KidsFirst Saskatoon & Rural Early Year's Coalition

Celebrate National Child Day in Canada - November 20th

2011-11-17T12:10:00.000-08:00

Did you know that National Child Day is celebrated in Canada on November 20th each year? National Child Day commemorates Canada’s adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, spelling out the basic human rights for children and youth.

Non-discrimination; best interests of the child; right to survival and development; and views of the child are foundational principles that the rights in the Convention are built on. As children grow, they have more responsibility to make choices and exercise their rights.

Because Canada has ratified the Convention of the Rights of the Child, we are accountable to how our country is doing in ensuring every Canadian child is living a life reflected by these rights. Every four years Canada must report the status of children’s rights in our country to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. The role of the committee is to examine progress made by countries who have signed the Convention in fulfilling their obligations. What is interesting about the Convention for the Rights of the Child is that it is the only international treaty that offers non-governmental organizations an opportunity to report to the UN Committee. This means that organizations outside of government who working directly with children and famlilies have an opportunity to report on the status of children's rights in Canada.

Celebrate National Child Day to acknowledge children as assets to our community and our obligation to ensure they are actively engaged in what happens in their lives. You can celebrate by learning about rights yourself and by teaching them to the children in your life.

For more information about National Child Day click here. To access a kit for National Child Day activities click here.

The Hopeful Message of the 40 Developmental Assets

2011-11-04T14:59:00.000-07:00

Everyone has the power to help young people succeed

Here are the facts

Research from Search Institute identifies 40 Developmental Assets that have a powerful, positive impact on young people. Children and teenagers who have high levels of these assets get involved in fewer risky behaviors and are much more likely to exhibit the positive values, such as leadership, good health, diversity, and success in school. The bad news is most young people don’t have enough assets. About 59 percent of young people, ages 11–18, have 20 or fewer Developmental Assets, according to Search Institute surveys. The good news is we can change this because we all have the power to build assets in young people’s lives.

Understanding Developmental Assets

The eight asset categories Search Institute has found crucial in helping young people grow up healthy include:

Support: Young people need to be surrounded by people who love, care for, appreciate, and accept them.
Empowerment: Young people need to feel valued and valuable. This happens when youth feel safe and respected.
Boundaries and Expectations: Young people need clear rules, consistent consequences for breaking rules, and encouragement to do their best.
Constructive Use of Time: Young people need opportunities—outside of school—to learn and develop new skills and interests with other youth and adults.
Commitment to Learning: Young people need a sense of the lasting importance of learning and a belief in their own abilities.
Positive Values: Young people need to develop strong guiding values to help them make healthy life choices.
Social Competencies: Young people need the skills to interact effectively with others, to make difficult decisions, and to cope with new situations.
Positive Identity: Young people need to believe in their own self-worth and to feel they have control over the things that happen to them.

Each of these categories involves several specific assets that help young people grow up healthy.

Tips for building assets

In your home and family: Post a list of the 40 Developmental Assets on your refrigerator door. Each day, do at least one thing to build assets for each family member.

In your neighborhood and community: Learn the names of the young people who live around you. Find out what interests them, and ask them about those interests.

In your school or youth program: Plan asset-building activities as part of the curriculum or program. For example, engage young people in service-learning projects, social skills training, or reading for pleasure.

Want to know more about the 40 Developmental Assets and ideas for helping young people build them? Visit www.search-institute.org/assets.

-------------------------

Developmental Assets^® are positive factors within young people, families, communities, schools, and other settings that research has found to be important in promoting the healthy development of young people. From Instant Assets: 52 Short and Simple E-Mails for Sharing the Asset Message. Copyright © 2007 by Search Institute^®, 877-240-7251; www.search-institute.org. This message may be reproduced for educational, noncommercial uses only (with this copyright line). All rights reserved.

New Format for the Rural Early Year's Coalition / Kids First e-bulletin - subscribe here!

2011-06-16T10:00:00.000-07:00

Greetings,

Our e-bulletin is moving to an electronic format! Please use this box to subscribe if you would like to continue to get bulletins from the Rural Early Years Coalition and KidsFirst Saskatoon.

cheers,

Sydney Bell

Community Developer,

KidsFirst Saskatoon

REYC Advisory Gathering -update

2011-04-08T15:11:00.000-07:00

On March 22nd 2011, 15 brave souls ventured out on very icy highways to come together to explore issues, challenges and opportunities for rural families with young children living within the Saskatoon Health Region. These folks were taking part in the Rural Early Year’s Coalition Advisory Gathering hosted in Wakaw.

The Rural Early Year’s Coalition (REYC) is a working group of partners striving to improve the lives of families and children in the rural Saskatoon Health Region. We come together on a regular basis to touch base on what the current issues are for families with young children living in rural areas and to strategize on how we can work together to affect positive change. Twice a year we host Community Advisory Gatherings that are opened to any and all interested folks.

Through these Advisory Gatherings four priority areas have emerged:

1) Service Delivery 2) Early Learning Childcare 3) Healthy Eating Active Living 4) Poverty Busters

Over the past year or so we have focused quite a bit of attention on Service Delivery, conducting focus groups with parents and service providers. It was our goal at this gathering in Wakaw to look and reflect on what, if anything, has changed in Service Delivery and brainstorm some ideas for moving forward.

At the Wakaw gathering we heard: -how parents are having challenges finding childcare in their home communities, -that housing options are limited, -staff recruitment is a challenge, -there is an increased need for rental housing, -Co-op stores are closing in many communities impacting food security. -Many vulnerable families are being pushed out of the city because of high housing costs, only to find themselves quite isolated in rural areas because of lack of transportation costs.

On a positive note we have heard: -Pre-K programs are becoming more welcome in rural communities, and -there may be some ways to improve food security in rural areas by encouraging local initiatives like collective kitchens and small food buying co-ops.

Other ideas included: · blended staff positions · different rules for rural staffing ratios · bringing together health teams for a symposium/conference · travelling clinics · working towards more user-friendly services as apposed to service provider-friendly · fostering parents getting together to determine their needs and interests, then basing programs on that input · mobilizing funds for communities to hire staff who can link parents to services and supports, doing family assessments and facilitating relationships between families to build support.

Many more ideas were generated during our time together, and despite the challenge of the icy highways, it seems most folks left feeling inspired and rejuvenated to continue the work they are doing in their communities.

What happens now? It is hoped that folks will take the ideas and energy generated back to their communities and organizations and that they work toward making what changes can be made.

The role of REYC now is to keep these ideas alive for further conversation and to look for ways to promote them to those who develop programs and policies. For more information about REYC or to get involved contact Sydney Bell, KidsFirst Saskatoon Community Developer Sydney.bell@sasaktoonhealthregion.ca or 655-5383

Change the First Five Years and You Change Everything

2011-04-08T15:06:00.000-07:00

Check out this very inspiring video done in New Mexico on the importance of Early Years investment:

Rural Early Years Coalition Advisory Gathering

2011-02-25T13:45:00.000-08:00

Rural Early Years Coalition Advisory Gathering

Tuesday March 22
10AM to 3PM
Wakaw Legion Hall, Wakaw, SK

Join us for discussion on the experiences of families with young children accessing services in the rural areas. We will be sharing information collection from focus groups with parent, looking for input from community members on priority areas and developing strategies for action.

This gathering is open to anyone who is interested in issues facing families with young children living in the rural areas of the Saskatoon Health Region including:
o Parents
o Childcare providers
o Parent council members
o Service providers……

Lunch is provided. I hope you can join us!

To RSVP please contact Sydney Bell, Rural Early Year’s Coalition Convenor and KidsFirst Saskatoon Community Developer.

655-5383
sydney.bell@saskatoonhealthregion.ca

P.S. Please forward this invitation to anyone you think may be interested. All are welcome!

Interested in making your own Baby Food?

2011-02-25T12:57:00.000-08:00

The Rural Early Years Coalition and the Parent Mentoring Program in collaboration with KidsFirst Saskatoon is offering free workshops in rural communities for parents who would like to learn how to make their own baby food. These workshops are hands-on, fun and hosted by a registered dietitian.

Why attend?
The workshop provides demonstrations, advice and the most-up-to-date guidelines on feeding babies. Starting solids is a big step in your baby’s world. The workshop aims to assist and encourage you to build and maintain a healthy food relationship between you and your child.

What you will learn:
· the signs your baby is giving you about when he is ready to eat solid food
· why solid foods should be introduced when your baby is 6 to 7 months old
· why your baby needs foods rich in iron
· that making your baby’s food is easy, quick, nutritious and delicious.

For more information contact Sydney Bell, KidsFirst Saskatoon Community Developer.
sydney.bell@saskatoonhealthregion.ca
655-5383

You are invited to join us! Save the Date!

2010-03-16T12:38:00.000-07:00

The Rural Early Year's Coalition is excited to be hosting a Community Advisory Gathering on Thursday April 1st, 2009. We will be meeting from 10AM to 4PM at the Lanigan Town Hall. Please save the date in your calendars! More information will be forthcoming regarding topics for discussion, etc - watch for our invitation coming out by the end of February.

This gathering will be of interest to anyone in the Saskatoon Health Region area who has an interest in families with young children ages 0-5 living in rural areas. Some possible areas of exploration could include:

Healthy Eating, Active Living
Service Accessibility
Early Learning and Care
Poverty Busters

ALSO: We would love to hear from you if you have a story to share in one of these areas! Send me a note or give me a call.

If you would like to attend, please RSVP with Sydney Bell, KidsFirst Saskatoon Community Developer. sydney.bell@saskatoonhealthregion.ca / 655-5383

The Hopeful Message of the 40 Developmental Assets

2010-01-13T08:35:00.000-08:00

Everyone has the power to help young people succeed

The secret to helping children and youth grow into happy, healthy, and responsible adults isn’t really a secret at all. Simply make a point to connect with young people: Get to know them, talk to them, understand them, help them, and build relationships with them. As a caring, trusted adult, you’ll be better able to provide the building blocks young people need to succeed and reach their goals. Adult role models, guides, and friends are very important to young people. With your help, young people can begin to understand themselves and the world around them. We all know growing up isn’t always easy. That’s why young people need adults like you in their lives.

Here are the facts

Research from Search Institute identifies 40 Developmental Assets that have a powerful, positive impact on young people. Children and teenagers who have high levels of these assets get involved in fewer risky behaviors and are much more likely to exhibit the positive values, such as leadership, good health, diversity, and success in school. The bad news is most young people don’t have enough assets. About 59 percent of young people, ages 11–18, have 20 or fewer Developmental Assets, according to Search Institute surveys. The good news is we can change this because we all have the power to build assets in young people’s lives.

Understanding Developmental Assets

The eight asset categories Search Institute has found crucial in helping young people grow up healthy include:

• Support: Young people need to be surrounded by people who love, care for, appreciate, and accept them.
• Empowerment: Young people need to feel valued and valuable. This happens when youth feel safe and respected.
• Boundaries and Expectations: Young people need clear rules, consistent consequences for breaking rules, and encouragement to do their best.
• Constructive Use of Time: Young people need opportunities—outside of school—to learn and develop new skills and interests with other youth and adults.
• Commitment to Learning: Young people need a sense of the lasting importance of learning and a belief in their own abilities.
• Positive Values: Young people need to develop strong guiding values to help them make healthy life choices.
• Social Competencies: Young people need the skills to interact effectively with others, to make difficult decisions, and to cope with new situations.
• Positive Identity: Young people need to believe in their own self-worth and to feel they have control over the things that happen to them.

Each of these categories involves several specific assets that help young people grow up healthy.

Tips for building assets

In your home and family: Post a list of the 40 Developmental Assets on your refrigerator door. Each day, do at least one thing to build assets for each family member.

In your neighborhood and community: Learn the names of the young people who live around you. Find out what interests them, and ask them about those interests.

In your school or youth program: Plan asset-building activities as part of the curriculum or program. For example, engage young people in service-learning projects, social skills training, or reading for pleasure.

Want to know more about the 40 Developmental Assets and ideas for helping young people build them? Visit www.search-institute.org/assets.

Profile - Partners for Rural Family Support

2009-11-27T12:33:00.000-08:00

Partners for Rural Family Support is a support and referral organization for those in distress. Either by drop in, telephone or appointment, Partners for Rural Family Support offers supportive listening to those individuals/families experiencing crisis or simply do not know how to handle a situation.

Mission and Goals :

Our mission at Partners is to build healthy communities where individuals and families are safe from violence and abuse. Our goals at Partners is to formulate a coordinated community response focusing on prevention of family violence ; to educate the community to the dynamics and social costs of family violence and to offer safe and appropriate educational and informational awareness to rural communities.

Beyond referral and resources, Partners for Rural Family Support offers educational programs and workshops. Our in house programming include :

·Parents and Tots
·Self Esteem and Self Assertiveness'

·Parenting : From Frazzled to Fun

·Anger Management : Calm Down, Cool Off

·When a Relationship Ends

In addition to our in house programming, we also deliver a host of informational and awareness programs to the schools in our communities.

·Salvaging Sisterhood

·From Bully to Buddy

·Love is Not Abuse

·Healthy Relationships

Staff at Partners for Rural Family Support connect individuals and families with appropriate services in the area to assist them in their daily lives. We believe that we can build stronger communities one person at a time.

For more information:

Box 2741 Humboldt, SK S0K 2A0 Tel: 306-682-4135 1-866-682-4135 Fax: 306-682-4154

E-mail: partners1@sasktel.net

Rural Early Year's Coalition (REYC)

2009-11-13T13:14:00.000-08:00

...an Action and Advisory Committee to the Saskatoon RIC

REYC is a working group of partners striving to improve the lives of families and children in the rural Saskatoon Health Region.

Principles:
~to understand the assets and opportunities for children aged 0-6 years and their families who live in rural Saskatoon Health Region.
to honour the context of children’s lives; understanding the influence of families and communities in their health and wellbeing.
~to work holistically.
~to recognize that the committee’s focus may change over time, based on an ongoing analysis of rural communities’ assets and opportunities.

Purpose:
Using an Asset-Based approach, the Rural Early Years Coalition will:

collect and share information with various partners about assets and opportunities for children 0-6 years and their families who live in rural Saskatoon Health Region;
Establish ad hoc committee(s) on rural targeted issues as identified.
work collaboratively and support partners in the creation and implementation of service delivery programs for the target group;
advise RIC and KidsFirst on rural issues;
act as an advisory committee to the Saskatoon Regional Intersectoral Committee for rural issues for children for children 0-6 years;

What we do:
Accountable to the RIC and KidsFirst Saskatoon;
support the strategic objectives of the RIC, but in a rural context
facilitate establishment of Advisory Committee meetings on a semi-annual basis;
facilitate the development of functional partnerships with REYC;
identify methods to collect information (i.e. asset mapping);
cause the creation, recruitment for, and implementation of ad hoc committees as required;
present information to RIC and provide updates on initiatives and emerging policy issues affecting children aged 0-6 years and their families who live in rural Saskatoon Health Region;
link REYC with urban coalitions (i.e. C4C Early Years Coalition)
provide advise to other groups and organizations (i.e. Parent Mentoring Program);
ensure that experiences inform research and research informs best practices;
actively seek funding for projects and support funding applications, as necessary
create and submit a yearly work plan and monitoring report that would examine the work of the Rural Early Years Coalition in accomplishing the strategic objectives in a rural context.
creating annual or semi-annual communication or policy papers for RIC on issues that affect children ages 0-6 years and their families who live in rural Saskatchewan
communicate to the participants of Advisory Committee;
respective representatives are responsible to communicate with their organizations;
individuals are accountable to identify their organizational mandates, and look for common interests that will foster collaborative projects that build assets and opportunities for children aged 0-6 years and their families who live in rural Saskatchewan Health Region.

Everyone has the power to help young people succeed

2009-11-13T12:54:00.000-08:00

The secret to helping children and youth grow into happy, healthy, and responsible adults isn’t really a secret at all. Simply make a point to connect with young people: Get to know them, talk to them, understand them, help them, and build relationships with them. As a caring, trusted adult, you’ll be better able to provide the building blocks young people need to succeed and reach their goals. Adult role models, guides, and friends are very important to young people. With your help, young people can begin to understand themselves and the world around them. We all know growing up isn’t always easy. That’s why young people need adults like you in their lives.

Here are the facts:

Research from Search Institute identifies 40 Developmental Assets that have a powerful, positive impact on young people. Children and teenagers who have high levels of these assets get involved in fewer risky behaviors and are much more likely to exhibit the positive values, such as leadership, good health, diversity, and success in school. The bad news is most young people don’t have enough assets. About 59 percent of young people, ages 11–18, have 20 or fewer Developmental Assets, according to Search Institute surveys. The good news is we can change this because we all have the power to build assets in young people’s lives.

Understanding Developmental Assets:

The eight asset categories Search Institute has found crucial in helping young people grow up healthy include:

Support: Young people need to be surrounded by people who love, care for, appreciate, and accept them.

Empowerment: Young people need to feel valued and valuable. This happens when youth feel safe and respected.

Boundaries and Expectations: Young people need clear rules, consistent consequences for breaking rules, and encouragement to do their best.

Constructive Use of Time: Young people need opportunities—outside of school—to learn and develop new skills and interests with other youth and adults.

Commitment to Learning: Young people need a sense of the lasting importance of learning and a belief in their own abilities.

Positive Values: Young people need to develop strong guiding values to help them make healthy life choices.

Social Competencies: Young people need the skills to interact effectively with others, to make difficult decisions, and to cope with new situations.

Positive Identity: Young people need to believe in their own self-worth and to feel they have control over the things that happen to them.

Each of these categories involves several specific assets that help young people grow up healthy.

Tips for building assets:

In your home and family: Post a list of the 40 Developmental Assets on your refrigerator door. Each day, do at least one thing to build assets for each family member.

In your neighborhood and community: Learn the names of the young people who live around you. Find out what interests them, and ask them about those interests.

In your school or youth program: Plan asset-building activities as part of the curriculum or program. For example, engage young people in service-learning projects, social skills training, or reading for pleasure.

Want to know more about the 40 Developmental Assets and ideas for helping young people build them? Visit www.search-institute.org/assets.
-------------------------
Developmental Assets® are positive factors within young people, families, communities, schools, and other settings that research has found to be important in promoting the healthy development of young people. From Instant Assets: 52 Short and Simple E-Mails for Sharing the Asset Message. Copyright © 2007 by Search Institute®, 877-240-7251; www.search-institute.org. This message may be reproduced for educational, noncommercial uses only (with this copyright line). All rights reserved.

What does it take??

2009-11-13T12:41:00.001-08:00

What does it take to build a community where all kids succeed?

….little things that EVERYONE can do! Simple Acts Make a BIG Difference.

YOU can make a difference. If you can Smile, say “Hi” or Wave, you can start building Assets for life!

…would you like to learn more????

The Rural Early Year’s Coalition would like to come and talk to your group about Developmental Assets.

~what are Developmental Assets?
o They are concrete, common sense, positive experiences and qualities essential to raising successful young people.
o have the power during critical years to influence choices young people make and help them become caring, responsible adults

Please contact Sydney Bell – 655-5383 sydney.bell@saskatoonhealthregion.ca

Powerful Parenting: The Asset-Building Way

2009-11-13T10:25:00.000-08:00

It’s easy to get scared as a parent.
Watching the news, we see crime, drinking and driving, teen pregnancy, gang warfare, suicide. We wonder what’s going to happen to our children. In our fear, we may end up scaring our kids so that they live in fear as well. Or, we may look the other way, thinking that these things would never affect our families. Whatever the approach, most parents feel uncertain at times. We would like to know the secrets of healthy parenting in a world that often seems very unhealthy.
The idea of “developmental assets,” introduced by Search Institute in Minneapolis, gives a new sense of hope and practical direction for parents. Researchers at Search Institute have identified 40 assets that have a powerful, positive impact on young people.
Children and teenagers who have a lot of assets get involved in very few risky behaviours—the kinds of problems we worry about. And when young people have a lot of assets, they are much more likely to do the positive things we value.

Assets do make a difference. By incorporating them into your parenting, you can help your child grow up happy, healthy, and responsible. Future entries in this blog will explain further and give practical information on each asset.

Contact Sydney Bell for a presentation about Developmental Assets in your Community.
For more information, visit the Search Institute Site.

Developmental Assets PSA...

2009-06-11T08:15:00.000-07:00

Hey check out one of our Public Service Announcements that have been playing on CTV and Global. These great spots were developed by the Regina Qu'Apple Health Region and have been shown here in Saskatoon through a partnership between the Rural Early Years Coalition, KidFirst Saskatoon and Public Health Services.

Building a Strong, Asset-Building Family

2009-06-11T08:05:00.000-07:00

(from The Search Insitute's MVPParent.com website)
The bond that links your true family is not one of blood but of respect and joy in each other’s life.
--Richard Bach, American author

What do you dream your family will be like? What are your hopes for each relationship? Each person? Building a strong, asset-building family is about having a vision of what you hope for. You want each person to live to her full potential. You want relationships to be strong and close. You want every family member to have as many Developmental Assets as possible. Here’s how to create a strong, asset-building family.

Tips for all parents:

Listen to your child and respect what he is telling you. Let him know that you will always be there for him, and work on building a strong relationship that is characterized by warmth, boundaries, and respect.

As a family, talk about what your hopes are. Listen closely to your kids. They often have invaluable insight.

Read Search Institute’s national study Building Strong Families and see how your family compare.

Create ways to regularly spend time as a family. Eat dinner together as often as you can. Consider having a weekly or monthly family night to play board games, watch a movie, exercise, or do something adventurous. If you’re having trouble finding something you all enjoy doing together, suggest playing a multi-player video game with your kids. Have them teach you how to play. You may be surprised at how much fun you’ll have once you get the hang of it.

Saskatoon Early Years Roundtable

2009-01-14T13:51:00.000-08:00

KidsFirst Saskatoon convened a Roundtable focussing on the Early Years at the Willows Country Club on December 8th of 2008. At this gathering, discussion subgroups were formed around various areas affecting our youngest citizens. These people will be regrouping at the Willows on January 27th, from 9AM to noon.

The Agenda will include:

Summaries and updates from each of the cluster groups formed at the December 8th Roundtable.

Short presentations from other Saskatoon Early Years inititives.

All are welcome to join us. If you wish to attend or would like more information, please contact Sydney Bell , or 655-5383

Rural Asset Inventory Strategy – (RAIS)

2009-01-07T09:46:00.000-08:00

…a community approach to building stronger communities for children aged 0 to 6 by building on existing strengths.

There great things happening in our communities, but often we don’t notice or we focus on what needs to be fixed, and we miss that more of a ‘good thing’ can lead to less of a ‘bad thing’. The Rural Asset Inventory Strategy is about discovering what we do really well and find ways to spread these great works, especially for our younger citizens, children aged 0-6.

What are our objectives with this project?

To develop methods and procedures to gather, analyze and understand the internal and external assets for children ages 0-6
To develop a tool to capture the developmental assets of rural communities in collaboration with interested individuals from participating communities.
To generate recommendations based on community assets for policy makers and service providers.
To develop and information package to support other communities to develop local action strategies.

What can we offer?

Through a Community Initiatives Fund grant, the RAIS resources to support three communities in the rural areas of the Saskatoon Health Region to go through a process of:

Providing education and training on Development Assets,
establishing a local Steering Committee to guide the project,
administering the Rural Asset Inventory Strategy,
gathering and sort data collected,
hosting small group discussions to review the results of the inventory and facilitate understanding what the data means,
hosting Town Hall meetings open to the whole community to discuss the results and begin to build community plans and,
implementing actions from the locally devised plans.

The RAIS is an initiative of the Rural Early Year’s Coalition (REYC). The REYC is comprised of representatives from agencies and organizations who provide services to families with young children in rural areas of the Saskatoon Health Region and is committed to embracing an asset-based approach in working with rural communities. Through the RAIS, REYC is looking to partner with communities who are interested in identifying local assets and begin to plan to build on them.

For more information:

Sydney Bell

REYC Convenor &

KidsFirst Community Developer, Primary Health

Phone: 655-5383

Sydney.bell@saskatoonhealthregion.ca

*For more information on Developmental Assets please contact Sydney Bell or visit the Search Institute Website at: http://www.search-institute.org/

Free Asset Workshops for your community!

2009-01-07T09:27:00.000-08:00

Everyone’s an Asset Builder and Sharing the Asset Message are fun ½ day long interactive workshops that teach people about Developmental Assets and inspire them to build assets with children in their community.

KidsFirst Saskatoon Community Developer, Sydney Bell is available to come to communities in the Saskatoon Health Region to offer these workshops free of charge.

What are Assets and why are they important?
Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets® are common sense, positive experiences and qualities that help influence choices young people make and help them become caring, responsible adults.

For more information about Developmental Assets check out:
http://www.search-institute.org/assets/forty.htm

Contact Sydney Bell for more information: Sydney.Bell@saskatoonhealthregion.ca or 655-5383.

Google Project 10 to the 100th....

2008-12-12T12:59:00.000-08:00

It looks like Google is looking for a way to get involved in the community - check out this link:

Project 10 to the 100th

What do you think of this idea??? Feel free to add a comment.

New REYC logo

2008-05-22T08:22:00.000-07:00

At the Rural Early Year's Coalition Advisory Meeting hosted in Humboldt last month, attendees voted in a logo contest. 98 drawings were submitted by kindergarten children in the Prairie Spirit and Horizon School Divisions to be chosen as the logo for the Rural Early Year's Coalition.

While creating their drawings the children were asked to think about why they like living in a town or on a farm. The vibrancy of life for children living in our rural areas shone through the drawings and brought a wonderful energy to the work we did that day.

We would like to thank all the children who submitted entries (it was very hard to choose!), and we will be hosting a healthy snack party with the class who submitted the winning entries.

Our Winning Entry:

2nd Place:

3rd Place:

Welcome Here Resource Kit

2008-03-19T09:15:00.000-07:00

(forwarded by Gail Russel)

FRP Canada

The Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs (FRP Canada) is pleased to announce that it will soon be distributing a new kit of resources across the country. These materials have been developed with funding from Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Over the past year, under the Welcome Here project, family resource programs and settlement agencies in communities across Canada have collaborated together to offer new and improved programs to newcomer families. The Welcome Here Resource Kit will share some of the lessons learned in these communities. The kit will also contain some useful tools for community programs including a multi-lingual welcome poster, multi-lingual parent resource sheets, ideas for preventing racism, a colourful brochure designed to invite newcomers to visit their local family resource centre, and links to other resources.

All materials will also be downloadable from the project website

2007 Saskatoon Community Plan on Homelessness and Housing

2008-03-17T15:18:00.000-07:00

The 2007 Saskatoon Community Plan on Homelessness and Housing has recently been finalized and is now available for viewing on the City of Saskatoon's Affordable Housing webpage:
http://www.saskatoon.ca/org/city_planning/affordable_housing/index.asp

It is also posted on the main City Planning page in the "News" section. It will stay there for about a month: http://www.saskatoon.ca/org/city_planning/index.asp

CUISR Homeless Count for Saskatoon - Call for volunteers

2008-03-17T14:19:00.000-07:00

(Posted on behalf of CUISR)

Dear community members,

As you know, housing and homelessness are becoming increasing concerns given the economic climate in Saskatoon.

The Community University Institute for Social Research (CUISR), funded by Service Canada, is planning a homeless count for Saskatoon, which will take place Thursday, May 22, 2008, in the evening. We are recruiting survey volunteers for this project. Time commitment will be a one day training on Saturday May 17 or Sunday May 18, plus between four and seven hours on May 22, depending on what you would like to be involved in. Surveying will involve working with a team of volunteers and conducting in person interviews in shelters or outside, in a designated area of Saskatoon.

The results of the survey will be used to inform community service providers, policy makers, and the general public with a clearer picture of what absolute homelessness looks like in Saskatoon. It will allow service providers to better tailor services to our local context.

If you are interested, please contact CUISR to get a volunteer form to fill out (contact info below).

(you have to be 18 to participate as a volunteer in this project)

Thanks!

Carmen Dyck
Strategic Research Consultant
CUISR

Nicola Chopin
MA candidate
University of Saskatchewan

Maria Basualdo, M.A.
Community-University Institute for Social Research
432-221 Cumberland Avenue
Saskatoon, SK S7N 1M3
Community Liaison Office
Ph. (306)966-2136
Fax (306)966-2122
e-mail: cuisr.liaison@usask.ca
Web site: http://www.usask.ca/cuisr/

Invitation to REYC Advisory Meeting

2008-03-12T14:53:00.000-07:00

The Rural Early Years Coalition (REYC) is hosting a one-day gathering on April 1^st in Humboldt, Saskatchewan. We are looking for input from folks who are concerned with the health and happiness of children and families in the rural areas of the Saskatoon Health Region.

Location: Humboldt, SK
Date: April 1, 2008
Time: 10AM to 4PM

Lunch and refreshments will be served. The objectives of the day are to: network, seek input on the direction of REYC for the upcoming year and to introduce the Rural Asset Inventory Strategy. We will also be choosing a logo for REYC from entries submitted by Kindergarten students.

To attend this exciting event, please contact Sydney Bell via phone at: 655-5383 or via email at: sydney.bell@saskatoonhealthregion.ca.

What is KidsFirst Community Development All About?

2008-03-01T13:47:00.000-08:00

Many people know about the one to one support provided to KidsFirst families through home visitors and access to counselling, but did you know we also have a Community Developer who works with communities in the rural areas of the Saskatoon Health Region to take action on issues affecting young children and their families?

The KidsFirst Saskatoon Community Developer is currently working with the Rural Early Year's Coalition (REYC), bringing together community members and service providers who are working with famililes with young children in the rural areas of the Saskatoon Health Region. REYC is very exciting to be developing a Rural Asset Inventory Strategy to partner with rural communities who are interested in looking at what is working well in thier communities and builidng on their strengths. For more information about REYC or the Rural Asset Inventory Strategy, please contact Sydney Bell (655-5383).

The KidsFirst Saskatoon Community Developer is also working with other groups such as the Saskatoon Anti-Poverty Coaltion, a group of concerned citizens dedicated to addressing the root causes and effects of poverty in our community.

Questions? Contact Sydney at sydney.bell@saskatoonhealthregion.ca or by phone at 655-5383.

CDSS Conversation Circle – in Saskatoon this Friday

2007-11-26T14:15:00.000-08:00

Join us this Friday November 30^th for a Community Development Conversation Circle in Saskatoon.

Topic: Building trust in community development.

How do we build trust in our community work? Often we are working with people and groups with differing needs and diverse backgrounds. What strategies/approaches have you used to make meaningful connections and build trust.

12 noon – to 1PM (Bring Your Own Lunch)

At: St. Paul’s Hospital Cafeteria Meeting Room (it is the meeting room at the bottom of the stairs in St. Paul’s Cafeteria).

For more information about the Conversation Circles, please contact Sydney Bell at 655-5383 or e-mail at sydney.bell@saskatoonhealthregion.ca

Upcoming Conversation Circle Dates in Saskatoon – mark your calendars!

Jan 25, Feb 29, March 28

All Conversation Circles in Saskatoon are from 12 noon to 1PM and in St. Paul’s Hospital Cafeteria Meeting Room.

Have an idea for a Conversation Circle topic? Send me an email:

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

2007-11-26T11:14:00.000-08:00

sent to me by Wendy Moss:

UNICEF Canada took the temperature of this generation and we find that while there has been some progress for some children in some places, for too many children we've stalled or even regressed in some aspects of their health, development and protection.

click the link below to see the report.

The First Right's Generation Comes of Age -- UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

CDSS Annual Conference - filling up fast

2007-11-09T12:56:00.000-08:00

There are only 10 spots left! Send in your registration soon so you don't miss out on this fun and informative day. For more information check out our website:
http://www.cdssociety.sk.ca/upcomingevents_n.html

or email me at sydneybell@saskatoonhealthregion.ca

Hunger Report

2007-11-09T09:43:00.000-08:00

A report on hunger from the Canadian Association of Foodbanks. Check it out at:

http://www.cafb.ca/documents/HungerCount2007.pdf

Benefit Concert

2007-11-09T09:34:00.001-08:00

"No Room at the Inn" A gospel benefit concert in support of SOS Saskatoon Overnight Shelterlocal Christian songwriters will share their music atZion Evangelical Lutheran Church323 4th Ave S (bottom of the Broadway bridge)Saturday, December 1, 7:30 p.m.freewill offering

2007-11-09T09:32:00.000-08:00

Hi! Welcome to my blog. Here I will post information related to my work as the Community Developer for KidsFirst Saskatoon. Please feel free to comment or email me directly.

KidsFirst Saskatoon & Rural Early Year's Coalition

Celebrate National Child Day in Canada - November 20th

The Hopeful Message of the 40 Developmental Assets

Here are the facts

Understanding Developmental Assets

Tips for building assets

New Format for the Rural Early Year's Coalition / Kids First e-bulletin - subscribe here!

Subscribe to the Rural Early Year's Coalition e-bulletin:

REYC Advisory Gathering -update

Change the First Five Years and You Change Everything

Rural Early Years Coalition Advisory Gathering

Interested in making your own Baby Food?

You are invited to join us! Save the Date!

The Hopeful Message of the 40 Developmental Assets

Profile - Partners for Rural Family Support

Rural Early Year's Coalition (REYC)

Everyone has the power to help young people succeed

What does it take??

Powerful Parenting: The Asset-Building Way

Developmental Assets PSA...

Building a Strong, Asset-Building Family

Saskatoon Early Years Roundtable

Rural Asset Inventory Strategy – (RAIS)

Free Asset Workshops for your community!

Google Project 10 to the 100th....

New REYC logo

Welcome Here Resource Kit

2007 Saskatoon Community Plan on Homelessness and Housing

CUISR Homeless Count for Saskatoon - Call for volunteers

Invitation to REYC Advisory Meeting

What is KidsFirst Community Development All About?

CDSS Conversation Circle – in Saskatoon this Friday

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

CDSS Annual Conference - filling up fast

Hunger Report

Benefit Concert