The Vancouver Island Region is taking action to achieve the five pillars of Strong, Safe and Supported, the government's Commitment to B.C.'s Children and Youth, which was released in the summer of 2008. The Operational Plan establishes specific actions, timelines and outcomes that the ministry is working on in order to enhance and improve services for children, youth and communities. The Operational Plan was developed with actions and strategies to address the five pillars - prevention, early intervention, intervention and support, the Aboriginal approach and quality assurance - and changes to infrastructure and resources supporting the system.
The Vancouver Island Region (VIR) monitors the Operational Plan and submits monthly progress reports to the ministry's Provincial Office. The VIR is using this information and expanding on the initiatives in Strong, Safe and Supported to further the principles of transformation in the region. The VIR is taking further action as follows:
The Regional Transformation Manager is a member of the Transformation Support Team of Provincial Office ensuring regular reporting from the region. The manager is communicating regularly the regional initiatives and their progress.
The region has established Regional Advisory Council that will guide the community-based planning process of the Vancouver Island Regional Strategic Plan. The Strong, Safe, and Supported Operational Plan - regional initiatives - will be reflected in the corresponding regional themes of the plan. The Regional Transformation Manager works to support and link the ministry's plan and the region's planning process.
The Vancouver Island Region is preparing to achieve the following three key outcomes in the transformation process:
Many transformational planning processes are taking place regionally. MCFD staff and community stakeholders will be provided with a variety of ways to be involved in the regional planning process. A draft Regional Strategic Plan now reflects overarching themes supported by subcommittees comprised of MCFD management, staff, Advisory Council members, and community stakeholders. This model will ensure that planning and the subsequent service delivery in communities will be community owned.
Our next major step is to ensure the input of children, youth, and families in evaluation and program development. This will require the development of child, youth, and family-friendly processes that will ensure that input is heard, responded to, and acted upon as necessary changes are identified.
The MCFD Vancouver Island Region has worked to strengthen partnerships with Health, Education, and the contracted sector. Vancouver Island regional staff, Aboriginal delegated agencies, Friendship Centres, and Métis organizations meet regularly to identify steps to ensure the appropriate resources and service delivery models for Aboriginal People on Vancouver Island.
These reports will be posted at this webpage with an invitation for your input and comments.
Sandra Goth, Regional Transformation Manager may be contacted with questions at:
Email: Sandra.Goth@gov.bc.ca
Phone: 250 732-1387
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