Success By 6(r) is receiving a new investment of $3.4 million from the Ministry of Children and Family Development for early childhood development opportunities for young children throughout the province.

As announced at an event with community partners in Quesnel, the funding will go toward high-quality, community-based programs dedicated to providing children in B.C. with a good start in life. Funded programs include literacy, nutrition, children's play, parenting skills development and cultural programs. The latest provincial investment comes from within the ministry's existing fiscal plan.

From teaching children about the importance of good nutrition to creative and interactive play, Success By 6(r) supports programs that bring a world of wonder, fun, and learning to young children. The goal is to ensure children from birth to age six develop the emotional, social, cognitive and physical skills they need as they enter school.

Last year, Success By 6(r) provided funding for 646 different early childhood development projects in 400 B.C. communities with the support of an estimated 140 local community planning tables.

Success By 6(r) is supported by the Early Childhood Development Provincial Partnership between the ministry, the United Ways, Credit Unions of B.C. and recently joined by the Aboriginal Nations Education Division, which provides advice, support and guidance regarding Aboriginal community programs. In collaboration with local communities and Early Childhood Development professionals, the provincial partnership continues to build child-friendly communities and supports the healthy growth and development of young children and their families.

Quotes:

Kim Lockhart, national director, United Way of Canada - Centraide Canada -

"Here in B.C., we have taken Success By 6(r) to a new level through our partnerships, engaging Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal individuals from all sectors of the community, working together to best direct resources to meet the needs of young children. Together, we are building better communities for our children today and for their future."

Nella Nelson, co-ordinator, Aboriginal Nations Education Division -

"With the support of this funding for Success By 6(r), we are able to fund important and much needed culturally responsive initiatives and projects designed to support our youngest and most precious population - our children."

"Placing high value on children is an important teaching in our culture, and we are happy to be a part of such an important collaboration."

Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett -

"The partnership is recognition that we all share the responsibility to invest in our children's future. This works best at the community level, where we can get to the heart of what's necessary to set children up for success."

Quick Facts:

• Since 2003, the B.C. government has invested over $34.8 million into Success By 6(r).
• The other Success By 6(r) funding partners (the United Ways, the Credit Unions of B.C. and community partners) have contributed about $20 million since 2003.
• This unique program brings together broad cross-sectoral, cross-cultural community groups that include credit unions, municipalities, health, education and many others to support children and families.
• Success By 6(r) recognizes the importance of culture, language, and self-determination to Aboriginal people in B.C. and is working with Aboriginal communities to enhance the lives of young Aboriginal children and their families.
• Success By 6(r) has dedicated $1 million toward implementing an Aboriginal Strategy designed to work with Aboriginal communities to increase representation in initiatives and strengthen community capacity, with the funds distributed to 20 programs in B.C.

Learn More:

For more information about Success By 6(r) programs in B.C., please visit: www.successby6bc.ca

For more information on early childhood development programs funded through the ministry, please visit: www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/early_childhood/index.htm

Contacts:

Cindy Rose
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Children and Family Development
250 356-1639

Kim Adamson / Marcia Dawson
Success By 6(r)
Provincial Manager / Aboriginal Provincial Manager
604 268-1300 ext. 2257
250 590-9190