Bridge Communication

Best Start is distinct from other initiatives in that it: Best Start is a major redesign of services in terms of how children and families are supported from birth through to Grade 1. Planning and implementation is being done at the local/community level. Responds to the clear message that Ontario needs more integrated accessible services for young children and families. Strengthen, enhances, build on/integrates existing programs and services – rather than creating new structures or organizations It asks all existing organizations that provide services for children from the prenatal stage through to Grade 1 to share their expertise, and plan together.

At the community level Established Best Start Networks responsible for planning and implementing Best Start in their communities. Childcare expansion in and around Schools in locations that make sense. By creating more licensed childcare spaces it will assist more families in need with childcare costs. The establishment or expansion of neighbourhood Best Start Early Learning and Care Hubs that provide a range of integrated services and supports for families with young children. Support flexible implementation strategies that make sense for communities.

Best Start Planning and Implementation Best Start is 100% funded and led by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. Major expansion of child care across the Province. Flexibility and eligibility requirements for child care fee subsidies. This includes changes to the eligible hours policy and RRSP/RESP Policies. Move to a sliding income scale test to determine eligibility for child care.

Best Start Planning and Implementation Establishment of the College of Early Childhood Educators Working Panels on: Early Learning Quality and Human Resources 18 Month Well Baby Check-up Enhanced Health Babies Healthy Children Restored service for Pre-School Speech and Language/Infant Hearing Measurement for progress and results using the Early Development Instrument

Who is developing the Best Start plans? Best Start Networks have developed plans for Best Start in their communities. (Rainy River District update) Best Start Network Northwestern Health Unit Rainy River District School Board Ministry of Children and Youth Services Northwest District Catholic School Board Mine Centre School Authority Atikokan Roman Catholic School Board Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board Regional French Language Network Northwestern Health Unit Family and Children Services Preschool Autism Program Integrated Services North West CHILDREN SERVICES ADVISORY Ontario Early Years Centres Rainbow Centre 234 Playgroup Inc. Fort Frances Children’s Complex Country View Child Care Centre Learn, Laugh and Play Children’s Centre Rainy River Fort Frances Nursery School Rainy River Play-School CHILD CARE SERVICES ADVISORY Sunset Country Métis Aboriginal Healthy Babies Healthy Children United Friendship Centres Zaagi-Idiwin Aboriginal Head Start program Weechi-It-Te-Win Family Services ABORIGINAL SERVICES ADVISORY BEST START COMMUNITY HUB COORDINATON COMMITTEE Atikokan Fort Frances Emo Rainy River FAMILY SERVICES PROVIDERS Communication link only. This group will not be part of Planning for Best Start But rather will enhance Best Start by providing a link to other services and supports our Families may need

Considerations that went into Planning Best Start Hub Models Currently there is a wide range of services and supports for children 0-6 and their families, funded by different ministries and levels of government. These services and supports will be integrated and/or coordinated so that hubs can provide the core functions. The major funders of these services and supports include: The Ministry of Children and Youth Services (MCYS) - directly and indirectly (child care/resource centres) through DSSABs The Ministry of Education The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care The Federal Government.

Core Functions of Hubs Assessments: for problems or delays with all aspects of early child development. Access: to a wide range of early learning and care services for children and parents. Referral: For children who need more specialized services. Those services will be linked to the hub. Access to flexible programs for parents available at times that meet their needs.

Children’s Treatment Children’s Mental Health Child Welfare Core Functions Screening & Assessment: Communication and Social/Emotional Issues Public Health Nutrition Programs Parenting Programs Child Care Pre-School JK/SK Preschool speech and language Infant Hearing Program Recreation Programs Functions of Early Learning and Care Hubs Family Services Recreation Programs Development Services

The MCYS children’s system includes a broad array of core hub and specialized services Children’s Mental Health MCYS Child Welfare 34 CMH providers 9 Children’s Aid Societies Developmental Services Access Mechanisms Nutrition Programs Healthy Babies Healthy Children Preschool Speech & Language Ontario Early Years Centres Other community supports 21 Providers 4 providers 7 providers – under development 7 providers 24 Providers Children’s Treatment Centres 4 Providers 3 providers Total MCYS Investment Children’s Services North Region: $212,167,723 – 68 providers (Note: many agencies deliver multiple programs) Ministry of Children and Youth Services

Key Principles of the Hub Model Design Hubs will: Be community-based, highly visible and easy for families to access – situated close to where families live. Be welcoming/inviting to all families and non- stigmatizing – universal access. Be culturally and linguistically sensitive to the communities they serve (e.g. Aboriginal, Francophone). Offer one-stop shopping for families – access to a full range of services, supports and information.

Hubs will: Be flexible in terms of: when families/children can access services and supports, what services they can access and how they access them (tell their story once). Support “best practices” services, supports and information for children 0-6 and their families. Provide outreach to families at risk.

Hubs will: Ensure that services are integrated across systems and that hubs serve family needs, not organizational needs. Have clearly defined roles and responsibilities for the service providers involved in the hub and clearly defined accountabilities, including feedback loops to the communities they serve.

Outcome of the Planning Process Best Start Networks have developed an Integrated Implementation Plan for Best Start in the Rainy River District. This plan was submitted to the Ministry of Children and Youth Services in January, Key elements of the Plan: Continued Funding Transportation Communication

Outcome of the Planning Process The Best Start Advisory Group will branch off into Best Start Community Hub Coordination Committees. The Hub Committees will look like this: Atikokan Model Fort Frances Emo Rainy River Those partners will begin to identify their specific community issues and develop plans to address those issues.

Outcome of the Planning Process Develop a more comprehensive network that includes all family service agencies and organizations. Develop a communication network with all partners Where possible: Share Contact lists Share Newsletters Updates to services and supports Sharing of information Referrals

Strategic Plan for the Rainy River District Best Start Current BS Network Activities: Review and make changes to the Best Start Terms of Reference to reflect the Networks evolution Strategic Planning Workshop Oct. 18 Moving Forward with integration