New Chair for SSP Avalon Region

The Avalon Region Steering Committee of the Strategic Social Plan has a new chair. Gerri Thompson, of Health and Community Services, St. John�s Region, takes over the position from Calvin Manning.

"We�ve had a tremendous start to the process of working together to solve local social and economic challenges," said Ms. Thompson. "Our committee recently finished a series of extensive community consultations where we had the opportunity to hear directly from residents about their priority issues. We will be able to address these issues within the four strategic directions adopted by the committee."

The committee�s strategic directions include building community leadership and capacity, focusing on prevention and early intervention, human resource development, and working to ensure all people have access to recreation.

"SSP regional steering committees are doing great work, and I applaud their dedication and commitment to the process, and to their regions," said Gerald Smith, Minister of Health and Community Services and lead minister for the Strategic Social Plan.

"For the next year we will be focused on early childhood development and literacy, and human resource development," said Ms. Thompson. "Our committee knows that early childhood and literacy initiatives have major long term benefits.

"And we have to look at human resource development to make sure that our young people are well prepared to take advantage of future employment opportunities."

Steering committee members include regional boards of health, education (including post secondary) and economic development, along with representatives from federal/provincial/municipal governments and other agency partners.

They come together to focus on common issues that impact development in their regions, look at ways to improve delivery of local services, and encourage partnerships

"What all of us have learned since coming together as an SSP steering committee is that no one organization has a magic answer to solving complex social issues. It�s partnership that helps us tackle our challenges," said Ms. Thompson.

For more information about the work of the steering committee, contact Jamilee Fitzpatrick, regional planner, at (709) 227-1322.

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

2002 11 22                                       12:20 p.m.