BEST START VISION: All children have the opportunity to reach their full potential. There is increased accessibility for all children 0-6 and all families; parents have access to supportive resources which aim to increase parenting capacity. There is a seamless system of services; there is increased coordination of services and service integration. Families are provided with options for supports. The initiative is driven by community need, evidence-based research and best practices.
Regular Meeting of Best Start Working Group
Thursday, February 12th, 2015 @ 9:30 am
Lanark County Council Chambers
PRESENT: Jacquie Leach, Jane Torrance, Nicola Day, Mary Lou White, Judi Kaiser, Francine Raymond, Penny Pitcher, Catherine Robinson, Kathy Boelsma, Nathalie Daoust, Tom Jordan
ABSENT: Heidi Sinnett, Karen Moore, Audrey Vansickle, Teri Mullins, Sheena Dunham, Emily Cassell, Sue Cavanagh. Alexis Green, Margaret Van Beers
STAFF: Casey Munro, Children’s Services Clerk
CALL TO ORDER AND QUORUM
MINUTES
The minutes are accepted as written
AGENDA
The agenda was approved as amended
VIDEO
Think, Feel, Act – Learning Environments- Rethinking the space
THINK, FEEL, ACT DISCUSSION
There was a brief discussion among the group following the video
CASE STUDY
Tabled until next meeting
LANGUAGE REGISTARS
Tabled until next meeting
SAFE SLEEP
Tabled until next meeting
TRANSPORTATION
Mary Lou gave an update on the Lanark Transportation Association which is provided funding through an MOU to provide transportation for children accompanied by a parent to licensed child care programs, over 600 trips were provided last year.
EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM (Min of EDU/CMSMs)
No report
ABORIGINAL INITIATIVES – Update on new programs/services/initiatives
No report
SERVICE INTEGRATION - Update on new programs/services/initiatives
Penny is getting ready to meet with Health Babies/ Healthy Children teams to provide a one stop service. This will allow the program to connect with up to 6 families in a short time frame. She also presented a spider program to her board with has shown that Language Express has grown from 2 to 10 partnerships in the community, which has allowed access to over 50% more children.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
· Early Learning Partners(ELP) Committee
The committee met they are looking to streamline committees. There will be a meeting on March 26th in Kemptville. Kathy gave an update on Welcome to Kindergarten Program. They are looking at making the experience a more free flowing evening rather that timed stations. She will also send out the schedule for Best Start Committee members to sign up to participate at one of the evenings.
· Triple P Committee
The committee had their first meeting, and it was more a discussion on what it would look like in Lanark County and how it would be introduced into the community. They are going to be looking at doing an inventory of what is currently out in the community.
· Unconditional Grant Committee
Those that were present gave an update on how the projects were coming along. The projects were going really well although some found the sustainability piece an issue.
· Child Care Providers
Met in January, there is discussion of capping fee subsidy rates in Lanark County. Carleton Place will be sending a delegation to Good Roads.
· Lanark Children’s Librarians
No Report
· Service Integration (Joint with Planning Council)
No Report
· Regional French Language Network
We will be resending out the French Language survey. If you did not complete the survey previously, please complete it this time.
LEEDS, GRENVILLE AND LANARK PUBLIC HEALTH UNIT
Update will be attached
PLANNING COUNCIL
Jane has been working at revamping the website, the minutes and agenda will now be posted there as well. This will hopefully draw more people to the website to view all of the other resources posted there as well.
COMMUNITY ISSUES
Nothing at this time.
SCHOOL BOARDS
School Registration is now open
· CDSBEO
The school board was approached about providing wifi access to on site child care providers .
· CECCE
JL Couroux will be seeing some renovations in September as part of the capital funding. The site will be opening a toddler and preschool program as well as a B&A program. Some other classrooms will be seeing some renovations as well.
· UCDSB
The board is getting ready to send out the before and after school surveys to all parents.
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
The Ministry will be hosting a symposium on April 16/17 for How Learning Happens. There was also a memo sent out surrounding the Special Needs Strategy and the implementation timelines. They are looking at implementation in 2017.
The mapping of the province will soon be available to the DAC and they will be able to present the information to the respective tables.
MINISTRY OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES
No Report
OTHER BUSINESS
No Update
BRIEF INFO SHARING/ANNOUNCEMENTS
There is a new ED starting at Open Doors (Kevin Clouthier) he will be starting March 9th, 2015.
New program starting in collaboration with OEYC and Language Express called Get down and play.
KEY MESSAGES
· Learning Environments- video and discussion on how to enhance learning space (interior/exterior)
· Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) create an inventory of parent supports
· J. L. Couroux- in the process of expanding on site and adding licensed child care spaces- expected in fall
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Thursday, March 12th, 2015 @9:30am,in the Council Chambers
Agenda items to be forwarded to Casey Munro or at 613-267-4200 x2302
Website: www.lanarkkids.ca www.lanarkkids.com ‡ Facebook: www.facebook.com/Lanarkkids ‡ Twitter: @lanarkkids