Success By 6 Eastern Fraser Valley is supporting Aboriginal programs and services through
The Fraser Region Aboriginal Early Childhood Development (ECD) Network.
The Aboriginal ECD Network was developed in early 2003 in order to achieve greater Aboriginal engagement with Early Childhood Development (ECD) and Supported Child Development (SCD) planning in the Fraser Region. The Network is made up of ECD and SCD service providers and stakeholders providing services and supports in the Fraser Region. The Network provides leadership at a local and regional level on ECD and SCD issues affecting Aboriginal children, families and communities. The Network collaborates within the Fraser Region to provide professional development and opportunity in the fields of Aboriginal ECD and SCD. The Network acts to communicate with and provide advice to agencies and communities on ECD and SCD matters. It strives to positively influence, design where appropriate, those Aboriginal ECD and SCD activities presently occurring in or proposed, for the Fraser Region.
The Network submitted one proposal to Success By 6 Lower Mainland and Success By 6 Fraser Valley. Aboriginal programs and services throughout the Fraser Region, as well as the Aboriginal ECD Network itself would benefit from the proposed Aboriginal ECD projects. Success By 6 is funding to support the Aboriginal ECD Coordinator’s position, the development of culturally appropriate material for programs and services, training opportunities, and shared awareness of Aboriginal ECD programs and services.
Success By 6 Eastern Fraser Valley’s support with the Aboriginal ECD Coordinator’s position will enhance coordination of Aboriginal ECD activities, initiatives and services across the Fraser Region. The Network’s overarching goal is to constructively engage supporting parties, supporting ECD programs and services throughout the region to ensure that all Aboriginal children, families and communities in the region obtain outcomes comparable to the rest of Canadian society. Through this, the coordinator will foster links between the Network and provincial and federal government initiatives impacting Aboriginal ECD. This will also include creating linkages between service providers, disseminate information and foster linkages to mainstream ECD initiatives.
Success By 6 will support Aboriginal ECD Network to create culturally appropriate materials and resources for use within existing ECD programs. To accomplish this, the Aboriginal ECD Network will divide the funds amongst the 6 circles in the region. Aboriginal Organizations and respective First Nation in each circle will collaborate to identify specific resources needed to provide services through an Aboriginal culturally appropriate lens.
Success By 6 support in the training project will develop and deliver training to Aboriginal ECD program staff to support their capacity to provide best practice, culturally appropriate services. To accomplish this, a consultant will develop and deliver training across the region, including smaller areas within the region. In addition, a portion of the funds will be used to assist agencies to have their staff participate in the training.
Lastly, Success By 6 will support the project where shared awareness of programs and services for children and their families in the Fraser Region. To achieve this goal the Network will bring together programs, including families and staff, to facilitate increased knowledge and understanding of the resources and supports available to Aboriginal children and families. The Network will develop a website to foster and share knowledge about Aboriginal programs and services.
Success By 6 overarching support will help ensure that all Aboriginal children, families and communities across the Fraser Region will access full range of culturally appropriate early childhood development services that will, in turn foster their ability to reach their maximum potential.
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