Cabinet Committee tours Eastern Region of Strategic Social Plan

The Social Policy Committee of Cabinet visits the Eastern Region of the Strategic Social Plan February 26-27, for the fourth in a series of working visits to SSP regions across the province.

The meetings give Cabinet ministers a chance to hear from steering committees about their development priorities and the work they do to implement the SSP in their regions.

"Our meetings with steering committees and our site visits have been invigorating," said Education Minister Judy Foote, Chair of the Social Policy Committee. "It�s wonderful to see people working together to make a difference in their regions. Their commitment to the SSP process is impressive."

During the tour of SSP regions, ministers are also visiting sites that are supported by the SSP or are good examples of the plan�s emphasis on partnerships, early intervention and prevention, and community involvement.

The Cabinet Committee will visit the new Vista Family Resource Centre in Musgravetown, where families of young children up to age five can access a number of programs and services such as The Healthy Baby Club, Drop in Play and Toy Lending library. The ministers will also visit the College of the North Atlantic for a presentation about the Web Enabled Basic Computer Training Initiative (WEBCT) that was developed by area economic zones in partnership with the college. The initiative brings communities together to share resources and meet the needs of learners in rural areas.

"We look forward to talking to the social policy ministers about the work we�re doing to implement the SSP in our region," said Fay Matthews, Chair of the Eastern Region Steering Committee. "We�re pleased with the work we�ve been able to accomplish to date, and we have a number of things coming up."

The Strategic Social Plan was launched in 1998 as a way to improve long-term opportunities for people, and better coordinate delivery of local services. Steering committees work to implement the SSP in their regions through planning and consulting with partner agencies and the community, and fostering partnerships.

"I really see the value in the collaborative, consultative approach to social development that the SSP encourages," said Gerald Smith, lead minister for the Strategic Social Plan and Minister of Human Resources and Employment. "Our discussions with committees have been very beneficial."

NOTE TO EDITORS: Media Opportunities:

Cabinet ministers are available to media when they visit the Vista Family Resource Centre at the Port Blandford-Winterbrook Rural Development Association in Musgravetown, Wednesday, February 27 from 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.

The Cabinet committee will meet the Eastern Region Steering Committee at the Clarenville Inn, Wednesday, February 27. An opportunity for interviews and photos is 12:30 p.m.

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

2002 02 20                         4:05 p.m.