| MPP Arnott Announces Early Years Steering Committee for Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph
Waterloo-Wellington MPP Ted Arnott announced on September 4, 2001 the establishment of the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Early Years Steering Committee. Ontario's Early Years Steering Committees are made up of dedicated citizens, many of whom are community leaders and child development experts.
These people will champion local early years and parenting initiatives. The province's 37 Early Years Steering Committees are part of the Ontario Government's Early Years Plan.
“I am very supportive of our Early Years programs, which ensure that Ontario's children will have the best possible start in life. Our committee members will bring new services to our communities starting from a solid foundation. They have their own experience, commitment and compassion as well as other existing Ontario Government initiatives such as the Healthy Babies, Healthy Children program,” said Mr. Arnott.
Ontario's Early Years Plan builds on partnerships, programs and services to benefit all young children and their families as the next step in realizing the vision and new way of thinking articulated in the Mustard/McCain Early Years Study .
The Order In Council appointments to the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Early Years Steering Committee include:
Alayne Langerak (Community Coordinator); parent; community member
Brad Inglis (Chair); Executive Director, Centre Wellington Resource Group
Maurice Brubacher; Executive Director, Family and Children's Services of Guelph and Wellington County
Kerry Butler; parent; chartered accountant; previous board of director experience
Dr. Angela Hofstra; parent; pharmacist
Ashley Knight-Kron; client development consultant
David McEllistrum; parent; chartered accountant, Robinson, Lott and Brohman
Susan Moyers; program advisor, Child Care Services, County of Wellington
Gary Putnam; Executive Director, Dufferin Child and Family Services
Janice Richardson; child care services supervisor, County of Dufferin
Inge Rinne; children's lawyer
“I appreciate the commitment these individuals are making on behalf of Ontario's children,” said Mr. Arnott. “By working together, we can make a difference in the lives of young people now, and well into the future.”
For many years, Mr. Arnott has demonstrated an interest in programs to support Ontario's families. In 1998, he introduced a Private Member's resolution to highlight the Healthy Babies, Healthy Children Program. Following the passage of his resolution the annual budget for Healthy Babies, Healthy Children was increased from $10 million to $67 million annually.
More recently, during the Throne Speech debate in April 2001 and in a speech to the Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Arnott also challenged citizens to help support the development of young people by supporting the Ontario's Promise initiative. Ontario's Promise encourages partnerships and mentoring for Ontario's youth.
“Our government's commitment to children's early years has never been greater,” said John Baird, Minister Responsible for Children. “We understand that by supporting parents and their young children, we are securing a future that will be led by healthy, educated and caring individuals.”
Members of the Early Years Steering Committees have a very important role to play, including:
· Bringing together local business, charitable and voluntary sectors to provide financial and in-kind resources;
· Raising public awareness and education;
· Taking stock of early years services and resources;
· Reviewing Early Years Challenge Fund submissions; and
· Developing partnerships, agreements and protocols to support local Early Years Plans.
The Early Years Steering Committees are expected to meet at least once a month to address local issues relating to children. The Community Coordinator is a full-time position that supports the committee and promotes the importance of the early years throughout the local area.
Mr. Arnott's provincial riding of Waterloo-Wellington includes all of Wellesley, Wilmot and Woolwich Townships, a southwestern part of the City of Kitchener, and much of Wellington County.
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