Government of Canada invests $656,062 in projects to further the needs of children and families in Toronto

Toronto, Ontario, November 24, 2005 — Tony Ianno, Minister of State (Families and Caregivers) and Member of Parliament for Trinity Spadina, today announced funding of $656,062 to support two organizations working in the social, non-profit sector for the benefit of children and families.

"These two projects will add to our knowledge base about what helps children be successful in school and in their communities," said Minister Ianno. "As a result, we will be able to help children be ready for school and help them to be included in their neighbourhoods. I’m pleased to see that through these projects, we can make a difference in the lives of young children and their families."

The Government of Canada is investing in these organizations through the Social Development Partnerships Program (SDPP)—Early Learning and Child Care and Social Inclusion components. SDPP is committed to addressing the social development objectives of the Government of Canada by delivering contribution funding to non-profit sector organizations.

The Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care will receive $160,052 for their project, Quality in Early Learning and Care in Ontario: Measuring Up?; The University of Toronto Centre for Community Partnerships will receive $496,010 for their project, From 3 to 3: Developing Language and Social Understanding in the Early Years. See attached backgrounder for more details.  

Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2005 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework. This project has been reviewed to ensure compliance with the Department’s administration of its grants and contributions program.

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This news release is available in alternative formats, on request. Call 1 800 788-8282 on a touchtone phone or through a teletypewriter (TTY).

For more information:

Kelly Ouimet
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State (Families and Caregivers)
(613) 941-3656

Media Relations
Social Development Canada
(613) 941-1110

Website: www.sdc.gc.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Social Development Partnerships Program

The Social Development Partnerships Program (SDPP) is a grants and contributions program that provides financial support to organizations working in the social, non-profit sector. The SDPP addresses the social development and inclusion needsof people with disabilities, children and their families, and other vulnerable or excluded groups.

The program has a mandate to help strengthen organizations in the social non-profit sector and to foster partnerships that advance social goals and enhance the quality of life of Canadians. The program also promotes the generation, dissemination, and application of knowledge, innovative solutions, and best practices.

Social Development Partnerships Program – Early Learning and Child Care

Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care – $160,052
Quality in Early Learning and Care in Ontario: Measuring Up?
The Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care (OCBC) is a public awareness organization and advocacy group that works to bring the benefits of early childhood education and care to the attention of the general public and policy makers.
This project will enhance the early development of children, from birth to the age of six, by increasing their school readiness. The project’s objectives are to:

• increase knowledge in the Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) community on
  age-appropriate developmental outcomes for children and the best tools available to measure them;
• apply this knowledge to public policy dialogue and influence the development of ELCC policies at all levels of government; and
• further knowledge in the ELCC community on approaches that enhance outcomes for children enrolled in early learning and care programs.

Social Development Partnerships Program – Social Inclusion

University of Toronto – Centre for Community Partnerships – $496,010

From 3 to 3: Developing Language and Social Understanding in the Early Years

The University of Toronto –The Centre for Community Partnerships (CCP) supports all university-community projects and partnerships. This includes helping community organizations connect with the university and supporting faculty in their work to link community organizations into service-learning course curricula. The CCP promotes citizenship and learning through service primarily within local communities, as well as within national and global settings.

This project will improve outcomes for young children of immigrant families in Toronto neighbourhoods who live in poverty, speak minority languages and are socially isolated. The project will develop and evaluate a new approach to teach language and social understanding to these children. As well, the project will develop and evaluate a new curriculum for educators to strengthen the language and social understanding of vulnerable children.

As a result of this project, children will have:

• increased involvement in learning and neighbourhood activities;
• well-developed language;
• an appreciation of the perspectives of others; and
• the ability to read to further their own learning.

Neighbourhoods will benefit from reduced isolation, a structure to sustain local activities and a prototype for neighbourhood leaders to plan and manage activities.