Province of BC to invest in Aboriginal Head Start Programs across British Columbia

As the NDP government continues to roll out its plans towards daycare in British Columbia, one program is set to receive close to twenty million dollars towards licensed child care spaces at Aboriginal Head Start programs.

The announcement of the funding boost was made on Thursday, part of a thirty million dollar funding delivery to the First Nations Health Authority and Aboriginal Head Start Association of BC. The investment in the twin programs is expected to be in place by 2020.

Katrina Chen, the Minister of State for Child Care outlined the province's goal for the funding program.


“We want parents to have more options for culturally inclusive, quality child care that honours their traditions,” ... “These investments support our commitment to make life more affordable for families across the province.”

Details on the Thursday announcement can be reviewed here.

Joan Gignac, the Executive Director of the Aboriginal Head Start program observed how the certainty of the funding will help to build on the success of the program in the province.

“This provincial investment to expand the reach of AHS in B.C. will help respond to the demand we are hearing from communities who currently don’t have such resources for the children and families. Through collaboration and community partnerships, we will be able to strengthen community services where they are needed most,”  

“This investment will build on the successes and lessons learned by offering what we now understand AHS to be — which is ‘family wellness’ programs. By investing in our children and their families, we are ultimately strengthening B.C. communities.”

Prince Rupert is one of twelve urban/off reserve programs operated by Aboriginal Head start, with daycare services offered through the Prince Rupert Boulevard location.

The funding announcement comes following a recent tour of the Northwest by Minister Chen who stopped in Prince Rupert earlier this week to explore some of the options that are available in this community and to receive feedback from local daycare operators.

MLA Jennifer Rice tracked some of the Minister's travels in the community through her Facebook page.

The North Coast MLA has also made note of an upcoming Telephone Town Hall, with Minister Katrine Conroy set to discuss issues related to child care in the province and taking questions from those that participate.

The Telephone Town Hall takes place on Tuesday June 5th, you can find out more information about that initiative and how you can participate in it here.

For more items of note related to the Legislature and the North Coast constituency see our archive page here.

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