Cabinet Committee visits Avalon Region of Strategic Social Plan

The Social Policy Committee of Cabinet is on the road once again, this time for meetings with the Avalon Region Steering Committee of the Strategic Social Plan, February 25-26.

This is the third in a series of working visits to six SSP regions across the province. The meetings give cabinet ministers the chance to hear about the work of steering committees as they implement the Strategic Social Plan in their regions.

"Our first two meetings in the Labrador and Central Regions have shown us how the SSP is making a difference in the way people work together," said Education Minister Judy Foote, Chair of the Social Policy Committee. "We have seen some very good regional initiatives which reflect the Strategic Social Plan and have a positive impact on communities."

Site visits are an important part of these working visits, and give ministers the chance to see initiatives that are supported by the SSP, and are good community-based examples of the plan�s focus on partnerships, early intervention and prevention, and increasing community involvement.

While in the Avalon, the Cabinet Committee will visit a Trinity Conception Employment Corporation work-site at Terra Nova Shoes in Harbour Grace, and an Early Intervention Program for preschool children at Coley�s Point Elementary School.

"We are looking forward to talking to the ministers about our work," said Calvin Manning, Chair of the Avalon Region Steering Committee. "We�re just finishing a series of community consultations that are assisting us in developing priorities for the region, and we�ll look forward to sharing some preliminary findings with the ministers."

The focus of the SSP is to improve long-term opportunities for people and better coordinate service delivery through planning, consulting and collaborating across governments, sectors and with community partners.

"These visits give social policy ministers the chance to see the SSP in action," said Gerald Smith, lead minister for the Strategic Social Plan and Minister of Human Resources and Employment. "And they also demonstrate creative ways to address social issues."

Media Opportunities:

A media opportunity is available Monday, Febraury 25, 3-4 p.m., when ministers visit a Trinity Conception Employment Corporation work-site at Terra Nova Shoes in Harbour Grace.

Ministers are available to media at Coley�s Point Elementary School when they visit the Early Intervention Program from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m, Tuesday, February 26.

The Cabinet Committee will available for interviews after a meeting with the Avalon Region Steering Committee, Tuesday, February 26 at 12:30 p.m., at the Avalon West School Board.

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

2002 02 20                         4:05 p.m.