your child, to how to stimulate your child’s development. There could also be interactive activities for babies and toddlers, and support groups where young parents can share their experiences with others and seek advice.
“We are extremely excited to have the opportunity to implement another Early Years Family Resource Centre in the north,” KidsFirst North Program Manager Rebecca Clark said. “To have a central location where families with young children have the option to access support is essential. This opportunity is a perfect complement to our KidsFirst North home visitation program. The first five years in a child’s life is vital and the implementation of an Early Years Family Resource Centre will assist in ensuring the well-being and development of children in our community.”
Earlier this year, $1.5 million in funding was announced through the Canada-Saskatchewan Early Learning and Child Care Agreement to create Family Resource Centres in the Battlefords, Meadow Lake, Moose Jaw, Nipawin, Prince Albert, Saskatoon and now in La Ronge.
There are also three existing Family Resource Centres operating in Regina, Yorkton and Sandy Bay. Since opening three years ago, these centres have experienced significant growth and have become an important part of their communities. In 2017-18, the Sandy Bay site recorded nearly 4,000 visits, the equivalent of each of the community’s 697 residents visiting more than five times.
The seven new Family Resource centres are being developed through community partnerships led by KidsFirst, with planned openings in Fall 2019.
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For more information, contact:
Dale Hunter
Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-9501
Email: dale.hunter@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-529-9207