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3. Community Conversation Organization Location Date, 2013

4. Background & Context Together We Raise Tomorrow Children’s Charter Overview Poverty Reduction Strategy Overview Early Childhood Development Strategy Overview Wrap Up & Questions Outline

5. Background & Context Social Policy Framework Province-wide consultations June – November 2012 Approved February 28, 2013 Together We Raise Tomorrow Alberta Children’s Charter Poverty Reduction Strategy Early Childhood Development Strategy

6. Vision for Social Policy in Alberta In Alberta, everyone contributes to making our communities inclusive and welcoming. Everyone has opportunities to fulfill their potential and to benefit from our thriving social, economic, and cultural life.

7. Social Policy Framework Outcomes SafeHealthy Secure & Resilient Lifelong Learners Included Active & Engaged

8. Alberta Children’s Charter As part of Bill 25 – Children’s First Act, the charter will ensure Albertan children’s safety, wellbeing, and quality of life. Poverty Reduction Strategy A transformational initiative of the Social Policy Framework to end child poverty in 5 years and reduce overall poverty in 10 years. Alberta Approach to Early Childhood Development A transformational initiative of the Social Policy Framework to work towards a more integrated ECD system for children aged 0-5. Together We Raise Tomorrow

9. Children’s Charter Overview Children are to be Treated with Respect & Dignity Respect for Cultural, Social, & Religious Heritage Children’s Needs are Central Focus of Policy Making Prevention and Early Intervention are Fundamental Families/Parents Paramount; Communities and Government Have Shared Responsibility

10. Children’s Charter Models UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Many children’s charters are based on the principles of the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Models in Canadian Municipalities & Provinces Other Canadian jurisdictions with children’s charters include Saskatchewan, Toronto, Niagara, Peel, Kamloops, and Richmond. Key Focus Areas Most children’s charters focus on children’s health, safety, nutrition, wellbeing, quality of life, family/home supports, education, housing and recreation and leisure.

11. Online Engagement Community Conversations Online Survey Options Development Drafting & Approval Draft Strategy Cabinet Approval Poverty Reduction Strategy Launch Poverty Reduction Strategy Overview 2 Goals: To develop a strategy that addresses: The elimination of child poverty in Alberta in 5 years The reduction of overall poverty in Alberta in 10 years

12. Our working definition of poverty: “The exclusion or lack of resources, resiliency, capabilities, and choices necessary for the enjoyment of an adequate standard of life” This definition moves beyond income to include concepts of quality of life, social inclusion, access to supports and services, and ability to accumulate and maintain assets. Poverty, Defined

13. Key Policy Domains Housing Early Childhood Development Education & Literacy Income Supplementation & Replacement Assets Training & Skills Development

14. Early Childhood Development Strategy Overview Foundation for Future Success Improved Infant & Child Health and Development Targeted Investments in ECD

15. ECD sets the course for a child’s future. It determines: Academic performance Physical/mental health Behaviour Relationships with others General wellbeing Why ECD Matters

16. What We Will Achieve A healthy start for children Parents providing nurturing and stable environments for their young children Children realizing their full developmental potential when they enter school Safe, supportive communities for children to learn, grow and thrive Alberta Approach to ECD In Alberta, all children have a healthy start, safe and healthy environments, nurturing and supportive relationships and opportunities to learn accessed through a connected system of community supports and services.

17. Success will be achieved when: More women experience healthy pregnancies More children are reaching their developmental potential in their first years of life Alberta parents are more confident in their parenting role and how their children are developing Communities are working together to increase access to the right services, at the right time to meet the needs of families ECD Success Indicators

18. Questions/Comments?

19. Discussion: Children’s Charter

20. What principles could be included in a children’s charter? Discussion Question: Principles

21. Discussion Question: Roles What role do government, communities, individuals and families have in supporting these principles?

22. Given the life we want for our children, how does poverty and poverty reduction factor in? Discussion Question: Child Poverty

23. Discussion: Poverty Reduction

24. How does poverty affect you in your community? What contributes most to poverty in your community/region? Discussion Question: Framing

25. What are the most important approaches to reduce poverty? How can we remove barriers, improve inclusion, and enable everyone to participate more fully in their community? Discussion Question: Poverty Reduction

26. What can community groups, businesses and individuals do to help prevent, reduce, and alleviate poverty in Alberta? Discussion Question: Roles & Responsibilities

27. Discussion: ECD Strategy

28. What are some of the early childhood programs and services in your community that are working well? Discussion Question: Best Practices

29. What would make it easier for everyone to get the information they need – and access the right services? Discussion Question: Accessibility

30. What else would help you be the best parent you could be? As a service provider what else do you think is important in helping parents be the best they can be? Discussion Question: Resources

31. In addition to your recommendations to government, what can communities, businesses, and individuals do to further the Together We Raise Tomorrow agenda? Roles & Responsibilities

32. All input for Together We Raise Tomorrow will be consolidated into a draft Children’s Charter, Early Childhood Development Strategy, and Poverty Reduction Strategy. Please check back at socialpolicy.alberta.ca for updates! Wrap-Up & Next Steps

33. Email your ideas hs.childcharter@gov.ab.ca hs.povertyreduction@gov.ab.ca hs.earlychildhood@gov.ab.ca Connect with us on Twitter @ABHumanServices Engage with us online www.childcharter.alberta.ca www.povertyreduction.alberta.ca www.earlychildhood.alberta.ca Edit the draft charter & strategies on the wiki Connect on social media Take our survey Contribute to our library and blog