International, National, Federal and Provincial Government Policy Initiatives Supporting Healthy Child and Youth Development

International Initiatives
National & Federal Government Initiatives
Provincial Government initiatives

International Initiatives

United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child:

http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu3/b/k2crc.htm or http://www.unicef.org/crc/index_30160.html

Built on varied legal systems and cultural traditions, the Convention is a universally agreed set of non-negotiable standards and obligations. These basic standards—also called human rights—set minimum entitlements and freedoms that should be respected by governments. They are founded on respect for the dignity and worth of each individual, regardless of race, colour, gender, language, religion, opinions, origins, wealth, birth status or ability and therefore apply to every human being everywhere. With these rights comes the obligation on both governments and individuals not to infringe on the parallel rights of others. These standards are both interdependent and indivisible; we cannot ensure some rights without—or at the expense of—other rights.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the first legally binding international instrument to incorporate the full range of human rights—civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights. In 1989, world leaders decided that children needed a special convention just for them because people under 18 years old often need special care and protection that adults do not. The leaders also wanted to make sure that the world recognized that children have human rights too.

The Convention sets out these rights in 54 articles and two Optional Protocols. It spells out the basic human rights that children everywhere have: the right to survival; to develop to the fullest; to protection from harmful influences, abuse and exploitation; and to participate fully in family, cultural and social life. The four core principles of the Convention are non-discrimination; devotion to the best interests of the child; the right to life, survival and development; and respect for the views of the child. Every right spelled out in the Convention is inherent to the human dignity and harmonious development of every child. The Convention protects children's rights by setting standards in health care; education; and legal, civil and social services.

By agreeing to undertake the obligations of the Convention (by ratifying or acceding to it), national governments have committed themselves to protecting and ensuring children's rights and they have agreed to hold themselves accountable for this commitment before the international community. States parties to the Convention are obliged to develop and undertake all actions and policies in the light of the best interests of the child.

United Nations General Assembly

In May 2002, Canada participated in the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Children. During the Special Session, world leaders and thousands of delegates, including children, reviewed progress and lessons learned since the 1990 World Summit for Children. World leaders also renewed the international agenda for children for the coming decade (2002 - 2012). Further information can be found at: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/dca-dea/allchildren_touslesenfants/ungass_e.html

[ top ]

National & Federal Government Initiatives

The Universal Child Care Benefit

This benefit came into effect on July 1, 2006 and provides Canadian parents $100 (taxable) for each child under six. Further information can be found at: http://www.universalchildcare.ca/eng/home.shtml

Fitness Tax Credit

On January 1, 2007, a tax credit to promote physical fitness among children began for each child under 16 years of age. The credit will be provided on up to $500 in eligible fees for programs of physical activity. Further information can be found at: www.fin.gc.ca/news06/06-059e.html

Federal strategy on early childhood development

In September 2000, Canada's First Ministers established the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Agreement, recognizing the importance of children's early years in shaping long-term outcomes. Its goal is to ensure young children can fulfill their potential to be healthy, safe and secure, ready to learn, and socially engaged and responsible. Further information can be found at: http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/hidb-bdih/initiative-eng.aspx?Hi=43

National Children’s Alliance

www.nationalchildrensalliance.com/nca/index.htm

The National Children's Alliance is a network of 69 national organizations committed to improving the lives of children and youth in Canada. Since its inception in 1996 the Alliance has worked to:

• Facilitate dialogue on children's issues with government
• Strengthen the network of national voluntary organizations and NGOs
• Develop policy recommendations
• Engage provincial/territorial/regional constituent organizations in working collaboratively on issues
• Promote the development and implementation of a national children's agenda
• National Children's Alliance is currently working with its members and other partners across
  Canada to explore the needs of children aged 6-12 and to develop a policy framework and recommendations to support the "Middle Years"

The Childcare Advocacy Association of Canada - Code Blue

The Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada (CCAAC) arose from the second Canadian conference on Child Care held in Winnipeg in 1982. Over 700 delegates from all Provinces and Territories called for an effective voice to pursue childcare issues at the federal level and to promote a broad consensus of support within all regions of Canada. CCAAC is a pan-Canadian, non-profit, membership-based organization dedicated to promoting quality childcare accessible to all. The CCAAC works for: (1) Childcare as a cornerstone of progressive family policies, (2) The right of all children to access a child care system supported by public funds,(3) A childcare system that is comprehensive, inclusive, accessible, affordable, high quality and non-profit and (4) a range of childcare services for children birth to 12 years. Further information can be found at: http://www.ccaac.ca/home.php

[ top ]

Provincial Government Initiatives

Ontario’s Policy Framework for Child and Youth Mental Health

As the champion of children and youth, the Ministry of Children and Youth Services (MCYS) has developed a policy framework to provide strategic direction for ongoing improvements over the next decade. The framework applies to all Ontario children and youth up to age 18 years. The framework recognizes that child and youth mental health is a shared responsibility. It is designed to foster collaboration amongst everyone who shares responsibility for the healthy development of Ontario’s children and youth: families/caregivers, communities, service providers, government and all child- and youth-serving sectors. The framework is the product of cross-sectoral collaboration, which included one year of province-wide discussions with over 300 participants from a wide range of government and community partners. This document was also informed by an extensive literature review, consultations with mental health experts and a series of inter-ministerial discussions.

Further information can be found at: http://www.children.gov.on.ca/CS/en/programs/SpecialNeeds/Publications/policyFramework.htm

Best Start

Best Start is Ontario's strategy to expand quality and affordable child care and invest in children's healthy early development. This collaborative approach works with community partners, school boards, public health units, child care, children's services providers, and municipalities. This program will be implemented over the next 10 years and Ontario has achieved significant progress in 2005–06 in implementing its Best Start vision. Consolidated Municipal Services Municipalities have already received sufficient funding to create almost 15,000 new licensed child care spaces in 2005-2006, and a significant number of new subsidies to assist parents with the cost of licensed care, in addition to 4,000 subsidized child care spaces created in 2004-05.

Goals of Best Start are to have:

• Many more children and parents have access to services and supports, regardless of individual economic or social circumstances
• Pre-school, junior kindergarten, senior kindergarten, quality child care, public health and parenting programs integrated into a seamless system that supports families and children
• Early and on-going screening of Ontario's children to identify potential issues, needs and risks is strengthened
• Early learning and care hubs established in Ontario's communities to provide families with a single, integrated, seamless point of access to services and supports based on local needs and available resources.

Further information can be found at: http://www.children.gov.on.ca/CS/en/programs/BestStart/default.htm

Physical Activity/ Nutrition Strategies

1. Active 2010: The Government of Ontario's Sport and Physical Activity Strategy, Active 2010 is a comprehensive strategy to increase participation in sport and physical activity throughout Ontario. Its goal is to achieve higher physical activity rates and increased sport participation in order to improve the quality of life in the province. Further information can be found at: www.mhp.gov.on.ca/english/sportandrec/active2010.asp
2. Communities in Action Fund: For 2007-2008, the Ontario government is planning to invest $5 million into the highly successful Communities in Action Fund (CIAF) program.
   
   CIAF is a key initiative of the government’s ACTIVE2010 Strategy and Ontario’s Action Plan for Healthy Eating and Active Living. CIAF helps to remove barriers to participation for children and youth, low-income families, aboriginal people, older adults, women and girls, visible/ethnic minorities and people with disabilities. Further information can be found at: www.mhp.gov.on.ca/english/sportandrec/fund.asp
3. Public Education Campaign: In November 2006, the Provincial government launched a youth public education campaign promoting healthy eating and active living. The Health Promotion Minister unveiled a new public education campaign encouraging youth to eat healthy and be more physically active. This campaign that speaks directly to young people aged 12-15 years and features an interactive website, www.notgonnakillyou.ca Further information can be found at: http://www.mhp.gov.on.ca/english/news/2006/110206.asp
4. Student Nutrition Program: The Provincial student nutrition program has more than doubled its investment to $8.5 million annually. More than 315,000 elementary and secondary students receive healthy breakfasts, lunches or snacks to help them be ready to learn and succeed. Further information can be found at: www.children.gov.on.ca/CS/en/newsRoom/backgrounders/060309.htm

Ontario Advocate for Children and Youth

The Provincial government is looking at introducing legislation in 2005-06 that, if passed, would establish an independent provincial advocate in Ontario. The new legislation would make the child and youth advocate an officer of the legislature and as independent as the ombudsman or the auditor general. The proposed legislation is part of the government’s plan to help vulnerable children and youth in Ontario succeed and thrive. The child and youth advocate speaks on behalf of Ontario’s most vulnerable young people, including children and youth involved with the youth justice system, foster, group or residential care, and who have physical or developmental disabilities. Further information can be found at: www.children.gov.on.ca/CS/en/newsRoom/newsReleases/050308.htm

Youth Engagement

1. 2006 Ontario Children and Youth Summit: More than 180 youth from across the province joined youth services providers and key decision makes at the 2006 Ontario Children and Youth Summit to discuss solutions to challenges facing youth. The summit brought together community partners, service providers and youth from across the province to discuss services, challenges and opportunities.
   
2. Youth Opportunities Strategy: Province committed $28.5 million for it’s Youth Opportunities Strategy, a broad plan to help young people in underserved communities achieve success through new and expanded community-based outreach, job-readiness, employment, skills training and youth leadership programs. Further information found at: www.children.gov.on.ca/CS/en/newsRoom/backgrounders/060710.htm
3. Akwe:go: Funding for Akwe:go, a program to help urban Aboriginal children and youth in 27 communities develop positive life skills and overcome challenges. Further information can be found at: www.children.gov.on.ca/CS/en/newsRoom/factSheets/051212.htm

Youth Justice

The Provincial government is helping youth in conflict with the law by establishing 12 additional youth intervention centers, bringing the total to 27 across the province by the end of 2006. These centers will provide youth with structured and closely supervised programs to re-integrate them into their communities. The new centres provide closely supervised programs where youth in conflict with the law accept responsibility for their actions and develop anger management, learning, employment and other life skills. Further information can be found at: www.children.gov.on.ca/CS/en/programs/YouthJustice/default.htm

Mental Health/Special Needs

1. Improving services for children with autism by increasing the number of children receiving Intensive Behavioural Intervention regardless of age. Further information can be found at: www.children.gov.on.ca/CS/en/newsRoom/newsReleases/060616.htm
2. Providing more children and youth with mental health services through more than 200 new and expanded local programs across the province resulting from increased investments of $38 million annually. Further information can be found at: www.children.gov.on.ca/CS/en/newsRoom/newsReleases/050118.htm
3. Reforming the child’s well-being and protection system through the Child and Family Services Statute Law Amendment Act. Reforms under the act will strengthen the accountability of children’s aid societies and allow more children to grow up in safe, caring, permanent homes. Further information can be found at: http://www.children.gov.on.ca/
4. Investing more than $140 million to help special needs children and their families, including an additional $10 million to enable Children’s Treatment Centres to serve 4,800 more children and youth. Further information can be found at: http://www.children.gov.on.ca/CS/en/newsRoom/newsReleases/060512.htm
5. Providing more children and youth with mental health services through an expanded telepsychiatry program for children and youth in underserved, rural, and remote areas. Further information can be found at: www.children.gov.on.ca/CS/en/newsRoom/newsReleases/061130.htm

[ top ]