$50,000 for Child Care Resource and Referral Services, Eastern Shore

COMMUNITY SERVICES--$50,000 for Child Care Resource and Referral Services, Eastern Shore

Young Nova Scotians are growing up great through Early Childhood Development initiatives. The provincial government announced $500,000 to establish Child Care Resource and Referral Services across Nova Scotia today, Nov. 20, National Child Day. The Eastern Shore Family Resource Association of West Jeddore and the Musquodoboit Valley Family Resource Centre of Middle Musquodoboit share a $50,000 grant, one of 10 such grants under the initiative.

"We're providing more options for child care and more supports for Nova Scotia families," said Community Services Minister, Peter Christie. "Child Care Resource and Referral Services provide for local child care planning and the provision of new services to meet the unique needs of both urban and rural communities."

Child Care Resource and Referral Services have long been established throughout many parts of Canada and the United States. The Healthy Child Development Initiatives Steering Committee recommended starting Child Care Resource and Referral Services in Nova Scotia.

The department will contract with 10 existing family and early- childhood support programs around the province to begin offering Child Care Resource and Referral Services. The locations reflect the need and populations of the communities served. Funding will enable each site to hire a co-ordinator and meet technology and administrative requirements.

The government of Canada has committed $2.2 billion to fund Early Childhood Development programs across the country over a five- year period that began in 2001. The funding is allocated to provinces and territories based on population. Each province or territory determines how its money will be distributed. Nova Scotia's portion is $66 million.