Commitment to action : response to the Children's Forum and the Task Force on Children at Risk

36 Pages·2000·2.5 MB·English

by  Alberta. Alberta Children's Services

L
'ommitmen* 'Action
Response to the Children's Forum
and the Task Force on Children at Risk
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2015
https://archive.org/details/commitmenttoactiOOalbe
A report back to Albertans
Children's Forum Cel. 5 and 6. 1999
Approximately one year ago, Premier Ralph Klein commissioned Alberta's first
Children's Forum - 'First Circle: Uniting for Children'. The forum, chaired by
Colleen Klein, was an opportunity for Albertans to provide their views and
recommendations on programs for children. Over 1,100 Albertans from across the
province gathered in Edmonton to discuss children and youth, identify issues and
propose solutions. The Children's Forum Report, a summary of the event, featured
14 themes and over 140 recommendations.
Premier Klein also established the Task Force on Children at Risk after the fatal
shooting of a student in Taber, Alberta. The task force's mandate was to identify
gaps and barriers in services, identify strategies for meeting the needs of children at
risk and develop an action plan for furthering Alberta's goals for children.
Over the past year, the ministries involved in providing services to children and
youth have worked together to review the recommendations stemming from both
reports and to take action. This booklet provides an overview of many of the
initiatives that have been implemented to date in response to the recommendations.
Much progress has been made over the past year but work remains. The Children's
Forum report and recommendations will continue to guide decisions made in the
future as part of government's ongoing planning. As additional progress is made,
Albertans will be kept informed.
fris Evans, Minister
Alberta Children's Services
1
I
Put Children First
At the ChUdren's Forum, Albertans said children must
remain our top priority.
In ihe lasi year, the governmenf has:
■ Committed to using a "children's filter" as a
framework for reviewing all policies, legislation,
business plans, and decisions of government
■ Increased subsidies for families with low incomes for
daycare and family day homes
■ Removed provincial income taxes for 200,000 low
income families effective Jan. 1, 2 001
"Take responsibility for
■ United First Nations children living in off-reserve foster
our children. 1+ is up to
homes with permanent on-reserve adoptive parents
all of us to raise healthy
■ Recognized 1 6 A lberta children and youth who positively
contribute to their families and communities through the first - Children's Forum I
annual Great Kids Awards
pcahriflidcirpeann.t"
■ Committed to getting child prostitutes who are victims of
sexual abuse off the streets.

Increase Awareness
and Education
Forum participants said there is a need for improved
communication on issues related to children's needs.
In ihe lasf year, +he governmeni has:
■ Developed a television campaign to provide messages
to youth on drug use and its impact
■ Enhanced safety awareness programs for school
children
■ Undertaken initiatives across Alberta to prevent Fetal
Alcohol Syndrome and support those aheady affected
■ Developed prevention resource materials for use by
teachers in the classroom
■ Enhanced crime prevention and school violence
awareness programs for students
■ Implemented educational programs related to sexual
assault
■ Enhanced substance abuse and gambling awareness
programs for youth and parents •
■ Developed programs to help teens make informed
choices and to discourage teen pregnancy.

Involve Youth
Youth who attended the forum indicated their desire for a
greater voice on issues affecting them.
In ihe lasi year, fhe government has:
■ Hosted over 1 ,000 Alberta youth at seven regional youth
forums to discuss issues and solutions on issues affecting
youth
■ Established a Y outh Advisory Panel to provide input to the
Ministry of Children's Services through the Youth
Secretariat
■ Established the Youth Secretariat to advise the Minister of a
Children's Services on key issues facing youth at r isk and
ways to address those issues youth speak
out! Hear what they
■ Started recruitment for membership on a y outh advisory have to say."
committee to a ssist in t he development of resource _ children's Forum
materials and strategies for reaching and connecting with par+icipani
highriskyouth
■ Involved youth in peer education programs
■ hiitiated planning for the 200 1 C hildren's Forum.