Funding for the Strategic Social Plan to be continued

Support for the province�s Strategic Social Plan (SSP) will continue. This was confirmed in the budget today. The $2 million budget supports implementation of the plan throughout the province, development of the social audit, support of the Premier�s Council on Social Development and staffing of the SSP Unit. This amount matches the funding of the previous year.

"Healthy, educated, confident people are the basis of a strong prosperous province. Therefore, our government is pleased to continue its support of the Strategic Social Plan," said Premier Brian Tobin. "Through the SSP, government is taking a partnership approach with regional boards and community agencies to link social development and economic development initiatives in the province. The plan offers a tremendous opportunity to advance social planning and policy. It places Newfoundland and Labrador in the lead in social development in Canada."

A steering committee in each region will focus on long term strategies for social development. These committees emphasize the social and economic concerns particular to regions and communities. As well the plan advocates improving the planning and delivery of social programs at the local level.

The SSP is a long term initiative to address the challenges in our province rather than a quick fix approach. Government departments are taking an integrated approach in social policy and planning to parallel the work of the regional steering committees.

Julie Bettney, lead minister for the Strategic Social Plan, references the work undertaken by the steering committee in central Newfoundland as a tangible example of tackling regional concerns with a team approach. "For many students the transition from high school to post-secondary education can be challenging. Considering that a good, solid post- secondary education will prepare our young people to take advantage of economic opportunities, the SSP steering committee in central is examining ways to increase the potential for our students to successfully complete their post-secondary education. This model can be shared with other regions of the province," said Minister Bettney. "This type of forward-thinking, holistic work is what government envisioned when the initial framework for the plan was developed."

Government acknowledges that the integration of economic and social development is necessary to secure a prosperous future. The Strategic Social Plan is being implemented in the province on a regional basis, and the Renewal Strategy for Jobs and Growth is currently unfolding. The SSP has been initiated in central Newfoundland and was recently launched by the premier in the area encompassing St. Anthony to Port aux Basques to Francois. Within several months the plan will be set in motion in all other parts of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Media contact: Catherina Kennedy Kelly, Strategic Social Plan, (709) 729-3126.

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