Golden Opportunity for Child Care - City Hall Rally

Last night, Monday May 25, Early Childhood Educators, gathered at City Hall in Campbell River with their children, partners, friends, parents and anyone else who was urged to be there. They took hold of a golden opportunity to show our local government that a plan is needed that addresses the child care crisis facing BC Families.  They held signs to show their strong support for the $10/Day Childcare Plan for BC. They filled the chamber and lobby of city hall.  

Child Care and Early Learning Critical to Healthy Development

Child care and early education is a critical component to a healthy British Columbian society, and it is currently in crisis and needs public commitment and political will to address it.  

The $10 Plan is a 10 year strategy to do this.

WHAT ABOUT THE COST?

On February 17, 2015, Finance Minister Mike De Jong announced a budget surplus for 2014/15 to hit $879 million "nearly double earlier forecasts". This surplus would cover implementation of the Plan.

A 10 year implementation means all the funds will not be required up front.  As we invest more we get immediate returns to government from increased income tax and sales tax.

Parents who are not spending $1750 each month (average for 2 children under 5 in Campbell River - State of the Child Report, Campbell River 2014) on child care have dollars to contribute in sales and other taxes to their local and provincial economies.

The experience of the Quebec plan has demonstrated what we can expect from our investment. Significant returns were realized in Quebec within two years of implementation. After 12 years, it is paying for itself!  Economists predict B.C. would see returns after the first year and follow Quebec's model.

Quebec's program helped 70,000 women with young children - who, without child care, would not be working - to enter the labour force, a 3.8% increase in women's employment overall.

The ripple effect of mother's employment contributed an additional $5.2 billion to the provincial economy and increased Quebec's GDP by 1.7%.

The impact of working mother's increased purchasing power and taxes paid, along with reduced social transfers, means that for every dollar Quebec invests in its child care system:

·         Quebec recovers $1.05, which more than pays for its 1.6 billion annual investment; and

·         Ottawa recovers 44 cents - for an additional $700 million in revenue - without having made any investment

o    The OECD ranks Canada last in its investments in child care for children under 6 years old.

o    UNICEF ranks Canada last among OECD countries for investing in families with children under 6 years.

o    Child care fees represent the second highest family expense (after housing).

o    The cost of regulated child care services reduces family income by more than taxes.

o    The savings of implementing a plan for caring for our children and families have been calculated at up to $17 for every $1 spent.  These savings represent tax dollars NOT spent over a lifetime of increased health, legal, and social costs, but costs in lost human potential are hard to calculate.

The early care and learning community of Campbell River believes passionately that support for the early years is a priority for achieving quality of life for everyone in our community.  We ask the City of Campbell River to join us.

Articles:

Children are an investment in our future

Council hesitant to support universal child care

I Have the Right to be a Child

Throughout the month of May children in Campbell River and Area are being asked at different centres, programs and classrooms across the community; What does a child need to be happy?  What does a child need to feel safe?  and What does a child need to have to be healthy and to grow?

Family Place 2

Children in Campbell River are learning what it means to have "rights".  Children in Campbell River are being heard as we continue to gather their voices for the Children's Charter.  Children in Campbell River have been describing what it means to have rights - from food, to "proper housing", to feel loved.

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Contact Cheryl crsuccessby6@gmail.com for further information, or if you would like to participate in the development of the Children's Charter.

Progress of the CR Children's Charter

 “Children and youth are our most precious resource. They are the life and future of our society.  Every child deserves to be loved, nurtured and given the care they need to grow up healthy in all ways: emotionally, spiritually and physically.” ~ Barbara Fitzgerald M.D. FRCP(C) Clinical Associate Professor, UBC, Developmental Pediatrician

A strong community, vibrant and healthy, is a community that recognizes the fundamental right of all its citizens to a quality of life that guarantees safety, and the reasonable expectation of health and happiness.  Campbell River has turned its attention to this goal by adopting a Charter of Rights for Seniors and a Charter of Rights for Youth.  Now we are asking children to help us define what it is that they need to be safe, to be happy, and to be healthy and grow.  With their help we propose to add a Children's Charter of Rights to the City of Campbell River.

Children as young as three are being consulted.  When presented with the silhouette of a baby, young children have been asked what they think this baby needs to be safe, to be happy, and to be healthy and grow.  Many of the answers have been both simple and profound. Babies need "their Mummies" and "families to love them". These things keep them safe and make them happy.  They need "help crossing the road, not with a little or bigger brother, . . . Well, maybe a teenager".  They need toys, and to be healthy they need "the special milk with the yellow lid" and "clean diapers".

When shown the silhouette of an older child, they have been asked if these children need anything different than the babies.  "Still to be with their Mum!” was a common response.

Slightly older children had insightful answers. "Proper housing", "good food", "a family to love", "a good fire department and locks", "clean water", "no pollution", "exercise", and "fruits, vegetables, meat and milk" were a few of their responses.  Play has been a common theme.

The thoughts of our children are confirming the declaration of the United Nations' Rights of the Child.  Our children will guide our own declaration of what we are committed to providing children who live in our community.

Contact crsuccessby6@gmail.com if you would like more information on the development of the charter, or would like to get involved.

Children’s Charter Action Committee, Campbell River Children’s Charter:  Project Timeline March – November 2015

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Campbell River State of the Child Report

September 9th; Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Day

Every year on September 9th, International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Day is observed around the world. The first FASD Awareness Day was celebrated on 9/9/99.  This day was chosen to symbolize the nine months of pregnancy, promoting a healthy, and alcohol free lifestyle during this time.

Prevention of FASD is about working together, healing people and healing communities.

In my work, providing parent supports and awareness about FASD, I often find myself fielding statement such as ‘I heard moderate drinking during pregnancy is ok; it was it on the news.’ The unfortunate part is that reports like this do periodically make headlines. And when they do, phones ring off the hook in FASD communities around the world. FASD experts band together and begin the frustrating task of damage control, making official statements and filtering accurate information back to the public.

I also hear comments like ‘my mom drank with me and I am fine!’ These statements are often followed up with a teasing comment from a friend such as ‘that is a matter of opinion.’ But in all seriousness, yes, some children who have been exposed seem fine while others are very impacted. How this is explained you ask? FASD experts know that there are many contributing factors such as timing, amount of alcohol consumed, and the health of both parents (just to name a few), but what we cannot do is predict which child might be affected. This is why the only true statement regarding the risks of prenatal alcohol exposure is that ‘there is no known safe amount, time or type of alcohol to consume during pregnancy.’ Studies suggesting otherwise cannot be one hundred percent accurate! With this in mind, it stands to reason that abstaining from alcohol during pregnancy is the only way to be sure to prevent the effects that alcohol can have on an unborn child.

If dispelling FASD myths was all that it took to prevent FASD, my work would be easy. I would soon whittle my way out of a job and find myself in the unemployment line (in this case a cause for celebration). The truth is, informing the public is only a fraction of the solution.

A large number of pregnancies in Canada are unplanned. Couple this with the high rate of alcohol consumption in all social groups and we begin to understand that women, in the early stages of their pregnancies, may use alcohol inadvertently causing damage to the unborn fetus.

Also, many people live with alcohol misuse issues, widely misunderstood by society to be a personal choice. It is my firm belief that no woman ever wants to hurt her child; however, stigmatized for the use of alcohol, pregnant women are less likely to seek out supports from family, friends and professionals to aid in their recovery. Even the most well meaning person can add to the guilt associated with alcohol use during pregnancy.

      Partners can support their spouse by also avoiding alcohol before;  during and after the pregnancy.

We can all help by promoting awareness in a non-shaming or blaming way. Partners can support their spouse by also avoiding alcohol before, during and after the pregnancy. The goal is to support all women of childbearing years to make healthy choices in pregnancy. Prevention of FASD is about working together, healing people and healing communities.

If you would like more information about FASD, if you drank during your pregnancy or if you think a child in your care might be affected by prenatal alcohol consumption, call Jenny McLeod, FASD Key Worker 250-286-0391 (all supports are confidential).

If you used drugs or alcohol during your pregnancy you can receive confidential supports from an international organization of mothers who have also used drugs or alcohol during their pregnancy. Contact the Circle of Hope Birth Mothers Network through Kathleen Mitchell at mitchell@nofas.org or view their website at www.nofas.org.

Jenny

 

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder; the Invisible Disability!

We typically acknowledge that life creates challenges for people with mobility impairments or visible developmental disabilities, but what about people who live with an invisible brain difference such as FASD?

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a term used to describe the range of damage that alcohol can cause to an unborn baby. FASD can best be described as a brain based disability with behavioural symptoms. The invisibility of FASD can be attributed the fact that people with FASD look the same as everyone else and come across as more capable than they actually are. This creates expectations for the person to perform and behave at a level that is beyond their ability.

Often the biggest challenge people with FASD face is that family, community, and professionals fail to recognize the extent of the disability. Children with FASD are continuously being told they could, “do better if they just tried harder” says Jenny McLeod, FASD Key Worker for the Campbell River/Gold River region . For these children, the emotional consequences of knowing that they are not living up to others’ expectations is often, “more crippling then the disability itself” emphasized McLeod. We often refer to people with disabilities as having, “special needs,” when in reality we all have the same needs, “to be loved and accepted for who we are” added McLeod. People with FASD have many personal strengths and the best strategy for success it to focus on these strengths!

If you or your community group would like to learn more about FASD contact Jenny McLeod, FASD Key Worker, Campbell River and District Association for Community Living. 250-286-0391

Thank You

It takes the community to ensure all of our young children have the best start in life. Many thanks go out to the many organizations, groups and volunteers who participated in the Campbell River Children’s Health Fairs this year on Friday March 15.

Thank you to: Active Campbell River, BC Transit, Campbell River and District Association for Community Living’s Support Child Development Program, Campbell River Childcare Society, Campbell River Community Literacy Association, Campbell River Family Place, Campbell River Family Services Society, Campbell River Fire Department, Campbell River Literacy Now, Child Find, City of Campbell River, Coastal Eyecare Centres, Campbell River Emergency Social Services, Judy Hagen and her little dogs, KDC, Laichwiltach Family Life Society, Little Ladybug Yoga, PacificCARE, Rivercity Therapeutic, School District 72, Strathcona Regional District (Recycling Queen), Strathcona Gardens, Success By 6, Sunrise Resources for Early Childhood Development, Vancouver Island Health Authority and War Amps.

A huge THANK YOU to School District 72 for the promotion and hosting of the Fair and to the City of Campbell River and BC Transit for providing free bus services. Thanks to the Eagle and the River radio stations for promoting the Fairs. A special thanks to QUALITY FOODS, Save On Foods, Thrifty’s and McDonalds for donating the healthy snacks and coffee. A very active thanks to Pam from Stereo Fitness for getting the children and parents moving. A definite highlight of the day.

Extra thanks go to our wonderful volunteers; Liza, Darlene, Sue, Susan, Heather and the Bladerunners from Laichwiltach who help make the day possible.

With immense appreciation from the Organizing Committee for the Campbell River Children’s Health Fairs and the Campbell River Family Network.

 

Children’s Health Fair Schedule ~ Friday March 15, 10–2, Robron Centre

Children’s Health Fair

Children’s Health Fair

We are proud to once again present the Ready-Set Go Children’s Health Fair, Friday March 15, 10 – 2 @ Robron Centre, where community organizations will be available to provide parents of tots and preschoolers with information on safety, health, literacy awareness, recreation and a variety of other programs.

Vision, hearing, development, dental and speech screening for children will be available free onsite; however, space is limited so come early!

Other activities include; zumbatomic, mini workshops, nutrition, drumming, face painting, puppet shows and child find.

Thanks to BC Transit and City of Campbell River free bus services will be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for anyone attending the event with children. There will be free snacks, beverages and lots of prizes!

Come out and enjoy a fun filled day where the sound of children’s laughing and squealing, parents chatting with other parents and the soothing sound of a drum beat can be heard throughout the building.

 

                                                                                          Cedar Weaving 2012

 

 

    Zumbatomic with Pam from Stereo Fitness

Turning off Electronics

Monday February 11 is a day for family.  Our children, our families are worth spending time with.  Pull out board games, go for a walk, sit and talk, turn on some music and dance around the living room.  The list is endless and doesn’t need to cost a cent.  So, let’s “unplug” from our electronic devices, and re-connect with our children. We know the profound effect that spending time with family has on a child’s growth and future success.

“Turn off the media. My husband told me a statistic that he had read regarding people and their smart phones - that most people are never more than three feet from their phones most of the time. Imagine that - three feet. I know how distracting it can be. You hear the ding of an alert and you just want to check the one thing and then it becomes that you have to send an email back and then more and more. Turn off your media for a bit. And set media parameters. Our family loves media, but I know that we need boundaries. Every once in a while have a media free night - play games, talk, sit in the living room and just be together. It's balance - and they just want your attention - bless them with it. Undivided. “  As stated in Finding Joy.

Spread our message by sharing with others, today!!

Get outside and Play

The Path to Prosperity: The Father Factor

Fathers play an essential role in children's lives, and that promoting positive fathering is a key element in building healthy families and communities. Explore innovative ways to support fathers in the workplace.

"The Path to Prosperity: The Father Factor" lunch and learn event sponsored by Success By 6, speaker David Sheftel from BC Council for Families will join us. Monday November 19, 2012 @ 11:30 - 1:00 at the Community Centre.

Success By 6 will also be recognizing individuals and businesses that were identified by the Community that support children and family.
RSVP by Monday November 12.

Success By 6 Family Friendly Gym Challenge

• Recent UBC studies show 1 in 3 Campbell River children is not ready to succeed in school by age 6
• Local data shows 16 % of our children are vulnerable in Physical Health and Well Being (eg. motor development, establish handedness)

Bikram Yoga Campbell River and Stereo Fitness both heard the message and took on the Family Friendly Gym challenge organized by Success By 6. Research shows that the vulnerability rate in the physical and health domain is on the rise in children in Campbell River and Success By 6 is working on decreasing it.  Over the past year we have been sponsoring free family swims in partnership with Strathcona Gardens and sponsor the Family Gym on Friday mornings at the Sportsplex.

• Data indicates that children who watch more than 2 hours of screen time (TV, computer, video games) per day have double the incidence of over-weight and obesity when compared to children who watch less than 1 hour per day
• Research indicates that children’s early experiences have far reaching and lifelong effects on the development of their brains and behavior

A HUGE Thank you to Stereo Fitness for a very successful fundraiser for Success By 6 on Saturday November 3.  Approximately $600 was raised and earlier in October Bikram Yoga Campbell River raised $210 through their drop-in yoga morning and a lemonade stand.  All funds will go towards free healthy early learning programs in Campbell River for the children in our community.

Thank you both for participating in the Family Friendly Gym Challenge and helping to raise funds for children in our community. It takes a community to raise a child.

Photos courtesy of Parks and Recreation, City of Campbell River

Sleeping Babies

A beautiful reminder that babies often sleep best when they are not alone.

 

Forest Kindergarten

A forest kindergarten is held almost exclusively outdoors. Whatever the weather, children are encouraged to play, explore and learn in a forest or natural environment. The teacher’s role is meant to assist rather than lead.  The classroom is "without a ceiling or walls". 

As the new school year begins children in Colwood, BC get a choice of having the first part of their day in the forest, Chek News shares.

In the Campbell River School District, children in Sayward have been given the opportunity to experience a Forest Kindergarten, check out the teacher’s story. 

 

 

 

Autism Outreach Parent/Caregiver Workshop

The Ministry for Children and Family Development (MCFD) is hosting an Autism Outreach Parent/Caregiver Workshop in Campbell River on December 13-14, 2012: Royal Canadian Legion: 301-11th Avenue.

The Parent/Caregiver Workshops are part of the second phase of the Autism Outreach Program and will focus on rural and remote communities across the province. The goal of the workshops is to improve access for families to research-based information and resources on autism and interventions/treatments for children and youth with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). These workshops are open to parents and caregivers only, however, families may invite a member of their child’s intervention team to join them. Each workshop will be conducted by a professional in the area of autism and will be held over two full days during school hours. For more detailed information, please visit here and look to the right hand side of the page.

While there is no cost for the workshop, you must be registered to attend. Registration; for the workshops scheduled for September and October is available online here. For workshops occurring from November 2012-March 2013, registration will be open on the same website in mid-September.

Family Time Fishing

Did you know that you can fish for free during Father's Day weekend in BC? What a great way to spend family time together celebrating dad.
The Family Fishing Weekend is to encourage British Columbians, especially young people, to go fishing, learn a great new pastime and have fun with family and friends. The program runs annually during the Father's Day Weekend each June.

Check out the website for more details.

Some Quiet

Adapted from Mr. Rogers website article By Hedda Sharapan

Finding some quiet on days when the house is full of young children isn’t always easy. Here are some ideas that can help:

Quiet time – for the ears
* Have you noticed that when the room is noisy, if you raise your voice level, the children do, too? Try to lower your voice at times like that, and see what happens. Over and over I hear that it really does help when we adults set a quieter tone.

* Do you have a CD of some tranquil music to play? One of my favourites is to use “spa” music in while we’re building with blocks. It seems that the music creates a more thoughtful mood, and that changes the nature of the block-building…and our blood pressure!

* Silence does help to restore us. Be sure there’s quiet time each day at a regular time. It’s the only way to be sure that children will have some quiet in their day.

Quiet time – for the hands
* Think about the calming benefit of sensory activities, like water play or sand play – where the goal is the process, and there’s no pressure to “make something.” On especially wild days you might want to let the children have a longer time at those kinds of activities.

* Keep in mind there’s a wide variety of sensory activities you can choose from: blowing bubbles, fingerpainting, digging holes, mixing play dough, kneading dough, bathing baby dolls or pouring water at the water table.

Quiet time – for the heart
* When things are hectic, it’s hard but try to really listen when a child tells you something that matters to him or her . Children know when you’re really listening.