PROVINCE BOOSTS FUNDING TO FAMILIES FIRST PROGRAM

The Government of Saskatchewan is increasing funding to the Families First Partnership Program by 26 per cent.

The provincial funding of $185,000 comes from the Community Solutions Program and supports program staff and volunteers delivering services addressing the needs of vulnerable children.

"The increased funding will help the Families First Partnership Program expand the services it offers to families with children at child care centres in Saskatoon," Community Resources and Employment Minister Glenn Hagel said while visiting the Families First Child Care Centre located at Leif Erickson Place in Saskatoon.

"Our work with the Families First Partnership Program is part of our increased commitment to work with communities, promoting the growth of healthy families in a province with a wide open future," added Minister Hagel. "The future is wide open to anyone prepared to dream big, plan well and work hard, which is what the staff and volunteers at the Families First Partnership Program are doing in Saskatoon."

The Families First Partnership Program is operated by the board of Families First Child Care Centre. The program delivers a variety of services including parent support groups, on-site counselling, crisis and outreach support, and a children's playskills program intended to address the needs of vulnerable children attending child care centres in Saskatoon.

The program was delivered to the Westridge Child Care Co-op, Families First Child Care Centre, and the First Nations Child Development Centre. As a result of increased funding, the program will be expanded to include three more child care centres, the Spadina Child Care Co-op, Mount Royal Infant/Toddler Program, and Confederation Park Child Care Co-op.

The Community Solutions Program is a provincial program assisting communities to meet the needs of children and families by providing funding for projects that work with child care services and demonstrate community involvement and support. The budget for the program across Saskatchewan this year is $645,000.

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For More Information, Contact:

Herman Hulshof Community Resources and Employment Regina Phone: (306)787-0916 Email: hhulshof@dcre.gov.sk.ca Cell: (306)536-1479