Child, Youth and Family Services
August 19, 2011
Premier Announces Funding for Child Care in Labrador
More than $685,000 was announced today by the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, to support three child care centres in the communities of Labrador City and Wabush.
The Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services, and Jim Baker, MHA for Labrador West, joined the Premier for the announcement. This was the second announcement made by Premier Dunderdale today that will benefit children, youth and families in Labrador. The Premier was also in Happy Valley-Goose Bay to announce $200,000 for a new family resource centre.
“I am delighted to announce funding that will enhance child care services and create more regulated spaces for Labrador,” said Premier Dunderdale. “Supporting children and their families is a top priority for our government. Not only will these additional child care spaces help promote the healthy development of children, they will also contribute to the overall economic development for the region and the province as a whole.”
This funding is being provided through the Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Capacity Initiative of the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services. It will support the development of 117 new regulated child care spaces in Labrador and also sustain existing spaces by providing funding for renovations to maintain a current child care facility.
“This is indeed a positive announcement for families living in Labrador City and Wabush,” said Minister Johnson. “Our government is steadfast in providing support for children and today’s announcement demonstrates our commitment to children, youth and families in all areas of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Funding was provided to two sponsoring agencies in Labrador – Labrador West Child Care Incorporated and Glad Tidings Pentecostal Church – for the development of new spaces and to maintain an existing child care program.
“I am very pleased with our government’s investment in child care for the region and the valuable input of community volunteers who worked on this project,” said Jim Baker, MHA for Labrador West. “Today’s announcement will greatly benefit children and families in the area. Labrador West is a growing region and this is a positive announcement that will further contribute to its overall economic growth.”
Labrador West Child Care Incorporated has received approximately $445,000 to support its two new child care programs, After School Zone and Building Blocks. This is in addition to more than $68,000 provided by the Provincial Government in developmental funding.
After School Zone is an after school program located at the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Labrador City. This new centre will accommodate 57 children.
Building Blocks, which will operate out of the J.R. Smallwood Middle School in Wabush, will have 60 spaces. The Provincial Government has also committed to providing a sustaining grant of approximately $130,000 annually to Building Blocks.
“We are very excited by the opening of the new child care center and the after school program,” said Noreen Careen, representative for Labrador West Child Care Incorporated. “Child care has been an issue for young families relocating to our area and they no doubt will be pleased with these developments. Congratulations to our committee members, the Provincial Government and community organizations. Their hard work and strong partnerships have truly paid off.”
Glad Tidings Pentecostal Church received $112,000 for required renovations at Wee College, a 48-space part-time child care program in Labrador City. This funding is in addition to approximately $90,000 provided in 2008 for another home room at Wee College to accommodate 16 new part-time child care spaces in the program.
“We have received a great deal of support from the Provincial Government over the past few years,” said Doris Sacrey, representative of Glad Tidings Pentecostal Church. “Their investments give us the opportunity to make important renovations at Wee College and provide top-quality child care to additional children and families in our community.”
Since the fall of 2006, the ELCC Capacity Initiative has supported the development of seven new child care centres and the expansion of six existing child care centres throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. With the addition of the new child care centres in Labrador, this brings the total number of spaces created to 285, exceeding the original commitment to create 200 new spaces.
Budget 2011 – Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador affirms the Provincial Government’s funding commitment to children, youth and families with an additional $9.2 million investment into the department, bringing the total investment to $33 million in just two years.
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Media contacts:
| Glenda Power Director of Communications Office of the Premier 709-729-3960 GlendaPower@gov.nl.ca |
Milly Brown Press Secretary Office of the Premier 709-729-4304, 631-8477 Millybrown@gov.nl.ca |
| Andrea Nolan Director of Communications Department of Child, Youth and Family Services 709-729-5148, 725-1593 AndreaNolan@gov.nl.ca |
Marietta McGrath Constituency Assistant to Jim Baker, MHA for Labrador West 709-729-0510 mariettamcgrath@gov.nl |
| Noreen Careen Labrador West Child Care Incorporated 709- 944-6562 |
Doris Sacrey Glad Tidings Pentecostal Church 709-944-7317 |
2011 08 19 2:25 p.m.