New Family Resource Program Will Benefit Families in Conception Bay
A new family resource program announced today will support the healthy development of children and families in Conception Bay. The Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services was joined by the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister of Service NL and MHA for Topsail and the Honourable Terry French, Minister of Environment and Conservation and MHA for Conception Bay South, to celebrate the grand opening of the Conception Bay Family Resource Program’s hub site in Kelligrews.
“Our government is committed to ensuring that families in Newfoundland and Labrador have access to quality programs and services that will help their children thrive and grow,” said Minister Johnson. “Keeping with this commitment, I am delighted to announce the new Conception Bay Family Resource Program. This program will offer invaluable support and resources to families in approximately 19 communities throughout Conception Bay.”
In 2011, the Provincial Government invested $225,000 into the development of the Conception Bay Family Resource Program, which included funding for additional staffing, site renovations, equipment and the allocation of program resources to sites in Kelligrews, Long Pond and the two alternating sites in Avondale and Harbour Main. This year, an additional investment of $361,000 will support the centre with operational costs, including five full-time and one part-time staff members to manage and implement programs and services.
“I am very pleased that the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services has funded a family resource program for the communities in our area,” said Mary Walsh, Chair of the Conception Bay Family Resource Board. “This program will play a vital role in offering families a place to connect with others in the community while availing of quality services that promote healthy child development and positive parenting.”
The Conception Bay Family Resource Program will provide services for families with children from infancy to age six that may include, but are not limited to, play groups, literacy programs, parenting programs, Healthy Baby Clubs, resource materials and support groups. Programs incorporate messages on child development, positive parenting, daily physical activities, injury prevention, family violence prevention and nutrition.
“The development of the Conception Bay Family Resource Program is a wonderful example of community involvement through the steering committee process, community sessions, and parent surveys,” said the Honourable Terry French, MHA for Conception Bay South. “Residents identified the areas of healthy child and family development that are important to them, and our government is pleased to help deliver the programs and services to address those areas.”
Budget 2012: People and Prosperity commits to increasing child care funding, doubling its investment by 2021-22 to approximately $56 million per year under the 10-Year Child Care Strategy.
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Media contacts:
Michelle Hunt Director of Communications Department of Child, Youth and Family Services 709-729-5148, 725-1593 MichelleHunt@gov.nl.ca |
Janice Cave Constituency Assistant to Paul Davis, MHA District of Topsail 709-729-6670 JaniceCave@gov.nl.ca |
Tracey Abbott Constituency Assistant to Terry French, MHA District of Conception Bay South 709-729-5907 traceyabbott@gov.nl.ca |
Mary J. Walsh Chairperson Conception Bay Family Resource Program 709-834-4548 maryjwalsh@nf.sympatico.ca |
2012 05 15 9:50 a.m.