FCSSAA
November 29, 2013
Vision for Social Policy in Alberta
In Alberta, everyone contributes
to making our communities
inclusive and welcoming.
Everyone has opportunities to
fulfill their potential and to
benefit from our thriving social,
economic, and cultural life.
Social Policy Framework
Social Policy
Framework Goals
• Enable collaboration
and partnerships
• Create a person centred
system of high quality
services
• Reduce inequality
• Protect the vulnerable
Together We
Raise Tomorrow
• Children’s Charter
• Poverty Reduction
Strategy
• An Alberta Approach
to Early Childhood
Development
Better
Future for
Alberta’s
Children
• Better policies for children
• Eliminate child poverty,
reduce overall poverty
• Improve ECD health and
development outcomes
Together We Raise Tomorrow
Alberta Children’s Charter
• As part of Bill 25 – Children’s First Act, the charter will ensure Albertan
children’s safety, wellbeing, and quality of life.
Poverty Reduction Strategy
• A transformational initiative of the Social Policy Framework to end child
poverty in 5 years and reduce overall poverty in 10 years.
Alberta Approach to Early Childhood Development
• A transformational initiative of the Social Policy Framework to improve
and build a more integrated ECD system of early childhood supports.
Why Does Early Childhood Development Matter?
New brain science research provides evidence that
shows what happens in early childhood has impact
throughout the life span.
Approximately 27% of Alberta’s kindergarten
children are experiencing developmental
difficulties.
Improving early childhood development is a good
investment.
Early Child Development Mapping Project, ECMap, as part of the
Government of Alberta’s Early Child Development Mapping Initiative
5
Current State:
A Foundation to Build On
Ministry of Health
Alberta Health
Services
Not-for-Profit
Organizations
Ministry of Human Services
Child and
Family Services
Authorities
Municipalities
Programs
First Nations,
Metis, and Inuit
Communities
Ministry of Education
Approved ECS
Providers
School
Jurisdictions
How Brains are Built: The Core Story
• http://www.albertafamilywellness.org/resour
ces/video/how-brains-are-built-core-storybrain-development
The Future State:
The Alberta Approach to Early Childhood Development:
Shared
Governance
Integrated
Service
Delivery
Integrated
Policy
Integrated
Funding
Shared
Outcomes
and
Measures of
Success
Information
Sharing
Research
Informed
Support for
Innovation
Ongoing
Community
Engagement
Strategic Directions
Improved
Maternal, Infant,
and Child
Health
Outcomes
A healthy start
for children
Parents
providing
nurturing and
stable
environments
for their young
children.
Children
realizing their
full
developmental
potential when
they enter
school.
Integrated
ECD
System
Safe,
supportive
communities
for children to
learn, grow
and thrive.
Enriched
Early
Learning
and Care
In Alberta, all children have a healthy start, safe and healthy environments,
nurturing and supportive relationships and opportunities to learn, creating
the foundation for them to fulfil their potential and benefit from our thriving
social, economic, and cultural life.
Enhanced
Parenting
Supports
Safe and
Supportive
Environments
for Children
Community networks of high quality, integrated and accessible
early childhood programs and services will allow parents to
access the right services at the right time.
8
Community Conversations:
The Alberta Approach to Early Childhood
Improved
Maternal, Infant,
and Child
Health
Enhanced
Parenting
Supports
Online
Platform
Families and Children
Integrated
ECD
System
Enriched
Early
Learning
and Care
Conversations
Community Partners
Safe and
Supportive
Environments
for Children
Service Delivery
Researchers and
Innovators
Pulling the
Pieces
Together:
Options for an
Integrated ECD
System
Safe and
Supportive
Environments
Early Learning
and Care
Parenting
Resources
MaternalInfant Health
and Preschool
Screening
Alberta
Approach to
Early
Childhood
Development
Citizens
9
Transforming through Innovation:
The Alberta Approach to Early Childhood Development:
Resources
http://www.socialpolicy.alberta.ca/
http://developingchild.harvard.edu/
https://www.ecmap.ca/Pages/default.aspx
http://www.albertafamilywellness.org/
Contact:
Sheryl Fricke, Executive Director
Early Childhood Development Priority Initiative
Alberta Human Services
Sheryl.fricke@gov.ab.ca
Your thoughts….
How does what you heard fit with your views and
experience(s) with young children and their success?
From your perspective, what are the key opportunities
and challenges to aligning our efforts to help all children
learn, grow and thrive?
What role do you see for FCSS programs, volunteers and
their partners in building a more connected and easily
accessible system of community supports for families
with young children?