Government of Canada invests more than $1.5 million in Toronto projects to support children and families

TORONTO, November 20, 2005 — Ken Dryden, Minister of Social Development, announced funding of $1,677,368 to support four organizations working in the social, non-profit sector for the benefit of children and families. The funding announcement was made today, National Child Day.

"We are committed to strengthening and building inclusive communities," said Minister Dryden. "These projects play an important role in helping to build strong communities and strong neighbourhoods."

"These projects will provide tools and resources that will have a positive effect on the lives of young children," said Bill Graham, Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre and Minister of National Defence.

The Government of Canada is investing in the organizations through the Social DevelopmentPartnerships 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.

Organizations that will receive funding are: Campaign 2000—Family Service Association of Metropolitan Toronto; Growing Up Healthy Downtown c/o Family Service Association of Metropolitan Toronto; Hincks-Dellcrest Centre/Institute; and, Ryerson University. See the 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. These projects have been reviewed to ensure compliance with the Department’s administration of its grants and contributions program.

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 needs of 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

Handle with Care: Training for Promoting Mental Health of Young Children in Child Care

The Hincks-Dellcrest Centre/Institute provides advanced training, research and community consultation in the area of children's mental health. Qualified practitioners come to the Institute to receive the additional advanced training they need in order to become expert community practitioners and future leaders.

The objectives of this project are: to create training materials and procedures that will facilitate leadership in promoting the mental health of children (between the ages of 0-6) attending community based child care; and, to inform policies relating to mental health promotion.

Social Development Partnerships Program – Social Inclusion of Children and Families

Campaign 2000 – Family Service Association of Metropolitan Toronto: $527,385

Campaign 2000 is a cross-Canada initiative to build awareness and support for the federal government resolution to end child poverty in Canada by the year 2000. This movement has grown to become a network of national, regional and local partner organizations that actively work on child/family issues.

Through strengthened linkages and partnerships among young families, employers, faith communities and other community organizations, this project will identify strategies to improve the income and wages of young families. This will contribute to “levelling the playing field” for children under six living in poverty.

Growing Up Healthy Downtown
c/o Family Service Association of Metropolitan Toronto: $491,416

Growing Up Healthy Downtown is a partnership of eight dynamic, community-based multi-service agencies working with families across downtown Toronto. It offers a range of quality programs to support children from birth to age six and their families.

The FAIR project will increase skills and knowledge for parents, enhance local parent advisory councils and develop broad-based networks. The long term impact of this project will be sustained involvement of disadvantaged families in their communities either through FAIR, parent networks or with other groups.

Children and Families in Disadvantaged Circumstances: Communication, Collaboration and Inclusion

Ryerson University’s mission is the advancement of applied research to address societal need through programs of study that provide a balance of theory and application . Ryerson’s Faculty of Community Services is noted for its strong links to the community and for its innovative programs.

This project will increase the capacity of service providers to engage with and respond to the needs of families who live in poverty, are newcomers to Canada, or have children with disabilities. Through interviews with families, a series of stories and a package of training materials will be developed. The training package will demonstrate how service providers can adapt their practices to meet the needs of disadvantaged children and families.