October - District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Board

Best Start Network Meeting
October 30, 2006
Community Child Care Services by
Present: Anna Zuccato, Claire Lafreniere, Florence Lake, Ramona McLennon, Maria Esposito, Susan
Vanagas-Cote, Brenda O’Neill, Nicki Rutledge, Marilyn Robb, Laurie Boston, Nicole True,
Laura Mergaert, Sharon Candido
Teleconf: Lina Davidson, Cathy Alisch, Sylvie Langlois Guest: Diana Taranto
Description People Responsible Action/Resolution
Review of Network Terms of
Reference
Network
Ongoing Discussion
Discussion of Integration
Document
Network
Network members to review questions
in item 2 and be prepared to discuss at
next meeting
Addressing of Local ECE situation Sandra Russel See Item #1
Advocacy for Best Start
Agency Information Sharing
Should CSI only include Evidence
Based Programs?
French Translation of Plan
Changes
Mapping of French Immersion
Students
Network
Network
Network
Network
Judy Tucci
Further advocacy measures to be
discussed
We will determine what is necessary
after the Province provides further
guidelines on Service Integration.
Put forward to future meeting
A discussion needs to take place
regarding the process for ongoing
changes.
Judy will map where French Immersion
children live in SSM. She will look at
EDI scores and incorporate both School
Boards.This will assist with further
discussion on the need for bilingual
ECE’s and exposure to the French
language for JK/SK students.
Will assist Boards in determining what
classroom supports are required.
Regional French Language
Update
Kelly Gioia See Item #1
Aboriginal Model of
Service Integration
Cathy Alisch
A PowerPoint presentation is available
and the Network may benefit from this
Aboriginal Model of Integration

1. Review of Minutes from June 9 and July 10, 2006: R. McLennon
French Language Update from Lina and Sylvie:
• Few were in attendance at last regional meeting. The next meeting will take place by teleconference
Nov. 16
• Terms of Reference are being reviewed
• 100 students are enrolled in the French ECE programs through Boreal College. Video-conferencing
allows students to study from their home communities.
Response to Child Care Supervisor’s report, Nicole True:
• Nicole responded to some of the local ECE concerns.
• A model for a “Grant Assistance Program” has been approved in principal. Grant is designed to
provide tuition money and incentives (bonus) for accepting employment as an ECE.
• Grant amounts to be determined.
Minutes approved, to be converted to PDF and made available to public via DSSAB website.
2. PowerPoint presentation summarizing the Integration Document provided by MCYS: R. McLennon
• 9 “Key Findings” were highlighted
• Many commented on the benefits of having “Service Integration” and “Service Coordination” clearly
defined. This is a critical component to Hub development.
• Cathy Alisch suggested that we look to the Aboriginal Group as they have developed a model of
integration that is designed to meet family needs without the overlapping of services.
• The Network needs to define how our community falls on the Integration/Coordination Scale.
Guidelines will need to be established to plot our course from “Awareness to Fusion”
• The province will be releasing further instruction on Integration/Hub development. We can expect that
this will be available by our next meeting.
Questions for Discussion at Next Meeting
• What service integration strategies already exist in our community?
• What barriers exist to furthering integration in our community?
• Do we have a “community interagency committee”?
• Does Sault Ste. Marie have service coordinators?
• How can we best identify which services should be integrated, what they currently do and any gaps or
duplications?
• Where does our community fall on the “integration continuum”?
3. Update from OMSSA Network Meeting: F. Lake
• As of Sept 30, 06, there were 14,873 new child care spaces as a result of Best Start.
• 60% in school, 50% are for JK/SK children, 13% are Francophone,
100 spaces are designated for Aboriginal Children
• Expert Panel on Early Learning Framework will have report ready for December 2006. Panel is
developing a learning program for preschool children that can link the JK/SK curriculum.
• Expert Panel on Quality and Human Resources will have a report prepared early in the new year.
Their focus in on the recruitment and retention of qualified ECE’s and the establishment of high quality
licensed and informal child care.

• The 18 Month Well-Baby Expert Panel has sent their recommendations to the Ministry. This panel
worked on developing strategies for a province wide developmental assessment for 18-month-old
children.
4. Ministry Update on Best Start: N. True
• As a means of continuing with Hub development, the northern region will use existing resources by
integrating Family Resource Centre’s (FRP’s) and Ontario Early Years Centre’s (OEYC’s) into Hubs.
Corporate is aware of their strategy.
• The north has met with these agencies and there is an agreement in principle. It will be a ministry-guided
initiative. No new money can be expected unless the Province selects our region as a pilot site.
• “Natural Hub’s” are not excluded. For example CAPC or an Aboriginal organization.
• Province will be providing tools and requirements for plan development.
• 3 Members of Network to attend Best Start Forum – November 15, 06. Co-chairs and one additional
member (t.b.a.) will travel to Toronto.
5. Review of Terms of Reference: R. McLennon
• Anna Zuccato and Susan Vanagas-Cote will co-chair Network for the next yr.
• Key Activities redefined.
• Distinction between “Signatory Members” and “Additional Members” removed.
• More discussion to take place around which agencies require a seat at the Network table and what sub
groups are needed.
• Should the parent group be “weaved” among the other groups?
6. Update on Parent Sub-group: N. Rutledge
• Copy of highlights forwarded to all members.
• Nicki emphasized to Network that keeping parents active in sub-group is a challenge and that it would
be beneficial to reduce meeting frequency to bi-monthly. There is currently not enough dialogue to
keep the momentum going. Parents need to know their time and efforts are valued.
7. Update on Preschool Speech and Language: L. Boston
• The Algoma Health Unit (2 Best Start Networks Involved) has received a $39,000 grant designed to
1. Decrease waitlists
2. Training for caregivers in language/literacy
3. Support Special Needs Children who don’t go to school
• A preliminary budget has been submitted for Ministry approval.
• Lynn Livingstone wants the Network and the Preschool System Management Committee to work
together to determine how service should be delivered.
8. Response to North Region’s Integrated Plans: R. McLennon
• Plans have been approved in principle
• Copies of PowerPoint presentation were provided to all members.
9. Partnering Between Child Care Algoma and Aboriginal Organizations: D. Taranto
• It has been noted the correspondence between Best Start Coordinator and the Aboriginal Group has
been distributed.
• Diana Taranto provided information regarding partnering that takes place between Child Care Algoma
and Aboriginal Organizations. These include Batchewana First Nation (including Batchewana Bay,
Rankin and Goulais) Indian Friendship Centre, Nog-da-win-da-min, Garden River First Nation and
Rankin Day Care Centre.
10. Next Meeting: Monday, November 27, 2006 10:30 – 3:30