Government of Canada and Ridge Meadows Child Development Centre Society work together to improve child development

February 01, 2010

MAPLE RIDGE, BRITISH COLUMBIA — The Government of Canada is sponsoring a project by the Ridge Meadows Child Development Centre Society to provide occupational therapy to children with developmental delays and their families, as well as promote small group therapy across Canada.

Mr. Randy Kamp, Member of Parliament for Pitt Meadows–Maple Ridge–Mission, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, made the announcement today.

“Families are the building blocks of a strong society,” said Mr. Kamp. “When our government partners with the provinces and territories, the private sector and not‑for-profit organizations, we help families achieve their aspirations for a better and stronger future. Our government’s contribution to the Ridge Meadows Child Development Centre Society will support those families and children who need it most.”

The Government of Canada, through the Children and Families component of the Social Development Partnerships Program, will contribute close to $450,000 towards the project. The Ridge Meadows Child Development Centre Society will apply small group therapy to enhance the capacity of parents, families and communities in supporting young children with developmental delays and/or disorders. The Society will also publish a guide entitled Handbook for Small Group Intervention, which will be distributed to paediatric therapists across Canada.

This year, the Government of Canada approved more than $17 million for 37 projects across Canada under the Social Development Partnerships Program. Through the program, the Government supports community not-for-profit organizations in the development of innovative solutions and the sharing of knowledge that will benefit children, families and communities.

In addition to the Social Development Partnerships Program, the Government of Canada transfers more than $1.1 billion annually to the provinces and territories to support early childhood development and child care, including $250 million a year to create new child care spaces.


Other federal investments for families and children include the Canada Child Tax Benefit, the National Child Benefit Supplement for low-income families, the Child Disability Benefit, the Universal Child Care Benefit, the Child Care Expense Deduction and a non-refundable child tax credit.

Canada’s Economic Action Plan improved the National Child Benefit Supplement and the Canada Child Tax Benefit by making them available to more families.

For more information about the Social Development Partnerships Program, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca.



Backgrounder

Social Development Partnerships Program – Children and Families component

The Children and Families component of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada’s Social Development Partnerships Program helps to improve the lives of children and families across the country by investing in organizations that support the well‑being of Canadians. Projects range from developing a better understanding of the issues Canadians face, to providing greater access to information, programs and services.

Together with the Disability component of the Social Development Partnerships Program, the funding allocated under the Children and Families component demonstrates that individuals, families and communities continue to be a priority of the Government of Canada.

The 2009 Call for Proposals for the Children and Families component had three priorities:

1.supporting families with children: initiatives that help families to promote well-being, maximize potential and develop productive citizens;

2.caregiving over the life course: supporting families caring for elderly or disabled family members while managing work/other responsibilities; and

3.strengthening not-for-profit organizations: developing and sharing best practices and innovative business models/approaches to strengthen organizational resiliency during the current economic crisis.