Cabinet Committee visits Central Region of the Strategic Social Plan

The Social Policy Committee of Cabinet will meet the Central Region Steering Committee of the Strategic Social Plan (SSP) in Grand Falls-Windsor on Thursday, February 14, for the second in a series of working visits to SSP regions across the province.

Ministers will also visit the Gander area for meetings and a reception with community leaders on Wednesday, February13.

The working visits give cabinet ministers a chance to speak with regional steering committees about the kinds of activities they do to implement the Strategic Social Plan.

"The Central region was the first to start implementing the Strategic Social Plan in 1999, so we are looking forward to hearing from committee members about their work," said Judy Foote, Minister of Education and Chair of the Social Policy Committee. "We will also have the opportunity, as social policy ministers, to reinforce our commitment to the SSP."

Site visits are an important part of the working meetings. They give ministers a chance to see initiatives that are making a difference in the region, and reflect the goals and values of the Strategic Social Plan. In the Central region, ministers will visit the Our Strength is Your Strength Club in Peterview, and the Community Youth Network in Botwood.

The Strategic Social Plan was launched in 1998 as a way to improve long-term opportunities for people and better coordinate delivery of services. The SSP focuses on collaboration and partnerships across governments, sectors and with the community.

Committees work to implement the SSP through planning and consulting with partner agencies and the community, and fostering partnerships that, for example, provide training to community volunteers or bring family resource programming to smaller communities.

"The SSP is about long-term change, but there is work happening in SSP regions across the province that is making a difference in communities," said Gerald Smith, lead minister for the Strategic Social Plan and Minister of Human Resources and Employment. "These working visits not only give us the chance to see the way committees are implementing the SSP, it brings the principles of the SSP to life for us."

Future working visits to SSP regions include:

Avalon Region - February 26
Eastern - February 27
Northeast Avalon - March 6
Cormack-Grenfell - March 13

NOTE TO EDITORS: Media Opportunities:

Cabinet ministers will be available to media on Wednesday, February 13, from
4:15 - 5 p.m. at Hotel Gander.

The Cabinet Committee will meet with the Central Region Steering Committee of the Strategic Social Plan, Thursday, February 14, at the Mount Peyton Hotel in Grand Falls-Windsor. Ministers are available to media at 12:15 p.m.

Ministers are also available to media during the site visits to Our Strength is Your Strength Club in Peterview,(2 - 3 p.m.) and the Community Youth Network in Botwood (3 - 4 p.m.).

Other interview times can be scheduled.

Media contact: Marcia Porter, Communications, (709) 729-0175.

2002 02 06                         11:30 a.m.