Strengthening child and youth programs and services

By Miriam Ostermann, Associate Editor

Strathmore’s need for a more comprehensive overview of child and youth programs and services was at the forefront of last week’s council meeting when administration discussed the Youth Club Progress Plan.
The report, which was described as a roadmap for the Youth Club of Strathmore from January to December 2018, outlined the objectives and strategies of how goals have been and will be met.
Council was provided with information on: reviewing and aligning current practices, policies and regulations with the town, provincial and federal legislation; viewing and assessing the current programs, and implementing administrative controls; and, evaluating the afterschool care program.
However, it was administration’s intentions of conducting a gap analysis to provide a clear understanding of services available in the community and the need of afterschool care that sparked a discussion during the regular council meeting on July 4.
“There is more research that needs to be done of what’s out in the community; we don’t really have a strong picture,” said Tracey Simpson, director of community and protective services with the Town of Strathmore.
“One of the results we want to come out of our gap analysis and surveys is, what are the needs in the community that aren’t being met by other service providers, including the schools and other non-profits, and then making sure that we’re meeting a need. Whether it’s with what we’re currently offering or if something is newly identified.
“Our goal is definitely not to duplicate services. We don’t want to be competing or fractioning our services. We’ll be able to identify what other people are doing if there’s still a need in that area, and if not, where else can we focus our energy and resources.”
Since January, administration has met one-on-one with the youth club programmer to review current policies and practices, to provide training opportunities for staff, to develop minimum standards of safety and meeting the developmental needs of children, to develop policies and procedures specific to the Out of School Care program; and are now starting to engage council and staff to provide feedback for the development of the survey.
“The ongoing need for a child and youth program and services in the community needs to be strengthened,” said Linda Bernicki, social services coordinator with the Town of Strathmore.
“Some ways in which we can do that is through constructive community dialogue, a well-articulated strategic plan and a shift of thinking, and including a balance between program delivery and community development.
“We have started to identify gaps in service for children and youth… and that’s what we’re looking at with the review of the programs. What type of gap in service is there and who is best to fill that gap. Should it be us or is there another service provider in the community that can help fill that gap.”
Bernicki added administration will continue to evaluate the afterschool care program with new services currently offered within the municipality and will look into developing a youth survey to be implemented through a variety of venues.
However, it was administration’s intent of beginning to explore the expansion of the scope of services offered after school to encompass less formal types of indoor and outdoor activities, arts, cultural activities and life skills orientation, that concerned Councillor Jason Montgomery.
“I understand we need to complete this analysis before we have solid answers; I guess I’m concerned that we’re exploring the expansion of the scope of services before we get to the point of where we’re developing a comprehensive set of strategic directions or business plan,” said Montgomery. “We know there is a fair bit of money being spent towards this right now… I think we need to figure out, within reason, how much money we’re going to be throwing at this whole program going forward. So, let’s make sure we’re directing resources towards things that are sustainable and have a long-term life.”
Chief Administrative Officer James Thackray and Simpson assured council that administration is looking at sustainable service models and considering costs as well as possibilities of subsidization.
For Councillor Denise Peterson, who expressed her concern regarding after school care program cost, the identification of priorities is necessary for council to be able to make budgetary decisions.
“I think it’s going to be incumbent on us… to decide what the priorities are unless you’ve done a gap analysis – and we will be taking that direction from (administration) – but one of the things this council has to decide is what capacity do we have in terms of our budget,” she said.
The report also stated that administration will be looking at strengthening the department’s role in community development, increasing partnerships and assisting as a community hub, supporting initiatives to increase opportunities for rural youth, and to share information with the community, service providers, parents and youth over the next few months.
Council accepted the report as information during the town’s regular council meeting on July 4.