For Immediate Release
2014CFD0014-000647
May 13, 2014
Ministry of Children and Family Development
First poverty pilot progress report is now posted
VICTORIA – The B.C. government and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities today released the Community Poverty Reduction Pilot Projects 2014 Progress Report, which highlights the importance of cross-government and community partnerships to address poverty throughout the province.
When the pilot projects launched in May 2012, UBCM recommended the participating communities – Cranbrook, Kamloops, New Westminster, Port Hardy, Prince George, Stewart and Surrey – to reflect a mix of B.C.’s metro, urban, rural and remote communities. Family consultants from the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) were assigned to work collaboratively with community partners to build local teams, with the goals of identifying the key barriers families face, connecting families directly to the services they need, and creating community plans that innovatively work towards addressing these barriers.
Through their work in each community, the MCFD family consultants confirmed that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to poverty. Different communities expressed different priorities based on the needs of their local families. For example, in Stewart, participating families identified transportation and food security as barriers; whereas in Kamloops, health, housing and education were recognized as among the most important issues to address. A key priority in all communities was to ensure that the families knew about the existing programs and services offered by community agencies and all levels of government, and that they were also supported in accessing them.
Families who participated directly in the pilot projects described the work as “priceless.” Their quality of life improved, barriers were lifted and stress levels declined. Many families either were not aware of the services and supports available, or did not know how to access them prior to their participation in the pilot projects. The one-to-one support they received made a difference in their lives. One parent said their family consultant “has taken a difficult situation and has proceeded to make it an easy one.”
The Province will continue to target initiatives that offer safe and affordable housing, ensure food security and support the overall health for British Columbians, and will continue to work with municipal, federal and community services partners to build on the foundation of the work to date. The Province’s actions to support this progress report’s findings include:
The Province and UBCM will report on the status and success of these pilots by July 30 each year. The progress report is posted on the ministry website at: www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/pdf/community_poverty_reduction.pdf
Quick Facts:
In addition, the Province created the $1,200 BC Training and Education Savings Grant to help parents save for their child’s post-secondary education.
Media Contact:
Sheldon Johnson
Ministry of Children and Family Development
250 356-2939
NT4