Where can you find a public health nurse, prenatal support, First Nations programs, student support services, and programs for young children and teenagers all under the same roof? The brand new Family Place in Parksville.

Family Place officially opened its doors today, offering a variety of health, wellness and education services for Parksville and the surrounding Oceanside community.

The $7.1-million, B.C. government-funded project is a convenient one-stop shop for families to access a wide range of programs provided by the ministries of Children and Family Development, Education and Health.

Parents can take their child for a routine immunization, drop them off at the Munchkinland Discovery Centre afterwards, gather information on nutrition and dental hygiene and attend a family counselling session - all in the same visit.

The multi-faceted hub concept was developed through a partnership between the B.C. government, the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) and the Qualicum school district. Many of the programs have additional support from community agencies, seniors, volunteers and local businesses.

Children and Family Development Minister Stephanie Cadieux and Parksville-Qualicum MLA Ron Cantelon were joined by representatives from VIHA and the school district for the official grand opening event and a tour of the facility.

Quotes:

Stephanie Cadieux, Minister of Children and Family Development -

"Family Place makes things very convenient for busy families. Rather than driving around from place to place, they can find a wide range of important health, wellness and early childhood education services all in one spot. This type of hub is the wave of the future, and we are delighted to see this excellent project spring to life, ready to serve the community."

Don McRae, Minister of Education -

"The breadth of services offered through Family Place is truly unique, and I'm especially proud of the stake the Qualicum school district has made in the project. The literacy programs, First Nations education programs and support services for students will provide families with excellent resources for years to come."

Ron Cantelon, MLA for Parksville-Qualicum -

"Family Place is a great addition to the Oceanside community, and I want to thank all of the partners who came together to create this innovative grouping of programs and services. This facility is going to provide tremendous support for generations of families in this area."

Don Hubbard, VIHA board chair -

"This integrated new centre will offer prenatal and postnatal supports to new moms, as well as preventative health services for children, youth and families. VIHA is proud to be a partner in developing and administering the health components of Family Place and ensuring the services are closely integrated with those of the new Oceanside Health Centre which opens next year."

Lynette Kershaw, chair, Qualicum School District Board of Education -

"We are happy to be involved in this initiative that brings together government programs and services to benefit families in our community. We look forward to continuing with this collaborative approach in support of School District 69's early learning initiatives."

Quick Facts:

• Approved in 2009 as part of the B.C. government's Accelerated Infrastructure Project, the original $5.8-million funding for Family Place was increased a year later to $7.1 million to cover updated costs.
• The two-storey building was built to meet LEED gold standards and features energy-efficient heating, cooling, plumbing and lighting, and will retain rainwater for irrigation on the property.
• Since 2001, the government has invested more than $26.3 million in the Qualicum school district for the replacement of Qualicum Beach Middle school and additions to Ballenas and Kwalikum Secondary schools.

Photos of Family Place:

www.flickr.com/photos/bcgovphotos/8001270193/

Learn More:

Check out B.C.'s Families First Agenda and join the conversation at: www.FamiliesFirstBC.ca

View B.C.'s Education Plan and find out how you can get involved at: www.bcedplan.ca

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contacts:

Corinna Filion, Communications Director
Ministry of Children and Family Development
250 356-2007

Brett Lowther, Communications Manager
Ministry of Education
250 356-5963

Suzanne Germain
Vancouver Island Health Authority
250 370-8294

Jim Ansell, Superintendent of Schools
School District 69 Qualicum
250 954-4681

BACKGROUNDER

Family Place programs improve health, wellness and literacy

Here are some of the programs and services available at Family Place:

Ministry of Children and Family Development:

• Early intervention services for families of children with special needs.
• Early childhood education programs for young children (up to six years of age).
• Counselling services for children, youth and families who want to deal with stress, emotional or behavioural disorders.
• Child and family development services for families who want to strengthen and maintain a safe and positive nurturing environment for their children.
• Adoption services.
• Youth Justice supports and services.

Qualicum School District (SD 69):

• Literacy programs for young children (up to six years of age), including the StrongStart BC Munchkinland Discovery Centre, Dads' Night Out and Mother Goose, provided by the Building Learning Together Society.
• First Nations education services to help First Nations students understand their heritage, increase their sense of belonging and help them with their success at school.
• Student Support Services providing help for students with special learning needs.

Vancouver Island Health Authority:

• Public health nursing, nutrition, dental hygiene, pre-school speech therapy and family support services.
• Early Years Program: prenatal and postnatal support programs for new parents.
• Child Health Clinics: routine immunizations, information about infant and child health.
• Educating New Ideas To Youth (ENITY) peer education and school health programs.
• Youth sexual health clinics.
• Communicable disease prevention.
• Discovery Program for youth and families dealing with problematic substance use.

Media Contacts:

Corinna Filion
Communications Director
Ministry of Children and Family Development
250 356-2007

Brett Lowther
Communications Manager
Ministry of Education
250 356-5963 Suzanne Germain

Vancouver Island Health Authority
250 370-8294

Jim Ansell
Superintendent of Schools
School District 69 Qualicum
250 954-4681