Cabinet Committee tours Cormack-Grenfell on final visit to SSP Regions

The Social Policy Committee of Cabinet will tour the Cormack-Grenfell Region of the Strategic Social Plan (SSP) from September 16 - 18 for the final stop in a series of working visits to SSP regions across the province.

Meetings with the local SSP steering committee, a tour of the Community Education Network in Stephenville, and the launch of an innovative Web-based system called Community Accounts are some of the highlights of the two-day tour.

"These visits across the province have given cabinet ministers the opportunity to hear from steering committees about their work implementing the Strategic Social Plan," said Judy Foote, Minister of Education and chair of the Social Policy Committee of Cabinet. "Our meetings in all regions have shown us that the SSP is making a difference in the way people work together."

Site visits have been an important part of the provincial tour. Ministers have seen 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

The Community Education Network in Stephenville is a community-based organization that seeks to build community leadership and capacity through its many programs and services. Community Accounts, which will be officially launched during the tour, is a Web-based system that is receiving national and international attention for its focus on measuring social progress.

Taking advantage of technology, the cabinet committee will participate in a virtual "tour" of other sites during a visit to the College of the North Atlantic in Corner Brook.

"We are looking forward to meeting with cabinet ministers, and showcasing some of the exciting things happening in our region," said June Alteen, chair of the Cormack-Grenfell Regional Steering Committee.

Steering committees work to implement the SSP in their regions through building partnerships that, for example, offer training to community volunteers. They also plan and consult with partner agencies and the community.

"We have seen some very good regional initiatives that reflect the Strategic Social Plan and show us creative ways to address social issues," said Gerald Smith, Minister of Health and Community Services and lead minister for the Strategic Social Plan. "This certainly brings the SSP to life for us."

Media Opportunities:

• During the launch of the Community Accounts, at 1 p.m., Monday, September 16, in the lecture theatre at the College of the North Atlantic in Stephenville.

• During a site visit to the Community Education Network in Stephenville, from 2:30 - 3:00 p.m.

• Following a meeting with the Cormack-Grenfell Regional Steering Committee, at 5 p.m. at College of the North Atlantic in Corner Brook.

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

2002 09 12                                      12:35 p.m.