NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release 2008CFD0041-001418 Sept. 18, 2008	Ministry of Children and Family Development
$5 MILLION STRENGTHENS PROGRAMS TO HELP KIDS SUCCEED

NANAIMO – The provincial government has delivered another $5-million grant to its early childhood development partnership with Success By 6 as part of the ongoing commitment to support the healthy growth and development of young children, announced Children and Family Development Minister Tom Christensen today.

 

            “The ministry is focused on strengthening and maintaining programs that prevent vulnerability and promote well-being in our children,” said Christensen. “Success By 6 is a valuable early childhood development initiative that provides opportunities to prepare children for school while providing families with resources they may not otherwise be able to access.”

 

            Success By 6 was established in 2003 with initial government support of $10 million. Since its inception, and with this latest grant, the Province has invested $23 million into the program, which is a partnership between the Ministry of Children and Family Development, United Ways, Credit Unions, and community leaders throughout the province.

 

Success By 6 supports early childhood development programs and services around the province, including those in Aboriginal communities. These include early learning and literacy, children’s play, nutrition, outreach programs, and parenting and family skills development to reach children from newborn to six years of age.

 

            “Our future depends on how we support our children today,” said Deb Bryant, B.C.’s provincial manager for Success By 6. “We know that each child has tremendous potential, and I believe children are entitled to our care and assistance to help them reach that potential. Success By 6 plays an important role in providing that support.”

 

            A portion of this year’s grant will be directed to further development of the Success By 6 Aboriginal Enhancement Strategy introduced in 2006. The strategy focuses on having dedicated Aboriginal co-ordinators introduce culturally relevant Success By 6 programs into Aboriginal communities while raising awareness about the importance of early childhood development.

 

            “As a government, we have invested in early learning and early childhood development since the day we were elected. We know that supporting families and their children is critical to the future of British Columbia,” said Education Minister Shirley Bond. “We are proud of our ongoing partnership with Success By 6.”

 

            For more information on Success By 6 programs you can visit www.successby6bc.ca or www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/early_childhood/success.htm.

 

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Contact:

Carolyn Heiman Manager, Media Relations and Issues Management 250 356-1639 250 888-3545 (cell)

Deb Bryant Provincial Manager Success By 6 B.C. 604 294-8929 ext. 2257

 

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