Strategic Social Plan continues innovative approach

Newfoundland and Labrador�s innovative social development policy initiative, the Strategic Social Plan (SSP), will continue to receive $2 million in funding in this year�s provincial budget.

The funding is the same amount as in previous years and brings government�s commitment to the SSP to $8 million since its launch in 1998.

"In the three and a half years since its introduction, I see wonderful things happening both within government and across this province," said Gerald Smith, lead minister for the Strategic Social Plan, and Minister of Human Resources and Employment. "More than ever before I am seeing the creation of partnerships that are making a difference for people and the regions in which they live.

"This funding will mean that the good, ground-breaking work of the SSP will continue again this year. The Strategic Social Plan is receiving national and international recognition for its emphasis on bringing people together in partnership to better link social and economic development, and for its commitment to measure social progress through a social progress and audit report. We are moving closer to our ultimate objective of creating one integrated social and economic plan for the province."

The Strategic Social Plan emphasizes working collaboratively across government departments, sectors, and with community partners to improve long term opportunities for people, better coordinate delivery of local services and ensure that departments develop policies with SSP principles in mind.

Focusing on early intervention and prevention, encouraging community involvement and making decisions based on strong evidence are also important themes in the SSP.

Within government the Early Childhood Initiative, the Violence Prevention Initiative and the Social Assistance Legislative Review reflect the SSP strategies of consultation and partnership, early intervention and prevention, and building community involvement.

Across the province the SSP is being advanced by partners on six regional steering committees who come together to develop regional solutions to regional issues. Committees implement the SSP through planning and consulting with community, better coordinating delivery of local services, and fostering partnerships that, for example, provide training to community volunteers, or bring family resource programs to rural areas.

"The commitment to this process is strong across the regions. People want to make a difference in their communities," said Minister Smith. "That came through very clearly when I recently visited SSP regions with other members of the Social Policy Committee of Cabinet."

Development of the Community Accounts, created to help measure social progress through a social progress and audit report, is also well under way.

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

2002 03 21                             3:00 p.m.