Best Start Workgroup
Meeting Notes
October 13, 2016
Present:Margaret Fancy (EKIOC), Brent Dalgleish (CMHLG-co chair), Maxine Weber (LCP in L/G – co-chair), Shannon Brown (UCLG), Cathy Gladu (SJBAG), Michaela Callaghan (FCSLLG), Catherine Robinson (Language Express), Margaret van Beers (Kids Inclusive), Marci Bruyere (CRCHC), Elizabeth Green (UCLG), Gillian Jackson (DSLG), Renata DeKeyser (SERAP LCP in L&G), Diane Birtch (ICDP), Lynda Earl (Health Unit-recorder)
Regrets:Tom Jordan, Peter LeClaire, Rachelle Blanchette
1.0Welcome and Introduction
2.0Approval of Agenda – approved
Support for refugee families
Components of our LGBGQ
3.0Approval of Meeting Notes - September 9, 2016 - approved
Support allocation of resources and support to French Language community – Will have a French Read to Every Kid – remove February.
4.0Action Arising from Minutes
a)Lori Warren and Gillian will inform childcare sector about 18 month tear off pads.
Linda Chadwick will inform libraries. Completed
b)Brent and Maxine will develop a letter for school boards to underline the importance of communication between schools and community partners and to promote the importance of using the WTK resource bag with families. Working on a draft.
5.0Presentation – EDI Results for Leeds-Grenville (Elizabeth Green)
- EDI is a teacher-observation questionnaire
- Population-level tool that measures outcome of children’s early years as they influence children’s developmental readiness to learn at school
- EDI is not a tool to provide diagnostic information on children and it cannot be used to measurer particular school performance
- School Readiness – parents – generally describe readiness in terms of academic skills as counting, letter identification
- Subdomains (5)
- Physical Health and Well Being
- Social Competence
- Emotional maturity
- Language and cognitive development
- Communication skill and general knowledge
- 879 children included in the report
- 47 children with special needs
- More children vulnerable in physical and health and well-being
- 30% vulnerable at one EDI domain
- More vulnerable in French Immersion
- 220 kids in French Immersion
- 4th Cycle - No improvements in PHWB, SC, EM and Low on 1 Domain, improvements in LCD,CSGK
- Severe weather, financial situation can affect the results of the domains
- Language and cognitive domain has improvements
- Implications of the data – no one person is in control of the EDI results
- Using the EDI – grassroots awareness and mobilization; family engagement, community coalitions, resources, Intersectoral cooperation, research capacity, strategic planning, professional development, government policy making
- How can YOU use this data?
- Looking at the history of how we do planning – high needs areas, trends in each community
- Expansion into new areas; reflect what we were doing at the time of cycle
- More of an understanding in the community around EDI
- Provincial trends – connecting with children and families; what can we bring in from the other domains
- Go back and review the 2-year plan
- What do we have control; what do families have control
- More info on special needs; rehab services, real emphasis on classroom school-based support; less one-on-one
- Next steps – take the data; use the data, ask for help and ask for more
Marg will email out the report. To put on the next agenda and questions we would like to explore more and next steps.
6.0Business Arising
a)Focus Groups – report from Rideau Lakes (Marci)
Focus group held in May, 10 families, 4 participants; personal invites to key members of the community; social media only 1 parent heard; 1 daycare provider attended; early years through county roads, childcare
Most useful – gathering events when parents could engage with children, transportation
Suggestion – small group worked well
CRCHC – will expand into Westport, build partnerships
b)Discussion/decision on focus groups
Are focus group results better through individual agencies?
How do have a personal connection with voices we are not hearing?
System transformation
Brief presentation by CMHLG
How do we get the voice of the families?
Keeping the focus on the parents that are not accessing services
FCS – an avenue to reach services
Marg to email out the questions
Different ways of getting information – online, social media, food banks, good food boxes, Loaves and Fishes
Gillian is still willing to do the focus group in Cardinal
c)Support for Refugee Families
Are refugee families accessing services, getting involved in the community?
OEYC has 2 families accessing services
Host families are connecting refugee families to services – do the host families have community service information.
d)Workshop for staff for LGBTQ on awareness
Came from the youth service providers
Intake, forms, language, and conversations you may have with families
Laurie is willing to do the workshop for free to the group
Gender identity around washrooms, relationships with families; need the tools to have the conversation
Staff culture - working with parents and young children would be the focus for training for this group
e)Aboriginal Plan
Resources, links on the website
Continuing with family dinners
Truth and Reconciliation committee
Looking at ways of supporting through policy; having Welcome in different aboriginal languages
Board is offering the week of May 8th – variety of workshops for staff, families and community partners; build trust and relationships;
Next step for the plan is to go to the lead table for approval, then to the Ministry.
7.0Reports/Updates
a)Triple P (Cathy/Gwendy)
Seminar series in Kemptville – staff training opportunities
For families being offered by the HU in Kemptville in November
Transition divorce or separated parents
Presentation at child care PD day; similar series parents of teens
Cafes still being scheduled for this week at OEYC
b)French Language Network
Survey launched with WTK – where do you find French language services
Over 80% online
Most preferred service – schools ranked number one, libraries ranked third
Service would you like to see in French – Health, libraries are ranked 5th
Training for French supervisors held in Perth
Looking at the Hannon program
c)Coordinator’s Report
1)Summary of Lead Table Meeting October 5
- Executive Directors’ Networking Breakfast – 10 have registered so far – October 14 7:30 a.m. at “former CJ’s” – contact Lorena ()
- Margaret will speak to Lanark partners about jointly hosting a workshop with Jean Clinton
- Workshop on Attachment with Dr. Gordon Neufeld – May 11 -12 – hosted by CMHLG. Let Lorena know what thoughts you might have about what the day might look like and if you/staff have an interest in attending. The cost will be minimal. ()
- Imagine Canada Standards Program Workshop (Diana Deakin-Thomas) October 28 – Imagine Canada’s role is to help Canadian charities and non-profits improve their practices in five foundational areas: board governance, financial accountability & transparency, fundraising, staff management and volunteer involvement.(Invitation/registration information attached)
- The table approved working towards a single repository for service information. There was consensus to move ahead with 2-1-1
- Action: Melissa Hillier will set up a meeting with 2-1-1 to answer questions/concerns of community partners. (Lorena and Margaret will assist with this) Members are to forward questions/concerns to Margaret F.
2) Poverty Reduction Alliance
Reminder: Best way to connect families to signing on for Canada Learning Bond
Bridges Out of Poverty – Brockville, October 18th
You can pre-register by emailing
or by calling 613-342-3840 or 1-800-267-8146 ext 2122
3)Brockville Hub (Report from Bill Davidson)
RFP Process for Developers:
We prepared and advertised the RFP and an Information Session for Developers. You may have seen the ad in our local newspapers that appeared last weekend advertising the RFP process and the information session. We have attached the RFP document for your information.
We were pleased that we had approximately 12 developers in attendance at the Information Session. All of them have asked great questions and many of them are following up with me. You may also be receiving some inquires (we have not informed the developers who has expressed interest to date) and we would suggest you not speak to developers about the process. Here is what was included in the RFP to help re-direct developers accordingly:
The names of agencies who are interested in this project will not be released until a property is selected. At this time the developer will be asked to sign a confidentiality agreement due to the sensitive nature of this process. While this RFP is open and during the selection process, developers are asked not to approach agencies with regard to this proposal. If this occurs beyond the date of this notice (September 22, 2016), the Brockville Hub has the right to consider a developer’s submission null and void.
Developer Selection Process:
Please note we are looking for 3-4 agency representatives to assist us with reviewing proposals from developers, shortlisting developers for interviews and interviewing developers in October/early November. If you are able to assist with this process please let us know. The City has also agreed to assist us with the RFP and developer selection process.
Expression of Interest:
Still considering being part of the Hub? It’s not too late to submit an expression of interest. Recall this does not commit you but it does help us plan for the type of space needed for the If you have any questions about the above process, please don’t hesitate to email me. I can also book a time to speak with you as well.
Contact: Bill Davidson
4) Triple P (Cathy Millard) Meeting September 22
Members reviewed Community plan and identified partners. There needs to be a refresh of workgroup membership with a commitment to regular attendance.
Next Meeting: October 27
5) Healthy Kids Community Challenge – Call for Proposals (reminder)
Theme Two of the Healthy Kids Community Challenge; Water Does Wonders!This theme focuses on water as the natural choice for kids to stay healthy and hydrated. The Community Water Bottle Filling Station Initiative will make it easier for children and families in Leeds and Grenville to make water their first choice. Funding up to $2500 (per applicant) is available for the purchase of a Water Bottle Filling Station. Apply at Deadline October 14, 4:30 p.m.
6) EKIOC – It’s time to “refresh” our plan….
Planning date confirmed for February 1st
7) Meetings
October 11 – Special Needs Strategy 9 to 12 UCDSB
October 12 – Sources of Strength Training 8:30 to 2 St. Mary CHS
October 13 – Best Start Network 1:30 Upper Canada School Board
October 13 – Smart Aging Knowledge is Power – 9 to 4 Brockville Memorial
Centre AF Brockville <
October 11 – Special Needs Strategy 9 to 12
October 12 – Sources of Strength Training 8:30 to 2 St. Mary CHS
October 13 – Best Start Network 1:30 Upper Canada School Board
October 17 – Meeting of Ontario Coordinators Durham County 9 to 4
October 18 – Bridges out of Poverty
October 18 – Sources of Strength Training 8:30 to 2 St. Mary CHS
October 19 – Poverty Alliance
October 20 – Youth Justice Community Partners 9:30 – 11:30 RNJ
October 22 – Volunteer Fair 1000 Islands Mall (contact Harold Hess
October 24 – Meeting re: ECD Planning – UCLG 9 a.m.
October 25 – Be Safe App Training 11:30 to 1 – New Hope Tabernacle
October 26 – HKCC Proposal Review Meeting 9:30 to 3:30 Health Unit
October 26 – Diversity day October 26th Brockville Memorial Centre 8:30 – 1:30
October 27 – Triple P 1:30 to 3:30 Health Unit
October 28 – Coordinating and Planning Meeting 1:30 Health Unit
November 1 – Special Needs Strategy 9 to 4
November 2 – Lead Table
November 9 – Transportation Summit 9 to 12:30
November 14 – Strategic Planning Read to Every Kid 9:30 UCLG
8.0Date/Time/Location of Next Meeting
November 10, 2016
1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
UCDSB