The Development of Regional and Community Driven Plan(s) to Better Respond to the Needs of Families with Young Children in Northwest Saskatchewan. Learn how communities in the Northwest region are working together at an interagency and community level to better the health and life outcomes of children.

1. Building Health:
Improving Early Childhood Outcomes In Northwest Saskatchewan
It Does Take a Northern Village to Raise a Child
Michael Quennell
Executive Director Community Health Development, Keewatin Yatthé Regional Health Authority
www.qualitysummit.ca
#QS14

2. TENIKE
MUHSEE

3. La Loche, Saskatchewan, 1906

4. 2014

5. Improving Early Childhood Outcomes in Northwest Saskatchewan
Taking Action: Regional Committee
• Regional committee formed and meets monthly
• Partnering with KYRHA:
Northern Lights School Division,
Ile a la Crosse School Divisions,
KidsFirst North,
Early Childhood Education Program,
Aboriginal HeadStart,
Northlands College,
Social Services

6. Improving Early Childhood Outcomes in Northwest Saskatchewan
Conception Age Eight
Speech & Language
Numbers
Age Four 6
Peer Social Skills
Hearing
3 5
Critical Periods of Brain Development

7. Improving Early Childhood Outcomes in Northwest Saskatchewan
Current State: Behind from the Start
Low social economic status /
education, income
Poor housing stock / overcrowding
High teenage pregnancy rate High rates of addiction
Loss of parenting knowledge / skills
related to residential schools
Children arrive at school with poor
language development and skills
Lack of political leadership focus
on early years
Poorest early childhood outcomes
in the province
Diminished cultural identity / values

8. Improving Early Childhood Outcomes in Northwest Saskatchewan
Current State: Agency Disconnect
Less than 100 families served
by early intervention programs
Agencies work in isolation
of each other
Underdeveloped referral practices /
lack of agency working relationships
Lack of capacity: single staff person
agencies or programs
Transportation to events
a challenge to many families
Perception of a lack of public space
to congregate, learn together
Stigma about early intervention
programs

9. Improving Early Childhood Outcomes in Northwest Saskatchewan
Current State: Hope through Recognition
Regional and community-based
organization do want to work together
Good programming and services
are being offered
Engagement key:
Offer young parents universal,
attractive opportunities to get together
Parent perspective critical:
Build learning opportunities geared to
parents: content, timing, pace
Community development,
parent-driven, inclusive approach
recognized as essential to improving
early childhood outcomes

10. Improving Early Childhood Outcomes in Northwest Saskatchewan
Increase Support Zero to Three
Help Children with
delays earlier
Parents identify
interests and
determine content
and timing of
learning
opportunities.
User Friendly
Programs
Prenatal Birth Age 3
Transportation
Agencies co-
deliver
universal
program
Encourage
Traditional
Parenting
Practices
Build upon
Public Health

11. Improving Early Childhood Outcomes in Northwest Saskatchewan
First Steps
Reduce Isolation
Among Parents •Build Relationships
Between Parents
• Between Parents
and Services
Engagement
through
Parent Driven
Activities
Prenatal Birth Age 3
Play Based Learning OpportunitiesMaternal Health

12. Improving Early Childhood Outcomes in Northwest Saskatchewan
Taking Action: Process Mapping
• Child serving agencies
and organizations process
mapped
• Each agency better aware
of what others are doing
• Recognition of the
opportunity and potential of
working together
Conception Age Six

13. Improving Early Childhood Outcomes in Northwest Saskatchewan

14. Improving Early Childhood Outcomes in Northwest Saskatchewan
Future State
• Community understands and supports early
childhood development – demonstrated, in part,
by political leadership and public investment
• Children begin school ready to learn
• Programs work together to benefit families;
more work / less confusion.
• Universal (inclusive) child / family-friendly
programs exist
• Traditional parenting widely practices and valued

15. Improving Early Childhood Outcomes in Northwest Saskatchewan
Village of Beauval
• Beauval Village is one of 12 communities
within the Keewatin Yatthé Health Region
• Fourth largest in population – about 800 residents
• Located 100 kilometres north of Green Lake
• Predominately Métis with strong social ties to
neighbouring communities and First Nations
• Young age structure: nearly 50% of population
below age 30

16. Improving Early Childhood Outcomes in Northwest Saskatchewan
5 Rs
• Readiness
• Relationships
• Reciprocity
• Respect
• Resources

17. Improving Early Childhood Outcomes in Northwest Saskatchewan
Beauval Work
• Working committee struck in February 2014
• 12 community representatives came to initial meeting
• Importance of partnership, community development
• Strengths, challenges, opportunities in this work
• Held community supper to announce program with over 100 residents
attending. Surveyed parents about what day and time to hold program, and
areas of interest
• Met again with parents to further discuss content and approach
• Program began in May

18. Improving Early Childhood Outcomes in Northwest Saskatchewan
Beauval Findings
• Journey of Communal and Familial ways of doing
• Within Circle of Aboriginal Values, Identity and Teachings, including traditional
parenting and the use of Elders
• At community level significant resources and strength exist when individuals
and agencies work together.
• While Science supports the work.
• Most important part is the Art (way of doing) – how best to support and build
relationships with families to better support ECD
• Inclusive and parent driven

20. www.qualitysummit.ca
#QS14
Questions?
Contact Me:
Michael Quennell
KYRHA, Executive Director Community Health Development
michael.quennell@kyrha.sk.ca