<p> CHILDREN FIRST MEETING April 2, 2014 2:30 – 4:30 OPTIONS 9815 140th Street CHAIR: Stacey Rennie MINUTES PRESENT:</p><p>Sara Grant, Surrey Libraries Ruth Beardsley, OPTIONS Helgi Remmelq, The Children’s Foundation Cindy Earle, Ministry of Social Development and Rhea Hubbard, Alex House Social Innovation (MSDSI) Yvonne Adebar, ECD SOURCES Angie Casoria, Children’s Foundation Gary Thandi, Children’s Partnership, Minutes Kamal Bharya, PICS Susan P., Children’s Partnership Stacey Rennie, City of Surrey, Chair Danielle Jimino, SHCCS – A Place to Grow Katherine MacIntyre, OPTIONS Raji Heer, Centre for Child Development Lisa Legazpi Erin Balmer, City of Surrey Ann Turner, Surrey Schools Penny Bradley, Alexandra Neighbourhood House</p><p>1. Welcome and Introductions 2. Approval of Approved Agenda 3. Approval of Approved January 15, 2014 Minutes 4. Strategic Priorities Susan P. from the After an extensive process, a vision, a set of values, guiding principles, core Children’s functions, outcomes framework and strategic priorities were put together (most were there before, but better articulated and presented in a clearer manner). Partnership Susan has a power point entitled “Children’s Partnership: Strategic Planning Process & Outcomes, April 2014: Children First Feedback Session” that describes process – copies distributed. This power point will be put on CP website. Document reviewed by CF table. Small group breakouts to review priorities and challenges/positives in implementation. </p><p>Strategic priorities noted in document and discussed: addressing needs of vulnerable populations (Aboriginal, refugee, immigrant, newcomer, families in entrenched poverty); mental health and social / emotional wellbeing of children and families (strengthening systems of support); healthy physical development; supporting literacy; assisting parents/caregivers to effectively support their children; child and youth social engagement and connection to community; engaging the community in child development; and building community and sector capacity. </p><p>Strategies around the priorities will evolve based upon feedback from partners. Initial group feedback: encapsulates what CF table members have talked about. Comments: definitions (i.e. what is “collaboration”, what is “vulnerable,” what are “needs”), engaging partners differently (i.e. based on their mandates), getting buy-in from decision-makers (both from funders and within organizations), difficulty meeting capacity for services (if there is education around identifying needs for clients, then need services thereafter – though these are not necessarily in place), equitable access (ensuring coordination of services, having a continuum of services), keeping data updated and constantly reviewing as needed (checking in with front-line workers who see needs, changes in needs), awareness / training (recognizing needs), space (reciprocity of space), policies that conflict amongst agencies, addressing taboos/stigmas.</p><p>Positives / challenges: accessibility of services, awareness that to support child’s mental health we must support parents, caregivers and families (and even communities), unaware of what mental health is, stigma/lack of education, stigma around word “mental,” consider alternative descriptors i.e. “to improve systems of support that help children and families social and emotional well- being that there are treatments, different layers / generations in families who have different views, consider more universal approach (i.e. CYC is also looking at this), sharing of information is a challenge, having students (i.e. Masters Level students in marketing)</p><p>5. Early Years Test The Children’s Partnership is supportive of the Children First table and the S. Sites RFP Surrey-WR ECD table to be designated as tables for the purpose of responding to the RFP (endorsements are required for proposals). Each RFP is being supported by the collaborative of agencies and partners. Stacey mentioned that the City of Surrey is very encouraged and will provide support to the proposals via letters of support. As well, from the perspective of the Early Years Smart Cities initiative (IBM Smart Cities) they can contribute their capacity for data analytics to community proposals. The RFP deadline is April 23. 6. Updates: Pop Up RFP Unable to discuss due to time limitations. ECD Mental Health Collaborative South Asian ECD Task Force Other</p><p>7. Next Meeting May 21, 2014</p>